1990 Lincoln Continental Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 8%of 158 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1990 Lincoln Continental, 8% of the 158 complaints for this model year. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I purchased a 1990 Lincoln Continental in december 2002, and noticed that driving on the highway, the engine revs very high and the transmission does not engage the overdrive. I also noticed that shifting from reverse to drive or drive to rverse, there is a delay in the transmission engaging the appropriate gear. Before I decided to take my car to a dealer to get the transmission repaired, I checked the fluid to ensure that the level was correct, and to check the color of the transmission fluid. Both were found to be in good order. …”
NHTSA complaint #10069823, filed 2004-01“There are 17 tbs on the transmission! I paid top dollar for a low mileage car, not I am stuck! There is a tbs dated 7/98 on the headgasket! But ford motor company refused to acknowledge they have a problem.”
NHTSA complaint #700547, filed 1998-11“Transmission just stopped working and vehicle would not move at all. Dealer is not aware of the problem. Problem still exists. Vehicle was left in morecroft, wyoming while traveling. Provide further information.”
NHTSA complaint #835015, filed 1999-02Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 3% |
| 2018 | 1 | 5% |
| 2017 | 3 | 4% |
| 2002 | 2 | 6% |
| 2001 | 3 | 9% |
| 2000 | 7 | 11% |
| 1999 | 2 | 5% |
| 1998 | 7 | 10% |
| 1997 | 10 | 10% |
| 1996 | 7 | 15% |
| 1995 | 6 | 9% |
| 1994 | 20 | 11% |
| 1993 | 9 | 7% |
| 1992 | 8 | 6% |
| 1991 | 41 | 20% |
| 1990 | 12 | 8% |
| 1989 | 13 | 8% |
| 1988 | 8 | 10% |
| 1987 | 2 | 22% |
Other parts of the 1990 Lincoln Continental
40 complaintsSuspension
28 complaintsSeat belts
25 complaintsSteering
20 complaintsElectrical system
18 complaintsBody and structure
14 complaintsVehicle speed control
14 complaintsAir bags
10 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
9 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsEquipment
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1990 Lincoln Continental
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology