1991 Lincoln Continental Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe air suspension failures that let the car drop onto its tires, and engine head gasket failures on the 3.8L V6 that produce smoke and coolant loss. Complaints also cover transmission shifting and leaking problems, brake pedal and rotor symptoms, and subframe corrosion in the rear mounts. Most reports come from cars well past 100,000 miles, though the suspension and head gasket complaints are often described at lower mileage.

1. 1
   Suspension

   Air suspension drops or fails (rear and front)

   • 22 complaints (11%)
   • typically at 8.3 yrs old
   • filed 1996–2001

   Complaints describe the air springs or air bags leaking or rupturing, after which the rear or front of the car sinks onto the tires and the level ride light may flash. Several owners say the car becomes hard to steer or bounces badly once it drops, and some report the failure happened while parked or at speed. According to the complaints, the dealer or manufacturer often said the parts were not covered by warranty or recall, and repairs were quoted at the owner's expense. Reported across a wide mileage range, including many cars under 110,000 miles and some failures described as sudden.

   What to check: Check that the car sits level after sitting overnight and that the level ride light does not flash; ask whether the air springs or compressor have been replaced and when.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The auto is equipped with an air suspension system. At various times over the past 3 years, the air bag in each strut has failed. Inside each strut is a rubber bag that is inflated by a compressor based on road conditions. I was informed by ford, that the bag deteriorates over time causing the bag to tear or in one case explode while I was driving. This caused the rear of the car to drop so low that it was not driveable. Not a fun experience while driving along at 60 MPH. …”

   NHTSA complaint #701634, filed 1998-12

   “Ongoing problem with air suspension. Had to replace two air suspension shocks due to failure. Repairs made at an independent sho.p. Manufacturer notified, and informed consumer that parts were not cover under warranty, nor recall. Feel free to provide any further details.”

   NHTSA complaint #865631, filed 2000-07
2. 2
   Engine cooling

   Head gasket failure and coolant smoke (3.8L V6)

   • 24 complaints (12%)
   • median 39,800 mi at 16.2 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 1995–2006

   Owners describe white smoke from the tailpipe, coolant loss and overheating traced to a blown head gasket, sometimes with a large steam cloud behind the car. Complaints say repair shops called the failure common on this engine, and some report the gasket failed again on a replacement engine or that the dealer replaced the whole engine. Several owners say the manufacturer declined assistance because the car was outside warranty or an earlier model year. Typically described between roughly 70,000 and 100,000+ miles, and sometimes shortly after other major repairs.

   What to check: Look for white exhaust smoke, low or discolored coolant, and oil that looks milky; ask for records of any head gasket or engine replacement work.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “This is a typical example of ford not covering their customers for a defect they have known about for years. They claim they are covering 1994 and newer vehicles, yet the TSB 98-4-9 specifically states they have been fully aware of the problem from 1988-1994 on these cars. I purchased the car used for $3200, have a loan on it, just spent $990 for the head gasket, $400 to get the plates and title transferred, and now I am told the engine will probably go next, which is common for this car. Ford refuses to speak with me about an agreement. …”

   NHTSA complaint #735250, filed 2000-10

   “Shortly after complete transmission, motor mounts, and power steering replaced,the engine head gaskets failed, once again contrbuting to a potential accident. While rturning home from babtsitting my granddaughter I was alarmed by drivers going the opposite way beeping at me. One finally rolled down his window and yelled that I was smoking so badly I was blocking everyones view. I looked back to see a dense cloud of steam covering both lanes of traffic behind me. Cars were at a standstill until the steam dissipated. I pulled over and shut down. …”

   NHTSA complaint #718957, filed 2000-02
3. 3
   Brakes

   Brake pedal slow to return, dragging, or vibration

   • 17 complaints (8%)
   • typically at 6.2 yrs old
   • filed 1995–1999

   Owners report the brake pedal sometimes not fully returning, leaving the car dragging or brakes locked, and in some cases the pedal had to be lifted by foot to release. Others describe shuddering or shaking when braking, extended stopping distance, and burning smells after driving; complaints mention repeated rotor and pad replacement without solving the problem. Reported at varied mileages, often after long drives or in warm conditions per the complaints.

   Recall 91V134000

   What to check: Test the brakes for pedal return, dragging and vibration, and inspect rotors for corrosion or scoring; one recall covers front rotor corrosion in areas using road salt.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Brakes would work fine in cold weather. As soon as disc hubs gets warmed up after traveling 50 miles, they would smell like burning rubber. Would apply brakes & would have no brakes. Been to dealer & mechanic changed entire brake system. The problem still exists.”

   NHTSA complaint #848283, filed 1999-09

   “Abs failure; upon starting up ABS light flashes, when placed into drive position, experienced. Intermittent ABS lock up, and reappearence of ABS light continuous, pedal pulsation, also, must place foot under pedal, then pump up brakes.”

   NHTSA complaint #806280, filed 1996-12
4. 4
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission slipping, not engaging, or leaking

   • 18 complaints (9%)
   • median 133,451 mi at 12.9 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2005

   Complaints describe grinding noises before the transmission engages, intermittent slipping or failure to go into gear, and fluid leaks. Some owners report the car stalled or would not move at all after a shift into drive, and several say the transmission was overhauled or replaced by the dealer. Mostly described on higher-mileage cars, with several reports past 100,000 miles.

   What to check: Test drive from cold through all gears and listen for grinding or delayed engagement; check transmission fluid level, color and any leaks underneath.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While returning from vacation with 3 occupants, pulled off I-95 at maryland house near aberdeen for coffee. No problems with car for previous 1000 miles of trip. Was negotiating head-in parking spot with cars parked on either side. Brought car to a full stop with my front wheel even with rear wheel of car parked to my left. Went to resume forward motion for the 12 ft. Or so to complete parking and car wouldn't move. Thinking I may have accidentally shifted the lever into neutral, I worked it through forward and reverse gears to no avail. …”

   NHTSA complaint #705784, filed 1999-04

   “Failure: 05-23-03 I was driving on I-475 north in the fartherest left hand lane, when there was a stalling motion. It was so unexpected that it made my 10 year old daughter and myself jump. I managed to slow down in traffic and pull to the right hand emergency lane. When I tried pulling back into traffic to make it to the next exit, the Lincoln would not move. Luckily, I had my work cellular telephone and called 911. 911 transferred the call to the sheriff's department, and someone came to try to help. I have only had the vehicle for 3 months. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10021078, filed 2003-06
5. 5
   Body and structure

   Rear subframe corrosion and mount failure

   • 11 complaints (5%)
   • median 131,500 mi at 13.0 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1995–2005

   Complaints describe rust around the rear lower subframe mounts, with the rear of the subframe breaking away from the body in one report and the engine shifting enough to affect steering in another. Owners also mention dealers repairing rear corrosion but declining similar work on front mounts. Reported on older, higher-mileage cars, often originally from states that use road salt.

   Recall 98V323000

   What to check: Inspect the rear subframe mounting points and surrounding underbody for rust, especially on cars from salt-belt states, and ask whether recall 98V323000 was performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “As I started off from a stop sign on 7/21/04. I heard a loud sound from under my car. I got and looked under the car but could not see anything wrong, since it was dark, so I got back in and started out again but I didn't have any power steering. I reasoned something had broken in the power steering unit. Since I was only two blocks from home I decided to try to limp the car home. I got a flash light and looked under the car. I found the rear of the sub frame had broken away from the body, and was only a couple of inches off the ground. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10088975, filed 2005-02, 156,000 miles

   “The hydraulic shocks, front and back all before 110,000 miles. (about $2000 to fix) the air conditioner. The dcl light keeps going off. The oil light keeps going off. No oil is needed. The front end shakes very badly. The rear sub mounts had to be replaced. The headliner in the car is disentergrating. The trunk motor was replaced and is dying again. The radio is dead. Many things are wrong with this vehicle. It was originally from penn.”

   NHTSA complaint #714958, filed 1999-11

Buying note. On this model year, the air suspension and the 3.8L V6 head gasket are the two areas owners most often describe, and both can be costly to put right. Have a pre-purchase inspection check the suspension height and operation, coolant and oil condition, transmission behavior, brakes and rear subframe corrosion before deciding.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.