Complaints
255
Crashes
7
Fires
22
Injuries
12
Fatalities
1
Recalls
0
Worst 1989 Lincoln Continental Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#132 complaints
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
Avg mileage:37,000 mi
#217 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
#315 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Considering a 1989 Lincoln Continental?
Check the actual VIN — every car is different.
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1989 Lincoln Continental.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 32 | — | — | 37,000 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 17 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 15 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 10 | — | 3 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 9 | — | 6 | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 9 | — | — | — | |
| Automatic Transmission | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 6 | — | 2 | — | |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 5 | 5 | — | — | |
| Power Train:Driveline:Constant Velocity Joint | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Hose, Piping, And Connections | 5 | — | 4 | — | |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 4 | — | 3 | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front:Macpherson Strut | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front:Springs:Air Suspension System | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Interior Lighting | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Vacuum | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Rear | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Rear:Shock Absorber | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Rear:Springs:Air Suspension System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Starter Assembly | 2 | — | — | — |
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
32
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
37,000
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
17
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
15
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
3
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
6
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Automatic Transmission
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Frame And Members
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal
5
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Driveline:Constant Velocity Joint
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Hose, Piping, And Connections
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
4
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
3
Avg Miles
—
Suspension Failures
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front:Macpherson Strut
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front:Springs:Air Suspension System
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical Faults
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Interior Lighting
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Vacuum
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Rear
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Rear:Shock Absorber
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Rear:Springs:Air Suspension System
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition:Module
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Starter Assembly
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1989 Lincoln Continental. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Lincoln Continental Years
1989 Lincoln Continental — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1989 Lincoln Continental reliable?
Verdict: High Complaint Volume. The 1989 Lincoln Continental has 255 NHTSA complaints, 7 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly with 32 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1989 Lincoln Continental?
Top reported problems: Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly (32 complaints, avg 37,000 mi); Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine (17 complaints); Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip (15 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1989 Lincoln Continental?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 37,000 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1989 Lincoln Continental?
NHTSA complaints for the 1989 Lincoln Continental include 7 crash-related reports, 22 fire reports, 12 injuries, and 1 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1989 Lincoln Continental have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1989 Lincoln Continental as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1989 Lincoln Continental?
This year has a higher-than-normal complaint volume. It's not an automatic no, but focus inspection on the top reported issue (seat belts:front:buckle assembly) and verify open recalls have been addressed.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Lincoln Continental reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1989 Lincoln Continental
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
Check Any VIN — $4.99