1990-1994 Lincoln Continental Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Our in-depth review covers everything you need to know about this generation Lincoln Continental. Get the latest news, find a local dealer, and get a free price quote for this generation Lincoln Continental.

1990-1994 Lincoln Continental Review

When it came time to downsize and economize, Lincoln offered its customers their first taste of front-wheel drive and V6 power in 1988. The Continental coasted into the 1990 model year with only minor trim and equipment changes. The grille had bolder vertical bars and the hood wore a new ornament. The Continental came in both base and Signature Series trim levels, both powered by a 140-horsepower, 3.8-liter V6 mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission. Dual airbags were standard, as was a computer-controlled suspension, variable-assist power steering, and four-wheel antilock brakes.

Year to Year Changes

1991 Lincoln Continental: Thanks to a new dual exhaust system and internal engine changes, Lincoln was able to boost power in the Continental from 140 to 155 horsepower at 4000 rpm. The standard 4-speed automatic also gains electronic controls. Among other changes, the base model now carries the name "Executive Series."

1992 Lincoln Continental: A standard passenger-side airbag and a power boost from 155 to 160 horsepower for the Continental's 3.8-liter V6 are the two most significant changes for '92.

1993 Lincoln Continental: New optional buckets come with center armrest/storage console and cupholder in place of the previous 50/50 split bench seat. Also, there's a new steering wheel as well as seatbelts, which gain height-adjustable anchors on each B-pillar.

1994 Lincoln Continental: In the final year of its current design, Continental made an early appearance in May 1993, complete with a new grille, taillamps, and exterior moldings. Changes were also made to the suspension to improve ride control.

1990-1994 Lincoln Continental Road Test

Pros	Cons

Antilock brakes	Fuel economy

Passenger and cargo room	Instruments/controls

Ride

Quietness

Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation

The six-passenger interior is quite accommodating and the 19.1 cubic feet of trunk space is generous, but the missing ingredient was the kind of powertrain that could inspire confidence. With nearly all luxury rivals boasting V6 and V8 engines with at least 200 horsepower on tap, the Continental failed to generate much enthusiasm. Despite this drawback, the car's standard computer-controlled suspension soaks up most bumps and ruts easily, providing a stable highway ride. The body tends to float over wavy surfaces, even though the suspension is calibrated to stiffen automatically to control bounce. The steering feels light and numb, but it centers easily after turns. Though the all-season tires are not designed for slalom racing, they grip well on wet surfaces and the front-drive Continental feels surefooted in tight turns. Many accessory switches are difficult to see at night, because they're unlit.

Value for the Money
Even with its big-car looks, posh interior, limousine-style rear seat, and aerodynamic styling, the Continental lacks the performance needed to compete against other premium front-drive sedans.

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Lincoln Continental	Rating

Performance	5

Fuel Economy	4

Ride Quality	6

Steering/Handling/Braking	4

Quietness	6

Controls/Materials	5

Interior Room	7

Room/Comfort (rear)	4

Cargo Capacity	4

Value within Class	5

Total:	50

Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room, Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.

1990-1994 Lincoln Continental Reliability

Trouble Spots

Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer, however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.

Automatic transmission: If the transmission shudders or vibrates when accelerating above 35 mph, the torque-converter clutch is most likely the problem. The fix is to replace the EEC-IV processor (computer) and the fluid. (1991)

Blower motor: Squeaking or chirping blower motors are the result of defective brush holders. (1990-94)

Engine noise: Motor mounts are prone to premature wear causing a clunking noise. (1992-93)

Oil leak: Ford extended the warranty on 3.8-liter Taurus's to 7/100,000 and may compensate owners for repairs related to head-gasket failures. (1994)

Tire wear: Rapid rear tire wear is caused by poor rear wheel alignment. Kits are available to provide camber adjustment to correct the problem. (1990-94)

Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs

This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership to be slightly higher.


Item Name	Repair Cost

A/C Compressor	$450

Alternator	$420

Automatic Transmission or Transaxle	$950

Brakes	$195

Constant Velocity Joints	$585

Exhaust System	$840

Radiator	$610

Shocks and/or Struts	$1,595

Timing Chain or Belt	$290

NHTSA Recall History

1990: Front-outboard seating position seatbelt buckles can fail to latch or unlatch.

1990-94 sold or registered in 24 states or D.C.: Rear-lower subframe-mount plate nut can experience corrosion cracking if subjected to long-term exposure to road salt; can result in fracture.

1991-94 in 23 specified states: Water can accumulate within the speed-control cable conduit; if unit is activated and cable has frozen, throttle may not return to idle.

1992-94 registered in AK, IA, MN, NE, ND, or SD: During high winds, heavy drifting snow, and low temperatures, engine fan may become blocked or frozen and fail to rotate; and can cause smoke/flame.

1993-94: Headlights can flash intermittently as a result of circuit-breaker opening.

1994: Brake pedal push rod retainer may be missing or improperly installed, which can cause loss of braking ability.

1990-1994 Lincoln Continental Prices

Prices	Good	Average	Poor

1990
Continental	$1,000-1,400	$600-800	$100

1991
Continental	$1,200-1,600	$700-1,000	$100-200

1992
Continental	$1,400-1,800	$900-1,200	$200

1993
Continental	$1,600-2,100	$1,100-1,400	$200-300

1994
Continental	$1,800-2,300	$1,200-1,600	$300

This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:

Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.

Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings; engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.

Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo, etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from region to region.

1990-1994 Lincoln Continental Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	4-door sedan

Wheelbase, in.	109.0

Overall Length, in.	205.1

Overall Width, in.	72.7

Overall Height, in.	55.5

Curb Weight, lbs.	3628

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	19.1

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	18.4

Seating Capacity	6

Front Head Room, in.	38.7

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	41.7

Rear Head Room, in.	38.4

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	39.2

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Powertrain Options and Availability

Power from Ford's 3.8-liter V6 has gradually been boosted between 1988 and 1994, pushing power for the Lincoln Continental from 140 to 160 horsepower. And while electronic 4-speed automatic and a torque rating of 225 pound-feet help the car keep up with traffic, the Lincoln Continental simply lacks the strong, refined power of rivals such as the Cadillac DeVille and Concours, with their 200 horsepower V8 or even the Chrysler New Yorker and LHS, which provide 214 horsepower from a 3.5-liter V6. The Continental responds slowly to the throttle and sounds rough and coarse when accelerating, especially before the engine is warm.

Engines	Size liters / cu. in	Horse- power	Torque	Transmission: EPA city/hgwy	Consumer Guide Observed

ohv V6	3.8 / 232	140	215	4-speed automatic: 18/23	4-speed automatic: --

ohv V6	3.8 / 232	155	220	4-speed automatic: 17/24	4-speed automatic: 17

ohv V6	3.8 / 232	160	225	4-speed automatic: 17/26	4-speed automatic: 18.5

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	1994 Continental

Front Impact, Driver	3

Front Impact, Passenger	--

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Built In: USA

Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive

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Also in the 1990-1994 Lincoln Continental Review:

Lincoln Continental

Lincoln Continental Road Test

Lincoln Continental Reliability

Lincoln Continental Prices

Lincoln Continental Specs & Safety

Lincoln Continental Photos

Lincoln Continental Full Review