1990-1994 Lincoln Continental: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
1994 Lincoln Continental
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1990-1994 Lincoln Continental ▼
- Price Range: $600 - $1,500
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Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 1990-1994 Lincoln Continental and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Pros
- Antilock brakes
- Quietness
- Passenger and cargo room
- Ride
Cons
- Instruments/controls
- Fuel economy
Vehicle Highlights
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.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | 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 Score: | 50 |
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 1990-1994 Lincoln Continental. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 1990-1994 Lincoln Continental.
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.
Our road test for the 1990-1994 Lincoln Continental includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 1990-1994 Lincoln Continental and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 1990-1994 Lincoln Continental is right for you.
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.
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.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | 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 Score: | 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.
Our reliability study for this generation Lincoln Continental includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Lincoln Continental .
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 to 7 years/100,000 miles 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 |
Our price chart for this generation Lincoln Continental details a range of prices in
year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
|
|
|||
| 1994 | |||
| Continental | $1,700-2,200 | $1,100-1,500 | $300 |
| 1993 | |||
| Continental | $1,500-2,000 | $1,000-1,300 | $200-300 |
| 1992 | |||
| Continental | $1,300-1,700 | $800-1,100 | $200 |
| 1991 | |||
| Continental | $1,100-1,500 | $700-900 | $100-200 |
| 1990 | |||
| Continental | $1,000-1,400 | $600-800 | $100 |
|
|
|||
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.
Specs for this generation Lincoln Continental include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.
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 | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| ohv V6 | 3.8 / 232 | 140 | 215 | 4-speed automatic: 18/23 | 4-speed automatic: -- |
| ohv V6 | 3.8 / 232 | 160 | 225 | 4-speed automatic: 17/26 | 4-speed automatic: 18.5 |
| ohv V6 | 3.8 / 232 | 155 | 220 | 4-speed automatic: 17/24 | 4-speed automatic: 17 |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
|||||
Built In: USA
Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Lincoln Continental include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.
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%. Sideimpact 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%.
Learn about official auto recalls, reliability issues, and vehicle problems for the 1990-1994 Lincoln Continental directly from the NHTSA and manufacturers.
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.
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