NHTSA vehicle safety data

1999 Lincoln Continental Recalls & Complaints

The 1999 Lincoln Continental has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 42 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Lincoln dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1999 Lincoln Continental. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

1999 Lincoln Continental owner complaints

Owners have filed 42 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999 Lincoln Continental, describing incidents dated June 18, 1999 to September 3, 2014.

Most-cited components

Suspension 12 complaints
Air Bags 9 complaints
Service Brakes 5 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control 5 complaints
Engine 4 complaints
Exterior Lighting 2 complaints

Of the 42 complaints on file, 6 report a crash and 2 a fire; across all 42 complaints, owners report 2 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10700882 · Filed March 21, 2015
[XXX] VEHICLE IMPOUNDED IN AUSTIN TEXAS WAS NOT ABLE TO GET BACK. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
ODI #10638721 · Filed September 24, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS PARKED. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE COIL SPRING FRACTURED AND PUNCTURED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED…
ODI #10575745 · Filed March 30, 2014
PUT CAR INTO REVERSE, AND TIRE IMMEDIATELY BLEW OUT FOR NO APPARENT REASON. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, FRONT LEFT SPRING HAD FRACTURED AND BROKE. SPRING HAD PUNCTURED TIRE SIDEWALL ONCE BEING PUT INTO REVERSE AND BUSTED OFF PLASTIC STABILIZER LINK. HAD THIS HAPPENED WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY…

Read all 42 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 1999 Lincoln Continental in 2 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Engineering Analysis EA01-012: INADVERTENT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
Closed April 15, 2003
- Recall 03V-144
Preliminary Evaluation PE00-042: INADVERTENT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
Closed April 27, 2001

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Front Brake Pad Shims May Shift and Contact Disc

NHTSA #16E026000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Foundation Components — Disc — Pads · NHTSA notice

Reported April 1, 2016 · Robert Bosch LLC

Potentially affected: 49,635 vehicles

Repair completion: 5.88% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified May 26, 2016

Defect description

Bosch Brake Components LLC (Bosch) is recalling certain aftermarket replacement front brake pads, models Bosch QuietCast BC598 and BP765, Bosch Blue BE598 and BE598H, Prostop PD598 and PD765M, Duralast Gold DG598, Duralast MKD598, Stop Master ST598, UltraStop ULT598, UltraLife MX598 and MX765, BrakeBest MKD765, and Prostop Platinum PGD598. These brake pads, manufactured October 1, 2014, to October 31, 2015 are intended for use on 2001-2007 Ford Taurus, 2001-2005 Mercury Sable, 1995-1999 Ford Taurus SHO, 1995-2002 Lincoln Continental, and 1993-1998 Lincoln Mark VIII vehicles. The brake pad shim may shift out of position causing the shim to contact the brake disc resulting in damage to the disc.

Safety consequence

A damaged or broken brake disc may reduce a vehicle's braking power, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Bosch will instruct the owners how to have the affected brake pads replaced, free of charge. The recall began on May 26, 2016. Owners may contact Bosch customer service at 1-888-715-3616.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

FORD/AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT

NHTSA #03V144000 · Air Bags — Frontal · NHTSA notice

Reported April 9, 2003 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 43,459 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 03G01 · Owners notified March 31, 2003 · Vehicles built May 7, 1998 – February 29, 2000 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE DRIVER AND/OR PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG COULD DEPLOY AS A RESULT OF UNDERBODY IMPACTS NEAR THE SENSORS, SUCH AS THOSE OCCURRING FROM PIECES OF GRAVEL OR DEBRIS THROWN FROM THE WHEELS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED AT MODERATE TO HIGH SPEED OR BEING ACCELERATED.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL RECALIBRATE THE AIR BAG SENSORS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 31, 2003. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LINCOLN AT 1-800-521-4140.

Notes

FORD CAMPAIGN NO. 03G01.THIS ACTION IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN AND IS NOT BEING CONDUCTED UNDER THE SAFETY ACT.THE COMPANY HAS INFORMED NHTSA THAT IT WILL PROVIDE THE MODIFICATIONS DESCRIBED ABOVE FREE OF CHARGE.

FORD/FUEL HOSE

NHTSA #98V269000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings · NHTSA notice

Reported October 27, 1998 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 2,500 vehicles

Owners notified November 16, 1998 · Vehicles built September 12, 1998 – October 1, 1998 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FUEL RAIL CROSSOVER HOSE WAS DAMAGED DURING FUEL RAIL ASSEMBLY ALLOWING FUEL LEAKAGE.

Safety consequence

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL RAIL WITH A REVISED FUEL RAIL ASSEMBLY.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN NOVEMBER 16, 1998. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 1999 Lincoln Continental. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

42 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1999 Lincoln Continental.

Service Brakes

ODI #10700882

Crash

Incident: May 14, 2014 · Filed: March 21, 2015

[XXX] VEHICLE IMPOUNDED IN AUSTIN TEXAS WAS NOT ABLE TO GET BACK. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Suspension

ODI #10638721

Incident: September 3, 2014 · Filed: September 24, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS PARKED. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE COIL SPRING FRACTURED AND PUNCTURED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000.

Suspension

ODI #10575745

Incident: March 29, 2014 · Filed: March 30, 2014

PUT CAR INTO REVERSE, AND TIRE IMMEDIATELY BLEW OUT FOR NO APPARENT REASON. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, FRONT LEFT SPRING HAD FRACTURED AND BROKE. SPRING HAD PUNCTURED TIRE SIDEWALL ONCE BEING PUT INTO REVERSE AND BUSTED OFF PLASTIC STABILIZER LINK. HAD THIS HAPPENED WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED, IT WOULD HAVE SHREDDED TIRE. *TR

Suspension

ODI #10438854

Incident: December 3, 2011 · Filed: December 7, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT 45 MPH WHEN THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE FRONT TIE ROD AND BALL JOINT, THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE COMPONENTS HAD FAILED, CAUSING THE TIRE TO WEAR PREMATURELY AND SPLIT IN HALF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

Steering; Suspension

ODI #10298013

Incident: April 3, 2009 · Filed: January 4, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRING CORROSION CAUSED THE TIE RODS TO CORRODE AND PUNCTURE THE TIRE WHICH MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000. UPDATED 11/15/10 *CN UPDATED 11/24/10

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10279237

Fire

Incident: July 27, 2009 · Filed: August 3, 2009

AFTER DRIVING FOR 200 MILES THE RIGHT ELECTRIC RADIATOR COOLING FAN CAUGHT ON FIRE AND HAD TO BE PUT OUT. *TR

Power Train

ODI #10254457

Crash 1 injury

Incident: January 8, 2009 · Filed: January 10, 2009

AFTER PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT PHARMACY AND WITH FOOT STILL ON BRAKE, CAR LURCHED FORWARD AT HIGH RATE OF SPEED, ONTO SIDEWALK AND INTO THE STONE WALL OF PHARMACY. NO DAMAGE TO PHARMACY. AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND AIRBAG AND SEAT BELT INJURIES. *TR

Steering

ODI #10251668

Incident: December 13, 2008 · Filed: December 13, 2008

I SAW FLUID ON THE FLOOR OF MY GARAGE WENT TO MY REPAIR SHOP HE STATED THE RACK AND PINION STEERING UNIT WAS LEAKING NOT FROM ONE OF THE SEALS BUT FROM A CRACK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE UNIT . HE SAID THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT . I SAW THE FLUID COMING RIGHT OUT OF THE METAL CASING. *TR

Suspension

ODI #10230575

Incident: April 12, 2007 · Filed: June 11, 2008

RIGHT SPRING COIL CAME APART/BROKE/CRACKED/FRACTURED AND NEEDED REPLACED. *TR

Suspension

ODI #10198703

Incident: August 5, 2007 · Filed: August 7, 2007

MY 1999 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL HAS A BROKEN FRONT COIL SPRING THAT SNAPPED WHILE THE CAR WAS SITTING IN MY CAR PORT WITH NO ONE NEAR IT. THE BROKEN COIL SPRING ALSO BROKE SOME PLASTIC LINKAGE PART THAT IS HANGING DOWN AND PUNCTURED A BRAND NEW TIRE AND THE "AIR BAG" LIGHT IS ALSO SHOWING ON THE DASHBOARD NOW. I KNOW THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS SPRING PROBLEM #04S17 BUT FORD SAYS THAT THE RECALL DOES NOT INCLUDE THE LINCOLN. THIS CAR ONLY HAS 43K ON IT, THANK GOD NO ONE WAS DRIVING IT WHEN THIS HAPPENED, THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A SAFETY DEFECT. I WILL HAVE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED AND REPAIRED AT MY OWN EXPENSE ACCORDING TO THE LINCOLN DEALER. *JB

Other Lincoln Continental model years

Check your 1999 Lincoln Continental VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Lincoln Continental at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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