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Research · Large Cars

1999 Lincoln ContinentalRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 42 owner complaints for the 1999 Lincoln Continental. Most complaints involve suspension (12) and air bags (9). The EPA rates it 18 mpg combined.

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Combined MPG
18mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Apr 2016
Owner complaints
42
Top: suspension
Fuel cost / yr
$4,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Service brakes

Free remedy

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.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Apr 1, 2016NHTSA 16E026000

Air bags: frontal

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Apr 9, 2003NHTSA 03V144000

Fuel system

Free remedy

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

Fuel system, gasolineReported Oct 27, 1998NHTSA 98V269000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 12, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

42 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 1999 – Mar 2015
  1. Suspension12
  2. Air bags9
  3. Vehicle speed control5
  4. Engine and engine cooling4
  5. Service brakes, hydraulic4
  6. Steering2
  7. Power train2
  8. Exterior lighting2
  9. Service brakes1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Continental model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199648
199796
199872
199942
200063
200132
200233
201775
201821
201932
20207
Crashes reported
6
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
2
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 12, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Suspension

12 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 24, 2014SuspensionODI 10638721

Air bags

9 reports1 crash
“DT: THE CALLER SAI WHILE WIFE DRIVING 55-60 MPH SIDE/CURTAIN AIRBAG ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE DEPLOYED. DEALER SAID A ROCK MIGHT HAVE HIT THE SENSOR AND MADE IT DEPLOY. MANUFACTURER SAID THEY COULD OFFER NO HELP FOR FREE. THE CALLER SAID THERE WAS A SAFETY UPDATE 03I44000 IN 2003, NOT A RECALL CONCERNING CRASH SENSOR. *AK”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 9, 2005Air bagsODI 10135986

Vehicle speed control

5 reports3 crashes
“WHILE DRIVING ON GS PARKWAY THE CAR ACCELERATED FROM 65 MILES PER HR TO 100 MILES PER HR. AND WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN EVEN WHEN STEPPING ON THE BRAKE. THE CAR WAS SPEEDING OUT OF CONTROL WHILE IN THE MIDDLE LANE. WE THEN TRIED TO GET OVER TO SIDE OF PARKWAY ONTO A GRASSY HILL SO WE WOULD NOT HIT ANY OTHER CARS. THE CAR SLOWED DOWN ENOUGH FOR ME AND MY SON TO JUMP OUT ON DRIVERS SIDE BEFORE THE CAR WENT FULL SPEED AHEAD TOWARD THE PARKWAY BUT HIT A GUARD RAIL AND FLIPPED OVER. BY SOME MIRACLE MY SON AND I WERE NOT HURT. I CALLED FORD TO RECALL CAR AND THEY SENT LETTER WHICH SAID WE REGRET ANY INCONVENIENCE THAT YOU HAVE EXPERIENCED IN THIS MATTER. CONTACT YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY. I ONLY HAD LIABILITY SO INSURANCE COMPANY NOT INVOLVED. THERE COULD HAVE BEEN MANY INJURIES OR EVEN DEATHS INCLUDING ME AND MY SON DUE TO THIS DEFECT. CAR WAS DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR. *NM”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 7, 2006Vehicle speed controlCrash reportedODI 10172830
All 1999 Continental problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 12, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Large Cars
Engines
4.6L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 12, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Continental
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
152318$4,200494
  • Continental
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L
    15 city · 23 hwy · $4,200/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 12, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1999 Lincoln Continental as of Nov 12, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 12, 2026
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

1999 Continental questions

How many recalls does the 1999 Lincoln Continental have?

3 safety recalls as of Nov 12, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 1999 Lincoln Continental problems?

Owners filed 42 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are suspension (12), air bags (9), vehicle speed control (5). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1999 Lincoln Continental get?

The EPA rates the 1999 Lincoln Continental at 18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 12, 2026