1986 Lincoln TOWN CAR problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
36 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
143,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1986 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch is the most frequently named component, appearing in 12 of 36 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 10 | 27.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 7 | 19.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 5.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.8% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.8% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 2.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 12 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 5 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 4 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 12; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 5; Electrical System:Ignition: 4; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Electrical System:Ignition:Module: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 34 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 6 |
| 1996 | 22 |
| 2000 | 3 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
1995: 6; 1996: 22; 2000: 3; 2001: 1; 2002: 1; 2003: 1; 2004: 1; 2008: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 7 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 504236 · 1996-05-06 (May 6, 1996)
IGNITION SWITCH SHORTED OUT, CAUSING FIRE INI STEERING COLUMN. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 504236 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 960624 · 1995-02-27 (February 27, 1995)
NOTICE D SMOKE COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN IN THE DASH BOARD AREA, RESULTING IN FIRE TOTALLING THE VEHICLE. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 960624 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10099514 · 2004-11-05 (November 5, 2004)
WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED IN THE IGNITION THERE WAS A CRACKING NOISE FOLLOWED BY SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WHEN THE HOOD WAS POPPED THERE WAS A FIRE IN THE CENTER OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, AND INDICATED IT MAY HAVE BEEN SOMETHING ELECTRICAL THAT CAUSED THE FIRE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 168,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10099514 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 962090 · 1995-03-16 (March 16, 1995)
WHILE DRIVING, NOTICED BURNING SMELL AND SMOKE COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN AND DASH, DUE TO FRONT ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WIRING HARNESS FIRE. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 962090 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 479625 · 1995-02-11 (February 11, 1995)
GAS TANK LEAKS DUE TO STRAPS BETWEEN GAS TANKS RUBBING, CAUSING HOLES IN TANKS. (OTHER VEHICLE ON 481139) *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 479625 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 884316 · 2001-03-27 (March 27, 2001)
STRAPS THAT HOLD FUEL TANK IN PLACE HAVE BEEN RUBBING ON TANK, FUEL TANK IS LEAKING DUE TO THAT. *AK THE TANK NEEDS REPLACING. *YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 884316 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10239672 · 2008-08-25 (August 25, 2008)
CAR WAS PARKED WITH TRANSMISSION SELECTOR IN PARK POSITION WITH NO KEY IN THE IGNITION. THE CAR JUMPED OUT OF PARK AND BEGIN TO ROLL AWAY. WHEN THE CAR HIT ANOTHER CAR AND CAME TO REST, THE TRANSMISSION INDICATOR WAS IN REVERSE POSITION. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 118,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10239672 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 557769 · 2000-11-20 (November 20, 2000)
THE IGNITION SWITCH IS TEMPERAMENTAL AND THE VEHICLE IS STALLING. *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 557769 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8008225 · 2002-04-22 (April 22, 2002)
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WAS LURCHING, THEN CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE TIRES. DEALER DETERMINED THAT RIGHT FRONT BRAKE WAS LOCKED UP, CALIPER AND BRAKE HOSE WERE REPLACED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8008225 at NHTSA ↗