1985 Lincoln CONTINENTAL: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
10 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1985 model year. Data snapshot: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 10 complaints (20.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 1 | 10.0% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 10.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 10.0% |
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 | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System | 1 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Webbing | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 1 |
| Suspension:Front:Shock Absorber | 1 |
| Suspension:Front:Springs:Air Suspension System | 1 |
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 2; Electrical System:Ignition: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System: 1; Seat Belts:Front:Webbing: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 1; Suspension:Front:Shock Absorber: 1; Suspension:Front:Springs:Air Suspension System: 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 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
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: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 10 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 | 3 |
| 1996 | 5 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
1995: 3; 1996: 5; 2000: 1; 2002: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 486955 · 1995-06-08 (June 8, 1995)
DRIVER'S SEAT BELT FAILED TWICE. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 486955 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 490806 · 1996-01-01 (January 1, 1996)
ANTILOCK BRAKES FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 490806 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 504561 · 1996-05-16 (May 16, 1996)
ENGINE FIRE. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 504561 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 505955 · 1996-06-27 (June 27, 1996)
VEHICLE FIRE. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 505955 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 551357 · 2000-03-10 (March 10, 2000)
A FAULTY AIR SUSPENSION CONTROL SYSTEM CAUSED FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT RESULTING IN TOTAL LOSS OF THE VEHICLE. YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 551357 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8005007 · 2002-03-05 (March 5, 2002)
PE 020; WHILE TRAVELING 60MPH ON INTERSTATE AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING RIGHT REAR TIRE SEPARATED. FIRESTONE, P22570R/15. CONSUMER WILL FILL FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8005007 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 960741 · 1995-02-28 (February 28, 1995)
VEHICLE STALLS OUT WITH NO WARNING AT ANY GIVEN TIME. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 960741 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 964939 · 1995-05-08 (May 8, 1995)
THE FRONT AND REAR SHOCK WHEN CAR IS PARK SHOCK ARE DOWN WHEN DRIVING COME BACK UP. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 964939 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
85V040000 · Suspension:Front:Springs:Air Suspension System
Reported: 1985-04-09 (April 9, 1985)
A MALFUNCTION MAY OCCUR IN THE AIR SUSPENSION ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY.
Consequence: A WIRE TO THE AIR SUSPENSION COMPRESSOR COULD OVERHEAT CREATING A POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE, PRIMARILY WHEN PARKED AND KEY IS REMOVED.
Remedy: REPLACE CONTROL MODULE WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED MODULE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗86V109000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Hydraulic
Reported: 1986-08-08 (August 8, 1986)
UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, CONTACTS IN BRAKE SYSTEM RELAY COULD REMAIN CLOSED, CAUSING THE BRAKE PUMP MOTOR TO RUN CONTINUOUSLY, CAUSING IT TO OVERHEAT AND EVENTUALLY FAIL. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: SHOULD THE BRAKE SUPPLY MOTOR FAIL, THE POWER ASSIST TO THE FRONT BRAKES WILL BE LOST, AND AFTER ABOUT 10 TO 15 NORMAL BRAKE STOPS, LOSS OF REAR BRAKE FUNCTION WILL RESULT, CAUSING INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE. HOWEVER, THE INSTRUMENT BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE PRIOR TO REDUCED BRAKING CAPABILITY AND IF WARNING IS NOT HEEDED, AN ACCIDENT MAY OCCUR.
Remedy: REPLACE PUMP MOTOR RELAYS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗