1986 Lincoln TOWN CAR: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10025386 · 2003-07-03 (July 3, 2003)
PAINT PEELING, EMISSIONS BAD.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10025386 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 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 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 504188 · 1996-05-06 (May 6, 1996)
IGNITION FIRE. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 504188 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 504202 · 1996-04-29 (April 29, 1996)
IGNITION SWITCH FIRE. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 504202 at NHTSA ↗
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 504508 · 1996-05-15 (May 15, 1996)
IGNITION SWITCH FIRE. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 504508 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
85V123000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Column Shift
Reported: 1985-10-07 (October 7, 1985)
INCORRECT BOLTS WERE USED IN THE TRANSMISSION LINKAGE ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THE TRANSMISSION GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR LEVER ON THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD BE ON THE WRONG TRANSMISSION FUNCTION. SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE DRIVER WOULD FIND THEIR CAR IN A GEAR OTHER THAN THE ONE INDICATED BY SHIFT LEVER INDICATOR. THIS COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF THE CAR IS LEFT UNATTENDED.
Remedy: REPLACE THE SHIFT LINKAGE TRUNNION, GROMMET AND ADJUSTMENT BOLT.
NHTSA campaign record ↗87V139000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 1987-09-04 (September 4, 1987)
SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
Consequence: COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A FIRE RISK.
Remedy: INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗90V050000 · Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
Reported: 1990-03-06 (March 6, 1990)
SAFETY BELTS (TYPE 1 LAP BELTS) FOR REAR FACING SEATS WERE NOT INSTALLED.
Consequence: LACK OF RESTRAINTS COULD CONTRIBUTE TO OTHERWISE PREVENTABLE INJURY AND WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 209 AND 210.
Remedy: INSTALL SAFETY BELTS FOR REAR FACING SEATS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗90V093000 · Equipment:Other:Labels
Reported: 1990-05-09 (May 9, 1990)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIMOUSINES BUILT BY EMPIRE COACH. VEHICLE ALTERERS LABEL MAY BE MISSING OR INCOMPLETE.
Consequence: VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH PART 567.
Remedy: ADD COMPLIANCE LABEL.
NHTSA campaign record ↗