1987 Lincoln TOWN CAR: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
25 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
34,102 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1987 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Ignition is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 25 complaints (24.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 3 | 12.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 12.0% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 4.0% |
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 | 6 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 4 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers | 1 |
Electrical System:Ignition: 6; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 4; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Electrical System: 1; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers: 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 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 22 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 | 13 |
| 2000 | 3 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
1995: 3; 1996: 13; 2000: 3; 2001: 2; 2003: 2; 2004: 1; 2009: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior 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 10018443 · 2003-05-09 (May 9, 2003)
STRONG GASOLINE ODOR INSIDE CAR MOST NOTICEABLE WITH A WINDOW DOWN, HAVE CHECKED FOR LEAKS AND CAN'T FIND IT, SEEMS LIKE IT MAY BE COMING FROM BEHIND THE DASH. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 150,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10018443 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10038380 · 2003-09-08 (September 8, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING RADIATOR SUDDENLY STARTED TO LEAK FLUID. UPON THE LEAKAGE FROM THE RADIATOR VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY SHUT DOWN WITH NO WARNING. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10038380 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10050168 · 2004-01-13 (January 13, 2004)
FOUR MINUTES AFTER THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF, BLACK SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE OWNER OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICED THE ALTERNATOR WAS ON FIRE. *AK A MECHANIC EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND NO POLICE REPORT WAS MADE. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE FORD TO RECALL ALL VEHICLES WITH THE SAME TYPE ALTERNATOR AND OTHER COMPONETS AS HIS. *PH
Owner-reported narrative. 25,880 miles reported. Look up ODI 10050168 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10276936 · 2009-07-15 (July 15, 2009)
TOTAL TREAD SEPARATION FROM TIRE WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 65 ..M.P.H. FRONT RIGHT TIRE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 34,102 miles reported. Look up ODI 10276936 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 489778 · 1995-05-02 (May 2, 1995)
RADIATOR DRAIN PLUG FAILED TWICE. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 489778 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 500806 · 1996-01-18 (January 18, 1996)
INTERMITTENT STALLING. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 500806 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 501977 · 1996-03-06 (March 6, 1996)
ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT)*SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 501977 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 503845 · 1996-01-18 (January 18, 1996)
GASOLINE LEAK FROM FUEL LINE QUICK CONNECT FITTING CAUSED FIRE. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 503845 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
6 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
86V142000 · Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
Reported: 1986-10-24 (October 24, 1986)
WIRING HARNESS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT MAY BE MISROUTED AND SUBJECT TO DAMAGE. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: A SHORT CIRCUIT COULD OCCUR (DURING USE OR WHEN PARKED) WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: PROPERLY ROUTE WIRING HARNESSES, AS NECESSARY.
NHTSA campaign record ↗87V012000 · Steering:Linkages:Rod:Relay:Connecting
Reported: 1987-02-09 (February 9, 1987)
STEERING CENTERLINKS MAY BREAK AT A BEND LOCATION.
Consequence: STEERING CONTROL WOULD BE DIMINISHED, WITH REDUCEDCONTROL OF LEFT WHEEL ONLY AND CONSIDERABLE STEERING WHEEL FREE PLAY.
Remedy: REPLACE STEERING CENTERLINK.
NHTSA campaign record ↗87V018000 · Steering:Linkages:Arm:Idler And Attachment
Reported: 1987-02-19 (February 19, 1987)
Consequence: DRIVER WOULD EXPERIENCE A CLUNKING NOISE ON TURNS AND ALOOSE FEELING IN THE STEERING WHEEL; STEERING CONTROL WOULD BE MAINTAINED.
Remedy: REPLACE IDLER ARM ASSEMBLY.
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 ↗