1986 Lincoln Town Car
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Lincoln › Town Car › 1986
These records cover every 1986 Lincoln Town Car. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
4 recalls name the 1986 Lincoln Town Car. Newest first.
Vehicle description: limousines built by empire coach. vehicle alterers label may be missing or incomplete.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Vehicles do not comply with part 567.
Remedy
Add compliance label.
Safety belts (type 1 lap belts) for rear facing seats were not installed.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
Spring lock fuel line coupling may not be properly engaged.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
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…
Risk and remedy
Remedy
Replace the shift linkage trunnion, grommet and adjustment bolt.
Owner complaints
50 complaints4 involved a crash26 involved a fire4 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Power train › Automatic transmission
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
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
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
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
Paint peeling, emissions bad.
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
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
- Electrical system › Ignition › Module
The ignition switch IS temperamental and the vehicle IS stalling. *slc
- Tires
Model power prima atermarket tire size p21570r15 with 30,000 miles with 80,000 mile warranty. driver'sfront tire belt broke inside the tire, causing tire to go out of round. Consumer had to buy 2 brand new tires because vehicle was undriveable.*ak dot #h288ype1513. *slc
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
Car burst into flames. *ak
- Unknown or other
No summary
- Vehicle speed control
Started car after it had set for three day, put it in reverse, touched gas pedal to back up and suddenly the car shot backwards like a rocket, going at an uncontrolable rate of speed, braking did not effect it. finally after shoving in park and turning ignition off, it came to rest at rear of a…
Started car after it had set for three day, put it in reverse, touched gas pedal to back up and suddenly the car shot backwards like a rocket, going at an uncontrolable rate of speed, braking did not effect it. finally after shoving in park and turning ignition off, it came to rest at rear of a building on some metal pipes surrounding an outside air conditioning unit. it had run over another unit and flattened it. the rear fenders and bumper of the car was damaged. *ak
- Unknown or other
My car began having a problem with surging (feeling like someone IS repeatedly mashing on and then letting up on the accelerater) several years ago. I have taken it to numerous mechanics including a ford dealership over the past years and no one seems to be able to fix the problem. it willn't…
My car began having a problem with surging (feeling like someone IS repeatedly mashing on and then letting up on the accelerater) several years ago. I have taken it to numerous mechanics including a ford dealership over the past years and no one seems to be able to fix the problem. it willn't idle. I repeatedly dies at intersections, in parking lots, etc. it died 6 times while a mechanic attempted to drive it into a bay and still the computer said that there were no problems with the system. mechanics have done everything including setting the timeing, and still it surges and dies. it IS very dangerous to drive and I have been unable to sell it; people can hear that there IS something wrong. I have even called the 800 number at ford, and was only referred to dealerships in my area even when I told them that they had been unable to help me in the past. I willn't buy any ford product again and will discourage any of my friends from purchasing one. I limit my travel as much as possible due to fear of accidents. I feel that I wasted a great deal of money purchasing and making repairs on a vehicle that didn't help. I still have a very dangerous vehicle.
- Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
Original alternator replaced on 11-23-96, new alternator shorted out resulting in fire.
- Electrical system › Wiring
While driving the vehicle it caught on fire in the steering column. The vehicle has been totalled. *ak
- Electrical system › Wiring
While parked an electrical short in the wiring caused the vehicle to catch on fire in the alternator.*ak *jb
- Wheels
Left rear wheel came off while driving.
- Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
Steering column caught fire prior to recall.
- Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift
When shift selector IS put in drive it reads overdrive/overdrive reads neutral.
- Structure › Body
Was driving on highway and the roof came off .*ak
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
While parked an electrical short in the wiring harness, caused the vehicle wires under the hood to catch on fire. please describe. *ak
- Structure › Body
While driving the roof flew off. *Ak
- Wheels
Right rear wheel sheared off, causing loss of control/accident. (New jersey state police report)
- Electrical system › Ignition
While driving, the vehicle engine shuts down, causing the vehicle to stall. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Driver's side lap/shoulder belt would not release, and could not get the person out, had to cut the seat belt.*ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Engine compartment fire, under the hood, vehicle was parked in garage and completely burned, causing the house to catch on fire.*ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Electrical system fire in the interior of the vehicle around the steering wheel, specifically in the ignition switch. *ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Non collision fires
Summary: allegedly the axle bearings on lincoln town car limousines over-heat igniting combustible components nearby.recommendation: open pe send letter to ford.===
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 6090087Information on identifying non-approved / alternate refrigerants which could cause safety, and performance concerns if installed in ford a/c systems.
- 6089681Subject on a wire harness terminal repair kit available for repairing electrical wiring harnesses.
- 3020103Unknown
- 623988Information regarding transmission fluid usage charts. *Slc
- 623944Some vehicles may exhibit heater core leaks. *Slc
- 616522Subject regarding contamination from prior transmission concerns or excess wear may be trapped in the transmission fluid cooling system.
- 612203Information regarding the new transmission cooler flusher- service tip. *Mjs
- 608431Information on the new flush and fill tool available through rotunda.
- 601343A new silicone gasket and sealant.
- 601312Information on a buzzing or rattle noise from the exhaust system.
- 601269Announcing the ford oem air conditioning retrofit kit availability.
- 601238Information on a new transmission fluid usage chart.
- 601012The use of petroleum-based grease as a lubricant in servicing disc brakes IS no longer acceptable.
- 51945Fluid- transmission fluid usage charts.
- 50997Transaxle - torque converter replacement guidelines and torque converter/transaxle cooling system cleaning procedures - service tip.
- 50940Windshield and interior glass - fog/film.
- 50908Torque converter - leak test procedure - service tip.
- 50905Wiring - electrical diode identification and service replacements.
- 46478The use of petroleum-based grease as a lubricant in servicing disc brakes IS no longer acceptable because it may be incompatible with the rubber material used in the disc brake system. If petroleum-based grease IS used to lubricate any part of the disc brake system, it could cause rubber parts to swell if lubricant contacts the rubber material.
- 39900Roughness concern during brake application.
Every Lincoln Town Car model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.