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1986 Lincoln ContinentalProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 8 owner complaints about the 1986 Lincoln Continental, most often about the seats. It is covered by 5 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls5Free fix at dealersOwner complaints86 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem2Seats

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 3, 2006. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1986 Lincoln Continental has problems

8 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Seats22
Service brakes, hydraulic20
Engine and engine cooling11
Fuel system, gasoline11
Seat belts10
Suspension10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

5 recalls

1986 Lincoln Continental recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 87V-139 · Sep 4, 1987 · 3,600,000 vehicles

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 1 more recall

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Lincoln.

Best & worst years

1986 vs. every other Continental year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Continental median. How we score

'69'74'75'77'78'79'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'17'18'19'20
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
4 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1986 Lincoln Continental, and the recalls they led to.

  1. BRAKE FAILUREPE86067 · closed Sep 9, 1986
    Led to recall 86V-108
  2. ABS FAILUREPE88100 · closed Apr 17, 1989
    No recall
  3. SUB-FRM/UNIBODY ABSOR.FAILPE92056 · closed Nov 30, 1992
    No recall
  4. AIR SUSPENSION FAILUREPE93036 · closed Aug 4, 1993
    No recall
In owners' words

What Continental owners report

Recent seats complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

SEATBACK CONSISTED OF A STAMPED METAL FRAME WITH OPENING IN CENTER AND NO SUPPORTIVE STRUCTURE, DRIVER FELL THROUGH IT UPON IMPACT, RESULTING IN INJURY. *AK
Complaint 482617 · Mar 20, 1995

Own a 1986 Continental?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.