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1985 Lincoln Town CARProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 21 owner complaints about the 1985 Lincoln Town CAR, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints219 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem7Electrical system

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 25, 2006. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1985 Lincoln Town CAR has problems

21 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
Electrical system75
Tires40
Steering21
Engine and engine cooling22
Structure20
Fuel system, gasoline10
Vehicle speed control10
Equipment11
Service brakes, hydraulic11

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

1 recall

1985 Lincoln Town CAR 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.

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

1985 vs. every other Town CAR 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 Town CAR median. How we score

'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1985 Lincoln Town CAR, and the recalls they led to.

  1. SUDDEN ACCELERATIONDP87029 · closed Oct 23, 1987
    No recall
  2. NON COLLISION FIRESPE88012 · closed May 2, 1988
    No recall
In owners' words

What Town CAR owners report

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

WHILE DRIVING AT 32 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND THE BRAKES FAILED. DEALERS NOTIFIED.*AK CONSUMER HAD A SHORT IN THE WIRE. HER CONCERN WAS THAT SHE COULDN'T STOP THE VEHICLE AFTER A WHILE. *PH *JB
Complaint 10040014 · Nov 5, 2003
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH WHEN STEERING COLUMN EXPLODED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONSUMER PULLED OVER,AND POURED SNOW ON IT TO TAKE FIRE OUT. *AK
Complaint 877832 · Jan 10, 2001
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE IS STALLED AND CUT OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. IGNITION SWITCH HAS BEEN REPLACE THREE TIMES. *AK
Complaint 838602 · Jul 7, 1999

Own a 1985 Town CAR?

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