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1986 Lincoln Town CARProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 50 owner complaints about the 1986 Lincoln Town CAR, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.

64
CarFlaw IndexSolid year44% below the Town CAR median · #20 of 26 years by complaints
Safety recalls4Free fix at dealersOwner complaints5033 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage168kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 25, 2008. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1986 Lincoln Town CAR has problems

50 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 system2924
Vehicle speed control31
Structure30
Power train32
Wheels21
Engine and engine cooling21
Fuel system, gasoline20
Tires10
Seat belts10
2 other systems21

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

4 recalls

1986 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.

–no report yet

Front: anchorage

Recall 90V-050 · Mar 6, 1990 · 223 vehicles

Risk. LACK OF RESTRAINTS COULD CONTRIBUTE TO OTHERWISE PREVENTABLE INJURY AND WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 209 AND 210.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–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 →

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 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
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

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

  1. 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.

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…
Complaint 10099514 · Nov 5, 2004 · 168,000 miles
AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, CAUSED THE STEERING COLUMN TO CATCH ON FIRE AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE. PLEASE DESCRIBE.
Complaint 986260 · Jun 27, 1996
WHILE DRIVING, SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN, 5 TO 10 SECONDS LATER, FLAMES WERE COMING UNDER STEERING WHEEL CAUSED BY FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. *AK
Complaint 985171 · Jun 3, 1996

Own a 1986 Town CAR?

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