Verdict · NHTSA data
Limited data — recalls on file
NHTSA has just 8 complaints on file for the 1986 Lincoln Continental — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 5 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.
8
NHTSA complaints
5
Recalls
4
Investigations
2
Crash-involved
2
Fires reported
2
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 2 | 25% | ▼ down |
| Seats | 2 | 25% | new |
| Engine | 1 | 13% | ▼ down |
| Fuel System | 1 | 13% | — flat |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 13% | — flat |
| Suspension | 1 | 13% | ▼ down |
5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
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.
Defect
THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER MAY HANG UP AND NOT FULLY RETURN TO THE "ON" POSITION FROM THE "START" POSITION AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE. IF THIS OCCURS, THE ENGINE WILL REMAIN RUNNING, BUT THE BATTERY CURRENT TO THE BRAKE SYSTEM SUPPLY MOTOR WILL BE INTERRUPTED. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: WITH POWER TO MOST ACCESSORIES AND THE BRAKE SYSTEM SUPPLY MOTOR INTERRUPTED, THE POWER ASSIST TO THE FRONT BRAKE WILL BE LOST AND AFTER ABOUT 10 TO 15 NORMAL BRAKE STOPS, LOSS OF REAR BRAKE FUNCTION WILL RESULT, CAUSING INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE. HOWEVER, THE INSTRUMENT BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE PRIOR TO REDUCED BRAKING CAPABILITY AND IF WARNING IS NOT HEEDED, AN ACCIDENT MAY OCCUR.
Remedy
REPLACE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDERS WITH REVISED DESIGN CYLINDERS.
Defect
UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, CONTACTS IN BRAKE SYSTEM RELAY COULD REMAIN CLOSED, CAUSING THE BRAKE PUMP MOTOR TO RUN CONTINUOUSLY, CAUSING IT TO OVERHEAT AND EVENTUALLY FAIL. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: SHOULD THE BRAKE SUPPLY MOTOR FAIL, THE POWER ASSIST TO THE FRONT BRAKES WILL BE LOST, AND AFTER ABOUT 10 TO 15 NORMAL BRAKE STOPS, LOSS OF REAR BRAKE FUNCTION WILL RESULT, CAUSING INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE. HOWEVER, THE INSTRUMENT BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE PRIOR TO REDUCED BRAKING CAPABILITY AND IF WARNING IS NOT HEEDED, AN ACCIDENT MAY OCCUR.
Remedy
REPLACE PUMP MOTOR RELAYS.
Defect
WIRING CONNECTIONS IN AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR TO THE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR FLUID LEVEL SENSORS WERE REVERSED AND FAIL TO INDICATE LOW FLUID LEVELS AS SPECIFIED BY FMVSS 105, HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEMS. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: SENSOR WILL NOT TRANSMIT SIGNAL TO BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WHEN THE FLUID LEVEL IS LESS THAN ONE FOURTH FULL. WITHOUT THIS WARNING SIGNAL THE FLUID LEVEL MAY DECREASE TO THE POINT WHERE PARTIAL OR COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKE WOULD BE EXPERIENCED AND MAY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy
RE-CONFIGURE WIRING TO THE FLUID LEVEL SENSOR CONNECTOR.
Defect
AN ALUMINUM CASTING FLASH ON THE FACE OF THE THROTTLE BODY MAY BREAK OFF AND BECOME TRAPPED BETWEEN THE THROTTLE PLATE AND THE BORE IN THE THROTTLE BODY. CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: THROTTLE MAY FAIL TO RETURN TO IDLE POSITION WHEN RELEASED AND COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL WHICH MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy
REMOVE EXCESS CASTING FLASH.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“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”
“I OWN A 1986 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL THAT HAS A RECALL LISTED FOR THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES, 86V109000. THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE PUMP HAS FAILED AND MIDAS TOLD ME ABOUT THIS RECALL AND SAID I SHOULD HAVE FORD FIX IT. I WENT TO SCHAUMBURG LINCOLN MERCURY IN SCHAUMBURG, ILLINOIS - AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO…”
The record is thin — 8 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 5 recalls should be verified as completed.
Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1986 Lincoln Continental. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
NHTSA opened 4 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.
Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Continental years to avoid are 1991, 1994, 1989, 1990, 1993, 1992, 1988, 1997, 2000, 2017, 1995, 1998, 1996, 1999, 2002. The cleanest record among Continental years belongs to 1980.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.