Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIMOUSINES BUILT BY EMPIRE COACH. VEHICLE ALTERERS LABEL MAY BE MISSING OR INCOMPLETE.
Consequence
VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH PART 567.
Remedy
ADD COMPLIANCE LABEL.
1985 Lincoln Town Car problems
Verdict · NHTSA data
Limited data — recalls on file
NHTSA has just 24 complaints on file for the 1985 Lincoln Town Car — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work. Reports tied to this model year include 3 deaths and 3 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.
24
NHTSA complaints
1
Recalls
2
Investigations
1
Crash-involved
8
Fires reported
3
Injuries
3
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
How does 1985 compare to other Town Car years?
What are the most common 1985 Lincoln Town Car problems?
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 8 | 33% | ▼ down |
| Tires & Wheels | 5 | 21% | ▲ up |
| Engine | 2 | 8% | — flat |
| Steering | 2 | 8% | ▲ up |
| Body & Structure | 2 | 8% | new |
| Other | 1 | 4% | new |
| Climate Control (A/C & Heat) | 1 | 4% | new |
| Fuel System | 1 | 4% | — flat |
| Brakes | 1 | 4% | — flat |
| Speed Control | 1 | 4% | ▼ down |
Does the 1985 Lincoln Town Car have recalls?
1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“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”
“SPARE TIRE HAD TREAD SEPARATION ON IT. 13OOO MILES, 225/75R15. *AK MICHELN DOT M 3DY D3NX 527. MONTHLY INSPECTION OF SPARE TIRE FOUND AIR WAS ESCAPING FROM TIRE. TOOK TIRE OUT OF TRUNK AND THE AREA FACING REAR FIREWALL WAS BLOWN OUT, TIRE SEPARATION. CONTACTED MICHELIN AND REPLY WAS TIRE IS OLD.…”
“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”
“CONSUMER HAD A SICK PASSENGER IN BACK SEAT , DROVE TO HOSPITAL , WENT TO UNLOCK DOORS BY THE AUTOMATIC SYSTEM NEXT TO DRIVER , BUT IT WAS INOPERATIVE. NEXT, CONSUMER WENT TO OPEN THE BACK DOOR MANUALLY, BUT IT WILL NOT OPEN ON EITHER SIDE. CONSUMER HAD TO PULL SICK PASSNEGER TO THE FRONT SEAT IN…”
1985 Lincoln Town Car — common questions
Is the 1985 Lincoln Town Car reliable?
The record is thin — 24 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.
What are the most common 1985 Town Car problems?
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (8 complaints), tires & wheels (5 complaints), steering (2 complaints).
Does the 1985 Lincoln Town Car have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1985 Lincoln Town Car. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
Is the 1985 Lincoln Town Car under NHTSA investigation?
NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.
Which Lincoln Town Car years should you avoid?
Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Town Car years to avoid are 1997, 1996, 1992, 1991, 1990, 2003, 1995, 1993, 1994, 2006, 2001, 1999, 1998, 2005. The cleanest record among Town Car years belongs to 1981.
Related
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.