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.
1986 Lincoln Town Car problems
Verdict · NHTSA data
A typical year for this model
The 1986 Lincoln Town Car sits mid-pack among Town Car years: 54 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 106, with 4 recalls and one closed investigation.
The trouble concentrates in one system: electrical system issues account for 59% of all reports (32 of 54), far ahead of tires & wheels at 3.
54
NHTSA complaints
4
Recalls
1
Investigations
4
Crash-involved
27
Fires reported
4
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
How does 1986 compare to other Town Car years?
What are the most common 1986 Lincoln Town Car problems?
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 32 | 59% | ▲ up |
| Transmission | 3 | 6% | new |
| Speed Control | 3 | 6% | ▲ up |
| Tires & Wheels | 3 | 6% | ▼ down |
| Body & Structure | 3 | 6% | ▲ up |
| Brakes | 2 | 4% | ▲ up |
| Engine | 2 | 4% | — flat |
| Fuel System | 2 | 4% | ▲ up |
| Other | 2 | 4% | ▲ up |
| Steering | 1 | 2% | ▼ down |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 2% | new |
Does the 1986 Lincoln Town Car have recalls?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
SAFETY BELTS (TYPE 1 LAP BELTS) FOR REAR FACING SEATS WERE NOT INSTALLED.
Consequence
LACK OF RESTRAINTS COULD CONTRIBUTE TO OTHERWISE PREVENTABLE INJURY AND WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 209 AND 210.
Remedy
INSTALL SAFETY BELTS FOR REAR FACING SEATS.
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
INCORRECT BOLTS WERE USED IN THE TRANSMISSION LINKAGE ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THE TRANSMISSION GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR LEVER ON THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD BE ON THE WRONG TRANSMISSION FUNCTION. SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE DRIVER WOULD FIND THEIR CAR IN A GEAR OTHER THAN THE ONE INDICATED BY SHIFT LEVER INDICATOR. THIS COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF THE CAR IS LEFT UNATTENDED.
Remedy
REPLACE THE SHIFT LINKAGE TRUNNION, GROMMET AND ADJUSTMENT BOLT.
Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“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…”
“CAR WAS PARKED WITH TRANSMISSION SELECTOR IN PARK POSITION WITH NO KEY IN THE IGNITION. THE CAR JUMPED OUT OF PARK AND BEGIN TO ROLL AWAY. WHEN THE CAR HIT ANOTHER CAR AND CAME TO REST, THE TRANSMISSION INDICATOR WAS IN REVERSE POSITION. *TR”
“STARTED CAR AFTER IT HAD SET FOR THREE DAY, PUT IT IN REVERSE, TOUCHED GAS PEDAL TO BACK UP AND SUDDENLY THE CAR SHOT BACKWARDS LIKE A ROCKET, GOING AT AN UNCONTROLABLE RATE OF SPEED, BRAKING DID NOT EFFECT IT. FINALLY AFTER SHOVING IN PARK AND TURNING IGNITION OFF, IT CAME TO REST AT REAR OF A…”
“MODEL POWER PRIMA ATERMARKET TIRE SIZE P21570R15 WITH 30,000 MILES WITH 80,000 MILE WARRANTY. DRIVER'SFRONT TIRE BELT BROKE INSIDE THE TIRE, CAUSING TIRE TO GO OUT OF ROUND. CONSUMER HAD TO BUY 2 BRAND NEW TIRES BECAUSE VEHICLE WAS UNDRIVEABLE.*AK DOT #H288YPE1513. *SLC ”
“THE STAINLESS STEEL TRIM ON THE DOORS ARE SHARP AND THE OWNER HAD HER FINGER AMPUTATED OF THE DOOR. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK”
1986 Lincoln Town Car — common questions
Is the 1986 Lincoln Town Car reliable?
Its record is better than the model's norm: 54 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Town Car year, with 4 recalls and no open investigations.
What are the most common 1986 Town Car problems?
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (32 complaints), tires & wheels (3 complaints), body & structure (3 complaints).
Does the 1986 Lincoln Town Car have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1986 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 1986 Lincoln Town Car under NHTSA investigation?
NHTSA opened one investigation 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.