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.
1987 Lincoln Town Car problems
Verdict · NHTSA data
Worth extra scrutiny
The 1987 Lincoln Town Car is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 6 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 40 owner complaints run below the Town Car median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying.
The trouble concentrates in one system: electrical system issues account for 50% of all reports (20 of 40), far ahead of fuel system at 4.
40
NHTSA complaints
6
Recalls
0
Investigations
2
Crash-involved
16
Fires reported
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
How does 1987 compare to other Town Car years?
What are the most common 1987 Lincoln Town Car problems?
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 20 | 50% | ▼ down |
| Engine | 4 | 10% | ▲ up |
| Fuel System | 4 | 10% | ▲ up |
| Seat Belts | 2 | 5% | ▲ up |
| Speed Control | 2 | 5% | ▼ down |
| Transmission | 2 | 5% | ▼ down |
| Visibility & Wipers | 1 | 3% | — flat |
| Climate Control (A/C & Heat) | 1 | 3% | — flat |
| Other | 1 | 3% | ▼ down |
| Steering | 1 | 3% | — flat |
| Tires & Wheels | 1 | 3% | ▼ down |
| Brakes | 1 | 3% | ▼ down |
Does the 1987 Lincoln Town Car have recalls?
6 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.
Consequence
DRIVER WOULD EXPERIENCE A CLUNKING NOISE ON TURNS AND ALOOSE FEELING IN THE STEERING WHEEL; STEERING CONTROL WOULD BE MAINTAINED.
Remedy
REPLACE IDLER ARM ASSEMBLY.
Defect
STEERING CENTERLINKS MAY BREAK AT A BEND LOCATION.
Consequence
STEERING CONTROL WOULD BE DIMINISHED, WITH REDUCEDCONTROL OF LEFT WHEEL ONLY AND CONSIDERABLE STEERING WHEEL FREE PLAY.
Remedy
REPLACE STEERING CENTERLINK.
Defect
WIRING HARNESS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT MAY BE MISROUTED AND SUBJECT TO DAMAGE. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: A SHORT CIRCUIT COULD OCCUR (DURING USE OR WHEN PARKED) WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy
PROPERLY ROUTE WIRING HARNESSES, AS NECESSARY.
Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“FOUR MINUTES AFTER THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF, BLACK SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE OWNER OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICED THE ALTERNATOR WAS ON FIRE. *AK A MECHANIC EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND NO POLICE REPORT WAS MADE. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE FORD TO RECALL ALL VEHICLES WITH THE SAME TYPE…”
“WHILE DRIVING RADIATOR SUDDENLY STARTED TO LEAK FLUID. UPON THE LEAKAGE FROM THE RADIATOR VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY SHUT DOWN WITH NO WARNING. *AK”
“DEFECTIVE "O"-RINGS IN THE FUEL RAIL CAUSED A FUEL LEAK WHICH, IN TURN STARTED A FIRE IN UNDERHOOD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. OWNER REPAIRED VEHICLE HIMSELF, AND FOUND THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. *AK *ML”
“WHEN TURNING VEHICLE AT LESS THAN FIVE MILES AN HOUR, VEHICLE WENT INTO HIGH THROTTLE MODE, AND ACCELERATED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO JUMP CURB. BOTH FRONT TIRES WENT FLAT, KNOCKING DOWN 20 FEET WOODED FENCE, AND HIT HOUSE.*AK CONSUMER STATED PROBLEM WAS RELATED TO THE CRUISE…”
1987 Lincoln Town Car — common questions
Is the 1987 Lincoln Town Car reliable?
Its record is better than the model's norm: 40 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Town Car year, with 6 recalls and no open investigations.
What are the most common 1987 Town Car problems?
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (20 complaints), fuel system (4 complaints), engine (4 complaints).
Does the 1987 Lincoln Town Car have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 1987 Lincoln Town Car. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
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.