The 1987 Lincoln Town Car has 20 electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA — 50% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.
20
Electrical System complaints
50%
Share of year
1
Crash-involved
1
Related recalls
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.
“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…”
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the 1987 Lincoln Town Car electrical system — 50% of all complaints filed for that model year.
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the electrical system: 86V142000.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.