MYRModel Year Report

1986 Lincoln Town CAR

▲ Better than typical
1986 Lincoln Town CAR
RENDERED 2026-09-17T02:48:11.192Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Lincoln Town CAR Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1986 highlighted. 1980: 1 complaints 1980 1981: 1 complaints 1982: 2 complaints 1983: 4 complaints 1984: 15 complaints 1984 1985: 21 complaints 1986: 50 complaints 1986 1987: 32 complaints 1988: 99 complaints 1988 1989: 90 complaints 1990: 209 complaints 1991: 157 complaints 1992: 249 complaints 1992 1993: 178 complaints 1994: 159 complaints 1995: 166 complaints 1996: 259 complaints 1996 1997: 314 complaints 1998: 154 complaints 1999: 148 complaints 2000: 108 complaints 2000 2001: 161 complaints 2002: 65 complaints 2003: 201 complaints 2004: 83 complaints 2004 2005: 119 complaints 2006: 143 complaints 2007: 84 complaints 2008: 20 complaints 2008 2009: 5 complaints 2010: 13 complaints 2011: 6 complaints 2011
1986: 50 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19801
19811
19822
19834
198415
198521
198650
198732
198899
198990
1990209
1991157
1992249
1993178
1994159
1995166
1996259
1997314
1998154
1999148
2000108
2001161
200265
2003201
200483
2005119
2006143
200784
200820
20095
201013
20116

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 58%

58% of complaints: electrical system — 29 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing switch and interior/under dash.

FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20041105

IGNITION SWITCH FIRE, ELECTRICAL WIRES AROUND STEERING WHEEL CAUGHT FIRE. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950808

WHILE DRIVING, NOTICED BURNING SMELL AND SMOKE COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN AND DASH, DUE TO FRONT ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WIRING HARNESS FIRE. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950316

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 6%

6% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 3 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
STRUCTURE 6%

6% of complaints: structure — 3 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing body and door.

POWER TRAIN 6%

6% of complaints: power train — 3 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing park/neutral start interlock switch and column shift.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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

NHTSA ODI report, 20080825

WHEELS 4%

4% of complaints: wheels — 2 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19871012 — fuel system, gasoline

SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.

Remedy: INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.

Campaign 87V139000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19880115 — PE (closed 19880502)

NON COLLISION FIRES

R 19910222 — seat belts

SAFETY BELTS (TYPE 1 LAP BELTS) FOR REAR FACING SEATS WERE NOT INSTALLED.

Remedy: INSTALL SAFETY BELTS FOR REAR FACING SEATS.

Campaign 90V050000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19910604 — equipment

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIMOUSINES BUILT BY EMPIRE COACH. VEHICLE ALTERERS LABEL MAY BE MISSING OR INCOMPLETE.

Remedy: ADD COMPLIANCE LABEL.

Campaign 90V093000 — check if this car was fixed

R Date not on file — power train

INCORRECT BOLTS WERE USED IN THE TRANSMISSION LINKAGE ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM.

Remedy: REPLACE THE SHIFT LINKAGE TRUNNION, GROMMET AND ADJUSTMENT BOLT.

Campaign 85V123000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1986 Lincoln Town CAR — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (29 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (3 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for structure issues (3 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 85V123000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 87V139000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 90V050000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 90V093000 (equipment) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1987 ▲ 2002 ▲ 2004

WORST YEARS

■ 1997 ◆ 1992 ◆ 1996

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1986 Lincoln Town CAR reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1986 Lincoln Town CAR is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1986 Lincoln Town CAR?

The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 58% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1986 Lincoln Town CAR have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.