Defect
UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, CONTACTS IN BRAKE SYSTEM RELAY COULD REMAIN CLOSED, CAUSING THE BRAKE PUMP MOTOR TO RUN CONTINUOUSLY, CAUSING IT TO OVERHEAT AND EVENTUALLY FAIL. CONSEQUENCE OF…
Remedy
REPLACE PUMP MOTOR RELAYS.
1985 Lincoln Continental Recalls
Recalls on record Updated July 2026
The 1985 Lincoln Continental has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 57,200 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 18 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
Defect
A MALFUNCTION MAY OCCUR IN THE AIR SUSPENSION ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY.
Consequence
A WIRE TO THE AIR SUSPENSION COMPRESSOR COULD OVERHEAT CREATING A POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE, PRIMARILY WHEN PARKED AND KEY IS REMOVED.
Remedy
REPLACE CONTROL MODULE WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED MODULE.
Complaints by component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
4fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
2fires
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM
2fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
1fires
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:HYDRAULIC
SUSPENSION
1fires
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER
Total complaints18
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“Pe 020; while traveling 60mph on interstate and without prior warning right rear tire separated. Firestone, p22570r/15. Consumer will fill further information. *ak”
“My lincoln continental caught fire under the hood. All indications are that this was caused by a defective air suspension contol module. I understand that there was a recall (nhtsa 85v04) to replace this part on 1985 linclon manufactured from 11/84 to 3/85. When I called ford motor company's…”
“Poorly designed air suspension module failed resulting in vehicle fire. Module was recalled (85v04), but consumers vehicle was not included. *ak”
“A faulty air suspension control system caused fire in engine compartment resulting in total loss of the vehicle. Yh”
“Brakes: light indicator for power brake system relay remains on, indicating the brake pump is running continuously. *ak”
“Vehicle fire. *sd”
“Electrical short or shock in the vehicle, causing the vehicle to catch on fire. *ak”
“Antilock brakes failed prior to recall. *sd”
Defect investigations
Investigation PE86067 Opened 1986-07-29 · closed 1986-09-09
BRAKE FAILURE
ANALYSIS:THE 8 COMPLAINTS IN ODI COMPLAINT FILE REVEALED SUDDEN BRAKEFAILURE.FORD HAS ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN, 03250000, ON 1985 MARK VII'SFOR AN OUT OF POSITION WIRING HARNESS.IN THIS CASE THE BRAKING SENSORMAY SHORT CAUSING POWER BRAKE FAILURE.THERE HAVE BEEN NO RECALLSPERTAINING TO THIS ALLEGED DEFECT.FURTHER…
Investigation PE86067 Opened 1986-07-29 · closed 1986-09-09
BRAKE FAILURE
ANALYSIS:THE 8 COMPLAINTS IN ODI COMPLAINT FILE REVEALED SUDDEN BRAKEFAILURE.FORD HAS ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN, 03250000, ON 1985 MARK VII'SFOR AN OUT OF POSITION WIRING HARNESS.IN THIS CASE THE BRAKING SENSORMAY SHORT CAUSING POWER BRAKE FAILURE.THERE HAVE BEEN NO RECALLSPERTAINING TO THIS ALLEGED DEFECT.FURTHER…
Investigation PE88100 Opened 1988-09-06 · closed 1989-04-17
ABS FAILURE
There is no summary currently available
Investigation PE93036 Opened 1993-04-12 · closed 1993-08-04
AIR SUSPENSION FAILURE
There is no summary currently available
Sources & methodology
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1985 Lincoln Continental as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.