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 Recalls
Recalls on record Updated July 2026
The 1986 Lincoln Town Car has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 3,601,557 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 54 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
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…
Remedy
REPLACE THE SHIFT LINKAGE TRUNNION, GROMMET AND ADJUSTMENT BOLT.
Complaints by component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
11fires1injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
5fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
3fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
3fires
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1crashes
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
2fires
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
STRUCTURE:BODY
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Total complaints54
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“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”
“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…”
“Paint peeling, emissions bad.”
“While driving vehicle was lurching, then consumer noticed smoke coming from the tires. Dealer determined that right front brake was locked up, caliper and brake hose were replaced. *ak”
“While driving vehicle was lurching, then consumer noticed smoke coming from the tires. Dealer determined that right front brake was locked up, caliper and brake hose were replaced. *ak”
“Straps that hold fuel tank in place have been rubbing on tank, fuel tank is leaking due to that. *ak the tank needs replacing. *yh”
“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”
“Car burst into flames. *ak”
Defect investigations
Investigation PE88012 Opened 1988-01-15 · closed 1988-05-02
NON COLLISION FIRES
SUMMARY: ALLEGEDLY THE AXLE BEARINGS ON LINCOLN TOWN CAR LIMOUSINES OVER-HEAT IGNITING COMBUSTIBLE COMPONENTS NEARBY.RECOMMENDATION: OPEN PE SEND LETTER TO FORD.===
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 1986 Lincoln Town Car as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.