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 Recalls
Recalls on record Updated July 2026
The 1987 Lincoln Town Car has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 3,651,378 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 40 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.
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…
Remedy
PROPERLY ROUTE WIRING HARNESSES, AS NECESSARY.
Complaints by component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
1crashes3fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
4fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
1fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
2fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1crashes
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
1fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Total complaints40
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“Total tread separation from tire while driving on the freeway at 65 ..m.p.h. Front right tire. *tr”
“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…”
“Strong gasoline odor inside car most noticeable with a window down, have checked for leaks and can't find it, seems like it may be coming from behind the dash. *jb”
“Vehicle stalls, fails to start, after first 30 to 45 mins driving during 95f plus outside air temp, dry weather conditions, dallas, tx. Tfi replaced twice, coil replaced, tps replaced, and tune up still has not resolved problem. Potential for serious accident, injury, or death exists with this…”
“Vehicle stalls, fails to start, after first 30 to 45 mins driving during 95f plus outside air temp, dry weather conditions, dallas, tx. Tfi replaced twice, coil replaced, tps replaced, and tune up still has not resolved problem. Potential for serious accident, injury, or death exists with this…”
“Ongoing tfi ignition module problem, all ignition components replaced, tfi 3+ times, still happens, car stalls and won't start. California has done something about this, when are you!? Now I have had an accident due to this ongoing problem. Do I have to get seriously injured or what????????”
“While sitting in the house consumer heard a strange noise that souded like a car starting. When going to investigate consumer then noticed that the garage was full of smoke. Consumer opened car hood and there were flames coming out. *ak”
“Vehicle experiences a problem with rolling out of driveway. Vehicle was parked with key out of the ignition switch. Consumer's four year old child moved the shifter out of gear, causing the vehicle to roll down the street. Can nhtsa help or provide addition information. *ak”
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 1987 Lincoln Town Car as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.