Recalls (4)
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 1986 Lincoln Town Car. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗EQUIPMENT:CERTIFICATION LABEL
- Summary
- 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.
INTERIOR SYSTEMS:ACTIVE SEAT AND SHOULDER BELTS AN
- Summary
- 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.
FUEL:FUEL LINES:METALLIC
- Summary
- 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.
POWER TRAIN:TRANSMISSION:AUTOMATIC:LEVER AND LINKA
- Summary
- INCORRECT BOLTS WERE USED IN THE TRANSMISSION LINKAGE ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THE TRANSMISSION GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR LEVER ON THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD BE ON THE WRONG TRANSMISSION FUNCTION. SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE DRIVER WOULD FIND THEIR CAR IN A GEAR OTHER THAN THE ONE INDICATED BY SHIFT LEVER INDICATOR. THIS COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF THE CAR IS LEFT UNATTENDED.
- Remedy
- REPLACE THE SHIFT LINKAGE TRUNNION, GROMMET AND ADJUSTMENT BOLT.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (50)
50 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 50 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 29 | 58% |
| Power train | 3 | 6% |
| Structure | 3 | 6% |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 6% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 2 | 4% |
| Fuel system | 2 | 4% |
| Unknown or other | 2 | 4% |
| Wheels | 2 | 4% |
| Seat belts | 1 | 2% |
| Service brakes | 1 | 2% |
How 1986 compares with other Town Car years
Best and worst Town Car years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1982 | 2 | 0 |
| 1983 | 4 | 3 |
| 1984 | 15 | 1 |
| 1985 | 21 | 1 |
| 1986 | 50 | 4 |
| 1987 | 32 | 6 |
| 1988 | 99 | 5 |
| 1989 | 89 | 5 |
| 1990 | 209 | 4 |
| 1991 | 155 | 5 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 19 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,550
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 468 g/mi
- EPA class
- Large Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 19 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 24 / 19 | $3,550 | 468 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 1986 Town Car for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
1986 Lincoln Town Car FAQ
How many recalls does the 1986 Lincoln Town Car have?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns: 90V093000 (equipment), 90V050000 (seat belt), 87V139000 (fuel system), 85V123000 (power train). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 1986 Lincoln Town Car problems?
Owners filed 50 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (29), Power train (3), Structure (3) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 1986 Lincoln Town Car get?
EPA rates the 5 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic version at 16 city, 24 highway and 19 combined mpg.
How does the 1986 Town Car compare with other years?
Among the 1982–1991 Lincoln Town Car model years at least five years old, the 1982 drew the fewest complaints (2) and the 1990 the most (209). The 1986 drew 50. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.