SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

1985 Lincoln Town Car

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1985 Lincoln Town Car do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 86.5.

About this comparison →
21Owner complaints

Model-year median: 86.5

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

2Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
2
19824
198315
198421
198550
198632
198799
1988
Compare all Town Car years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Electrical System
7Tires
4Engine And Engine Cooling
2Steering
2Structure
2
All reported categories
Equipment
1Fuel System, Gasoline
1Service Brakes, Hydraulic
1Unknown Or Other
1Vehicle Speed Control
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 0 of 21 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Tires. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports6 fire reports2 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

7 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Nov 5, 2003
Electrical System

WHILE DRIVING AT 32 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND THE BRAKES FAILED. DEALERS NOTIFIED.*AK CONSUMER HAD A SHORT IN THE WIRE. HER CONCERN WAS THAT SHE COULDN'T STOP THE VEHICLE AFTER A WHILE. *PH *JB

NHTSA ODI #10040014

Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2001
Electrical SystemSteeringFireInjury

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH WHEN STEERING COLUMN EXPLODED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONSUMER PULLED OVER ,AND POURED SNOW ON IT TO TAKE FIRE OUT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #877832

Mileage unknown · Jul 7, 1999
Electrical System

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE IS STALLED AND CUT OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. IGNITION SWITCH HAS BEEN REPLACE THREE TIMES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #838602

Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 1996
Electrical SystemFire

ELECTRICAL SHORT, STEERING COLUMN FIRE, VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AND PARKED AND RETURN VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #985216

Mileage unknown · Apr 23, 1996
Electrical SystemFire

IGNITION FIRE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #983332

Mileage unknown · Apr 23, 1996
Electrical SystemFire

IGNITION FIRE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #983330

Mileage unknown · Apr 18, 1996
Electrical SystemFire

THE CAR BURNED UP FROM THE HARNESS UNDER THE DASH. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #982917

Official recalls

1

90V093000 · Equipment:other:labels

May 9, 1990

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

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH PART 567.

Remedy: ADD COMPLIANCE LABEL.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

PE88012 · Non Collision Fires

Opened Jan 15, 1988 · Closed May 2, 1988

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension

SUMMARY: ALLEGEDLY THE AXLE BEARINGS ON LINCOLN TOWN CAR LIMOUSINES OVER-HEAT IGNITING COMBUSTIBLE COMPONENTS NEARBY.RECOMMENDATION: OPEN PE SEND LETTER TO FORD.===

DP87029 · Sudden Acceleration

Opened Aug 17, 1987 · Closed Oct 23, 1987

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

SUDDEN ACCELERATION