Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 53 complaints with NHTSA about the 1986 Lincoln Town Car, and it carries 4 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 32 | 60% |
| Power train | 3 | 6% |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 6% |
| Structure | 3 | 6% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 2 | 4% |
| Fuel system | 2 | 4% |
| Unknown or other | 2 | 4% |
| Wheels | 2 | 4% |
| Service brakes | 1 | 2% |
| Tires | 1 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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
NHTSA complaint: Power train
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 EXTI
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
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
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
THE IGNITION SWITCH IS TEMPERAMENTAL AND THE VEHICLE IS STALLING. *SLC
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
THE IGNITION SWITCH IS TEMPERAMENTAL AND THE VEHICLE IS STALLING. *SLC
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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
NHTSA complaint: Tires
STARTED CAR AFTER IT HAD SET FOR THREE DAY, PUT IT IN REVERSE, TOUCHED GAS PEDAL TO BACK UP AND SUDDENLY THE CAR SHOT BACKWARDS LIKE A ROCKET, GOING AT AN UNCONTROLABLE RATE OF SPEED, BRAKING DID NOT EFFECT IT. FINALLY
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 1986 Lincoln Town Car. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIMOUSINES BUILT BY EMPIRE COACH. VEHICLE ALTERERS LABEL MAY BE MISSING OR INCOMPLETE.
Risk: VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH PART 567.
Fix: ADD COMPLIANCE LABEL.
SAFETY BELTS (TYPE 1 LAP BELTS) FOR REAR FACING SEATS WERE NOT INSTALLED.
Risk: LACK OF RESTRAINTS COULD CONTRIBUTE TO OTHERWISE PREVENTABLE INJURY AND WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 209 AND 210.
Fix: INSTALL SAFETY BELTS FOR REAR FACING SEATS.
INCORRECT BOLTS WERE USED IN THE TRANSMISSION LINKAGE ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THE TRANSMISSION GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR LEVER ON THE
Fix: REPLACE THE SHIFT LINKAGE TRUNNION, GROMMET AND ADJUSTMENT BOLT.
SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
Risk: 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.
Fix: INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.
| Reliability raw | 85 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 78 | good |
| Maintenance | 76 | good |
| Depreciation | 52 | average |
| Performance | 71 | good |
| Efficiency | 36 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 53 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 32 of them (60%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 85/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 78/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1986 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 71/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.