FaultScore report
Owners have filed 18 complaints about the 1985 Lincoln Continental with NHTSA between 1995 and 2002. The largest single group is the electrical system.
18
Complaints
0
Crashes reported
10
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
0 crashes, 3 fires
0 crashes, 4 fires
0 crashes, 2 fires
0 crashes, 1 fires
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
AIR SUSPENSION FAILURE
ABS FAILURE
BRAKE FAILURE
ANALYSIS:THE 8 COMPLAINTS IN ODI COMPLAINT FILE REVEALED SUDDEN BRAKEFAILURE.FORD HAS ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN, 03250000, ON 1985 MARK VII'SFOR AN OUT OF POSITION WIRING HARNESS.IN THIS CASE THE BRAKING SENSORMAY SHORT CAUSING POWER BRAKE FAILURE.THERE HAVE BEEN NO RECALLSPERTAINING TO THIS ALLEGED DEFECT.FURTHER INVESTIGATION IS SUGGESTED TOEVALUATE THIS ALLEGED DEFECT.STATUS:IR PREPARED.PROPOSED ACTION:TO OPEN A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION.
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.
Brakes
VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH A BRAKE SYSTEM SUPPLY MOTOR THAT PROVIDES HYDRAULIC PRESSURE FOR THE THE REAR BRAKES AND POWER ASSIST TO THE FRONT BRAKES. THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR WELDING OF THE CONTACTS IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM RELAY. IF THIS OCCURS, THE BRAKE PUMP MOTOR WILL RUN CONTINUOUSLY CAUSING OVERHEATING AND WILL EVENTUALLY STOP OPERATING. AFTER 10 TO 15 NORMAL BRAKE STOPS, LOSS OF BRAKE FUNCTION WILL OCCUR, RESULTING IN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES AND RISK OF VEHICLE CRASH. CORRECTION: PUMP MOTOR RELAYS WILL BE REPLACED.
DEFECTIVE ELECTRONIC MODULES MAY CAUSE A MALFUNCTION IN THE ELECTRICAL AIR SUSPENSION CIRCUITRY. IF THIS OCCURS, A POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE TO OCCUR.
Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM
A FAULTY AIR SUSPENSION CONTROL SYSTEM CAUSED FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT RESULTING IN TOTAL LOSS OF THE VEHICLE. YH
NHTSA complaint #551357 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM
POORLY DESIGNED AIR SUSPENSION MODULE FAILED RESULTING IN VEHICLE FIRE. MODULE WAS RECALLED (85V04), BUT CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED.
NHTSA complaint #710986 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
MY LINCOLN CONTINENTAL CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. ALL INDICATIONS ARE THAT THIS WAS CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE AIR SUSPENSION CONTOL MODULE. I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL (NHTSA 85V04) TO REPLACE THIS PART ON 1985 LINCLON MANUFACTURED FROM 11/84 TO 3/85. WHEN I CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY'S CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER, I WAS ADVISED, ON MORE THAN ONE OCASSION, THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT A PART OF ANY RECALL. HOWEVER, I HAVE SINCE DETERMINED AND FORD'S RESEARCH GROUP HAS CONFIRMED THAT MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED ON 3/6/85. THIS INDICATES TO ME THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY FAILED TO RECALL MY VEHICLE IN ERROR. THE FIRE WAS A RESULT OF THIS ERROR. MY CAR IS NOT DRIVEABLE AS A RESULT OF THE FIRE. I AM REQUESTING THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY RECTIFY THIS SITUATION BY EITHER FULLY REPAIRING MY VEHICLE OR BY REIMBURSING ME THE FULL RETAIL MARKET VALUE THAT IT WILL COST TO REPLACE THE VEHICLE (ALONG WITH ANY OTHER EXPENSES I HAVE INCURRED AS A RESULT OF THE FIRE). THE CAR IS AVAILABLE FOR EXAMINATION AT MY RESIDENCE. PLEASE ADVISE ME AS TO HOW TO PROCEED FROM THIS POINT TO GET A TIMELY RESOLUTION TO MY PROBLEM. THANKS, IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR TIMELY REPLY.
NHTSA complaint #710986 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE CAUSED FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #510177 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #506910 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
VEHICLE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #505955 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
PE 020; WHILE TRAVELING 60MPH ON INTERSTATE AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING RIGHT REAR TIRE SEPARATED. FIRESTONE, P22570R/15. CONSUMER WILL FILL FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8005007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM
A FAULTY AIR SUSPENSION CONTROL SYSTEM CAUSED FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT RESULTING IN TOTAL LOSS OF THE VEHICLE. YH
NHTSA complaint #551357 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM
POORLY DESIGNED AIR SUSPENSION MODULE FAILED RESULTING IN VEHICLE FIRE. MODULE WAS RECALLED (85V04), BUT CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED.
NHTSA complaint #710986 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
MY LINCOLN CONTINENTAL CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. ALL INDICATIONS ARE THAT THIS WAS CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE AIR SUSPENSION CONTOL MODULE. I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL (NHTSA 85V04) TO REPLACE THIS PART ON 1985 LINCLON MANUFACTURED FROM 11/84 TO 3/85. WHEN I CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY'S CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER, I WAS ADVISED, ON MORE THAN ONE OCASSION, THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT A PART OF ANY RECALL. HOWEVER, I HAVE SINCE DETERMINED AND FORD'S RESEARCH GROUP HAS CONFIRMED THAT MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED ON 3/6/85. THIS INDICATES TO ME THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY FAILED TO RECALL MY VEHICLE IN ERROR. THE FIRE WAS A RESULT OF THIS ERROR. MY CAR IS NOT DRIVEABLE AS A RESULT OF THE FIRE. I AM REQUESTING THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY RECTIFY THIS SITUATION BY EITHER FULLY REPAIRING MY VEHICLE OR BY REIMBURSING ME THE FULL RETAIL MARKET VALUE THAT IT WILL COST TO REPLACE THE VEHICLE (ALONG WITH ANY OTHER EXPENSES I HAVE INCURRED AS A RESULT OF THE FIRE). THE CAR IS AVAILABLE FOR EXAMINATION AT MY RESIDENCE. PLEASE ADVISE ME AS TO HOW TO PROCEED FROM THIS POINT TO GET A TIMELY RESOLUTION TO MY PROBLEM. THANKS, IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR TIMELY REPLY.
NHTSA complaint #710986 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:HYDRAULIC
BRAKES: LIGHT INDICATOR FOR POWER BRAKE SYSTEM RELAY REMAINS ON, INDICATING THE BRAKE PUMP IS RUNNING CONTINUOUSLY.
NHTSA complaint #821724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE CAUSED FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #510177 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #506910 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON AND WHEN THE CAR IS STOPPED THE VEHICLE WILL LOSE BRAKES AND ROLL FOREWARD AND THE OWNERS FOOT WILL STILL BE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL.
NHTSA complaint #806639 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
VEHICLE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #505955 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ANTILOCK BRAKES FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #490806 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE FIRE. *DSH
NHTSA complaint #504561 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
VEHICLE WAS PARKED, SAW SMOKE NEAR IGNITION SWITCH AND VENTS, UNDER THE DASH, VEHICLE COMPLETELY BURNED.
NHTSA complaint #983768 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
VEHICLE WAS PARKED, SAW SMOKE NEAR IGNITION SWITCH AND VENTS, UNDER THE DASH, VEHICLE COMPLETELY BURNED.
NHTSA complaint #983768 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
ELECTRICAL SHORT OR SHOCK IN THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #983410 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
DRIVER'S SEAT BELT FAILED TWICE. *SKD
NHTSA complaint #486955 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER
THE FRONT AND REAR SHOCK WHEN CAR IS PARK SHOCK ARE DOWN WHEN DRIVING COME BACK UP. TT
NHTSA complaint #964939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER
THE FRONT AND REAR SHOCK WHEN CAR IS PARK SHOCK ARE DOWN WHEN DRIVING COME BACK UP. TT
NHTSA complaint #964939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
VEHICLE STALLS OUT WITH NO WARNING AT ANY GIVEN TIME. TT
NHTSA complaint #960741 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.