NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Switch
1234.3%
Interior/Under Dash
720.0%
Ignition
514.3%
Front Underhood
38.6%
Body
25.7%
Module
25.7%
Wiring
25.7%
Tank Assembly
25.7%
When owners complained
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.
Feb 1995peak 9Aug 2008
NHTSA investigations into the 1986 Lincoln Town 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.
PE88012Opened 15 Jan 1988Closed 2 May 1988SUSPENSION
NON COLLISION FIRES
SUMMARY: ALLEGEDLY THE AXLE BEARINGS ON LINCOLN TOWN CAR LIMOUSINES OVER-HEAT IGNITING COMBUSTIBLE COMPONENTS NEARBY.RECOMMENDATION: OPEN PE SEND LETTER TO FORD.===
Recalls on the 1986 Lincoln Town CAR
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.
United States — NHTSA
90V093000
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIMOUSINES BUILT BY EMPIRE COACH. VEHICLE ALTERERS LABEL MAY BE MISSING OR INCOMPLETE.
Risk: VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH PART 567.
90V050000
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
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.
87V139000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
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.
85V123000
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
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.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 1987098295,731 units in Canada
Fuel System
ON VEHICLES WITH EFI OR CFI, THE SPRING-LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING USED TO CONNECT THE FUEL SUPPLY AND RETURN LINES TO THE EFI FUEL RAILS OR TO THE CFI THROTTLE BODIES AS WELL AS OTHER FUEL LINE CONNECTIONS NEAR THE DASH PANELS ON SOME VEHICLES, COULD DISENGAGE DURING VEHICLE USE. SHOULD THIS OCCUR, LOSS OF FUEL WILL RESULT, PROVIDING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE FIRE. CORRECTION: COUPLING RETAINER CLIPS WILL BE INSTALLED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES. NOTE: ESCORT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH EFI AND CFI. LYNX VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH CFI ONLY. EFI - ELECTRONIC FUEL INJECTION CFI - CENTRAL FUEL INJECTION
Recall 198511257 units in Canada
VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH INCORRECT BOLTS IN THE TRANSMISSION LINKAGE ADJUSTMENT MECHANISMS. WITH AN INCORRECT BOLT,THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT LINKAGE ROD MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY RETAINED.THIS COULD CAUSE THE SHIFT SELECTOR TO NOT PROPERLY CONTROL GEAR SELECTION.AS A RESULT,THE TRANSMISSION COULD BE IN A FORWARD OR REVERSE GEAR WHEN THE SELECTOR LEVER IS MOVED TO A POSITION ASSOCIATED WITH ANOTHER FUNCTION,OR THE PARKING PAWL MAY NOT ENGAGE WHEN THE SHIFT LEVER IS MOVED TO THE PARK POSITION.
Recall 198510751 units in Canada
THE FUEL INJECTION THROTTLE BODIES MAY HAVE A CASTING FLASH ON THE FACE OF THE THROTTLE BODY BORES. IF THIS CONDITION EXISTS, A PIECE OF FLASH MAY BREAK LOOSE AND MIGHT BECOME LODGED BETWEEN THE THROTTLE PLATE AND BORE, PREVENTING THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION. .
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 118,000 milesFort Worth, TXCrash2 injured
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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 REVERSE POSITION.
NHTSA complaint #10239672 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 168,000 milesDetroit, MIFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
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 EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, AND INDICATED IT MAY HAVE BEEN SOMETHING ELECTRICAL THAT CAUSED THE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10099514 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Richardson, TXFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
CAR BURST INTO FLAMES.
NHTSA complaint #726209 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bismarck, MOFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
ORIGINAL ALTERNATOR REPLACED ON 11-23-96, NEW ALTERNATOR SHORTED OUT RESULTING IN FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #542017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Lebanon, NHFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TOTALLED.
NHTSA complaint #826709 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bismarck, MOFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
WHILE PARKED AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE WIRING CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE IN THE ALTERNATOR.*AK
NHTSA complaint #825958 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 118,000 milesFort Worth, TXCrash2 injured
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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 REVERSE POSITION.
NHTSA complaint #10239672 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 168,000 milesDetroit, MIFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
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 EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, AND INDICATED IT MAY HAVE BEEN SOMETHING ELECTRICAL THAT CAUSED THE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10099514 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Post Falls, ID
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
PAINT PEELING, EMISSIONS BAD.
NHTSA complaint #10025386 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Woodstock, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
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.
NHTSA complaint #8008225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Woodstock, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
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.
NHTSA complaint #8008225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Staten Island, NY
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
STRAPS THAT HOLD FUEL TANK IN PLACE HAVE BEEN RUBBING ON TANK, FUEL TANK IS LEAKING DUE TO THAT. *AK THE TANK NEEDS REPLACING.
NHTSA complaint #884316 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lawndale, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
THE IGNITION SWITCH IS TEMPERAMENTAL AND THE VEHICLE IS STALLING. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #557769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lawndale, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
THE IGNITION SWITCH IS TEMPERAMENTAL AND THE VEHICLE IS STALLING. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #557769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Northvale, NJ
TIRES
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 VEHICLE WAS UNDRIVEABLE.*AK DOT #H288YPE1513. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #873787 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Richardson, TXFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
CAR BURST INTO FLAMES.
NHTSA complaint #726209 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Norton, MA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA complaint #710999 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ft.worth, TX
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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 AFTER SHOVING IN PARK AND TURNING IGNITION OFF, IT CAME TO REST AT REAR OF A BUILDING ON SOME METAL PIPES SURROUNDING AN OUTSIDE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT. IT HAD RUN OVER ANOTHER UNIT AND FLATTENED IT. THE REAR FENDERS AND BUMPER OF THE CAR WAS DAMAGED.
NHTSA complaint #708135 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kingston, OK
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MY CAR BEGAN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH SURGING (FEELING LIKE SOMEONE IS REPEATEDLY MASHING ON AND THEN LETTING UP ON THE ACCELERATER) SEVERAL YEARS AGO. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO NUMEROUS MECHANICS INCLUDING A FORD DEALERSHIP OVER THE PAST YEARS AND NO ONE SEEMS TO BE ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. IT WILLN'T IDLE. I REPEATEDLY DIES AT INTERSECTIONS, IN PARKING LOTS, ETC. IT DIED 6 TIMES WHILE A MECHANIC ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE IT INTO A BAY AND STILL THE COMPUTER SAID THAT THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE SYSTEM. MECHANICS HAVE DONE EVERYTHING INCLUDING SETTING THE TIMEING, AND STILL IT SURGES AND DIES. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO SELL IT; PEOPLE CAN HEAR THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG. I HAVE EVEN CALLED THE 800 NUMBER AT FORD, AND WAS ONLY REFERRED TO DEALERSHIPS IN MY AREA EVEN WHEN I TOLD THEM THAT THEY HAD BEEN UNABLE TO HELP ME IN THE PAST. I WILLN'T BUY ANY FORD PRODUCT AGAIN AND WILL DISCOURAGE ANY OF MY FRIENDS FROM PURCHASING ONE. I LIMIT MY TRAVEL AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE DUE TO FEAR OF ACCIDENTS. I FEEL THAT I WASTED A GREAT DEAL OF MONEY PURCHASING AND MAKING REPAIRS ON A VEHICLE THAT DIDN'T HELP. I STILL HAVE A VERY DANGEROUS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #701554 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bismarck, MOFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
ORIGINAL ALTERNATOR REPLACED ON 11-23-96, NEW ALTERNATOR SHORTED OUT RESULTING IN FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #542017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Lebanon, NHFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TOTALLED.
NHTSA complaint #826709 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bismarck, MOFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
WHILE PARKED AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE WIRING CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE IN THE ALTERNATOR.*AK
NHTSA complaint #825958 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gibsonburg, OH
WHEELS
LEFT REAR WHEEL CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #520745 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Archdale, NCFire
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
STEERING COLUMN CAUGHT FIRE PRIOR TO RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #514618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Winter Springs, FL
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
WHEN SHIFT SELECTOR IS PUT IN DRIVE IT READS OVERDRIVE/OVERDRIVE READS NEUTRAL.
NHTSA complaint #513934 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Grafton, MA
STRUCTURE:BODY
WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND THE ROOF CAME OFF .
NHTSA complaint #808026 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jacksonville, ARFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE PARKED AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE WIRING HARNESS, CAUSED THE VEHICLE WIRES UNDER THE HOOD TO CATCH ON FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE.
NHTSA complaint #806588 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Westmoreland, NY
STRUCTURE:BODY
WHILE DRIVING THE ROOF FLEW OFF.
NHTSA complaint #801436 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bayside, NYCrash1 injured
WHEELS
RIGHT REAR WHEEL SHEARED OFF, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL/ACCIDENT. (NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE REPORT)
NHTSA complaint #509413 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pompano Beach, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL.
NHTSA complaint #802286 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Woodside, NY
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
DRIVER'S SIDE LAP/SHOULDER BELT WOULD NOT RELEASE, AND COULD NOT GET THE PERSON OUT, HAD TO CUT THE SEAT BELT.
NHTSA complaint #801132 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.