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Lincoln
Town CAR
1986
Electrical System

1986 Lincoln Town CAR electrical problems

32 of the 54 complaints about the 1986 Lincoln Town CAR are about the electrical system — 59% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 168,000 miles.

Complaints

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Switch 12 37.5%

Interior/Under Dash 7 21.9%

Ignition 5 15.6%

Front Underhood 3 9.4%

Wiring 2 6.3%

Module 2 6.3%

Alternator/Generator/Regulator 1 3.1%

Electrical System across every Lincoln Town CAR year

1984 11 2.2%

1986 32 6.5%

1987 19 3.8%

1988 45 9.1%

1989 45 9.1%

1990 74 14.9%

1991 17 3.4%

1992 83 16.7%

1993 44 8.9%

1994 20 4.0%

1995 22 4.4%

1996 19 3.8%

1997 16 3.2%

1998 15 3.0%

1999 14 2.8%

2000 20 4.0%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Filed 5 Nov 2004 at 168,000 miles Detroit, MI Fire

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.

Filed 29 Jan 2001 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.

Filed 23 Jan 2001 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.

Filed 23 Aug 2000 Richardson, TX Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

CAR BURST INTO FLAMES.

NHTSA complaint #726209 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 27 Nov 1998 Bismarck, MO Fire

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.

Filed 14 Aug 1998 West Lebanon, NH Fire

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.

Filed 28 Jul 1998 Bismarck, MO Fire

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.

Filed 20 Dec 1996 Jacksonville, AR Fire

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.

Filed 11 Oct 1996 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.

Filed 26 Aug 1996 Highland, IL Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE, UNDER THE HOOD, VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN GARAGE AND COMPLETELY BURNED, CAUSING THE HOUSE TO CATCH ON FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #800018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 25 Jul 1996 Tuckerton, NJ Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FIRE IN THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE AROUND THE STEERING WHEEL, SPECIFICALLY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH.

NHTSA complaint #983160 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 17 Jul 1996 Kaddie, TX Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, CAUSING THE WIRING HARNESS TO BURN.

NHTSA complaint #986971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 11 Jul 1996 Antioch, TN Fire 1 injured

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

IGNITION SWITCH SHORTED, CAUSING FIRE/INJURY.

NHTSA complaint #505918 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 27 Jun 1996 Broken Arrow, OK Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, CAUSED THE STEERING COLUMN TO CATCH ON FIRE AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE. PLEASE DESCRIBE.

NHTSA complaint #986260 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 6 Jun 1996 Leominster, MA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

CONSUMER STARTED THE CAR AND SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE INGNITION. PLEASE DESCRIBE .

NHTSA complaint #985324 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 3 Jun 1996 Freehold, NJ Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

WHILE DRIVING, SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN, 5 TO 10 SECONDS LATER, FLAMES WERE COMING UNDER STEERING WHEEL CAUSED BY FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH.

NHTSA complaint #985171 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 1 Jun 1996 Holmen, WI Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

IGNITION FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #504188 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 1 Jun 1996 Kettering, OH Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

IGNITION SWITCH FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #504202 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 1 Jun 1996 Peabody, MA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

IGNITION SWITCH SHORTED OUT, CAUSING FIRE INI STEERING COLUMN. *DSH

NHTSA complaint #504236 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 1 Jun 1996 Long Beach, NY Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

IGNITION SWITCH FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #504508 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 1 Jun 1996 Jacksonvil, FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

IGNITION SWITCH HEATS UP THE KEY FROM WARM TO VERY HOT.

NHTSA complaint #504758 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 26 Apr 1996 Chelby, MI Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

ELECTRICAL SHORT OR SHOCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, CAUSING THE STEERING COLUMN TO BURN.

NHTSA complaint #983641 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 22 Apr 1996 Clairton, PA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

IGNITION FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #983224 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 22 Apr 1996 Kettering, OH Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

DROVE OUT OF PARKING LOT, ABOUT 1 TO 3 MINUTES LATER, SMOKE POURED OUT OF STEERING COLUMN, AROUND GEAR SHIFT LEVER; MINUTES LATER, CAR ENGULFED WITH FLAMES. *A

NHTSA complaint #983269 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 22 Apr 1996 Schwenksvill, PA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

FIRE IN THE DASHBOARD AREA WHILE PARKED AT THE DEALER, POSSIBLE DUE TO IGNITION SHORT.

NHTSA complaint #983292 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 18 Apr 1996 Hersey, MI Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

EXPERIENCED FIRE IN FRONT DASH. PLEASE GIVE MORE DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #982964 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 18 Apr 1996 Athens, GA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

CAR WAS DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY THREE MINUTES A LITTLE SMOKE STARTED TO COME FROM AROUND THE STEERING, RESULTING IN VEHICLE FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #983012 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 18 Apr 1996 Hersey, MI Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

EXPERIENCED FIRE IN FRONT DASH. PLEASE GIVE MORE DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #982964 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 18 Apr 1996 Athens, GA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

CAR WAS DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY THREE MINUTES A LITTLE SMOKE STARTED TO COME FROM AROUND THE STEERING, RESULTING IN VEHICLE FIRE.