RecallMyCar

1986 Lincoln Continental Recalls, Complaints & Specs

5 safety recalls list the 1986 Lincoln Continental, and owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

5
safety recalls
8
owner complaints to NHTSA
2 / 2
complaints citing a crash / fire
19
MPG combined (EPA)

5 safety recalls for the 1986 Lincoln Continental

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (fuel system)

    NHTSA 87V139000 Reported 3,600,000 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

    Spring lock fuel line coupling may not be properly engaged.

    Remedy: Install retainer clips over the couplings to prevent coupling separation and fuel leakage.

  2. Ignition (electrical system)

    NHTSA 86V108000 Reported 20,000 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

    The ignition lock cylinder may hang up and not fully return to the "on" position from the "start" position after starting the engine. If this occurs, the engine will remain running, but the battery current to the brake system supply motor will be interrupted. Consequence of defect: with power to most accessories and the brake system…

    Remedy: Replace ignition lock cylinders with revised design cylinders.

  3. Hydraulic (service brakes)

    NHTSA 86V109000 Reported 38,000 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

    Under certain conditions, contacts in brake system relay could remain closed, causing the brake pump motor to run continuously, causing it to overheat and eventually fail. Consequence of defect: should the brake supply motor fail, the power assist to the front brakes will be lost, and after about 10 to 15 normal brake stops, loss of…

    Remedy: Replace pump motor relays.

  4. Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (service brakes)

    NHTSA 86V023000 Reported 16,000 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

    Wiring connections in an electrical connector to the master cylinder reservoir fluid level sensors were reversed and fail to indicate low fluid levels as specified by FMVSS 105, hydraulic brake systems. Consequence of defect: sensor will not transmit signal to brake warning light when the fluid level is less than one fourth full.…

    Remedy: Re-configure wiring to the fluid level sensor connector.

  5. Vehicle speed control

    NHTSA 85V115000 Reported 147 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

    An aluminum casting flash on the face of the throttle body may break off and become trapped between the throttle plate and the bore in the throttle body. Consequences of defect: throttle may fail to return to idle position when released and could result in loss of vehicle control which may cause an accident.

    Remedy: Remove excess casting flash.

8 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 1986 Lincoln Continental have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA; 2 describe a crash and 2 describe a fire. Reports cite 2 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 90,000 miles. Complaints peaked in 1995 with 5 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“I own a 1986 lincoln continental that has a recall listed for the anti-lock brakes, 86v109000. The hydraulic brake pump has failed and midas told me about this recall and said i should have ford fix i”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, November 3, 2006 · Service brakes, hydraulic

“Seat belt buckle stuck, unable to release seat belt. *sd”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, June 19, 1996 · Seat belts

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 1986 Lincoln Continental. Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Combined19 mpg
City / Highway16 / 24
FuelRegular
EPA classMidsize Cars
Engine8 cyl, 5 L
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Compare Lincoln Continental model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Lincoln Continental model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1969 Lincoln Continental10
1974 Lincoln Continental10
1975 Lincoln Continental21
1977 Lincoln Continental11
1978 Lincoln Continental01
1979 Lincoln Continental22
1981 Lincoln Continental01
1982 Lincoln Continental11
1983 Lincoln Continental22
1984 Lincoln Continental26
1985 Lincoln Continental215
1986 Lincoln Continental58
1987 Lincoln Continental19
1988 Lincoln Continental984
1989 Lincoln Continental4158
1990 Lincoln Continental3158
1991 Lincoln Continental3203
1992 Lincoln Continental3126
1993 Lincoln Continental4121
1994 Lincoln Continental5190
1995 Lincoln Continental170
1996 Lincoln Continental248
1997 Lincoln Continental196
1998 Lincoln Continental172
1999 Lincoln Continental242
2000 Lincoln Continental363
2001 Lincoln Continental132
2002 Lincoln Continental033
2017 Lincoln Continental475
2018 Lincoln Continental221
2019 Lincoln Continental332
2020 Lincoln Continental27

Checking a specific 1986 Lincoln Continental

How do I know if my 1986 Lincoln Continental has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 5 campaigns currently list the 1986 Lincoln Continental; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Lincoln dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 85V115000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other Lincoln models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.