1986 Lincoln CONTINENTAL: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
8 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
90,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1986 model year. Data updated: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
Most common problems
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 8 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 2 | 25.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery | 1 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Hydraulic | 1 |
| Suspension:Front | 1 |
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery: 1; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Hydraulic: 1; Suspension:Front: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 7 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 5 |
| 1996 | 1 |
| 1998 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
1995: 5; 1996: 1; 1998: 1; 2006: 1
Pattern summary
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10172589 · 2006-11-03 (November 3, 2006)
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 IT. I WENT TO SCHAUMBURG LINCOLN MERCURY IN SCHAUMBURG, ILLINOIS - AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL. I CALLED FORD DIRECTLY AND THEY DENIED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL. YET, ON THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY SAFETY ADMIN SIGHT THE RECALL FORD NOW DENIES EXISTS, IS IN FACT LISTED. MY VEHICLE HAS HAD THE FUEL SYSTEM RECALL REPAIRED, WHICH FORD ADMITS, BUT NEV…
Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10172589 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 481764 · 1995-02-16 (February 16, 1995)
FUEL LINE FIRE OCCURED AFTER SMELLING GASOLINE. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 481764 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 482617 · 1995-03-20 (March 20, 1995)
SEATBACK CONSISTED OF A STAMPED METAL FRAME WITH OPENING IN CENTER AND NO SUPPORTIVE STRUCTURE, DRIVER FELL THROUGH IT UPON IMPACT, RESULTING IN INJURY. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 482617 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 505641 · 1996-06-19 (June 19, 1996)
SEAT BELT BUCKLE STUCK, UNABLE TO RELEASE SEAT BELT. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 505641 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 780338 · 1998-07-30 (July 30, 1998)
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. CAUSE UNKNOWN.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 780338 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 958642 · 1995-01-12 (January 12, 1995)
BRAKING MECHANISM HAS FAILED. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 958642 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 961807 · 1995-03-13 (March 13, 1995)
DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BACK BROKE DURING ACCIDENT DRIVER WENT THROUGH THE SEAT. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 961807 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 971535 · 1995-09-02 (September 2, 1995)
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND THE FRONT SUSPENSION WENT OUT THERE WAS NO WARNING . TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 971535 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
5 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
85V115000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Reported: 1985-09-19 (September 19, 1985)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗86V023000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Reported: 1986-02-10 (February 10, 1986)
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. WITHOUT THIS WARNING SIGNAL THE FLUID LEVEL MAY DECREASE TO THE POINT WHERE PARTIAL OR COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKE WOULD BE EXPERIENCED AND MAY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: RE-CONFIGURE WIRING TO THE FLUID LEVEL SENSOR CONNECTOR.
NHTSA campaign record ↗86V108000 · Electrical System:Ignition
Reported: 1986-08-08 (August 8, 1986)
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 SUPPLY MOTOR INTERRUPTED, THE POWER ASSIST TO THE FRONT BRAKE WILL BE LOST AND AFTER ABOUT 10 TO 15 NORMAL BRAKE STOPS, LOSS OF REAR BRAKE FUNCTION WILL RESULT, CAUSING INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE. HOWEVER, THE INSTRUMENT BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE PRIOR TO REDUCED BRAKING CAPABILITY AND IF WARNING IS NOT HEEDED, AN ACCIDENT MAY OCCUR.
Remedy: REPLACE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDERS WITH REVISED DESIGN CYLINDERS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗86V109000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Hydraulic
Reported: 1986-08-08 (August 8, 1986)
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 REAR BRAKE FUNCTION WILL RESULT, CAUSING INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE. HOWEVER, THE INSTRUMENT BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE PRIOR TO REDUCED BRAKING CAPABILITY AND IF WARNING IS NOT HEEDED, AN ACCIDENT MAY OCCUR.
Remedy: REPLACE PUMP MOTOR RELAYS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗87V139000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 1987-09-04 (September 4, 1987)
SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
8 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Unknown Or Other | 1621.3%ODI 11129985 · 125 miTHE FRONT HOOD VIBRATES AS IF IT'S GETTING READY TO UNLATCH AS YOUR DRIVING AT 70 M.P.H. WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. IT'S VERY UNCOMFORTABLE AND SCARY. | 420.0%ODI 11324349 · 1,500 miINSTRUMENT CLUSTER DEPROGRAMS ITSELF, INTERIOR LIGHTING STOPPED WORKING, FOLDING EXTERIOR MIRRORS FOLD THEMSELVES WITHOUT COMMAND TO DO SO,REAR VIEW MIRROR CHANGES IT SETTING WITHOUT COMMAND, HUD FLASHES MULTICOLOR LIGHTS ONTO WINDSHIELD VIEWING AREA, APPROACH LIGHTING STOPPED WORKING. SYNC3 WAS PROGRAMMED TO DISPLAY MAP ON STARTUP BUT RECENTLY CAME UP WITH DIFFERENT SETUP. ALL OCCURRED WHILE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. BEGAN 12/11/2018 UNTIL PRESENT. *TR | 412.5%ODI 11434777I am not aware of an accident involving this defect. I am reporting a safety concern that occurred to me after I bought the car. All door controls(inside and out) are electronic. Doors are electronically opened by pressing a button. In the event of a crash that disables the electric system, occupants would be trapped in a locked car with no way to open the door. For this apparent reason, the driver's side door has a very small mechanical lever low on the driver's side door panel that will open the door in case of electrical failure. Howev… | 228.6%ODI 11413854 · 5,000 miUNEXPLAINED CRACK IN WINDSHIELD. CRACK APPEARED WITHOUT ANY EXTERNAL OBJECT STRIKING THE WINDSHIELD. TEMPERATURE WAS IN THE 70S AND NOT FREEZING TEMPERATURES ALL YEAR (LIVING IN FRESNO CA). NOT SURE WHEN IT HAPPENED, BUT I NOTICED IT WHEN THE CAR WAS PARKED AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 7 MILES. |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Hydraulic | Too few reports for a range | 90,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10172589 · 90,000 miI 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 IT. I WENT TO SCHAUMBURG LINCOLN MERCURY IN SCHAUMBURG, ILLINOIS - AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL. I CALLED FORD DIRECTLY AND THEY DENIED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL. YET, ON THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY SAFETY ADMIN SIGHT THE RECALL FORD NOW DENIES EXISTS, IS IN FACT LISTED. MY VEHICLE HAS HAD THE FUEL SYSTEM RECALL REPAIRED, WHICH FORD ADMITS, BUT NEV… |
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-10 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
2019: 4 complaints · 2020: 5 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| 2020 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 32 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 7 | 0 | 0 |
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery | Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Hydraulic | Suspension:Front |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Hydraulic | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| Suspension:Front | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.