Model year guide

1985 Lincoln Town CAR

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1985 Lincoln Town CAR is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.

1985 Lincoln Town CAR — representative photo
Representative photo

1985 Lincoln Town CAR at a glance

Safety recalls1
Owner complaints24
Combined17 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1985 Lincoln Town CAR recalls 1

Equipment:other:labels NHTSA Campaign #90V093000 · 09/05/1990

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIMOUSINES BUILT BY EMPIRE COACH. VEHICLE ALTERERS LABEL MAY BE MISSING OR INCOMPLETE.

Fix: ADD COMPLIANCE LABEL.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1985 Lincoln Town CAR common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 24 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Tires
Check tread depth, the DOT age date, and that all four tires match with even wear. Look for bulges or cracks.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.

1985 Lincoln Town CAR MPG & running costs

Combined17 mpg
City14 mpg
Highway22 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,950
EPA size classLarge Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd
Passenger volume116 cu ft
Cargo volume22 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$7,750 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1985 Lincoln Town CAR costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$19,750
Fuel only$19,750
Per mile$0.26

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length
218.9 in
Width
78.3 in
Height
55.9 in
Wheelbase
117.3 in
Curb weight
4,028 lb

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1985 Lincoln Town CAR. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

NHTSA defect investigations 3

NON COLLISION FIRES Closed

SUMMARY: ALLEGEDLY THE AXLE BEARINGS ON LINCOLN TOWN CAR LIMOUSINES OVER-HEAT IGNITING COMBUSTIBLE COMPONENTS NEARBY.RECOMMENDATION: OPEN PE SEND LETTER TO FORD.===

NHTSA #PE88012 · Suspension · opened Jan 1988 · closed May 1988

SUDDEN ACCELERATION Closed

SUDDEN ACCELERATION

NHTSA #DP87029 · Vehicle Speed Control · opened Aug 1987 · closed Oct 1987

ENGINE SURGE Closed

THE MANUFACTURER WAS INITIALLY CONTACTED UNDER DP87-003, SUDDEN ACCELER-ATION OF 1983-86 FORD, MERCURY, AND LINCOLN CARS EQUIPPED WITH 3.8 AND 5.0LITER ENGINES AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. ALL INFORMATION SUBMITTED BYTHE MANUFACTURER DEALING WITH SURGING HAS BEEN TRANSFERRED TO THE SUBJECTINVESTIGATIVE FILE.STATUS: ANALYSIS IS CONTINUING TO DETERMINE IF THERE IS AN IDENTIFIABLEDEFECT TREND INVOLVING THE ENTIRE POPULA…

NHTSA #EA87021 · opened Jun 1987 · closed Mar 1989

An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.

Manufacturer service bulletins 17

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 17.

SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC

Bulletin 01156 · Visibility · Aug 2001

INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC

Bulletin 01157 · Aug 2001

SUBJECT REGARDING CONTAMINATION FROM PRIOR TRANSMISSION CONCERNS OR EXCESS WEAR MAY BE TRAPPED IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLING SYSTEM. *TT

Bulletin 002310 · Power Train · Nov 2000

INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS

Bulletin 0015 · Power Train · Jan 2000

SUBJECT ON A WIRE HARNESS TERMINAL REPAIR KIT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIRING ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESSES. *TT

Bulletin 99222 · Electrical System · Oct 1999

INFORMATION ON IDENTIFYING NON-APPROVED / ALTERNATE REFRIGERANTS WHICH COULD CAUSE SAFETY, AND PERFORMANCE CONCERNS IF INSTALLED IN FORD A/C SYSTEMS. *TT

Bulletin 99196 · Equipment · Sep 1999

INFORMATION ON THE NEW FLUSH AND FILL TOOL AVAILABLE THROUGH ROTUNDA. *TT

Bulletin 99152 · Power Train · Jul 1999

INFORMATION ON A NEW TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHART. *YC

Bulletin 9888 · Power Train · Apr 1998

A NEW SILICONE GASKET AND SEALANT. *YC

Bulletin 9874 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 1998

INFORMATION ON A BUZZING OR RATTLE NOISE FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. *TT

Bulletin 9864 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 1998

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the TOWN CAR. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

About the Lincoln Town CAR

The Lincoln Town Car is a model line of full-size luxury sedans that was marketed and produced by the Lincoln division of the American automaker Ford Motor Company. Deriving its name from a limousine body style, Lincoln marketed the Town Car from 1981 to 2011, with the nameplate previously serving as the flagship trim of the Lincoln Continental. Produced across three generations for thirty model years, the Town Car was marketed directly against luxury sedans from Cadillac and Chrysler.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

1985 Lincoln Town CAR vehicles on record

1985 Lincoln Town CAR 1985 Lincoln Town CAR1LNBP96F1FY634962

Other Lincoln Town CAR model years

2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1984

1985 Lincoln Town CAR — frequently asked questions

Does the 1985 Lincoln Town CAR have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1985 Lincoln Town CAR. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1985 Lincoln Town CAR?

Across all 24 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, tires, structure.

What gas mileage does the 1985 Lincoln Town CAR get?

The 1985 Lincoln Town CAR has a U.S. EPA estimate of 17 mpg combined (14 city / 22 highway).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.