1987 Lincoln Town CAR
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1987 Lincoln Town CAR is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.
1987 Lincoln Town CAR at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1987 Lincoln Town CAR recalls 6
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIMOUSINES BUILT BY EMPIRE COACH. VEHICLE ALTERERS LABEL MAY BE MISSING OR INCOMPLETE.
Fix: ADD COMPLIANCE LABEL.
SAFETY BELTS (TYPE 1 LAP BELTS) FOR REAR FACING SEATS WERE NOT INSTALLED.
Fix: INSTALL SAFETY BELTS FOR REAR FACING SEATS.
SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
Fix: INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.
Fix: REPLACE IDLER ARM ASSEMBLY.
STEERING CENTERLINKS MAY BREAK AT A BEND LOCATION.
Fix: REPLACE STEERING CENTERLINK.
WIRING HARNESS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT MAY BE MISROUTED AND SUBJECT TO DAMAGE. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: A SHORT CIRCUIT COULD OCCUR (DURING USE OR WHEN PARKED) WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Fix: PROPERLY ROUTE WIRING HARNESSES, AS NECESSARY.
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.
1987 Lincoln Town CAR common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 34 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1987 Lincoln Town CAR MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 1987 Lincoln Town CAR costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
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
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1987 Lincoln Town CAR — ranges cover the 3 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
Manufacturer service bulletins 24
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 24.
TRANSFER SERVICE TIPS FOR THE FRONT WIPER MOTOR MOUNT BRACKET AND DEPRESSED PARK OUTPUT ARM. *TT
Bulletin 02107 · Visibility · May 2002SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC
Bulletin 01156 · Visibility · Aug 2001INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC
Bulletin 01157 · Aug 2001SUBJECT REGARDING CONTAMINATION FROM PRIOR TRANSMISSION CONCERNS OR EXCESS WEAR MAY BE TRAPPED IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLING SYSTEM. *TT
Bulletin 002310 · Power Train · Nov 2000INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS
Bulletin 0015 · Power Train · Jan 2000SUBJECT ON A WIRE HARNESS TERMINAL REPAIR KIT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIRING ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESSES. *TT
Bulletin 99222 · Electrical System · Oct 1999INFORMATION 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 1999INFORMATION ON THE NEW FLUSH AND FILL TOOL AVAILABLE THROUGH ROTUNDA. *TT
Bulletin 99152 · Power Train · Jul 1999INFORMATION ON A NEW TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHART. *YC
Bulletin 9888 · Power Train · Apr 1998A NEW SILICONE GASKET AND SEALANT. *YC
Bulletin 9874 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 1998Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the TOWN CAR. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 4
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1987 Lincoln Town CAR. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, 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:…
Transport Canada #1987098 · Sep 1987Steering
VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH IDLER ARM BRACKETS THAT ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO FRACTURE AT THE THREADED SHAFTS DUE TO IMPROPER HEAT TREATMENT. A FRACTURED IDLER ARM BRACKET WOULD RESULT IN A CLUNKING NOISE ON TURNS AND A LOOSE FEELING IN THE STEERING WHEEL DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. STEERING CONTROL WOULD BE MAINTAINED HOWEVER BECAUSE BOTH FRONT WHEELS WOULD REMAIN CONNECTED TO TH…
Transport Canada #1987025 · Feb 1987Steering
THE NEWLY DESIGNED STEERING CENTRELINKS ON THESE VEHICLES MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO BREAKAGE AT A BEND LOCATION. SHOULD A FRACTURE OCCUR, VEHICLE STEERING WOULD BE DIMINISHED, ALLOWING REDUCED CONTROL OF THE LEFT WHEEL ONLY. CORRECTION: STEERING CENTRELINK WILL BE REPLACED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Transport Canada #1987016 · Feb 1987Electrical
RETAINERS FOR THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS ASSEMBLIES MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY INSTALLED IN THE DASH PANEL AREA OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THIS COULD ALLOW A COWL TOP ATTACHING SCREW TO DAMAGE THE HARNESS CREATING THE POTENTIAL FOR A SHORT CIRCUIT. THIS COULD RESULT IN OVERHEATING OF THE WIRING INSULATION MATERIAL AND A POSSIBLE VEHICLE FIRE. CORRECTION: VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED…
Transport Canada #1986120 · Oct 1986Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
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.