1985 Lincoln Continental recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Suspension
What's wrong, in plain English: Parts can break and cause loss of control. A MALFUNCTION MAY OCCUR IN THE AIR SUSPENSION ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY.
What could happen: A WIRE TO THE AIR SUSPENSION COMPRESSOR COULD OVERHEAT CREATING A POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE, PRIMARILY WHEN PARKED AND KEY IS REMOVED.
The fix: REPLACE CONTROL MODULE WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED MODULE.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1985 CONTINENTAL.
- Book a repair at any authorized Lincoln dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 85V040000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM
Summary: A MALFUNCTION MAY OCCUR IN THE AIR SUSPENSION ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY.
Consequence: A WIRE TO THE AIR SUSPENSION COMPRESSOR COULD OVERHEAT CREATING A POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE, PRIMARILY WHEN PARKED AND KEY IS REMOVED.
Remedy: REPLACE CONTROL MODULE WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED MODULE.
Notes: VECHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS. SYSTEM: AIR SUSPENSION CONTROL MODULE.
2. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. 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 I…
What could happen:
The fix: REPLACE PUMP MOTOR RELAYS.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1985 CONTINENTAL.
- Book a repair at any authorized Lincoln dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 86V109000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:HYDRAULIC
Summary: 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.
Consequence:
Remedy: REPLACE PUMP MOTOR RELAYS.
Notes: SYSTEM: BRAKES. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH A BRAKE SYSTEM SUPPLY MOTOR HYDRAULIC REAR BRAKES AND POWER ASSIST FRONT BRAKES.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1985 Lincoln Continental owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Suspension (5), Electrical system (5), Brakes (3), Hydraulic (3), Engine (2).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
03/05/2002 · Wheels / tires
PE 020; WHILE TRAVELING 60MPH ON INTERSTATE AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING RIGHT REAR TIRE SEPARATED. FIRESTONE, P22570R/15. CONSUMER WILL FILL FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
03/10/2000 · Suspension · fire
A FAULTY AIR SUSPENSION CONTROL SYSTEM CAUSED FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT RESULTING IN TOTAL LOSS OF THE VEHICLE. YH
09/20/1999 · Suspension · fire
POORLY DESIGNED AIR SUSPENSION MODULE FAILED RESULTING IN VEHICLE FIRE. MODULE WAS RECALLED (85V04), BUT CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. *AK
09/06/1999 · Suspension · fire
MY LINCOLN CONTINENTAL CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. ALL INDICATIONS ARE THAT THIS WAS CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE AIR SUSPENSION CONTOL MODULE. I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL (NHTSA 85V04) TO REPLACE THIS PART ON 1985 LINCLON MANUFACTURED FROM 11/84 TO 3/85. WHEN I CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY'S CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER, I WAS ADVISED, ON MORE THAN ONE OCA…
03/31/1998 · Brakes
BRAKES: LIGHT INDICATOR FOR POWER BRAKE SYSTEM RELAY REMAINS ON, INDICATING THE BRAKE PUMP IS RUNNING CONTINUOUSLY. *AK
12/23/1996 · Brakes
THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON AND WHEN THE CAR IS STOPPED THE VEHICLE WILL LOSE BRAKES AND ROLL FOREWARD AND THE OWNERS FOOT WILL STILL BE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. *AK
10/17/1996 · Electrical system · fire
IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE CAUSED FIRE.
07/31/1996 · Engine · fire
VEHICLE FIRE.