1985 Lincoln Continental Problems
- Complaints
- 15filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 17 mpgcombined, 5.0L 8-cyl RWD · 14 city / 22 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1985 Lincoln Continental (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 1985 Lincoln Continental. The part named most often is electrical system, with 4 complaints (27% of the total), followed by brakes (3) and suspension (3). Of all complaints, 8 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the hydraulic and 2 NHTSA investigations filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system4 27%
- Brakes3 20%
- Suspension3 20%
- Engine cooling2 13%
- Fuel system1 6.7%
- Seat belts1 6.7%
- Tires1 6.7%
Example complaints
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.”
NHTSA complaint #806639, filed 1996-12Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1985 Lincoln Continental version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Continental RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 14 | 22 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Continental RWD | 2.4L 6-cyl · diesel | 4-speed automatic | 20 | 26 | 22 | $4,350 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 86V109000Aug 8, 1986Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › HydraulicCovers: Lincoln Continental 1985–1986, Mark VII 1985–1986
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…
- 85V040000Apr 9, 1985Suspension › Front › Springs › Air suspension systemCovers: Lincoln Continental 1985, Mark VII 1985
A malfunction may occur in the air suspension electrical circuitry.
Recall details for the 1985 Lincoln Continental → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- PE93036Air suspension failureClosed · Apr 12, 1993
- PE88100ABS FAILUREClosed · Sep 6, 1988
- PE86067BRAKE FAILUREClosed · Jul 29, 1986
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1985 Lincoln Continental.
Other model years of the Lincoln Continental
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 7 | 5,000 | 2 | 5 | 21 | — | Not enough data |
| 2019 | 33 | 27,000 | 3 | 5 | 21 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Rising |
| 2018 | 21 | 78,500 | 2 | 5 | 21 | — | Rising |
| 2017 | 75 | 50,000 | 4 | 5 | 21 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Rising |
| 2002 | 33 | 60,500 | 0 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 32 | 75,000 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 63 | 86,500 | 3 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1999 | 42 | 90,000 | 2 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 72 | 100,000 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 96 | 59,075 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 48 | 96,683 | 2 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 70 | 102,073 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 190 | 87,456 | 5 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 121 | 74,000 | 4 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 126 | 101,050 | 3 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 203 | 120,226 | 3 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 158 | 58,500 | 3 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 158 | 133,500 | 4 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 84 | — | 9 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1987 | 9 | — | 1 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
| 1986 | 8 | 90,000 | 5 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
| 1985 | 15 | — | 2 | — | 17 | — | Stable |
| 1984 | 6 | — | 2 | — | 16 | — | Not enough data |
All Lincoln Continental model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1985 Lincoln Continental have?
NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 1985 Lincoln Continental as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1985 Lincoln Continental is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 4 complaints (27% of the total), followed by brakes with 3.
Has the 1985 Lincoln Continental been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1985 Lincoln Continental get?
The EPA rates the 1985 Lincoln Continental (Continental, 5.0L 8-cyl) at 17 mpg combined, 14 city and 22 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,950 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.