1985 Lincoln Mark Vii 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 MARK VII.
- 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 MARK VII.
- 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 Mark Vii owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Suspension (2), Brakes (2), Hydraulic (2), Engine (2), Electrical system (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (7)
05/01/2006 · Suspension
HI MY CAR EXPERIENCED AN ELECTRICAL SHORT TO THE COMPRESSOR MOTOR FOR MY 1985 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL MARK VII. I CALLED FORD MOTOR DEALERS AND THEN FORD MOTOR CO. ALL OF THEM SAID THERE WAS NO RECALLS FOR MY 1985. I AM BEING LIED TO BY THEM AS I HAVE FOUND INFORMATION CONTRARY TO THEIR STATEMENTS TO ME. NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER : 85V040000 I HAVE ALSO EXPERI…
09/12/2001 · Electrical system · crash
ENGINE STOPPED COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING AT 45MPH. HIT THE RIGHT REAR OF CAR & DAMAGED RIGHT SIDE. FAILURE OF IGNITION MODULE, REPLACED MODULE FOR ENGINE TO FUNCTION.
09/10/2001 · Engine
WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION, VEHICLE STALLED OUT AND DIED. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK *YH
10/17/1997 · Engine
WHILE DRIVING IN HOT WEATHER, THE VEHICLE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. *AK
07/25/1997 · Brakes
THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME HARD AS A ROCK, AND THE CAR KEPT GOING THROUGH THE LIGHT. *AK
02/20/1997 · Suspension
AIR SUSPENSION CONTROL MODULE FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO DROP DOWN IN REAR.
02/20/1997 · Equipment
AIR SUSPENSION CONTROL MODULE FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO DROP DOWN IN REAR.