Equal-exposure complaint evidence and changes in the reported problem mix

1987 vs 1988 LINCOLN TOWN CAR

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Share shifts show how a vehicle's problem mix changed. They do not measure reliability, and complaint counts are not normalized for sales volume.

First 467 months on market for each model year

Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026

Age-matched reports

▲ 200.0% more reports in the equal exposure window

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Bars start at the neutral midpoint. Left means a smaller share; right means a larger share.

View component share data as a table

Component	1987 share	1988 share	Share change
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	48.4%	38.7%	▼ 9.7 pts smaller share
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	6.5%	15.1%	▲ 8.6 pts larger share
FUEL SYSTEM	12.9%	6.5%	▼ 6.5 pts smaller share
STRUCTURE	not reported	4.3%	▲ 4.3 pts larger share
ENGINE	12.9%	8.6%	▼ 4.3 pts smaller share
POWER TRAIN	3.2%	6.5%	▲ 3.2 pts larger share
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	not reported	2.2%	▲ 2.2 pts larger share
VISIBILITY	not reported	2.2%	▲ 2.2 pts larger share
SUSPENSION	not reported	1.1%	▲ 1.1 pts larger share
SERVICE BRAKES	3.2%	2.2%	▼ 1.1 pts smaller share
WHEELS	not reported	1.1%	▲ 1.1 pts larger share
TIRES	not reported	1.1%	▲ 1.1 pts larger share
STEERING	not reported	1.1%	▲ 1.1 pts larger share
SEAT BELTS	6.5%	6.5%	◆ 0.0 pts unchanged
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	80.7%	74.2%	▼ 6.5 pts smaller share

NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22

1987 6

Campaign components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, SEAT BELTS, and STEERING

1988 5

Campaign components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, and SEAT BELTS

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21