RoadVitals

1991 Lincoln Town Car

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
155
Latest Dec 26, 2016
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
5
Latest Dec 16, 1998
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
34
14 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 155 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1991 Lincoln Town Car, most frequently naming the brakes, interior & seats and driver assistance categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 38 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

5 campaigns cover this model year

View all 5

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
98V322000

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

Dec 16, 1998
175,000 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN 1996-1999 FORD CROWN VICTORIA POLICE, FLEET, NATURAL GAS, AND 1996-1999 LINCOLN TOWN CAR LIMOUSINE VEHICLES THAT WERE PRODUCED WITH A LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CONTAINING A ONE PIECE BEARING; AND 1990-1996 FORD CROWN VICTORIA POLICE, FLEET, AND NGV VEHICLES AND 1990-1996 LINCOLN TOWN CAR LIMOUSINE VEHICLES THAT HAVE BEEN SERVICED WITH EITHER A BALL JOINT CONTAINING THE ONE-PIECE BEARING OR A FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM CONTAINING A BALL JOINT WITH A ONE-PIECE BEARING. THE ONE-PIECE BEARING WITHIN THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CAN WEAKEN SLOWLY DURING USE AND EVENTUALLY CRACK. THIS COULD RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE BALL AND CAP OF THE JOINT, ALLOWING THE CONTROL ARM TO DROP TO THE GROUND.
The risk: IF THIS OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING, REDUCED STEERING CONTROL COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS (2).
FORD MOTOR COMPANYManufacturer number 98S37View on NHTSA.gov
95V151000

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

Aug 7, 1995
73,837 units potentially affected
The defect: THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH MAY NOT ENGAGE WHEN THE HOOD IS CLOSED.
The risk: IN THE EVENT THE PRIMARY HOOD LATCH RELEASES OR IS NOT PROPERLY LATCHED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, THE HOOD COULD FLY UP OBSTRUCTING THE OPERATOR'S VISION, AND INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLY.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov
95V091000

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

May 16, 1995
142,800 units potentially affected
The defect: CORROSION OF THE HOOD LATCH STRIKER PLATE CAUSES DETACHMENT OF THE PLATE FROM THE HOOD ASSEMBLY RESULTING IN AN UNEXPECTED OPENING OF THE HOOD WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN.
The risk: THIS CONDITION CAN REDUCE THE DRIVER'S VIEW OF THE ROAD INCREASING THE POTENTIAL OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HOOD INNER PANEL REINFORCEMENT AND A NEW, GALVANIZED HOOD LATCH STRIKER PLATE.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA91021ClosedEngineering Analysis

HOOD LATCH FAILURE

Opened Mar 29, 1991
Closed Mar 16, 1992

There is no summary currently available

STRUCTURELed to recall 91V147000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 155
Seat belts
Filed Dec 26, 2016

DRIVERS SEAT BELT BUCKLE INOP....WILL NOT HOLD THE BELT IN TH E LOCKED POSITION, THEREFORE, SEAT BELT ENABLED IN CASE OF ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID
10937475
Incident
Dec 13, 2016
Mileage
83,100 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Jan 29, 2015

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE HOOD LATCH FRACTURED. AS A RESULT, THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM THE FORCE OF THE HOOD AND A BUNGEE CORD WAS USED IN ORDER TO KEEP THE HOOD SECURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 95V151000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES) WAS PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 174,600.

NHTSA ID
10679688
Incident
Jan 28, 2015
Mileage
174,600 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 12, 2014
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DUE TO A BRAKE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,682.

NHTSA ID
10654455
Incident
Oct 3, 2014
Mileage
66,682 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 22, 2014
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND THE CONTACT CRASHED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10584206
Incident
Oct 7, 2003
Mileage
27,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 10, 2010
Fire reported

WHILE DRIVING EASTBOUND US INTERSTATE 40 IN OKLAHOMA CITY,OK MY 1991 LINCOLN TOWNCAR CAUGHT ON FIRE AND STOPPED RUNNING, AFTER I PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY AND PUT THE FIRE OUT, THE CAR WOULD NOT START BACK UP. THE FIRE WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA, LOOKING AS IF IT WAS UNDERNEATH THE CAR SOMEWHERE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10298870
Incident
Jan 9, 2010
Tires & wheels
Filed Oct 2, 2007

WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROX. 35 MILES PER HOUR ON A LOCAL BRIDGE, MY RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. I DROVE A DISTANCE OF SEVERAL YARDS TO THE END OF THE BRIDGE WHERE I WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SHOULDER AND STOP. WHEN A VERY KIND POLICE OFFICER TRIED TO REMOVE THE DAMAGED TIRE, HE HAD TO STOP BECAUSE THE TIRE HAD SEPARATED LIKE A RECAPPED TIRE AND WOUND THE TORN PART AROUND THE BRAKE LINES AND AXLE. THE DAMAGES AND SERVICE CHARGES ARE ESTIMATED TO BE MORE THAN SIX HUNDRED DOLLARS. INITIALLY, THE SERVICE REPAIRMAN AT THE TIRE STORE (WHERE ALL OF THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED AND MOUNTED) INDICATED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY SHOWED SIGNS OF "DRY-ROT." A SHORT TIME LATER, ANOTHER WORKER SAID ONLY THE DAMAGED TIRE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE SEEMS TO BE SOME PROBLEMS WITH MICHELIN TIRES SOLD WITHIN THE LAST FEW YEARS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10204717
Incident
Oct 1, 2007
Interior & seats
Filed Mar 22, 2006

DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY @ 55 MPH ( WINDY WITH 30 MPH GUSTS ) HOOD OPENED AND FOLDED UP OVER THE ROOF BOTH HOOD LATCHES WERE STILL LOCKED TO THE STRIKE PLATE FROM HOOD LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE EMERGENCY LANE REPLACED HOOD AND STRUTS WITH USED ONES ( FROM A 1993 / SAFER? ) STILL HAVE OLD HOOD AND PLATE AVAILABLE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10153382
Incident
Mar 13, 2006
Mileage
150,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 30, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT STATED 1991 LINCOLN TOWN CAR HAD ONLY 17,000 MILES ON IT. ON 8-25-05 HE FELT LIKE HIS BRAKES WERE LOW. HE WENT TO HAVE THEM INSPECTED AND THE CAR PASSED THE INSPECTION, BUT HE HAD THE BRAKES CHANGED ANYWAY. HE SMELLED THE BRAKES BURNING THAT DAY AS HE WAS DRIVING HOME FROM THE GARAGE. HE PARKED THE CAR IN THE GARAGE ,AND DID NOT DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL ABOUT A MONTH LATER WHEN HE SMELLED WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS THE BRAKES BURNING AGAIN. WHEN HE GOT IN TO DRIVEWAY, HE SAW FIRE UNDER THE WHEELS. HE PUT THE FIRE OUT WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. HAD HE NOT HAD THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER THE CAR WOULD HAVE BLOWN UP. THE GARAGE THAT FIXED THE BRAKES SAID THE CALIPER HUNG UP AND THAT WAS WHY THE FIRE HAPPENED. ALSO, THE CONSUMER THOUGHT THIS MAY BE A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OF THE BRAKES THAT WOULD CAUSE THE CAR TO CATCH ON FIRE OR DID NOT FIX THE BRAKES PROPERLY. HE CALLED FORD, AND THEY TOLD HIM THAT WITHOUT A WARRANTY THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT THEY COULD DO, AND THEN THEY TOLD HIM THEY WOULD SUBMIT HIS COMPLAINT TO THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT. THE CONTACT WAS NOT SURE IF THE CAR HAD ABS BRAKES BECAUSE THE CAR WAS A 1991 MODEL. HE THOUGHT IT DID BUT WAS NOT SURE. HE WAS THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE CAR. *AK

NHTSA ID
10138223
Incident
Aug 25, 2005
Mileage
17,478 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

02107

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

TRANSFER SERVICE TIPS FOR THE FRONT WIPER MOTOR MOUNT BRACKET AND DEPRESSED PARK OUTPUT ARM. *TT

01157

INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC

01156

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE

SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC

011201

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

THIS INFORMATION IS A SUPPLEMENT TO THE WIPER SYSTEM SERVICE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE WORKSHOP MANUALS. THIS SERVICE INFORMATION IS INTENDED AS AN AID TO ASSIST IN DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR OF ERRATIC WIPER SYSTEM CONDITIONS. *TT

0147

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

SUBJECT REGARDING ENGINE OIL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR USE IN 2001 VEHICLES - SAE 5W-20 MOTOR OIL. *TT

002310

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES

SUBJECT REGARDING CONTAMINATION FROM PRIOR TRANSMISSION CONCERNS OR EXCESS WEAR MAY BE TRAPPED IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLING SYSTEM. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Lincoln Town Car by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2013000—
2011630—
2010133045.8
2009530—
2008203057.1
2007843160.0
20061432047.8
20051193052.7
2004830151.8
20032011448.6
2002651360.7
20011616666.7
20001089464.8
19991486464.7
19981548560.5
19973148759.6
199625910661.3
19951659665.1
19941555468.0
19931764773.8
19922494774.5
1991Viewing1555162.8
19902094271.3
1989895065.8
1988995271.8
1987326065.8
1986504170.7
1985211263.3
1984151161.6
1983431—
1982201—
1981101—
1980101—
1978100—
1977100—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.