RoadVitals

1992 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.
249
Latest May 13, 2014
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.
4
Latest Aug 3, 2007
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.
7
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.
104
14 injuries, 1 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 249 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1992 Lincoln Town Car, most frequently naming the electrical, engine and driver assistance categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 7 NHTSA investigations name it; and 61 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

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

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
07V336000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Aug 3, 2007
3,600,000 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
The risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYManufacturer number 05S28View on NHTSA.gov
99V124000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

May 19, 1999
262,695 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH CAN DEVELOP A RESISTIVE SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT THAT COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE. A FIRE IS POSSIBLE BOTH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING AND WHEN THE VEHICLE ENGINE IS OFF. ALSO, THE SHORT COULD DISABLE THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM OR CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHT FUSE TO OPEN.
The risk: A FIRE CAN ORIGINATE IN THE LEFT FRONT UNDERHOOD AREA.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH AND CONNECTOR SHELL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 20, 1999.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYManufacturer number 99S15View 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

Safety investigations

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

EA02025ClosedEngineering Analysis

SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH FIRES

Opened Sep 6, 2002
Closed Jun 30, 2004

BASED ON THE LOW RATE OF FIRE INCIDENTS (2.5 INCIDENTS PER 100,000 VEHICLES SOLD) WHERE FAILURE OF THE SCDS IS INVOLVED AND THE AGE OF THE VEHICLES ? 7 TO 11 YEARS ? A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DP02007ClosedDefect Petition

FUEL-FED FIRES

Opened Aug 22, 2002
Closed Dec 4, 2002

THE FARS DATA SHOWS THAT THE RISK OF FIRE FROM IMPACT IN ALL DIRECTIONS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS THE SAME AS ALL OTHER SEDANS.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE NOT OVER REPRESENTED WITH RESPECT TO THE RISK OF FIRE IN REAL-WORLD HIGH-ENERGY CRASHES.A FURTHER DISCUSSION OF ISSUES RELATED TO POST CRASH FIRES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS SET OUT IN THE CLOSING REPORT FOR SQ 01-014 AND THAT REPORT IS IN THE DOCKET FOR THIS PETITION.AFTER REVIEWING THE PETITION AND ITS SUPPORTING MATERIALS, AS WELL AS INFORMATION FURNISHED BY FORD AND GM, AND INFORMATION WITHIN THE AGENCY'S POSSESSION FROM PREVIOUS INVESTIGATIONS AND OTHER RELATED ACTIONS,NHTSA HAS CONCLUDED THAT FUTHER INVESTIGATION CONCERNING POST-CRASH FIRES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS NOT LIKELY TO LEAD TO A DECISION THAT THE VEHICLES CONTAIN A SAFETY DEFECT.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
SQ01014ClosedInvestigation

POST REAR END COLLISION FIRES

Opened Nov 27, 2001
Closed Oct 3, 2002

There is no summary currently available

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGELed to recall 02I003000
RQ01002ClosedRecall Query

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

Opened Sep 20, 2001
Closed Sep 6, 2002
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGLed to recall 99V124000

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 249
Electrical
Filed May 13, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

NHTSA ID
10588143
Incident
Apr 29, 2014
Mileage
75,000 mi
Filed Apr 21, 2012
Fire reported

THE CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN ON A TRIP OF APPROXIMATELY 450 MILES AND WAS THEN PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY WHERE IT SAT WITHOUT BEING ENTERED, CRANKED OR DRIVEN FOR 2 WEEKS. AT AROUND MIDNIGHT, WHILE MY FAMILY WAS SLEEPING, A NEIGHBOR CAME BEATING ON OUR DOOR TO TELL US THAT THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. AT THAT POINT, THE FIRE WAS COMPLETELY INVOLVED UNDER THE HOOD OF THE CAR, WITH SMOKE GETTING INTO THE CABIN OF THE CAR. THE FRONT TIRES MELTED TO THE GROUND. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. MY HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO QUICKLY MOVE ANOTHER CAR PARKED NEARBY BUT IT HAD SLIGHT PAINT BLISTERING ON THE BODY NEAREST THE FIRE DUE TO THE HEAT. *JS

NHTSA ID
10455992
Incident
Apr 6, 2001
Mileage
87,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed May 19, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 LINCOLN TOWN CAR WITH A SET OF GOODYEAR ARRIVIVA 2 TIRES, LINE SIZE P205/75 R15. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE ORDERED FROM THE MANUFACTURER AND AFTER RECEIVING THE TIRES, THE CONTACT NOTICED WRINKLES ON THE SIDE WALL. HE THEN RETURNED ALL OF THE TIRES TO THE MANUFACTURER AND THE MANUFACTURER AGREED TO REPLACE THE TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IF HE HAD NOT IDENTIFIED THE WRINKLES, THE TIRES COULD HAVE FAILED OR BLOWN WHILE DRIVING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ID
10402130
Incident
May 19, 2011
Mileage
90,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jan 10, 2010

DRIVING AT ABOUT 25 MPH TURNING ONTO AN ENTRANCE RAMP TO THE HIGHWAY MY CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO SPEEDS SURPASSING 85 AND I COULD NOT MAKE IT STOP. I TRIED STOMPING ON THE BRAKES AND IT FIRST SLOWED THE CAR BUT THE ACCELERATION OVERPOWERED THEM, I HAD TO THROW MY CAR IN NEUTRAL AND TURN IT OFF COMPLETELY TO MAKE MY CAR STOP. *TR

NHTSA ID
10298889
Incident
Jan 10, 2010
Suspension
Filed Nov 21, 2009

LINCOLN, TOWN CAR,1992, MANUAL SAYS TO TURN OFF AIR SUSPENSION BEFORE JACKING AUTOMOBILE. NOT WHEN TIRE GO FLAT . WHEN TIRE IS FLAT FOR 30+ MINUTES. THE AIR SUSPENSION PUMP CONTINUES TO PUMP TILL IT DESTROYS THE REAR SUSPENSION. THERE BY LOWERING THE AUTOMOBILES REAR END TO A DANGEROUS LEVEL.( 2"). CAN CRIPPLE AUTOMOBILE WITH POTHOLES & SPEED-BUMPS & SOME STEERING CIRCUMSTANCES . WHICH CAN LEAD TO MORE SERIOUS DAMAGE AND DANGER TO DRIVER, PASSENGERS & PEDESTRIANS. SWITCH SHOULD BE LOCATED ON DASHBOARD OR GLOVE BOX AND NOTED !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *TR

NHTSA ID
10293114
Incident
Nov 14, 2009
Mileage
155,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Dec 22, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY LOOSENED AND LIFTED UP. THE HOOD BLOCKED THE DRIVER'S VIEW AND THE WINDSHIELD. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO SLOWLY SWITCH LANES TO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND TIE DOWN THE HOOD. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP AND HAD THE HOOD REPLACED WITH ONE FROM A USED VEHICLE. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE 1991 LINCOLN TOWN CAR PERTAINING TO THE SAME ISSUE; HOWEVER, HIS YEAR WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT SINCE THE FAILURES ARE IDENTICAL, HIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO REIMBURSE HIM OR INCLUDE HIS VIN IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE MILEAGE. HE BELIEVES THERE MAY BE MORE 1992 MODELS WITH THE SAME FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 145,000.

NHTSA ID
10252533
Incident
Sep 1, 2005
Mileage
140,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 25, 2008
Fire reported

OUR 1992 LINCOLN TOWN CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE INSIDE OUR SHOP. THE CAR WAS OFF WITH THE KEYS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10249755
Incident
Nov 25, 2008
Mileage
67,656 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Nov 15, 2008

I HAVE NOT RECEIVE A NOTICE ABOUT VEHICLE PART OF SAFETY RECALL 99S15 NOR 05S28 SINCE REMOVED 09/25/07 BY HOLLYWOOD FORD, 4531 HOLLYWOOD BLVD, LOS ANGELES, CA. 90027(323) 663-9999. *TR

NHTSA ID
10248903
Incident
Sep 25, 2007

Manufacturer communications

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

CSP 08B04

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY; FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

FORD/LINCOLN MERCURY: CERTAIN 1992-2001 MODEL YEAR CROWN VICTORIA, GRAND MARQUIS, AND TOWN CAR VEHICLES REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF WISCONSIN AND CONNECTICUT UPGRADE MODIFICATIONS FOR HIGH SPEED REAR IMPACTS. *PE

03148

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES

NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER - SERVICE TIPS. 2003 ESCORT AND SUPER DUTY F SERIES INCLUDED. *TT

02208

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

CLIMATE CONTROL A/C SERVICE TECH TIPS. *EH

02107

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

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

0214

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

SOME ENGINE ASSEMBLIES WITH ALUMINUM CYLINDER HEADS REPAIRED IN-VEHILE HAVE BEEN FOUND TO LEAK COOLANT AND/OR OIL FROM THE CYLINDER HEAD GASKET AREA. *TT

012114

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

PARTS AND PROCEDURE TO REDUCE THE POTENTIAL OF FUEL TANK PUNCTURES DURING RARE AND EXTREMELY HIGH-SPEED REAR IMPACTS. *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
1992Viewing2494774.5
19911555162.8
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.