RoadVitals

1994 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 Jan 21, 2023
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 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.
4
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.
41
18 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 155 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1994 Lincoln Town Car, most frequently naming the engine, brakes and driver assistance categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 4 NHTSA investigations name it; and 75 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
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
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
95V133000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Jul 11, 1995
692 units potentially affected
The defect: IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE REAR BRAKE LINE AT THE POINT AT WHICH THE EXTENDED BRAKE LINE FIRST BENDS AND EXTENDS OVER THE LEFT REAR WHEEL AREA OF THE FRAME. IF NOT INSTALLED WITH SUFFICIENT CLEARANCE, CHAFING OF THE BRAKE LINE CAN OCCUR IN AN AREA ADJACENT TO THE REAR FLOOR PAN.
The risk: THE REAR BRAKE LINE CAN LEAK OR RUPTURE RESULTING IN REDUCED BRAKING CAPABILITY, LOSS OF REAR BRAKES, AND/OR LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID RESERVES IN THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE LINE FOR PROPER INSTALLATION AND/OR DAMAGE AND REPLACE AS NECESSARY. ALSO A PROTECTIVE BOOT OR SLEEVE OVER THE BRAKE LINE WILL BE INSTALLED.
DABRYAN COACH BUILDERSView 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 155
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Jan 21, 2023
Fire reported

The car had a recall I didnt know about. It states the car may catch fire due to faulty part. I drove the vehicle home after work and parked it around 9:30 PM. The next morning a neighbor woke me up banging on my front door that my car was on fire. This was at 7 AM. The fire originated in the area close to the master cylinder like the recall states. Vehicle was a total loss. Not only that but it damaged the car it was parked behind.

NHTSA ID
11502970
Incident
Jan 14, 2023
Tires & wheels
Filed Sep 12, 2022

The contact owns a 1994 Lincoln Town Car equipped with Goodyear Tires, Tire line: Assurance Comfortred Tread Touring, Tire size: 215/70/R15 DOT: PJ343912 and PJ340214. The contact stated that all four tires were showing signs of cracked sidewalls and treads. The contact stated that the failure was discovered while cleaning the tires. The contact stated that the tires were purchased new from Walmart on 10/31/2014. The tires were not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer for diagnosis or repairs. The manufacturer Goodyear was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the tires were too old as there was a 6-year warranty on cracking. There was no assistance offered. The tire failure mileage was unknown. The approximate vehicle mileage was 200,000.

NHTSA ID
11484053
Incident
Feb 12, 2016
Mileage
200,000 mi
Brakes
Filed May 25, 2016
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ODOR OF BURNING RUBBER AND PLASTIC. THE VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED WITH SMOKE AND FLAMES. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BURNED BODY ON THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE WAS ABOVE THE MASTER CYLINDER. NO REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT FOUND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V017000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL); HOWEVER, THE CONTACT HAD NEVER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF THE RECALL AND THE VEHICLE HAD NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ID
10870791
Incident
May 22, 2016
Mileage
130,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 18, 2014
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, HE WAS MADE AWARE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND REMAINED IN THE CONTACT'S DRIVE WAY, WHICH WAS ADVISED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE FIRE STARTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BUT THE DIRECT ORIGINA OF THE FIRE WAS UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.

NHTSA ID
10614495
Incident
Jul 16, 2014
Mileage
190,000 mi
AirbagsBrakes
Filed Jun 27, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKES WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND PUMP IT REPEATEDLY. ADDITIONALLY, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC STATED THERE WAS A REAR BRAKE SEAL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. *TR

NHTSA ID
10522121
Incident
Jun 27, 2012
Mileage
200,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jun 25, 2012
Fire reported

1994 LINCOLN TOWN CAR, REGARDING A POTENTIAL UNDERHOOD FIRE RISK. CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. UPDATED 06/26/12 *BF THE CONSUMER SENT SUPPLIED THE RECALL NOTICE. RECALL# 07V336000. *JB

NHTSA ID
10463681
Incident
Jan 1, 2007
Driver assistance
Filed Apr 15, 2009
Fire reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE SPEED CONTROL SWITCH, WHICH CAUSED HIS VEHICLE TO CATCH FIRE. THE SWITCH WAS NEVER REPLACED BECAUSE THE CONTACT NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. AFTER THE FIRE, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE SWITCH WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND UNOCCUPIED AT THE TIME OF THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES AND FILED A REPORT. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

NHTSA ID
10265458
Incident
Apr 13, 2009
Mileage
180,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Jan 29, 2009

1994 LINCOLN TOWN CAR THE LOWER BALL JOINT ON THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE OF THE CAR SUDDENLY BROKE IN HALF ALLOWING THE LOWER CONTROL ARM OF THE CAR TO FALL TO THE GROUND. FORTUNATELY, I WAS JUST PARKING WHEN IT HAPPENED. THEIR WAS NO WARNING OF A PROBLEM WITH THE BALL JOINT. THE CAR DROVE FINE. I UNDERSTAND THAT A RECALL EXISTS FOR THIS PROBLEM (98S37), BUT ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, MY CAR IS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL. OBVIOUSLY, IT SHOULD BE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10256840
Incident
Jan 26, 2009
Mileage
244,857 mi

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

03181

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE) - SERVICE TIPS. *TT

03148

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES

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

03261

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

NEW SERVICE PART - NUMBER 5 NEEDLE BEARING AND RACE KIT - 4R70W TRANSMISSION - SERVICE TIP. *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

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
1994Viewing1555468.0
19931764773.8
19922494774.5
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.