1995 Lincoln Town Car

IN A LETTER DATED FEBRUARY 25, 2005, FORD MOTOR COMPANY (FORD) NOTIFIED ODI THAT IT WOULD BE CONDUCTING A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM (FORD NO. 04B26) TO CORRECT A REAR BRAKE LINE CHAFING CONCERN IN APPROXIMATELY 44,000 MODEL YEAR (MY) 1997 FORD CROWN VICTORIA AND GRAND MARQUIS NON-FLEET VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRONIC TRACTION CONTROL THAT WEREBUILT AFTER MARCH 19, 1997.THESE VEHICLES HAVE AN ADDITIONAL REAR BRAKE LINE AND A MASTIC PATCH CAUSING REDUCED CLEARANCE FROM A STIFFENING RIB IN THE FLOOR PAN.ODI?S ANALYSIS SHOWED HIGHER COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY RATES RELATED TO REAR BRAKE LINE FAILURES IN THIS POPULATION THAN IN OTHER SUBJECT VEHICLES AND PEER MID-SIZED PASSENGER CARS THAT WERE EVALUATED DURING THE INVESTIGATION.VEHICLES INVOLVED IN FORD?S PROGRAM WILL HAVE THE REAR BRAKE LINES INSPECTED FOR CONTACT WITH THE FLOOR PAN STIFFING RIB.IF THERE IS CONTACT, BUT NO ABRASION OR LEAKAGE, THE BRAKE LINES WILL BE REPOSITIONED.IF THERE IS ABRASION OR A LEAK IS EVIDENT THE BRAKE LINE WILL BE REPAIRED.IF NECESSARY, BOTH OF THE REAR BRAKE LINES WILL BE REPLACED. THOUGH FORD DOES NOT ADMIT TO A SAFETY-DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT COMPONENTS, ODI BELIEVES THAT THE FACTS IN THIS INVESTIGATION SHOW OTHERWISE BECAUSE THE INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE IN THE ROUTING OF THOSE BRAKE LINES MAY RESULT IN LEAKS IN THOSE LINES THAT MAY RESULT IN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES.ODI IS DESIGNATING THE CAMPAIGN A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO. 05V-086).BECAUSE OF THE LOW RATES OF BRAKE LINE FAILURES IN THE REMAINING SUBJECT VEHICLES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THOSE POPULATIONS 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 IN THOSE VEHICLES.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.

ODI HAS RECEIVED 40 COMPLAINTS ALLEGING REAR BRAKE LINE FAILURE IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, INCLUDING 8 THAT HAVE BEEN RECEIVED THIS YEAR.AN ADDITIONAL 192 REPORTS AND 478 WARRANTY CLAIMS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED FROM FORD.A LEAK IN THE REAR BRAKE LINE CAN CAUSE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE.A SEARCH OF ODI'S COMPLAINT DATABASE FOR PEER VEHICLE COMPLAINTS, USING THE SAME BRAKE LINE FAILURE CRITERIA AS FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND THE SAME MODEL YEARS (1995-97), IDENTIFIED ONLY 1 COMPLAINT INVOLVING GENERAL MOTORS CAPRICE/IMPLALA/88/98/REGAL VEHICLES AND ONLY 2 COMPLAINTS INVOLVING CHRYSLER LH-CARS.THE INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO FURTHER EVALUATE THE FREQUENCY, SCOPE, AND CAUSAL FACTORS RELATED TO REAR BRAKE LINE FAILURES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLE POPULATION.

SEE ATTACHED REPORT.

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.

WELL I WAS DRIVING HOME ONE DAY AND SMOKE WAS STARTING TO POOR OUT FROM UNDERNEATH MY DASHBOARD LUCKILY I WAS CLOSE ENOUGH TO THE HOUSE TO BE ABLE MAKE IT HOME AND THEN AFTER I HAD GOTTEN HOME I CUT THE CAR OFF AND WAS NOT ABLE TO START IT UP SINCE

NHTSA ID

11291730

Incident

Jun 25, 2012

Mileage

103,467 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS STIFF WHEN DEPRESSED. THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED THREE TIMES BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. FURTHERMORE, THE STEERING WHEEL HAD TO BE MANEUVERED IN EITHER DIRECTION TO PREVENT IT FROM SEIZING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15E082000 (STEERING), 96V135000 (STEERING), 98V001000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC), 01V318000 (AIR BAGS), AND 95E006002 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME FAILURES LISTED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGNS. LIBERTY FORD LINCOLN CANTON (423 TUSCARAWAS ST W, CANTON, OH 44702) AND THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS TO PROVIDE A REMEDY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

NHTSA ID

11219341

Incident

Feb 5, 2018

Mileage

135,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT NOTICED A POOL OF FLUID UNDER THE VEHICLE WHILE IDLING. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE LEAKING FLUID. WHILE REFUELING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 98I001000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) AND 95V063000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AS POSSIBLE CAUSES OF THE FAILURE DUE TO SIMILAR FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

NHTSA ID

11121686

Incident

Jul 22, 2018

Mileage

106,000 mi

THE BALL JOINT SO MY 1995 LINCOLN TOWN CAR HAVE FELL OFF THE LOWER CONTROLLER ARM IS BADLY DAMAGED AND I GET A LOT OF MISFIRES IN THE ENGINE IS JUST A LOT OF STUFF THIS WRONG WITH IT

NHTSA ID

11091498

Incident

Jun 20, 2017

Mileage

2,010 mi

THE 1995 IS VERY COMFORTABLE BUT AIR BAGS, SUSPENSION, WINDOWS, AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (UNLOCATABLE SHORTAGE) DO NOT WORK. GOOD MILEAGE AND SEATS, ETC VERY GOOD. THE KEY SWITCH IS DEFECTIVE AND YOU CAN REMOVE KEYS WITHOUT TURNING OFF. NO AIR BAGS OPERABLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10658982

Incident

Nov 8, 2000

Mileage

80,000 mi

THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE WENT OFF AT NIGHT COMPLETELY 4 TIMES AND BACK ON. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH ABOUT A BLOCK FROM MY HOUSE AT 4AM WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS MARKER LIGHTS AND EVERYLIGHT EXCEPT TAIL LIGHTS WENT OFF. I RAN OFF THE ROAD INTO A DITCH AND BACK ON. I REACHED FOR THE BLINKERS WHICH WORKED AND SAW I WAS IN THE OTHER LANE. I WENT INTO MY LANE AND STOPPED. A FEW SECONDS LATER THE HEADLIGHTS CAME BACK ON AND ALL OTHER LIGHTS. THIS HAS HAPPENED AGAIN TWICE. THE SECOND TIME ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. THE LAST TIME I HAD TO HAVE A WRECKER PULL ME OUT OF A SIDE DITCH. I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THEY WERE VERY RUDE AND WOULD NOT HELP AT ALL. I TOLD THEM THIS WAS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE , EVEN MORE SO THAT THE SPEED CONTROL RECALL. THEY SAID THEY WOULD NOT PAY TO HAVE THIS LOOKED INTO. THEY WOULDN'T EVEN LET ME SPEAK TO A SUPERVISOR. THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER INSTANCES WHERE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER PEOPLE. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP SAID IT HAPPENS OFTEN ON 05 MARQUIS AND TOWN CAR. THEY SAID THEY PROBABLY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO HELP ME. MAYBE WHEN MY WHOLE FAMILY IS KILLED IN THIS THING AND WHOEVER IS IN THE WAY, THEY'LL CARE THEN. P.S. THEY HAVE RECALLED OTHER VEHICLES FOR THE SAME REASON. THE DEALER CALLED IT AN LCM MODULE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10607610

Incident

Jul 1, 2014

Mileage

217,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 LINCOLN TOWNCAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A RESIDENTIAL GARAGE, IT IGNITED INTO FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS UNOCCUPIED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES AND ALSO DETECTED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED IN THE AREA OF THE CRUISE CONTROL COMPONENT. THE CONTACT'S GARAGE AND THE VEHICLE WERE DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. ...UPDATED 09-26-13 *BF

NHTSA ID

10516082

Incident

Jun 5, 2013

Mileage

97,000 mi

[XXX] DROVE [XXX] 1995 LINCOLN TOWN CAR FOR DAY AND ARRIVED HOME BETWEEN 5:00 TO 5:30 P.M. ON 3/4/13. [XXX] PULLED LINCOLN INTO GARAGE NEXT TO [XXX] 1956 FORD THUNDERBIRD. [XXX] PULLED INTO DRIVEWAY OUTSIDE GARAGE DOOR BEHIND TOWN CAR WITH OUR MINIVAN AND WENT INTO GARAGE TO PUT SOME THINGS AWAY. [XXX] SHUT GARAGE DOOR AND WENT OUTSIDE GARAGE DOOR INTO HOUSE TO PUT PURSE INSIDE. [XXX]IMMEDIATELY WENT BACK OUTSIDE AND WENT TO DECK TO WATER PLANTS AND SMELLED AND NOTICED SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF SIDE GARAGE DOOR. [XXX] OPENED SIDE GARAGE DOOR AND SAW FIRE COMING OUT OF HOOD ON DRIVER'S SIDE OF LINCOLN TOWN CAR AND SPREADING. [XXX] RAN INSIDE HOUSE GOT [XXX] AND TOLD HIM ABOUT FIRE AND CALL 911.[XXX] GRABBED KEYS TO MINIVAN AND HOUSE PHONE AND CALLED 911. [XXX] CAME OUT, AND TRIED TO PUT WATER ON FIRE BUT WAS UNABLE TO BECAUSE OF HEAT. WHEN [XXX] FIRST SAW CAR THERE WAS A HOLE BURNED THROUGH METAL HOOD TO ABOUT 3 FEET IN DIAMETER IN FRONT OF FIRE WALL OF DRIVER'S SIDE OF LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THERE WAS A BURST OF FLAMES AND ENGINE COMPARTMENT BASICALLY EXPLODED WITH MORE FIRE, AND JOCK RAN FROM GARAGE BECAUSE FLAMES WERE BURNING HIS HEAD AND SKIN. [XXX] PULLED MINIVAN OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND RAN BACK TO GARAGE TO FIND [XXX]. WHEN [XXX] RAN BACK TO FRONT YARD LOOKING FOR [XXX], FIREMEN WERE ALREADY AT HOUSE, [XXX] WAS YELLING AT FIREMEN TO FIND JOCK AND DOGS. THEY WERE ABLE TO BREAK THROUGH FENCE ON LEFT SIDE (EAST) OF HOUSE AND GET [XXX] AND DOGS OUT OF BACK YARD. THE NEIGHBOR BEHIND OUR HOUSE CAME OVER TO SAY SHE HEARD LOUD POPPING NOISES AND SAW HUGE FLAMES FROM GARAGE; SHE HAD CALLED 911 AS WELL. THE FIRE WAS SO EXTREME IT BURNED WHOLE GARAGE WITH LINCOLN AND 1956 THUNDERBIRD, AND THEN FIRE CONSUMED HOUSE. THERE WERE EIGHT FIRE TRUCKS CALLED TO HOUSE TO EVENTUALLY CONTROL FIRE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

10502396

Incident

Mar 4, 2013

Mileage

104,000 mi

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

CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 05B31 - INFORMATION ONLY. A POSSIBILITY THAT DURING A HIGH SPEED / HIGH ENERGY REAR COLLISION, CERTAIN COMPONENTS HAVE AN INCREASED RISK OF PUNCTURING THE FUEL TANK ON VEHICLES WITH LIMO PREP PACKAGE LIMO PACKAGE UPGRADE KIT OFFERING. *TT SUPPLEMENT #1. *TT UPDATED SUPPLEMENT #2. *TT

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

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

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

CLIMATE CONTROL A/C SERVICE TECH TIPS. *EH