1996 Lincoln Town Car Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1996 Lincoln Town Car, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine9030.7%
- Driver assistance3311.3%
- Brakes3010.2%
- Suspension258.5%
- Electrical206.8%
- Steering196.5%
- Seat belts155.1%
- Exterior lighting144.8%
- Fuel system103.4%
- Airbags93.1%
- Interior & seats93.1%
- Visibility82.7%
- Body & structure41.4%
- Other / unspecified31.0%
- Heating & air conditioning20.7%
- Powertrain (other)10.3%
- Transmission10.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THERE WAS SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT ANTI-FREEZE WAS COVERING THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS CRACKED AND WOULD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000. UPDATED 10/24/2014*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE DEFECTIVE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS COVERED IN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT EVEN THOUGH THE DATE OF THE COVERAGE EXPIRED THE VEHICLE SHOULD STILL BE COVERED. UPDATED 04/16/2015 *JS
I'VE OWNED A 96 LINCOLN TOWN CAR FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS NOW AND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED RECENTLY WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT THAT CAUSE I'VE JUST RECENTLY HEARD ABOUT THE RECALL AND I DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THAT CONSTANTLY HAPPENING, IS THERE ANY THING I CAN DO. *TR
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 1996 Lincoln Town Car. The contact stated while the vehicle was turned on and he was shifting the vehicle from park(P) to drive(D), with his foot on the brake pedal, the vehicle lunged forward at high speed. The contact stated that the acceleration was extreme. The contact observed smoke coming from the rear tires as the vehicle accelerated. The contact was able to safely stop the vehicle after approximately 50 feet but had to depress the brake pedal with force. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was not turned off but was shifted to park(P). The contact had tested and shifted the vehicle from park (P), drive (D), neutral (N) and reverse (R) and the vehicle reacted normally to each gear change. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000. The contact stated that the vehicle was sold to the mechanic who repaired it.
AS PER RECALL CRUISE CONTROL NEITHRT STARTS OR WORKS ON HIGHWAY
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND SHIFT THE GEAR INTO DRIVE WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED. THE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE CONTACT POURED BRAKE FLUID INTO THE RESERVOIR AND DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT NEAR THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
I OWN A 1996 LINCOLN TOWNCAR VIN [XXX]. ON SATURDAY 7/9/2011 MY BRAKE LINES BROKE AND MY BRAKES FAILED IN ROCKWOOD, TN. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY DRIVE THE CAR TO A SAFE PLACE WHERE I HAD A FRIEND PATCH THE LINES WITH RUBBER HOSES AND WAS ABLE TO AGAIN USE MY BRAKES. I DISCOVERED THAT FORD HAS ISSUED A RECALL FOR CERTAIN TOWNCARS #79493 4/7/1998 FOR BRAKE LINE REPLACEMENT. I WENT TO 2 FORD DEALERSHIPS AND WAS TOLD THIS RECALL DIDN'T COVER MY CAR. I FEEL THIS RECALL SHOULD COVER MY CAR BECAUSE THE SAME DEFECTS ON THE TOWNCARS COVERED ARE PRESENT ON MY TOWNCAR AND CAUSED THE BRAKE LINES TO BREAK. I AM ASKING FORD TO AUTHORIZE ME TO RECEIVE THE SAME PROTECTION AFFORDED THE OWNERS OF THE COVERED TOWNCARS AND COVER MY REPAIRS AT ONE OF MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIPS. I CALLED THE CUSTOMER RELATIONS CENTER ON 7/12/2011 AND WAS GIVEN A CASE NUMBER [XXX]. I CALLED AGAIN ON 7/13/2011 AND WAS TOLD THE RECALL DIDN'T COVER MY CAR. I AM ONLY ASKING FOR THE SAME TREATMENT AFFORDED MANY OTHER COVERED 1996 TOWNCAR OWNERS UNDER THIS RECALL! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *KB
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND AN UNKNOWN CLICKING SOUND WAS HEARD FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WHEN MAKING A TURN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT BALL JOINTS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 98V322000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 LINCOLN TOWN CAR WITH 92000 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL HE HEARD A CLANKING NOISE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT RECALL 98V322000, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT WAS THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY RECORD OF THE VEHICLE BEING REPAIRED OR INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
HEADLIGHTS AND DASH PANEL CUT OFF INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING ON SMOOTH PAVEMENT FOR PAST 10 YEARS. I HAVE HAD DEALERSHIP EXPERIENCE THIS BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM. ALSO, THE SPEEDOMETER SHOWS CAR SPEED AT 100 OR MORE MPH WHEN STARTING CAR BUT GOES TO NORMAL WHEN MOVING. I JUST REPLACED THE MOTORCRAFT ALTERNATOR WITH A REBUILD VERSION AND THE SPEEDOMETER PROBLEM IS GONE. CAN'T BE SURE THAT THE HEADLIGHT ISSUE IS GONE TOO, BUT THIS SEEMS TO BE THE MAGIC FIX. I'M WONDERING IF A BATCH OF INTERMITTENTLY DEFECTIVE MOTORCRAFT ALTERNATORS WERE OEM SINCE THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM FOR OTHERS. IT IS VERY SCARY TO BE DRIVING 55 MPH AND HAVE THE HEADLIGHTS CUT OFF FOR A SHORT TIME. MONTHS GO BY AND NOTHING HAPPENS; THEN THERE IT IS AGAIN. I WAS THINKING THAT THE CAR WAS HAUNTED. I STILL HAVE THE OLD MOTORCRAFT ALTERNATOR BUT I WILL RETURN IT TO AUTOZONE TO GET MY CORE BACK UNLESS IT CAN BE USED TO DETERMINE IT IS DEFECTIVE. OVER THE YEARS I HAVE SPENT A LOT AT REPAIR SHOPS AND THE DEALERSHIP TRYING TO LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THIS. AT THE SUGGESTION OF THE DEALER SERVICE MANAGER, I REPLACED THE SPEED SENSOR TWICE OVER THE YEARS TO "FIX" THE ERRATIC SPEED AT STARTUP BUT WITHOUT ANY CHANGE. *KB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY DRAINS SO FREQUENTLY THAT THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE DRIVEN FOR LONG DISTANCES OR AT NIGHT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE LIGHT CONTROL MODULE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 214,778 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 212,733. UPDATED 8/7/09 *CN UPDATED 080/11/09.*JB
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
I OWN A 1996 LINCOLN TOWN CAR WITH APPROXIMATELY 73,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. RECENTLY, I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT END WOBBLING. I TOOK THE CAR TO SEARS AUTOMOTIVE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINT ARE DEFECTIVE AND CONTROL ARMS. THE PROBLEM MATCHES EXACTLY YOUR RECALL BELOW: NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 98V322000 SUMMARY: 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. CONSEQUENCE: IF THIS OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING, REDUCED STEERING CONTROL COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. REMEDY: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS (2). NOTES: OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN JANUARY 18, 1999. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236). WE NEVER RECEIVE NOTICE OF ANY RECALL. HOWEVER, WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO CALL FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE THEY COULD NOT FIND THIS RECALL OR MY VIN. THEREFORE, I AM RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THAT YOU ADD OUR VEHICLE VIN TO THIS RECALL FOR REPAIR. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE TIE ROD DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND HE STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURS FREQUENTLY FOR THAT YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE. HE FURTHER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO LUBRICATION IN THE ZERKS ON THE TIE RODS FOR THAT YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE, WHICH CAUSED THE FAILURE TO OCCUR. THE CONTACT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING $229 TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED AND ALL OF THE WATER LEFT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE CONTACT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING $900 FOR THAT REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 02/15/08. *LJ
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
1. DRIVERS SEAT BELT LATCH IS BROKEN INTERNALLY AND CANNOT BE USED. TO CIRCUMVENT THE BROKEN LATCH, THE FRONT CENTER PASSENGER SEAT BELT IS BEING USED. 2. FRONT RIGHT HAND PASSENGER SEAT BELT CAN NO LONGER BE LATCHED WITHOUT FIRST PUSHING THE RELEASE BUTTON. 3. CRUISE CONTROL AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGED WHILE DRIVING IN RESIDENTIAL AREA, CAUSING A RAPID ACCELERATION OF MY VEHICLE ABOVE THE SPEED LIMIT. SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES FORCEFULLY DISENGAGING THE CRUISE CONTROL. ONE TIME OCCURRENCE.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS VIBRATING AND THE WHEELS FELT AS IF THERE WERE TO DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED AND THE SEAT BELTS WERE UNABLE TO LOCK PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
HEADLIGHTS AND DASH PANEL CUT OFF INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING ON SMOOTH PAVEMENT FOR PAST 10 YEARS. I HAVE HAD DEALERSHIP EXPERIENCE THIS BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM. ALSO, THE SPEEDOMETER SHOWS CAR SPEED AT 100 OR MORE MPH WHEN STARTING CAR BUT GOES TO NORMAL WHEN MOVING. I JUST REPLACED THE MOTORCRAFT ALTERNATOR WITH A REBUILD VERSION AND THE SPEEDOMETER PROBLEM IS GONE. CAN'T BE SURE THAT THE HEADLIGHT ISSUE IS GONE TOO, BUT THIS SEEMS TO BE THE MAGIC FIX. I'M WONDERING IF A BATCH OF INTERMITTENTLY DEFECTIVE MOTORCRAFT ALTERNATORS WERE OEM SINCE THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM FOR OTHERS. IT IS VERY SCARY TO BE DRIVING 55 MPH AND HAVE THE HEADLIGHTS CUT OFF FOR A SHORT TIME. MONTHS GO BY AND NOTHING HAPPENS; THEN THERE IT IS AGAIN. I WAS THINKING THAT THE CAR WAS HAUNTED. I STILL HAVE THE OLD MOTORCRAFT ALTERNATOR BUT I WILL RETURN IT TO AUTOZONE TO GET MY CORE BACK UNLESS IT CAN BE USED TO DETERMINE IT IS DEFECTIVE. OVER THE YEARS I HAVE SPENT A LOT AT REPAIR SHOPS AND THE DEALERSHIP TRYING TO LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THIS. AT THE SUGGESTION OF THE DEALER SERVICE MANAGER, I REPLACED THE SPEED SENSOR TWICE OVER THE YEARS TO "FIX" THE ERRATIC SPEED AT STARTUP BUT WITHOUT ANY CHANGE. *KB
THERE IS A VERY HIGH NUMBER OF VEHICLES OF ALL TYPES ON THE ROAD ON WHICH THE HEADLIGHT LENSES HAVE BECOME FOGGY OR YELLOWED AS A RESULT OF UV OR CHEMICAL AGE. THIS RESULTS OF LOSS OF HEADLIGHT RANGE, CLARITY OF VISION AND GLARE TO ONCOMING VEHICLES AS THE RESULT OF SCATTERED LIGHT RATHER THAN FOCUSED. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM ON MY 1996 LINCOLN TOWN CAR AND CLEARED IT UP TO SOME EXTENT USING FINE POLISHING CREAM BUT LENS IS NOT LEFT CLEAR AND IS GETTING MORE FOGGY AS TIME PASSES. I CONSIDER THIS A HAZARDOUS FAULT AND BELIEVE THAT ALL SUCH HEADLIGHT LENSES/ASSEMBLIES SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPLACED. *TR
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY 96 LINCOLN TOWNCAR BOGS DOWN, SPUTTERS, JERKS AND MISFIRES FROM A STANDING START. ALSO MISFIRES, SPUTTERS IN PASSING GEAR WHICH DOES NOT ALLOW YOU TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE WITH CONFIDENCE. AT THIS TIME THE SOLUTION HAS NOT BEEN FOUND. *AK
CAR STALLS BOTH WHEN IDLING READY TO MOVE AND TURNING CORNERS WHERE IT LOSES POWER STEERING
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS VIBRATING AND THE WHEELS FELT AS IF THERE WERE TO DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED AND THE SEAT BELTS WERE UNABLE TO LOCK PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF BRAKING DUE TO FOUR DIFFERENT SECTIONS OF THE METAL BRAKE LINE DUE TO EXTERIOR CORROSION. EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE THE BRAKE LINE REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK THE VEHICLE STRUCK THE REAR OF A UTILITY TRUCK DUE TO THE BRAKE FAILURE. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE FIRST FAILURE OCCURRED IN 2001. THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD GONE TO THE FLOOR UPON APPLICATION WITH NO BRAKING EFFECT ON EITHER AXLE. EACH FAILURE OCCURRED BY RUPTURED STEEL BRAKE LINE DUE TO EXTERNAL RUST. *SC *JB
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS ATTEMPTING TO GET MY ICE SCRAPER OUT OF THE TRUNK AND USED THE DOOR TRUNK BUTTON TO OPEN IT. TRUNK LID WAS LIGHTLY COVERED WITH SNOW AND WOULD ONLY OPEN ABOUT 1/2 INCH. SO...I PUT MY RIGHT HAND UNDER THE TRUNK TO LIFT IT, AND THE CLOSING HYDRAULIC MECHANISM STARTED CLOSING THE TRUNK AND CLOSED IT ON MY HAND. THE ONLY WAY TO OPEN IT WAS TO PUSH THE TRUNK BUTTON ON THE DOOR WHICH WAS IMPOSSIBLE SINCE I COULDN'T MOVE WITH MY HAND CAUGHT IN THE TRUNK. DESPITE MY CHILLING SCREAMS OF AGONY NO NEIGHBORS RESPONDED AND I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE HAD MY HUSBAND OUT THERE WHO FREED ME FROM THE CLUTCHES OF THIS CAR.*AK
THE VEHICLE'S DOOR LOCK EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT AS STATED IN RECALL 96 V 070 000, BUT IT'S VIN NUMBER WAS OUTSIDE OF THE REMEDY SCOPE. *NLM
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
1996 LINCOLN TOWNCAR. CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE HEATER CORE *TGW UPDATED 06/01/11. *JB. UPDATED 06/28/11. *JB UPDATED 09/12/11. *JB
1996 LINCOLN TOWN CAR STEERING WENT OUT CAUSING CONSUMER TO RUN INTO A FENCE.*MR THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD TURN LEFT AND RIGHT BUT THE WHEEL DID NOT RESPOND. REAR AIR SPRING WERE REPLACED DUE TO EXCESSIVE CRACKING. THE VEHICLE STEERING A SUSPENSION PERFORMED POORLY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS AND THE INNER AND OUTER TIE RODS. THE RIGHT FRONT WINDOW REGULATOR BROKE. THE INTERIOR LIGHT ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE DID NOT WORK. *NM
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING MY 1996 SIGNATURE SERIES TOWN CAR ABOUT 25 MIS/HR IN RESIDENTIAL AREA THE RIGHT FRONT BALL JOINT SUSPENSION COLLAPSED & "ROLLED" UNDER THE CAR FRAME. THE SLOW SPEED ENABLED THE CAR TO BE STOPPED WITHIN FEET. DRIVER & A PASSENGER UNHURT. CAR TOWED TO AAA CERTIFIED GARAGE THAT HAD BEEN USED FOR OVER 25 YEARS. SUSPENSION REPLACED AS WAS THE LEFT ONE THAT MECHANIC DEEMED READY TO ALSO COLLAPSE. RESIDENT MUNICIPALITY LITERALLY SURROUNDED BY EXPRESSWAYS WHOSE SPEED LIMIT IS 65 MIS/HR. DEATHS AND OR SEVERE INJURIES WOULD MOST CERTAINLY HAVE RESULTED HAD COLLAPSE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AT ALLOWED SPEED LIMIT AS THIS DRIVER DOES. THE CAR HAD 92551 CAREFULLY DRIVEN MILES ON IT. CAR ALWAYS GARAGED AND METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED BY OWNER, DEALER AND THE MECHANIC USED . WORSE THAT DID HAPPEN WAS THE ALMOST $500 BILL & BEING LATE FOR AN ANNUAL CONFERENCE BEING HELD AT NEARBY UNIVERSITY. *TR
COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL. THERE IS A WELD BREAK ON THE FRAME, LEFT FRONT WHICH, IN TURN, CAUSES TWO MORE BREAKS IN THE UNDER SIDE OF THE CAR, RESULTING IN A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD. THIS IS A MAJOR STRUCTURAL MALFUNCTION . BUT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY SEEMS TO THINK IT IS NO BIG DEAL. THIS IS MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENT. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. THE CAR HAS 75,000 MILES, AND THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. IT WILL COST MORE TO REPAIR THE CAR THAN IT IS WORTH. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
LINCOLN TOWN CAR WENT ON FIRE IN GARAGE FROM CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. TOTAL HOUSE FIRE. *TR
CONSUMER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE WITH UPGRADED WIRE WHEELS, THE WIRES SPOKES WERE CONTINUALLY BREAKING AND BECOMING LOOSE, THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THEY WERE SAFE AND NOT TO WORRY, HOWEVER THE TIRES WERE FAILING DUE TO THE WHEEL SPOKES. *MJS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
AIR CONDITIONER WENT OUT AND CLOCK SPRING WENT BAD BECAUSE AIRBAG SHORTED OUT. SAFETY FEATURE SHORTED OUT HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL. *AK
AIR CONDITIONER SMELL WHEN TURNED ON.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER EXPERIENCED RESISTANCE IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN RETURNING TO THE NEUTRAL POSITION AFTER MAKING A TURN, DEALER FOUND ONE SIDE OF THE UNIVERSAL JOINT HAD FROZE UP AND WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN, PART WAS REPLACED AND PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED. *YH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE WAS IN PARK POSITION,ENGINE ON, VEHICLE STARTED TO MOVE BACK WARDS, RAN OVER CONSUMER. JUMPED OUT OF PARK POSITION. FRONT LEFT WHEEL RAN OVER CONSUMER'S BACK, CAUSING LARGE BRUISES ON BODY. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .