RoadVitals

1996 Lincoln Town Car Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
259
Latest Jan 26, 2023
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
17
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.
20

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

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.

90
reports

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

NHTSA ID 10620937 · filed Aug 8, 2014

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

NHTSA ID 10393892 · filed Mar 31, 2011
All 90 reports naming engine

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

33
reports

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.

NHTSA ID 11503799 · filed Jan 26, 2023

AS PER RECALL CRUISE CONTROL NEITHRT STARTS OR WORKS ON HIGHWAY

NHTSA ID 11310265 · filed Feb 20, 2020
All 33 reports naming driver assistance

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

30
reports

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.

NHTSA ID 11019367 · filed Aug 24, 2017

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

NHTSA ID 10416496 · filed Aug 1, 2011
All 30 reports naming brakes

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

25
reports

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.

NHTSA ID 10865364 · filed May 17, 2016

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.

NHTSA ID 10372262 · filed Dec 23, 2010
All 25 reports naming suspension

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

20
reports

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

NHTSA ID 10419862 · filed Aug 17, 2011

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

NHTSA ID 10267252 · filed Apr 29, 2009
All 20 reports naming electrical

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

19
reports

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

NHTSA ID 10297401 · filed Dec 29, 2009

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

NHTSA ID 10217173 · filed Jan 29, 2008
All 19 reports naming steering

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

15
reports

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.

NHTSA ID 10862125 · filed Apr 29, 2016

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.

NHTSA ID 10701082 · filed Mar 23, 2015
All 15 reports naming seat belts

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

14
reports

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

NHTSA ID 10419862 · filed Aug 17, 2011

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

NHTSA ID 10211283 · filed Dec 9, 2007
All 14 reports naming exterior lighting

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

10
reports

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

NHTSA ID 10080961 · filed Jul 13, 2004

CAR STALLS BOTH WHEN IDLING READY TO MOVE AND TURNING CORNERS WHERE IT LOSES POWER STEERING

NHTSA ID 10069848 · filed Jan 15, 2004
All 10 reports naming fuel system

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

9
reports

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.

NHTSA ID 10701082 · filed Mar 23, 2015

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

NHTSA ID 10113761 · filed Apr 5, 2005
All 9 reports naming airbags

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

9
reports

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

NHTSA ID 10051258 · filed Dec 29, 2003

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

NHTSA ID 10040647 · filed Sep 25, 2003
All 9 reports naming interior & seats

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

8
reports

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

NHTSA ID 10393274 · filed Mar 30, 2011

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

NHTSA ID 10117861 · filed Apr 12, 2005
All 8 reports naming visibility

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

4
reports

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

NHTSA ID 10342999 · filed Jul 13, 2010

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

NHTSA ID 10101322 · filed Nov 19, 2004

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

LINCOLN TOWN CAR WENT ON FIRE IN GARAGE FROM CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. TOTAL HOUSE FIRE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10341886 · filed Jul 7, 2010

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

NHTSA ID 556495 · filed Oct 17, 2000

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.

2
reports

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

NHTSA ID 880907 · filed Feb 20, 2001

AIR CONDITIONER SMELL WHEN TURNED ON.

NHTSA ID 604320 · filed Oct 27, 1997

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.

1
report

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

NHTSA ID 561755 · filed Jun 25, 2001

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.

1
report

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

NHTSA ID 819782 · filed Dec 8, 1997

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

Data on this page last refreshed .