1997 Lincoln Town Car Brakes Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, IT TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WAS PREMATURE RUST AND CORROSION ON THE BRAKE LINES CAUSING THEM TO FRACTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 98I001000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000. UPDATED 12/10/15*LJ *CN

NHTSA ID

10763468

Incident

Sep 12, 2015

Mileage

44,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE IN ADDITION TO THE BRAKE PEDAL FEELING ABNORMALLY LOOSE. THE CONTACT LATER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE LINE WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ID

10572865

Incident

Mar 17, 2014

Mileage

90,000 mi

FORD LINCOLN -- TOWN CAR, YEAR MODEL 1997. BRAKE LINE (TUBING) BETWEEN POINT OF DISTRIBUTION FROM MASTER CYLINDER/BOOSTER TO REAR AXLE. ALSO BRAKE LINE BETWEEN REAR WHEELS (FASTENED TO OUTSIDE OF REAR AXLE HOUSING). THIS BRAKE LINE TUBING IS OF INFERIOR METAL COMPOSITION PRONE TO RUSTING IN NORTHERN CLIMATES WHERE WINTER SALT IS SPREAD ON ROAD SURFACES. CASE IN POINT: WHEN THE CAR WAS PARKED ON THE PARKING LOT, EVERYTHING WAS FINE. WHEN CAR WAS RESTARTED AFTER A SHORT DURATION OF BEING PARKED, UPON PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, ALL BRAKE FLUID SQUIRTED ONTO PAVEMENT. ROOT CAUSE: THE CORRODED BRAKE LINE BURST SOMEWHERE, APPROXIMATELY, UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT ON THE ROADSIDE (BOTTOM SIDE) OF THE FLOOR BOARD. THIS NECESSITATES THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE BRAKE LINE TUBING STRETCH (AS PER DESIGN) IN EXCESS OF $1,200, PARTS AND LABOR INCLUDED. THIS BURST OF FLUID COULD HAVE OCCURRED ANYWHERE. SINCE THE INCIDENT OCCURRED AT A TIME AND A PLACE FROM WHERE IT WAS POSSIBLE TO DRIVE THE CAR A SHORT DISTANCE TO ITS HOME PARKING POSITION USING ONLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, WHERE NEEDED, AT A SPEED OF NO HIGHER THAN 10 -15 MPH. A PRIVATE RESEARCH INDICATED THAT THIS PROBLEM IS SOMEWHAT 'COMMON.' SUBSEQUENT INQUIRIES AT DEALERSHIPS VERIFIED THE FACT THAT THERE IS A GOODLY NUMBER OF BRAKE LINE REPLACEMENTS. LABOR TIME EXPENDED IS ABOUT A FULL DAY (A FULL SHIFT). TO THE WRITER OF THIS NOTE IT IS NOT KNOWN HOW MANY SERIOUS ACCIDENTS MIGHT HAVE BEEN ALREADY CAUSED BY THIS INFERIOR QUALITY BRAKE LINE. A SHORT LENGTH OF THE SUBJECT BRAKE LINE COVERED WITH A PLASTIC COATING -- WHEN UNCOVERED TO EXPOSE THE METAL TUBING -- SHOWED THAT TUBING AS IF BRAND NEW, UNAFFECTED BY THE ROAD SALT. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM, AND IT MERITS A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION INCLUDING A RECALL. THE WRITER OF THIS NOTE IS NOT AWARE OF ANY LATER MODELS HAVING THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEM. THAT IS UP TO THE INVESTIGATORS TO FIND OUT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10343582

Incident

May 8, 2010

1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR MULTIPLE BRAKE LINE FAILURES. 2002,2005,2006,2007,2010. DUE TO EXTERNAL RUST. *TR

NHTSA ID

10334952

Incident

Jul 1, 2002

Mileage

80,000 mi

LIFE THREATENING COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID BECAUSE OF BRAKE LINE RUPTURES (BOTH SYSTEMS) WHILE APPLYING BRAKES ABRUPTLY TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. BRAKE LINE FAILURE WAS DUE TO USE OF CHEAP UNCOATED STEEL BRAKE LINES THAT WEAKENED OVER THE YEARS DUE TO RUST. FORTUNATELY, THIS BRAKE FAILURE OCCURRED AT 25MPH, JUST MOMENTS AFTER I APPLIED NORMAL BRAKING FROM 65MPH TO PROCEED THROUGH A TOLL BOOTH. IF THIS COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE BRAKING FOR THE TOLL BOOTH MOST LIKELY THIS BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN SEVERE INJURY AND/OR DEATH. THESE INFERIOR UNCOATED BRAKE LINES SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN ALLOWED TO BE INSTALLED IN THIS VITAL SAFETY SYSTEM (BRAKES) IN THE FIRST PLACE . AND NOW ...THEY SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPLACED WITH SUPERIOR BRAKE LINES UNDER A MANUFACTURER RECALL PROGRAM TO PREVENT FUTURE SEVERE COLLISIONS AND LOSS OF LIFE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10273078

Incident

May 31, 2009

Mileage

150,000 mi

1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR WITH MULTIPLE SAFETY ISSUES. SPEED CONTROL SWITCH WAS DEACTIVATED AND BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED DUE TO BAD BRAKE SWITCH. INCIDENTALLY, WHEN THE BRAKE SWITCH WENT BAD, THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN GEAR. ALL INTERIOR LIGHTS FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO USE THE CRUISE CONTROL SINCE IT WAS DISCONNECTED BY THE DEALERSHIP IN SEPTEMBER 2007. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THEY MAY NEVER GET THE PARTS FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO USE THE HIGH BEAMS FOR OVER 4 YEARS. IF SHE USED THEM FOR A COUPLE MINUTES, ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH AND IN THE VEHICLE WOULD GO OUT. *JB

NHTSA ID

10214989

Incident

Jan 1, 1901

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE JUMPED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTROL ARM AND LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED. THE BRAKE LINES ALSO FAILED. AS OF OCTOBER 23, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THERE ARE RECALLS FOR THE SUSPENSION: FRONT: CONTROL ARM: LOWER BALL JOINT (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V322000) AND SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: FOUNDATION COMPONENTS: HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98I001000); HOWEVER, THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AS PART OF THE RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 143,000.

NHTSA ID

10206661

Incident

Feb 2, 2006

Mileage

90,000 mi

BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO CORRODED AND RUSTED BRAKE LINES. HAD TO REPLACE ALL LINES. CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS OCCURRED AS I ONLY HAVE 75,000 MILES ON MY AUTOMOBILE. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AS I WAS IN THE MOUNTAINS OF TENNESSEE LAST YEAR. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM, NOR HAS ANYONE ELSE WHOM I HAVE SPOKEN TO HAS EVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM, AND NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH ANY AUTOMOBILE THAT I HAVE EVER OWNED. THIS REPAIR WAS COSTING APPROXIMATELY $2,000 TO REPLACE ALL LINES. PLEASE ADVISE. THANK YOU. *AK

NHTSA ID

10189951

Incident

May 1, 2007

Mileage

75,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWNCAR. THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUBBING AGAINST THE FRAME WHICH CAUSED A LEAK. THIS FAILURE WAS IDENTICAL TO ONE MENTIONED IN RECALL#98I001000 CONCERNING SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS. THE MECHANIC STATED THIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. *AK

NHTSA ID

10182635

Incident

Jul 11, 2006

Mileage

150,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, WHITE SMOKE WAS OBSERVED COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, ACCOMPANIED BY A SMELL OF BRAKE FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, WHERE THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE STAINLESS STEEL BRAKE PIPING WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND CRACKED. THIS CAUSED BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK FROM BETWEEN THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE ABS SYSTEM. THE BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING ON TO THE ENGINE CAUSING THE SMOKE. THE REPAIR SHOP REPLACED PART OF THE PIPING, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. UPDATED 10/04/06.*JB

NHTSA ID

10168503

Incident

Sep 17, 2006

Mileage

76,888 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE ARE NHTSA RECALLS, # 98I001000 AND 01V318000, REGARDING THE SERVICE BRAKES: HYDRAULIC :FOUNDATION COMPONENTS: HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS AND THE AIRBAGS: FRONTAL: DRIVER SIDE INFLATOR MODULE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE SERVICE BRAKES AND THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED. ALSO, THE HORN IS INOPERABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED ABOUT BOTH RECALLS WHO DETERMINED THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS.

NHTSA ID

10158973

Incident

Jun 5, 2006

Mileage

100,000 mi

I HAVE A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR THE TWO BRAKE LINES THAT RUN TO THE BACK BRAKES RUSTED OUT, AND I LOST MY STOPPING POWER. THIS SHOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPEN. YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON THEM. I HAD NEW ONES PUT IN AT MY EXPENSE. CAN YOU THINK THAT THEY WOULD PUT CHEAP LINES IN THE LINCOLN THAT COAST 35000 DOLLARS. THEY DID. *JB

NHTSA ID

10136833

Incident

Sep 7, 2005

Mileage

97,000 mi

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A BRAKE LINE PROBLEM. THERE IS INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE LINE AND THE UNDERBODY FRONT FLOOR PAN ASSEMBLY. THIS HAS CAUSED EXCESSIVE WEAR TO THE BRAKE LNE RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND AND INCREASING THE BRAKING DISTANCE. *AK *BF *NM

NHTSA ID

10116978

Incident

Mar 28, 2005

Mileage

108,600 mi

THE VEHICLE WAS PULLING OUT OF THE GARAGE WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN ALL THE BRAKE FLUID SPILLED, CAUSING THE BRAKES NOT OPERATE. TAKEN TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS.*AK

NHTSA ID

10107200

Incident

Dec 6, 2004

ABS BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT ONE OF THE CONNECTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED ON EACH WHEEL AND ONE ON THE MASTER CYLINDER.*AK

NHTSA ID

10094488

Incident

Sep 27, 2004

Mileage

33,500 mi

1997 LINCLON TOWN CAR REAR BRAKE LINE FAILURE DUE TO CORROSION. VEHICLE IS NOW IN REPAIR SHOP.*AK

NHTSA ID

10097959

Incident

Oct 23, 2004

1. THE ABS LAMP REMAINED ON AND MY COST WAS NEARLY 1000.00 TO DIAGNOSE A FAULTY MODULE,AND HAVE IT REPLACED. THE LINCOLN TOWNCAR IS A 97 WITH ONLY 73K MILES. 2. THERE IS A SUSPENSION NOISE IN THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHICH I WAS TOLD WOULD COST NEARLY 600 DOLLARS BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO BREAK THE SEAL TO ACCESS THE AREA AND THAT IT IS NOT A SIMPLE LUBRICATIION JOB. 3. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ABS AND FRONT SUSPENSIONS YET I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ANY BY MAIL.*AK

NHTSA ID

10058228

Incident

Feb 11, 2004

Mileage

73,000 mi

BRAKE LINE FROM FRONT OF CAR TO REAR EITHER RUSTED THROUGH OR RUBBED AGAINST ANOTHER PART OF THE CAR TO CREATE A HOLE IN THE BRAKE LINE. DEALER ESTIMATED COST TO REPAIR-$3000.00!!*AK REFERENCED IN RQ03-004

NHTSA ID

10021116

Incident

May 31, 2003

WHILE DRIVING ON SUNDAY, WENT TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR - ALSO NOTICED THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. CHECKED THE FLUID AND FOUND IT ALMOST GONE. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER ON MONDAY AND WAS TOLD THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED AND NEEDED REPLACING. WAS ALSO TOLD MY FORD EXTENDED WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER THE PROBLEM SINCE IT WAS CAUSED BY RUST/CORROSION. *NLM REFERENCED IN RQ03-004

NHTSA ID

10016660

Incident

Apr 27, 2003

Mileage

64,302 mi

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE'S BRAKE LINE FAILED WHICH RESULTED IN THE CONSUMER VEHICLE REAR ENDING ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *NLM REFERENCED IN RQ03-004

NHTSA ID

10015285

Incident

Mar 26, 2003

Mileage

76,000 mi

WHEN BRAKES WAS APPLIED THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE OWNER HAD THE BRAKES CHECKED OUT WHICH INFORMED HIM THE BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED AND ALLOWED BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK OUT. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *MR REFERENCED IN RQ03-004

NHTSA ID

8020435

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN TRYING TO APPLY THE BRAKES THEY CAN HEAR A LOUD NOISE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL GO TO THE FLOOR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER NOTIFIED. NLM

NHTSA ID

8019954

Incident

Sep 16, 2002

OWNER ATTEMPTED TO PULL OUT ONTO A MAJOR ROAD AND BRAKE PEDAL DESCENDED TO FLOOR. OWNER NOTICED THAT ALL FLUID HAD RUN OUT ONTO THE GROUND. A STEEL BRAKE LINE THAT RAN PARALLEL WITH GAS LINE HAD RUSTED THROUGH. *AK *YH REFERENCED IN RQ03-004

NHTSA ID

8018081

Incident

Aug 22, 2002

CONSUMER STATES THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. *SLC

NHTSA ID

566421

Incident

Sep 20, 2001

WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER WENT TO APPLY BRAKES TO STOP AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND WAS INFORMED BRAKE LINES HAD CORRODED AND NEEDED REPLACING.*AK. CONSUMER ASLO HAD THE FRONT BRAKES REPLACED.*SLC REFERENCED IN RQ03-004

NHTSA ID

8002281

Incident

Jan 15, 2002