1998 Lincoln Town Car Problems

all body frame has rust.

VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVER HEAT.ONCE IT GOT HOT, THE POWER OF CAR IS,WAS LOST. AFTER HAPPENING A FEW TIMES,I FOUND A VERY SMALL [PIN SIZE] HOLE IN THE THERMASTATE RECIEVING UNIT.THIS IS A PART OF THE MANIFOLD IT SELF. ALL ATTEMPS TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM HAS FAILED.! TRYING TO FIX THIS PROVED IMPOSSIBLE.THIS PART IS IN FACT MADE OF SOME TYPE OF PLASTIC.AS IT HEATS UP THE PLASTIC EXSPANDS, AND RE-OPENS THE HOLE,WHICH HAS NOW BECOME A CRACK. ALL EFFORDS TO FIND A SEALENT TO STOP THE LEAK,HAS FAILED. TO HAVE THIS CRACK REPAIRED MEANS THAT THE ENTIRE TOP OF THE MOTOR [MANIFOLD] MUST BE RE-PLACED. FORD RE-PLACED THE TERMASTATE HOUSING UNIT IN 2000-2001, WITH AN ALUMINUM PIECE,PROBLEM SOLVED.THERE ARE NO RE-CALLS,NOR EVEN A NOTIFICATION,SENT OUT, TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. I FEEL STORNLY THAT THIS IS IN FACT A KNOWN PROBLEM,WHICH FORD WAS AWARE OF,BUT DECIDED THAT IT DID NOT HAPPEN ENOUGH TO FIX IT.PLEASE NOTE::WHEN THE CAR OVRT HEATS IT SHUTS OFF THE POWER TO THE ENGINE!!! THIS COULD POTIENTIALLY BE AVERY DANGEROUS SITUATION,ESPECIALLY IN HIGH TRAFFIC,HIGH SPEED SITUATIONS!!!! *TR

IN WET WEATHER ABOVE 40 MPH THE TOWN CAR WEAVES ERRATICALLY LEFT AND RIGHT UPON TOUCHING BRAKES.

ACCIDENT 7/11/04 WIFE REAR ENDED A DODGE DORANGO AND TOTALED HER LINCOLN TOWN CAR. SHE DIDN'T SEE THR CAR STOP IN FRONT OF HER QUICK ENOUGH WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE CAR WENT IN A NICE STRAIGHT LINE BUT DID NOT HAVE GOOD BRAKING . I FOUND THIS TO BE TRUE WHEN DRIVING THIS CAR MYSELF . NOW WE HAVE TO PAY THE PRICE OF INCREASED INS. AND A BAD MARK . MY WIFE HAS NEVER HAD AN ACCIDENT BUT THERE IS NO ROOM FOR THIS IN THE INS. WORLD EVEN THOUGH THE CAR HAD A ENGINEERING PROBLEM AS SO RECORDED BY MYCARSTATS.COM AND OTHERS.THIS CAR AND FORD PRODUCTS WERE ===IMPROVED=== IN 1999 OR 2000 BUT OF COURSE THERE IS NO PROBLEM.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE COMPLETING A TURN, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE CONTROL ARM FAILED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 98V322000 (SUSPENSION: LOWER BALL JOINT), BUT THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 1998 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE CONTACT HEARS A SQUEAKING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE DUST COVER ON THE LOWER BALL JOINT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WAS WORN, AND THE BALL JOINT WAS CRACKED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V322000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000. UPDATED 10/14/08. *LJ UPDATED 10/16/08. *JB

THE FUEL FILLER WILL NOT ACCEPT GASOLINE AT A NORMAL RATE. EVEN AT MINIMUM SPEED IT WILL SHUT OFF AND/OR SPIT FUEL BACK. HAVE USED DIFFERENT PUMPS, DIFFERENT STATIONS, DIFFERENT POSITIONS HAPPENS ALMOST 100% OF THE TIME. ALSO MAJOR WATER LEAKAGE AROUND WINDSHIELD ON PASSENGER SIDE OF CAR. *TR

WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK BEGAN HEARING A CLICKING SOUND PULLED OVER CALLED MY HUSBAND HE CAME OUT DECIDED IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE HOME, STARTED THE CAR THE NEXT MORNING THE HEAT WAS BLOWING AT FULL SPEED COULD NOT TURN OFF HAD TO CLOSE ALL VENTS AND RIDE WITH ALL WINDOWS DOWN, TOOK CAR BACK TO DEALER THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE HEATING& AC HAD A BROKEN PEACE TOOK TO THE SHOP AND PAID A LITTLE OVER $1600 TO TAKE OUT MY DASH AND REPLACE IT THIS WAS 2004. LAST MONTH THE SAME THING HAS HAPPENED AND I DON'T FEEL IT'S FAIR THAT I SHOULD KEEP REPLACING A FAULTY PART AT $1600 AN INCIDENT LINCOLN SHOULD PAY FOR THIS PART TO BE REPLACED SINCE IT DOES NOT COME FROM NORMAL WEAR BUT A CHEAP PART PUT ON A NOT SO CHEAP VEHICLE. *TR

MAKES LOUD POPPING NOISE WHEN THE WHEEL IS TURNED TO THE EXTREME RIGHT OR LEFT WHETHER THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN OR STANDING STILL. OCCASIONALLY, THE IGNITION WON'T TURN ON AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED, CLOSING THE ENTIRE SYSTEM.

THE CRUISE CONTROL MODULE STOPPED WORKING ON MY VEHICLE AND NOW I'M TOLD IT CAN'T BE REPLACED. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE RADIO & A/C STOPPED WORKING. THIS CRUISE CONTROL MODULE HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF IT'S ABILITY TO SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUST THE CAR IN FLAMES AS IT DID ON MY 1996 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHY DOESN'T THE GOVERNMENT ENFORCE THE RECALL LAWS? *TR

all body frame has rust.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY JUMP START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS THEN INFORMED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT RAIN WOULD LEAK IN THROUGH THE WINDOWS DURING RAINY WEATHER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF EITHER FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

all body frame has rust.

MAKES LOUD POPPING NOISE WHEN THE WHEEL IS TURNED TO THE EXTREME RIGHT OR LEFT WHETHER THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN OR STANDING STILL. OCCASIONALLY, THE IGNITION WON'T TURN ON AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED, CLOSING THE ENTIRE SYSTEM.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COATING ON THE RIMS WAS WEARING DOWN AND PREVENT AIR FROM REMAINING IN THE TIRES. AS A RESULT, SHE MUST CONSTANTLY PLACE AIR IN THE TIRES. THE TIRE DEALER STATED THAT THE RIMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE HEAD LAMPS HAVE TO BE REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME BECAUSE THEY HOLD CONDENSATION, WHICH SHORTS OUT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. LASTLY, THE SEAT BELTS STICK AND ARE DIFFICULT TO USE PROPERLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,000.

USE OF THE HAZARD LIGHTS RESULTED IN FAILURE OF THE CONTROL MODULE AND ULTIMATE FAILURE OF BOTH THE HAZARD LIGHTS AND THE TURN SIGNALS. THIS OCCURRED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2005 AND AGAIN IN DECEMBER 2006. THE TURN SIGNAL/ HAZARD LIGHT CONTROL HAD TO BE REPLACE IN BOTH INCIDENTS. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS, THE VEHICLE WILL START, BUT NOT GO ANYWHERE WHEN PUT IN GEAR. THE VEHICLE WILL THEN STALL; IT WILL RESTART AND GO AFTER WAITING 20 MINUTES. THE DEALERSHIP IS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE A PROBLEM. ALSO, THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE FOR THIS PROBLEM.

GOING UP HILL IN 2 INCHES OF SNOW, VEHICLE STARTED SLIPPING, TRACTION CONTROL MOTOR MADE NOISE. CONSUMER APPLIED GAS PEDAL AND ENGINE WOULD NOT REV UP. AS STATED IN OWNERS MANUAL. ENGINE STALLED. *AK WHEN THE TRACTION CONTROL CAME ON, THE VEHICLE COULD ONLY GO 32 MPH, AND WHEN ACCELERATOR WAS LET OFF, THE ENGINE CUT OFF. *YH

THE FUEL FILLER WILL NOT ACCEPT GASOLINE AT A NORMAL RATE. EVEN AT MINIMUM SPEED IT WILL SHUT OFF AND/OR SPIT FUEL BACK. HAVE USED DIFFERENT PUMPS, DIFFERENT STATIONS, DIFFERENT POSITIONS HAPPENS ALMOST 100% OF THE TIME. ALSO MAJOR WATER LEAKAGE AROUND WINDSHIELD ON PASSENGER SIDE OF CAR. *TR

FUEL SPITS BACK OUT OF FUEL FILLER OPENING. MUST TURN FUEL NOZZLE TO 45 DEGREES TO FILL TANK. *TR

THE CRUISE CONTROL MODULE STOPPED WORKING ON MY VEHICLE AND NOW I'M TOLD IT CAN'T BE REPLACED. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE RADIO & A/C STOPPED WORKING. THIS CRUISE CONTROL MODULE HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF IT'S ABILITY TO SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUST THE CAR IN FLAMES AS IT DID ON MY 1996 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHY DOESN'T THE GOVERNMENT ENFORCE THE RECALL LAWS? *TR

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE CRUISE CONTROL CAUSED VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE WHILE HE WAS DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE SPED UP. HE HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES TO GET THE CRUISE CONTROL TO SHUT OFF. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER ,THEY OFFERED TO FIX THE PROBLEM AT CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THEREFORE, REPAIRS WERE NOT DONE.*AK UPDATED 12/27/05. *JB

THE DIRECTIONAL, EMERGENCY LIGHTS AND WIPER FAILED DUE TO OOZING OF LUBRICANT WITHIN THE MAIN CONTROL SWICH ON THE STEERING COLUMN

THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT DOES NOT GO FAR ENOUGHT BACK, AND IT MAY BE A VIOLATION OF THE AIR BAG BECAUSE THE PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT GOES ONE INCH MORE, AND THERE SHOULDN'T BE A DIFFERENCE. DEALER CONTACTED, AND STATED NOT A PROBLEM, THE DIFFERENCE IS VISIBLE. *AK

MAKES LOUD POPPING NOISE WHEN THE WHEEL IS TURNED TO THE EXTREME RIGHT OR LEFT WHETHER THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN OR STANDING STILL. OCCASIONALLY, THE IGNITION WON'T TURN ON AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED, CLOSING THE ENTIRE SYSTEM.

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWY 84 EAST THE RIGHT REAR TIRE AND WHEEL IN MY LINCOLN FELL OFF AND CONSEQUENTLY CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE WHILE TRYING TO GET IT OFF THE HIGHWAY. RESULTING IN A CRASH. UPON RECOVERY OF THE WHEEL AND TIRE IT SHOWS WHERE THE AXLE BROKE OFF.*AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COATING ON THE RIMS WAS WEARING DOWN AND PREVENT AIR FROM REMAINING IN THE TIRES. AS A RESULT, SHE MUST CONSTANTLY PLACE AIR IN THE TIRES. THE TIRE DEALER STATED THAT THE RIMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE HEAD LAMPS HAVE TO BE REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME BECAUSE THEY HOLD CONDENSATION, WHICH SHORTS OUT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. LASTLY, THE SEAT BELTS STICK AND ARE DIFFICULT TO USE PROPERLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,000.

1) LEAK FROM MANIFOLD, INVOLVED REPLACING WHOLE MANIFOLD. 2) PAINT PEELING FROM BUMPERS. 3) AIR CONDITIONER BLOWER MOTOR FAILURE. 4) SPECIAL SWITCH DEVICE LOCATED UNDER DASHBOARD THAT CONTROLS COOLING/HEATING FOR THE VENTS IN THE DASHBOARD FAILURE. 5) GENERATOR WARNING LAMP FAILURE.

2 COOPER SLE 22560 16 TIRES HAD BLOWOUTS WITHIN A SPACE OF 8 WEEKS GOING 60-70 MPH. THE TIRES HAD APPROXIMATELY 8,000-11,000 MILES RESPECTIVELY. BOTH TIRES WERE ON THE BACK OF THE CAR. *N

STARTING IN MARCH 2001 I STARTED TO REGULARLY GET FLAT TIRES DURING MY WARRANTY PERIOD BUT THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT. IN NOV 2001 I HAD A BLOWOUT ON THE EXPRESSWAY AT 60MPH AND ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF MY CAR AND CRASHED. IT WAS NOT UNTIL RECENTLY WHEN A TIRE RETAILER TOLD ME THIS WAS COMMON KNOWLEDGE BY FORD AND TIRE DEALERS. THE ALUMINUM RIMS HAVE A CHEAP, THIN CHROME COATING INSIDE AND CARODE AND PEEL CAUSING SLOW LEAKS. THIS IS VERY POTENTIALLY FATAL ON THE HIGHWAY. I TRIED TO GET FORD TO LOOK AT IT BUT THEY DONT CARE. THEY TOLD ME EVEN THOUGH IT STARTED IN MY WARRANTY PERIOD I WOULD HAVE TO PAY THEM $150 BECAUSE MY WARRANTY PERIOD WAS OVER. DO I HAVE TO DIE????????? PLEASE RECALL ALL THESE RIMS!!!!!! ON SAT 8-30-03 I HAD A FLAT IN BROOKLYN AND WAS STRANDED FOR 2HRS UNTIL A SERVICE CHANGED MY DONUT.WHEM MY TIRE WAS REPAIRED THEY SHOWED THE RIM TO ME. THE CHROME COATING WAS PEELING IN LARGE PIECES. THEY GRINDED THE RIMS AND COATED THEM WITH SOMETING AND TOLD ME IT WILL BE TEMPORARY. DO WE HAVE TO WAIT FOR SOMEONE TO HAVE A BLOWOUT ON THE HIGHWAY AND GET KILLED?????PLEASE DO SOMETHING.*AK

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE A/C BLOWS HOT AIR. *MR

1. THE CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM BLOWS OUT 150+ DEGREE HOT AIR AT ALL TIMES. THIS HOT AIR BOUNCES OFF THE SIDE GLASS AND INTO THE DRIVER'S FACE. THE RESULT IS BLURRED VISION, DROUSINESS, AND FATIGUE. THE PROBLEM IS ESPECIALLY ONEROUS IN THE SOUTH AND GULF COAST STATES. FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. FORD REFERS THE PROBLEM TO THE DEALER; THE DEALER SAYS THE PROBLEM IS AN ENGINEERING DEFECT FOR WHICH THER IS NO CURE. THE DEALER SAID THE CHIEF OF CLIMATE CONTROL FOR THE LINCOLN-MERCURY DIVISION SAYS NO "FIX" WILL BE FORTH COMING UNTIL THE COMPLAINT LEVEL BEGINS TO AFFECT SALES. THE FOMOCO/DEALER PASS-THE-BUCK SCAM IS WELL REHEARSED AND BEAUTIFULLY EXECUTED. DO WE HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THERE ARE DEATHS TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM? 2. THE TRANSMISSION FAILS TO UPSHIFT UNDER FULL-THROTTLE ACCELERATION. THE PROBLEM IS LIFE- THREATENING WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE ONTO THE FREEWAY AND UP THE ON-RAMP. I HAVE BEEN NEARLY HIT BY ON-COMING TRAFFIC SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE OF THE TRANSMISSION'S FAILURE TO UPSHIFT TO ALLOW ME TO GAIN SUFFICIENT SPEED TO SAFELY ENTER THE FREEWAY. THE TRANSMISSION GIVES NO FOREWARNING THAT IT IS NOT GOING TO SHIFT. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO FORD. THEY REFER TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER SAYS THE COMPUTER SHOWS ALL SYSTEMS NORMAL. THE RUNAROUND, AGAIN. PLEASE HELP ME CORRECT THIS BEFORE IT COSTS A LIFE. I CAN SEND YOU COPIES OF THE CORRESPONDENCE TO FORD, IF YOU NEED THEM. *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COATING ON THE RIMS WAS WEARING DOWN AND PREVENT AIR FROM REMAINING IN THE TIRES. AS A RESULT, SHE MUST CONSTANTLY PLACE AIR IN THE TIRES. THE TIRE DEALER STATED THAT THE RIMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE HEAD LAMPS HAVE TO BE REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME BECAUSE THEY HOLD CONDENSATION, WHICH SHORTS OUT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. LASTLY, THE SEAT BELTS STICK AND ARE DIFFICULT TO USE PROPERLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,000.

CONSUMER WAS SITTING AT A TRAFFIC STOP LIGHT AND WAS WAITING TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN IN A LEFT HAND LANE WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE VEERED INTO LEFT LANE AND HIT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HEAD- ON. UPON IMPACT, DUAL AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY, AND CONSUMER WAS HURT. DEALERSHIP AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK