2000 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 2000 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
- Airbags1712.7%
- Electrical1712.7%
- Brakes1611.9%
- Engine1410.4%
- Suspension107.5%
- Driver assistance107.5%
- Visibility96.7%
- Other / unspecified96.7%
- Steering75.2%
- Seat belts64.5%
- Body & structure53.7%
- Fuel system32.2%
- Exterior lighting32.2%
- Tires & wheels32.2%
- Interior & seats32.2%
- Heating & air conditioning10.7%
- Transmission10.7%
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
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED BY ITSELF WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH IN A PARKING LOT. I WAS MAKING A SLIGHT TURN TO THE RIGHT AT THE TIME OF DEPLOYMENT. THE CAR DID NOT HIT OR COME IN CONTACT WITH ANYTHING AND TO MY KNOWLEDGE THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT PRIOR. NO ONE WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AT THE TIME OF AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.
2000 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG EXPLODED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE AND HIS WIFE WERE TRAVELING ON A STRAIGHT, DRY SMOOTH, PAVED ROAD, WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. *JB
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
I've replaced brake wires on my 2000 Lincoln executive series 5-6 times out keeps burning out wire by brakes light switch. Tried relay kit brakes worked for one day but no brake lights again since I first bought this car I've in multiple occasions replaced this problem in the past 4-5 years no one seen to know what the main issue is
Inner and outer tie rod ends, tie rod end adjusting sleeve, and sway bar link replaced after inner tie rod end pulled out of the adjusting sleeve that’s on the sway bar link there’s still constant pulling in the steering and is either to touchy when trying to correct vehicle back into lane or has to be turned excessively far before it even starts to correct then tries to jerk the vehicle really hard when the steering finally catches up with how far the steering wheel has been turned
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
I've replaced brake wires on my 2000 Lincoln executive series 5-6 times out keeps burning out wire by brakes light switch. Tried relay kit brakes worked for one day but no brake lights again since I first bought this car I've in multiple occasions replaced this problem in the past 4-5 years no one seen to know what the main issue is
STEERING, WHEELS SHAFT
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
NO INDICATION OR WARNING PRIOR TO INCIDENT. WITHIN 2 MI OF DRIVING, BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON, ELECTRICAL ISSUES BEGAN (RADIO/DOME LIGHTS, ETC), THEN SMOKE BILLOWING FROM UNDER HOOD. IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF IGNITION, AND ENTIRE FRONT END WAS ON FIRE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD ASSEMBLY WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000. *TR
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
Inner and outer tie rod ends, tie rod end adjusting sleeve, and sway bar link replaced after inner tie rod end pulled out of the adjusting sleeve that’s on the sway bar link there’s still constant pulling in the steering and is either to touchy when trying to correct vehicle back into lane or has to be turned excessively far before it even starts to correct then tries to jerk the vehicle really hard when the steering finally catches up with how far the steering wheel has been turned
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 3 MPH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE FELL TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE LOWER BALL JOINT WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 10/4/2006 - *NM
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
NO INDICATION OR WARNING PRIOR TO INCIDENT. WITHIN 2 MI OF DRIVING, BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON, ELECTRICAL ISSUES BEGAN (RADIO/DOME LIGHTS, ETC), THEN SMOKE BILLOWING FROM UNDER HOOD. IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF IGNITION, AND ENTIRE FRONT END WAS ON FIRE.
TL* THE CONTACT WAS A PASSENGER OF A 2000 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED BRUISES. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION AND THE REAR PASSENGER SUSTAINED A BROKEN JAW. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO SHOP WHERE IT WAS DEEMED AS DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V258000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR). WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED IN THE RAIN, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 20,000.
MY WIPER MOTOR STOPPED FUNCTIONING WHILE DRIVING IN RAIN. WHEN I TOOK IT TO A LINCOLN DEALERSHIP IN N. PALM BEACH. THE SERVICE PERSON MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON A WIPER MOTOR COVER..THAT WAS LIKELY TO CAUSE COMPLETE LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION. I CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY ABOUT THIS AT THE REQUEST OF THE DEALERSHIP AND AFTER MANY CALLS. 1. TO A PERSON CALLED MISSY 2. TO A PERSON CALLED ROBIN #7352 3. TO A PERSON CALLED RANDY IN MELBOURNE, FLA. AFTER TALKING TO THEM THEY MENTIONED THAT A PERSON ON THEIR "TECHLINE" NAMED DURSUM SENT A MESSAGE TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT THEY WOULD NOT TAKE CARE OF THE WIPER MOTOR REPAIR. (NO EXPLANATION OF WHY NOT) UPON CALLING FORD MO CO , THE PERSON RANDY, TRIED TO GET A SUPERVISOR, AND MENTIONED THAT ALL THE SUPERVISORS WERE BUSY, AND WOULD CALL ME BACK IN 24 HR. UPON MENTIONING THAT 24 HRS WAS A LONG TIME. RANDY TRIED AGAIN. A SUPERVISOR AT THE MELBOURNE OFFICE OF FORD CALLED MARISHA SAID THAT NOTHING WOULD BE DONE. SHE ALSO MENTIONED THAT I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET A COPY OF THE REASON FORD REFUSED TO MAKE THE REPAIR. I AM UPSET THAT FORD REFUSED TO FIX A PART THAT WAS EXPRESSLY STATED IN A RECALL. I AM GOING TO HAVE MY MOTOR REPAIRED AT ANOTHER SERVICE ESTABLISHMENT, DEFINITELY NOT FORDS. I WILL RETAIN THE RECEIPTS. I AM REQUESTING A REIMBURSEMENT FOR THIS REPAIR, AND WANT TO MAKE IT NOTED OF FORDS' RESPONSE TO THIS SITUATION. THE REFERENCE # OF THIS TO FORD IS 1363350186 MY CAR IS A 2000 TOWN CAR IT LOOKED AS THOUGH 1,083,00 UNITS WERE AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THAT'S A LOT OF CARS THAT COULD CAUSE A LOT OF DAMAGE. *NM
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
STEERING, WHEELS SHAFT
I TRIED TO ACCELERATE TO MERGE ONTO THE FREEWAY. IT WAS DRY, BUT THE TRAC ACTIVE CAME ON AND MY 2000 LINCOLN WOULD NOT GO MORE THAN 45MPH WITH THE GAS PEDAL MASHED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE PROBLEM REMAINS. HELP. *TR
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
Inner and outer tie rod ends, tie rod end adjusting sleeve, and sway bar link replaced after inner tie rod end pulled out of the adjusting sleeve that’s on the sway bar link there’s still constant pulling in the steering and is either to touchy when trying to correct vehicle back into lane or has to be turned excessively far before it even starts to correct then tries to jerk the vehicle really hard when the steering finally catches up with how far the steering wheel has been turned
THE STEERING IS EXTREMELY LOOSE. THE LEAST AMOUNT OF MOVEMENT OF THE STEERING WHEEL WILL JERK YOU INTO ANOTHER LANE AND IT FEELS LIKE THE CAR IS ALMOST LIKE FLOATING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH YOU. WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE PASSING SEMIS IT FEELS AS IF IT'S GOING TO PUSH ME OFF OF THE ROAD. IT'S EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO KEEP THE CAR STRAIGHT ON THE ROAD WITHOUT EVEN MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL IT'LL DRIFT TO THE LEFT OR THE RIGHT. WHEN TRYING TO CORRECT IT GOING INTO ANOTHER LANE IF YOU JUST TURN THE STEERING WHEEL JUST A HAIR IT'S ALMOST LIKE YOU TURN THE STEERING WHEEL 180. ALSO WHEN ATTEMPTING TO GO AROUND A CURVE YOU HAVE TO BARELY TURN THE STEERING WHEEL OR ELSE IT'LL RUN YOU OFF THE ROAD.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE STEERING IS EXTREMELY LOOSE. THE LEAST AMOUNT OF MOVEMENT OF THE STEERING WHEEL WILL JERK YOU INTO ANOTHER LANE AND IT FEELS LIKE THE CAR IS ALMOST LIKE FLOATING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH YOU. WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE PASSING SEMIS IT FEELS AS IF IT'S GOING TO PUSH ME OFF OF THE ROAD. IT'S EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO KEEP THE CAR STRAIGHT ON THE ROAD WITHOUT EVEN MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL IT'LL DRIFT TO THE LEFT OR THE RIGHT. WHEN TRYING TO CORRECT IT GOING INTO ANOTHER LANE IF YOU JUST TURN THE STEERING WHEEL JUST A HAIR IT'S ALMOST LIKE YOU TURN THE STEERING WHEEL 180. ALSO WHEN ATTEMPTING TO GO AROUND A CURVE YOU HAVE TO BARELY TURN THE STEERING WHEEL OR ELSE IT'LL RUN YOU OFF THE ROAD.
DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WILL NOT CLICK INTO PLACE ANY MORE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
2000 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHEN PULLING INTO A PARKING PLACE, THE CAR KEPT GOING FORWARD, OVER THE 4' RETAINING WALL, AND INTO AN INDUSTRIAL BUILDING APPROXIMATELY 6' AWAY. THE CAR WAS TOTALED, AND THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE BUILDING. FORTUNATELY, THE BUILDING STOPPED THE CAR. PART OF THE DAMAGE HAPPENED WHEN THE TOW TRUCK PULLED THE CAR OUT OF THE BUILDING. DRIVER WAS ONLY SLIGHTLY HURT ON THE LOWER ARMS WHICH HIT AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL. *TR
CONSUMER STATED THAT THE FRONT DOORS ARE TOO HEAVY FOR THE CONSUMER TO OPEN OR CLOSE. DEALER NOTIFIED. MR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REFUELING THE VEHICLE, FUEL WAS DRIPPING ON THE EXHAUST PIPE AND DRIPPING UNDER THE VEHICLE. A TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FILLER TUBE WAS RUSTED AND FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 210,000.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S GAS TANK WAS NOT PROTECTED PROPERLY. THE CONTACT OBSERVED A NEWS REPORT THAT STATED THAT THE GAS TANK OF THE SAME MODEL VEHICLES WOULD EXPLODE DURING A SEVERE REAR IMPACT, AND THAT PROTECTIVE CASES WERE BEING INSTALLED ON POLICE VEHICLE OF THE SAME MODEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON 03/26/06 TO INQUIRE ABOUT INSTALLING A PROTECTIVE CASE FOR THE GAS TANK. THE DEALER DID NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE SAFETY REPAIR.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
LIGHT CONTOL MODULE DEFECTIVE AND CAUSES LIGHTS TO TURN OFF WHEN DRIVING. THIS HAPPENS EVEN WHEN IGNITION IS OFF, EXTERIOR LIGHTS FLASH ON AND OFF, DRAINING THE BATTERY.. FORD SAYS IT IS A BAD LCM. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS
WHEN ENGAGED, THE TURN SIGNALS CLICKED AS IF THEY WERE FUNCTIONING, BUT LIGHTS DID NOT ILLUMINATE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL MODULE FAILED. *AK THE LCM MODULE WAS REPLACED. *SCC *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
DURING A FOUR MONTH PERIOD, I EXPERIENCED 3 FLAT TIRES, INCLUDING 2 BLOWOUTS, USING DILL TR-413 VALVE STEMS. TIRE FAILURE RESULTED FROM VALVE STEM FAILURE ACCORDING TO TIRE DEALER. ALL THREE FAILURES OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, RESULTING IN BODY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE.*TR
CONSUMER STATES TIRE BLEW OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THE PROBLEMS WAS THE WHEELS, AND IRREGULAR TIRE SEAL SURFACE. THEY ALWAYS LOSS TIRE PRESSURE AND LEAKED . CONSUMER HAD TO PURCHASE 4 NEW TIRES. *AK *CB *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
2000 LINCOLN TOWN CAR CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE DASHBOARD. CONSUMER STATED THAT THEY PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT. *KB OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT# 10-0069-91. *JB
THE STEREO SYSTEM HAS BEEN REPLACED AND THE NEW SYSTEM HAS THE SAME FAILURE. THE STEREO BUTTON LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON AT NIGHT AND THE STEREO ITSELF DOES NOT STAY ON FOR THE REQUIRED 10 MINUTES AFTER VEHICLE SHUT-OFF (UNTIL DOORS ARE OPENED). *LA THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS NO LONGER LOCK AFTER CAR IS IN DRIVE. THE HORN NO LONGER HONKS WHEN THE AUTO-KEY LOCK IS ACTIVATED. *LA
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
2000 LINCOLN TOWN CAR SIGNATURE SERIES...AIR CONDITIONER HAS A MUSKY, WET ODOR COMING FROM THE INTERIOR VENTS. THE ODOR IS VERY BAD AT TIMES INSIDE THE CAR. DEALER SPRAYED ODOR KILLER IN THE INTAKE VENTS UNDER THE HOOD--THINGS SEEM TO GET BETTER BUT CAME RIGHT BACK IN A COUPLE OF DAYS. CARPET HAS NEVER BEEN WET .. I HAVE BAD ALLERGIES AND NEED TO GET THIS MATTER CORRECTED.. CAR HAS 31000 MILES. *AK
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
CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY WENT DEAD. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO BACK OR IF PLACED IN DRIVE, IT WOULD NOT GO FORWARD. SCC *JB
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 .