RoadVitals

2003 Lincoln Town Car Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints 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.
9
Latest Jan 20, 2023
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
4%
of 201 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2003 Lincoln Town Car submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 9 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming electrical

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

ElectricalEngine
Filed Jan 20, 2023

The contact owns a 2003 Lincoln Town Car. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the vehicle experienced rough idling. Additionally, the headlights were flickering, and the alternator failed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the powertrain control module (PCM) was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 140,000.

NHTSA ID
11502756
Incident
Jan 1, 2023
Mileage
140,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 27, 2017

LOSS OF AM RECEPTION. OUR LOCAL FORD / LINCOLN DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THAT THERE IS A TSB ON MY VEHICLE. TSB 03-23-07 PUBLISHED NOVEMBER 18/03. IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE A REVISED HIDDEN ANTENNA MODULE WITH A BUILT-IN SIGNAL BOOSTER AND DIFFERENT WIRING HOOKUP TO THE REAR GLASS. THE KIT PART NUMBER IS 4W1Z-19G323-AA. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE MANAGER SINCE IT IS A TSB AND NOT A RECALLS...I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE PART (APPROX. $170) AND 2.9HRS OF LABOR. SINCE IT IS A DEFECT I THINK THE REPAIRS SHOULD BE FREE.

NHTSA ID
11048771
Incident
Nov 27, 2017
Mileage
98,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 6, 2014

WHILE BACKING UP, UNKNOWN TO ME, MY PARKING AID SYSTEM FAILED, I RAN OVER A GARBAGE RECYCLE BIN, DAMAGING MY REAR BUMPER COVER. IF THE SYSTEM WORKED AS ADVERTISED, THIS WOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. THANK GOD IT WASN'T A CHILD! *TR

NHTSA ID
10631224
Incident
May 11, 2011
Mileage
10,000 mi
Body & structureBrakesElectrical+2 more
Filed Jan 14, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT HAS HAD TWO ALTERNATORS INSTALLED IN HER VEHICLE WITHIN THE LAST SIX MONTHS. THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE THE ONE THAT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. WHILE DRIVING 30 AND 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE WILL LOSE POWER AND THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF. IN ADDITION, THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES FAIL. ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATORS FLASH ON AND OFF AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. OCCASIONALLY, THE VEHICLE WILL TAKE A MINUTE BEFORE RESTARTING. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD FIND NO FAILURES. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY $90 PER HOUR FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000. UPDATED 03/09/09. *LJ THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED DUE TO IT OVERCHARGING. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED AS WELL. THE TRUNK WOULD NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. UPDATED 03/10/09. *JB

NHTSA ID
10255016
Incident
Jul 12, 2008
Mileage
29,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 9, 2008

VEHICLE HAS WIRING PROBLEM FOR BRAKE LIGHTS,TURN SIGNALS,BULBS & FUSES BLOW IT HAS OCCURRED AT LEAST APPROX EVERY NINE MONTHS TOLD PROBLEM IS ALWAYS BULB OR FUSE HOWEVER THEY MAINLY ALWAYS TAMPER WITH THE WIRING THIS PROBLEM HAS EXISTED SINCE 2003. *TR

NHTSA ID
10241620
Incident
Aug 20, 2008
Mileage
90,880 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 30, 2007

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHEN THE KEY WAS PLACED INTO THE IGNITION IT WOULD NOT ENGAGE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT LOCK. THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 73000. *AK

NHTSA ID
10189297
Incident
Apr 30, 2007
Mileage
73,000 mi
BrakesElectricalExterior lighting+1 more
Filed May 31, 2005

WHEN VEHICLE ENGINE IS RUNNING AND TURN SIGNALS ARE ACTUATED, THE DIGITAL DASH, TURN SIGNALS, AND AIR CONDITIONER CUTS OFF. ADDITIONALLY, STEERING EFFORT INCREASES SUBSTANTIALLY, ABS CYCLES OFF AND BACK ON WHEN THE POWER IS RESTORED. THE DURATION MAY BE MOMENTARY (LESS THAN 5 SECONDS) OR LAST FOR A MINUTE OR LONGER. FREQUENCY IS 80+ PERCENT OF THE TIME WHEN THE TURN SIGNALS ARE ENGAGED (LEFT OR RIGHT). I HAVE HAD ANOTHER FORD VEHICLE WHICH GAVE PROBLEMS WITH THIS MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH ALSO. FORD HAS A POORLY DESIGNED TURN SIGNAL-WINDSHIELD WIPER-WASHER SWITCH COMPOUNDED BY THE FACT POWER IS SHUNTED THROUGH THIS SWITCH ALL THE TIME, CAUSING OVERHEATING AND PREMATURE FAILURES. THIS LINCOLN IS NOT AN INCOMPLETE VEHICLE. THE LAST LINE OF THE VEHICLE DETAILL FORM NEEDS A 2ND ALTERNATIVE OR WEBMASTER NEEDS TO PROVIDE FOR THE DEFAULT CHOICE (--).

NHTSA ID
10122533
Incident
May 2, 2005
Mileage
153,600 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 3, 2003

THE FUEL GAUGE READ THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IMPROPERLY. THE DEALER STATED THERE WAS NO SOLUTION FOR THE PROBLEM. *AK THE ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON, THE SEAT BELT LIGHT FLASHED, (EVEN WHEN THE SEAT BELTS WERE IN USE) TOWNCAR/CARTIER *SCC ALSO THE DISPLAY DID NOT WORK ON THE DASH BOARD. *JB

NHTSA ID
10044468
Incident
May 1, 2003
Mileage
8,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 8, 2003

VARIOUS PROBLEMS WITH 2003 LINCOLN TOWNCAR.*MR THE RADIO HAD ALOT OF STATIC IN IT. THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME GETTING THE VEHICLE SERVICED. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT LINCOLN SENT THEM THE WRONG SPECIFICATION OR WERE LATE IN SENDING THE SPECIFICATIONS. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10042604

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .