2003 Lincoln Town Car Engine Problems

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

The contact owns a 2003 Lincoln Town Car. The contact stated that he noticed fuel on the pavement in the driveway at his residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the intake manifold was faulty. The mechanic also confirmed that the manifold was leaking and needed to be replaced. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 85,800.

NHTSA ID

11419201

Incident

Mar 9, 2021

Mileage

85,800 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS SCRAPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO POMPANO FORD (2741 N FEDERAL HWY, POMPANO BEACH, FL 33064, (954) 773-9486) FOR REPAIRS. WHEN THE CONTACT RETRIEVED THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE FLOORBOARD WAS FLOODED WITH WATER. THE DEALER BELIEVED THE WATER WAS DUE TO THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT FLOODING OR THE WIPERS PUSHING WATER INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER THEN STATED THAT THERE WAS A PAN IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO DRAIN WATER OUT INTO THE STREET. THE DEALER TRIED TO BLAME THE INSURANCE COMPANY THAT DIRECTED THE CONTACT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE SCRAPE REPAIRED. THE DEALER GAVE THE CONTACT A BILL FOR $880 AND DID NOT CLEAR OUT THE WATER. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE INSURANCE COMPANY WOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE DEALER RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE CONTACT STILL FULL OF WATER AND GAVE HIM A STATEMENT LISTING THE CHARGES FOR WHICH THEY EXPECTED THE INSURANCE COMPANY TO PAY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000.

NHTSA ID

11222735

Incident

Jun 19, 2019

Mileage

81,000 mi

THE SPARK PLUGS EJECT OUT OF THE ENGINE AND THE CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE SEVERAL OF THEM AND THIS CONTINUE TO HAPPEN I DONT THINK THEY GO OR ARE DEAP ENOUGH AND IT COST 80.00 PER TO REPLACE

NHTSA ID

10978539

Incident

Jan 1, 2017

Mileage

75,000 mi

MY LINCOLN HAS BLOWN #3 SPARK PLUG-WHEN I WAS TRAVELING 70 MPH-TWICE WITHIN 18,000 MILES BETWEEN INCIDENTS-TOTAL REPAIR COST-OVER $1600-TOTAL AGGRAVATION COST-PRICELESS !! EACH TIME THE PLUG BLOWS-THE MECHANIC "FIXES" IT-AND WE ARE TOLD-THERE IS NO PERMANENT FIX-AND IT WILL PROBABLY BLOW AGAIN. WE HAVE BEEN STRANDED BY THIS PROBLEM-IN A LITTLE ONE-HORSE TOWN-WITH NO MECHANIC ON DUTY FOR 2 DAYS-SO, YOU CAN ADD THE HOTEL BILL AS WELL AS THE TOW CHARGE TO THAT ABOVE STATED AMOUNT. UPON RESEARCH-WE HAVE FOUND OUT THAT FORD PRODUCTS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE 1996-NOT ONLY LINCOLNS-BUT, MERCURYS-TRUCKS-ETC. WHAT THE HECK-CAN'T SOMEONE ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS NUTS. THIS IS MY LAST FORD-CAN YOU EVEN IMAGINE OUR FRUSTRATION-WE LOVE OUR LINCOLN-IT WAS MY HUSBANDS' RETIREMENT PRESENT-WHAT A TOTAL OUTRAGE-THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE-YOU KNOW WHAT-THREE STRIKES-YOU'RE OUT !! SOMEONE NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING-. *TR

NHTSA ID

10593523

Incident

May 6, 2014

Mileage

138,529 mi

MY VEHICLE BROKE DOWN AND THUS HAD IT TOWED TO A FORD DEALERSHIP TO BE FIXED. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS A CRACKED ENGINE MANIFOLD THAT LEAKED COOLANT ALL OVER THE TOP OF THE ENGINE RUINING THE CYLINDERS, SPARK PLUGS, IGNITION COILS, OIL, OIL FILTER AND FUSE BOX. THE DEALERSHIP EXPLAINED TO ME THAT BECAUSE THESE MANIFOLDS ARE NOW PLASTIC AND NO LONGER METAL, THEY ARE PRONE TO BREAKING. THE TOTAL OF THE REPAIRS CAME TO OVER $2000. UPON SOME RESEARCH, I DISCOVERED THAT I WAS NOT ALONE IN THIS FIASCO. THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION SUIT FILED BACK IN 2004-05 AGAINST FORD MOTOR COMPANY. HOWEVER, I WAS TOLD THAT I DID "NOT QUALIFY BECAUSE MY LINCOLN WAS NOT A FLEET VEHICLE" SEEMS TO BE FORD'S GO TO EXCUSE WHEN MASS AMOUNTS OF THEIR CARS (TOWN CAR, CROWN VICTORIA, GRAND MARQUIS) ARE RECALLED. RECEIVED NO COMPENSATION HELP FROM FORD OR THE LAWSUIT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10511585

Incident

Jul 31, 2012

Mileage

100,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING FROM FLORIDA TO SOUTH DAKOTA AND STARTED UP THE FIRST FOOTHILL OF THE OZARK MOUNTAINS ABOUT 35 MILES WEST OF JONESBORO, ARKANSAS ON US 63. THE CRUISE CONTROL HAD JUST STARTED TO INCREASE THE ENGINE RPMS WHEN I HEARD A BANG FOLLOWED BY WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A BELT OR SOMETHING THUMPING ON THE INSIDE OF THE HOOD. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS THE 2ND ENTRANCE TO A REST STOP ON US 63 IMMEDIATELY TO MY LEFT AND I PULLED INTO THE PARKING LOT. US 63 IS A 2 LANE HIGHWAY WITH AN OCCASIONAL PASSING LANE ON SOME HILLS. IT WAS ALSO FORTUNATE IT HAPPENED AT THAT POINT OR I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN A DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS POSITION WITH LITTLE ROOM TO GET SAFELY OFF THE HIGHWAY WITH THE NARROW SHOULDERS AND ROCK CUTS RIGHT UP TO THE ROAD. I OPENED THE HOOD AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE IN THE PARKING LOT. IT WAS THEN I FOUND SOMETHING EXPLODING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE. I COULD SMELL A LOT OF GAS AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF IMMEDIATELY. I CALLED AAA AND WAS CARRIED BACK TO JONESBORO ON A FLATBED ABOUT 3 HOURS LATER. I WENT TO CAVENAUGH FORD THE NEXT MORNING AND THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS A SPARK PLUG BLOWN OUT OF THE #3 CYLINDER. THE REPAIR WITH A FULL SET OF NEW PLUGS INSTALLED IN ADDITION TO THE BAD CYLINDER COST $629 PLUS AN ADDITIONAL $190 FOR TOWING. ONE ADDITIONAL PLUG ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE ENGINE WAS ALSO LOOSE AND A POTENTIAL BLOWOUT. THESE PLUGS WERE FACTORY ORIGINAL AND HAVE NOT BEEN CHANGED SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THE PLUGS WERE NOT PROPERLY TORQUED IN AT THE FACTORY WHICH RESULTS IN LOOSENING OF THE THREADS IN THE HEAD OVER TIME FROM THE PERCUSSION IN EACH CYLINDER. THIS APPEARS TO HAPPEN QUITE OFTEN ON THE 4.6 AND 5.4 LITER ENGINES. I WAS LUCKY SINCE MANY FIRES HAVE ALSO OCCURRED BECAUSE OF THESE PLUGS BLOWING OUT OF THE ENGINE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10400802

Incident

May 3, 2011

Mileage

104,400 mi

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

MOLD OR MUSTY SMELL COMING FROM ALL VENTS WHEN A/C, HEAT OR FAN IS USED. DEALER STATES THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH ALL 2003 CARS AND UP AND CAN BE ELIMINATED BY SPRAYING LYSOL DIRECTLY INTO VENTS. I TRIED IT AND IT DOESN'T WORK. CLOSE FRIEND JUST GOT RID OF HIS LINCOLN AT A SUBSTANTIAL LOSS BECAUSE PROBLEM WAS NEVER RESOLVED BY LINCOLN. LINCOLN SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM SINCE IT IS MOST CERTAINLY A HEALTH ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE CORRECTED. THE PROBLEM IS COMMON AND DOCUMENTED ALL OVER THE INTERNET BY TROUBLED CONSUMERS. *TT

NHTSA ID

10221345

Incident

Mar 16, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT HAD TO REPLACE THE SPARK PLUGS IN THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE FIRST REPAIR WAS PERFORMED UNDER WARRANTY IN 2004 AT 26,000 MILES. A DIFFERENT FRONT COIL SPRING HAD TO BE REPLACED ON OCTOBER 31, 2007. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND COULD NOT BE REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V322000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT: CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT). THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,350 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,750. UPDATED 01/14/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWNCAR ON WHICH TWO SPARK PLUG COIL FAILURES HAVE BEEN INCURRED TO DATE. THE FIRST ONE WAS ON 6/9/04 WHILE UNDER WARRANTY(20 MONTHS, 26610 MILES) AND THE SECOND WAS ON 10/31/07 AT THE COST OF $320.18 AND WAS STILL UNDER PARTIAL WARRANTY(61 MONTHS, 45350). THE CONSUMER STATED FEELS AS IF THIS IS ENGINEERING DEFECT AND HOPES THAT THE ADDITIONAL SPARK PLUG COILS WILL NOT HAVE TO BE REPAIRED. UPDATED 01/14/08 *TR

NHTSA ID

10211911

Incident

Oct 31, 2007

Mileage

45,350 mi

DT: 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING GEAR OIL ON THE REAR AXLE. THE CONSUMER NOTICED IT WHEN THE OIL FORMED ON THE GROUND OF HIS GARAGE. THE DEALERSHIP DID A DIAGNOSTIC, AND FOUND A RECALL. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED PART 3W1Z-AA10A-AA, THE COMPLETE KIT, TWO REAR AXLES, TWO BEARINGS, TWO SEALS, AND THE OIL. THIS WAS THE KIT THE RECALL CALLED FOR. THE PROBLEM DID NOT CAUSE ANY ACCIDENTS OF INJURIES. THE CONSUMER DID CALL LINCOLN, BUT THEY ALSO SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THIS HAPPENED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, BUT BOTH SIDES WERE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER KEPT THE PARTS.*AK

NHTSA ID

10138400

Incident

Oct 2, 2005

Mileage

95,490 mi

WHILR SITTING BEHIND ANOYJER VEHICLE IN A PARKING LOT WITH FOOT ON BRAKE ENGINE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AND CAR TO MOVE FORWARD. AS ENGINE INCREASED IN ACCELERATION I PUT TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL, ENGINE THEN WENT TO REDLEINE RPM. I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND WAITED A MOMENT AND RESTARTED CAR WHICH THEN PERFORMEND NORMALLY. I HAVE HAD VEHICLE IN DEALERSHIP FOR ACTION ON PROBLEM, BUT BECAUSE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM THEY WERE UNABLE TO RESOLVE SAME.*AK

NHTSA ID

10090776

Incident

Aug 14, 2004

Mileage

10,684 mi

WHILE DRIVING 30-60 MPH THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE CONTINUOUSLY WHEN THE ENGINE WAS UNDER LOAD. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE DID NOT RIDE SMOOTHLY. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE DEALER CHANGER THE ERG VALVE, FUEL PUMP, FUEL SENSORS, SPARK PLUGS AND COIL BUT THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED. *NM

NHTSA ID

10081465

Incident

Jun 7, 2004

Mileage

4,000 mi

INTERMITTENT VIBRATION/NOISE/RUMBLE, MOSTLY AT LOW SPEEDS - 0 TO 40 MPH FROM EITHER ENGINE COMPARTMENT OR UNDERNEATH.

NHTSA ID

10003271

Incident

Dec 30, 2002