2003 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 2003 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
- Suspension8134.5%
- Powertrain (other)2711.5%
- Driver assistance198.1%
- Brakes198.1%
- Steering166.8%
- Engine146.0%
- Body & structure125.1%
- Airbags104.3%
- Electrical93.8%
- Interior & seats62.6%
- Other / unspecified62.6%
- Tires & wheels62.6%
- Heating & air conditioning31.3%
- Seat belts20.9%
- Fuel system20.9%
- Exterior lighting20.9%
- Visibility10.4%
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
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2003 Lincoln Town Car. The contact stated while his son was driving on the highway, the accelerator pedal was slightly released; however, the vehicle stopped instantly. There was no warning light illuminated. The driver was able to drive to his destination safely. The vehicle was towed to the contact's workplace. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The tow truck operator stated that the rear axle was fractured. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 155,000.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
I have had to replace wheel bearing and axle every few months because of premature wear and causing driving to be a safety concern. Once it wears thin, the car shakes and wobbles and the tire almost snapped off twice.
Been trying for about a year to get this safety recall called 4 local ford dealer ships first one said my cars to old they won’t fix the safety recall other don’t give call back I can hear like vibrating in the back where this recall would fix it hopfully it don’t break on me
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
Rear end started a sudden howell and shaking and grinding and the Abs and traction control light came on and brakes and suspension did not want to function properly while driving in traffic as quick as I could I pulled over and it looked like one tire was sticking out of the axel way far So I just pulled over and called for my AAA to to and got towed home thats it
WHILE DRIVING NORMALLY, THE ACCELERATOR STUCK OPEN CAUSING THE CAR TO GAIN AN EXCESS AMOUNT OF SPEED IN TRAFFIC. THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN OFF AND THE BREAKS WOULD NOT HOLD IT OR SLOW IT DOWN. IN THE END THE CAR WAS TOTALED AFTER HITTING 2 TREES AND A WALL.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
The rear-end failed does not have tempered axle There was a recall on 2003 lincolns with same problem but when I enter vin It does not pull anything up Lost control of car and had to be towed home have not had it to the dealer yet
ASSISTING A FRIEND WITH THIS. THE LEFT REAR AXLE HAS BROKEN AND DAMAGED THE BRAKES AND ABS SENSOR. HE HAD DRIVEN THE VEHICLE TO WORK AND PARKED IT. AFTER HIS SHIFT ENDED, HE STARTED THE VEHICLE, SHIFTED INTO GEAR AND FOUND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE & WAS MAKING NOISE. HE HAD IT TOWED TO HIS HOUSE AND ASKED ME TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE. AFTER RAISING THE REAR AXLE, I WAS ABLE TO DETERMINE THAT THE LEFT REAR AXLE BEARING HAD WORN THROUGH THE AXLE AND IT BROKE. WHEN I CHECKED THE NHTSA WEBSITE, IT SHOWED IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE REAR AXLE SAFETY RECALL, ALTHOUGH THE CONDITIONS ARE SIMILAR TO WHAT WAS LISTED.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
The rear-end failed does not have tempered axle There was a recall on 2003 lincolns with same problem but when I enter vin It does not pull anything up Lost control of car and had to be towed home have not had it to the dealer yet
Rear end started a sudden howell and shaking and grinding and the Abs and traction control light came on and brakes and suspension did not want to function properly while driving in traffic as quick as I could I pulled over and it looked like one tire was sticking out of the axel way far So I just pulled over and called for my AAA to to and got towed home thats it
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
"TAKATA RECALL". I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 LINCOLN TOWNCAR ON THE INTERSTATE WITH MY 3 CHILDREN IN THE CAR ON OUR WAY HOME FROM ALABAMA TO INDIANA WHEN MY SUNROOF SHATTERED AND EXPLODED. PIECES OF GLASS STARTED FLYING OFF THE TOP OF MY CAR AND MY KIDS BECAME SCARED. ALL OF THE WINDOWS WERE CLOSED AS WELL AS THE SUNROOF. LUCKILY I HAD THE SUNROOF VISOR CLOSED AS WELL OR PIECES OF GLASS WOULD HAVE FLOWN BACK IN MY CAR POTENTIALLY HARMING ONE OF MY CHILDREN. I STILL HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET IT REPLACED AND I'M HOPING TO GET SOME ASSISTANCE IN FIGURING THINGS OUT.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
I RECENTLY HAD OPEN HEART SURGERY AND NEED TO GET THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DISABLED. MY LINCOLN DEALER WILL DISABLE THE AIR BAG BUT THEY NEED SOME STATEMENT FROM YOUR AGENCY TO ALLOW THE TO COMPLETE THE DISABLE. MY NAME: (XXXX) PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
TAKATA RECALL AS AN 83 YEAR OLD SENIOR CITIZEN, JUST RECENTLY WIDOWED IN MAY 2015, I WAS FORCED TO PURCHASE ANOTHER LINCOLN, BECAUSE OF THE AIRBAG IN MY 2003 LINCOLN DID NOT FUNCTION AT ALL DOING A HEAD ON COLLISION, HITTING A CONCRETE WALL
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE A 2003, LINCOLN TOWNCAR AND WHEN IT RAINS, THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARD GETS SOAKING WET, I CAN HAVE IT UNDER THE CAR PORT AND IT STILL GETS WET. I DO NOT HAVE ANY HOLES IN THE CAR. I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY 1999 LINCOLN TOWNCAR AND THEY CHANGED BY WIND SHEILD FOUR OR FIVE TIMES AND IT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM IN THE 1999 THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARD WOULD WETTER THAN THE BACK, WITH THE 2003 THE BACK FLOOR BOARD IS WETTER THAN THE FRONT, I ALMOST THINK IT IS COMING FROM SOMETHING UNDER THE SEAT. *TR
HAD A PREMATURE AXLE FAILURE ON MY 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR, ONLY 110K MILES. SAME YEAR, MODEL, BODY CODE, ASSEMBLY PLANT & PROBLEM AS ADDRESSED IN THE RECALL FOR THIS CAR, BUT WAS TOLD BY FORD THAT IT WAS NOT THERE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND WAS BUILT A FEW MONTHS OUTSIDE OF THE DATE RANGE GIVEN IN THE RECALL. A LITTLE INTERNET RESEARCH WILL SHOW YOU THAT THERE ARE MANY OF US OUT HERE THAT HAVE RECEIVED NO REMEDY FROM FORD TO CORRECT THIS POTENTIALLY DEADLY PROBLEM. ALSO WHILE DOING RESEARCH ON THIS CAR I DISCOVERED THAT MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE THAT BROKE A FEW MONTHS AGO CREATING ANOTHER POTENTIALLY DEADLY SITUATION HAS ALSO BEEN WELL DOCUMENTED AND IGNORED BY FORD & THE NHTSA. WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR, SOMEONE TO BE TRAPPED & DIE BECAUSE OF A BROKEN PIECE OF PLASTIC. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
I have had to replace wheel bearing and axle every few months because of premature wear and causing driving to be a safety concern. Once it wears thin, the car shakes and wobbles and the tire almost snapped off twice.
ASSISTING A FRIEND WITH THIS. THE LEFT REAR AXLE HAS BROKEN AND DAMAGED THE BRAKES AND ABS SENSOR. HE HAD DRIVEN THE VEHICLE TO WORK AND PARKED IT. AFTER HIS SHIFT ENDED, HE STARTED THE VEHICLE, SHIFTED INTO GEAR AND FOUND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE & WAS MAKING NOISE. HE HAD IT TOWED TO HIS HOUSE AND ASKED ME TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE. AFTER RAISING THE REAR AXLE, I WAS ABLE TO DETERMINE THAT THE LEFT REAR AXLE BEARING HAD WORN THROUGH THE AXLE AND IT BROKE. WHEN I CHECKED THE NHTSA WEBSITE, IT SHOWED IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE REAR AXLE SAFETY RECALL, ALTHOUGH THE CONDITIONS ARE SIMILAR TO WHAT WAS LISTED.
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN ENERGY LX4 TIRES, SIZE P225/60/R17. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S TIRE AND BOTH REAR TIRES HAD DRY ROTTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRES HAD BEEN INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE FOR TWO YEARS. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIRES WERE NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY OR RECALL FOR DRY ROTTING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
PURCHASED 4 MICHELIN TIRES TOTAL 2@43,092&2@46,208MILES, NOW HAVE 58,275 MILES ALL (4) FOUR TIRES ARE SEPARATING AT THE WHITE WALL ADJACENT TO THE RIM,THATS 15,183 MILES DISCOUNT TIRE RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT AT A COST OF $336.00. THIS APPEARS TO BE A DEFECT IN WORKMANSHIP. WHAT IS TO PREVENT THE TIRE FROM COMING APART COMPLETELY. I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN AT HIGH SPEED. *TR
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
2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A TOXIC MOLD PROBLEM *TGW THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE WAS NOTORIOUS FOR BODY LEAKS. THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE WENT TO VACUUM THE RIGHT REAR FLOOR BOARD, HE NOTICED IT WAS SOAKED. THE DEALER PULLED UP THE CARPET AND DISCOVERED THE LEAK WAS COMING FROM THE A/C UNIT. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, IT WOULD COST $1200 TO PULL THE DASH TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. FORD WAS WILLING TO REDUCE THE PRICE BY HALF. *JB
2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING MOLD SPORES IN LINCOLN VEHICLES *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE UNLOADING THE VEHICLE, THE RIGHT REAR FLOOR BOARD HAD STANDING DIRTY WATER. THEN CONSUMER THEN NOTICED THE CARPET WAS WET. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE PROBLEM WAS THE AC UNIT. THE DEALER CLEANED THE AC DRAIN AND SAID A GALLON OF WATER CAME OUT OF THE FLOOR PAN. THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO THE DEALER, AND THEY FOUND THE FRONT FLOOR PAD WAS SOAKED AND WATER WAS RUNNING FROM THE AC UNDER THE PAD AND POOLING IN THE RIGHT REAR FLOOR. THE DEALER STATED THEY WOULD HAVE TO PULL THE DASH IN ORDER TO GET TO THE AC UNIT AND IT WOULD TAKE APPROXIMATELY 10 HOURS AT A COST OF $99 PER HOUR. *JB
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
HEAD RESTRAINT CUSHION WAS POSITIONED AT AN ANGLE WITH THE TOP EXTENDING FURTHER FORWARD THAN THE BOTTOM WHICH RESULTED IN IT CONTACTING THE CONSUMER AT THE TOP EDGE OF THE REAR OF HIS HEAD. IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP, THE BACKWARD MOTION OF CONSUMERS BODY WOULD FORCE CONSUMERS HEAD BACKWARD AND DOWN. THIS COULD CAUSE GREAT STRESS TO THE NECK. HEAD RESTRAINTS WERE PROPERLY ENGINEERED IN THE LINCOLN, TOWN CAR 2001, BUT NOT IN LINCOLN, TOWN CAR, 2003. REFER TO ODI#8022294 SCC *JB. *AK
THE HEAD RESTRAINTS IN THIS VEHICLE ARE NOT ADJUSTABLE THEREFORE THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THEY MAY NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO SHORT PASSENGERS IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. *MR *NLM *SCC
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 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE STRONG FUMES OF FUEL EMITTING INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START OCCASIONALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INCORRECTLY REPLACED THE FUEL FILTER AND DID NOT SECURE THE RING OR CAP, WHICH CAUSED A FAILURE RATHER THAN A PERMANENT REMEDY. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING TO ANOTHER STATE AND NOTICED A FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE REPAIR WAS NOT CORRECTLY COMPLETED BY THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE FURTHER INSPECTED AND DIAGNOSED TO DETERMINE WHAT PARTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
VEHICLE HAD LARGE AMOUNT OF GAS LEAKING FROM REAR PASSENGER TIRE AREA, TOWED TO DEALER AND UNABLE TO FIND ANY LEAKS OR CAUSE OF A LEAK.*AK
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
BEGAN TO NOTICE THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD FLICKER. AT FIRST IT WAS ALMOST UNNOTICABLE. GOT PROGRESSIVELY WORSE UNTIL I AM RELUCTANT TO DRIVE AFTER DARK. FIRST TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL THEN AFTER CHECKING VIN WAS TOLD DID NOT APPLY TO MY VEHICLE. THEN WAS TOLD THAT PART WAS RECALLED FOR FORD CROWN VIC AND MERC GRAND MARQUIS. PROBABLY THE SAME PART. THERE SEEMS TO BE A SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM AND MINE SHOULD BE COVERED BY A RECALL. WAS ALSO TOLD THAT BEING BUILT IN CANADA COULD HAVE BEEN REASON FOR RECALL REFUSAL. UPDATED 09/15/15*LJ *CN
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 (--).
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
SUNLIGHT MAGNIFIED REFLECTION FROM DASHBOARD ONTO WINDSHIELD, IS VERY DISTRACTING AND BECOMES HARARDOUS TO DRIVER
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 .