2004 Lincoln Town Car Problems

OPERATOR EXPERIENCED STUCK SPEED CONTROL BUTTON AND ACCELERATED COULDN�T STOP THE SPEED ACCELERATION WITH STEERING WHEEL SO OPERATOR HIT BREAKS. LOUD BANG SOUND FOLLOWED BY DRASTIC REDUCED SPEEDS. COULD CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL. RESULTED IN SPEEDING TICKET DURING FAILURE SPEEDS ALMOST UP TO 100MPH DURING EMERGENCY EVENT MODE.

OPERATOR EXPERIENCED STUCK SPEED CONTROL BUTTON AND ACCELERATED COULDN'T STOP THE SPEED ACCELERATION WITH STEERING WHEEL SO OPERATOR HIT BREAKS. LOUD BANG SOUND FOLLOWED BY DRASTIC REDUCED SPEEDS. COULD CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL.

Bought a 2004 Linc Tow as a gift to my grandson. Drove it a couple of times and had no issues. After it had sat for about 2-3 weeks, I drove it to town to let it run after sitting. On my way home I was turning on to the road for home and the steering suddenly caught, I was in the middle of a turn and pulled steering wheel to straighten the car when it released. I almost hit the car next to me. I have an appointment on October 14th to have it checked out. I understand that this is a problem that has occurred often in other years and was fixed, so why not the 2004. This car only has 92,500 miles on it. I can't risk my grandson getting into an accident.

The steering is binding really bad. Noticed it yesterday while taking hubby to docs. Much worse today. Unable to pull into parking spaces, did not dare to try to pull up to pumps. Cornering was a challenge in either direction. We do not have any Ford garages in this area. Think this is a major issue that may go with Lincolns. had 2 other ones with similar issues. It is not too bad if rolling along, but almost impossible when going slow.

VEHICLE WAS PARKED OUTSIDE DURING RAIN SHOWERS AND WATER ACCUMULATED INSIDE THE REAR PASSENGER FOOT AREA 1ST AND OVERFLOWED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER'S FOOT AREA.

I CAME FROM WORK AT AROUND 0600 AM ON 9/4/15 IN MY 2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR AND PARK IT IN MY APARTMENT. AT AROUND 0330 OF THE SAME DAY I DECIDED TO GO PICK MY CHILD FROM SCHOOL . WHENT I STATRTED MY CAR AND PUT IT IN REVERSE TRYNG TO BACK UP FROM THE PARKING LOT, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 60 ML/HR TO HIT TOW CARS PARK IN THE PARKING LOT AND DRAGGING ONE OF THE TO A TREE WHICH FINALLY STOPPED THE CAR. IF THAT TREE DID NOT STOP THE CAR THE DAMAGE WOULD HAVE BEEN WORSE BECAUSE ALL MY EFFORTS TO STOP THE CAR FAILED. THE CAR WAS JUST UNCONTROLLABLE WITH UNPRECEDENTED SPEED . IT WAS AS IF THE CAR HAD A MIND OF IT SELF. I WAS JUST LUCKY BECAUSE MY WIFE AND KIDS WERE IN ANOTHER CAR VERY CLOSE TO THE CAR THAT WAS DRAGGED. IF THEY HAVE CAME OUT OF THE CAR , THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN DRAGGED TOO. THANK GOD THEIR IS NO FATALITIES. I HAVE DIVEN ALL TYPES OF VEHICLE ,INCLUDING TRACTOR TRAILER OVER THE ROAD AND DOMESTIC AND HAVE NEVER SEEN SUCH PHENOMENON.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL WERE EXTREMELY CLOSE TO ONE ANOTHER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR HAD BRAKE FAILURE. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE BRAKES FAILED CAUSING A REAR-END COLLISION. *NJ THE STATE POLICE TOLD THE CONSUMER THE ABS FAILED. *JB

My car has the same lcm control module issues as cars from the same years ad models, but when I enter my VIN it is not showing. +4 PO#3 1998-2000 Lincoln Town Car Lighting Control Module YW1T ... Yes, a recall exists for a 2003-2005 model year Ford/Lincoln Town Car lighting control module (LCM) failure that can cause a loss of headlights. The recall, #15S39, involves dealers installing a bypass module kit to fix the problem for free. The issue stems from a cracked solder joint inside the LCM that can lead to intermittent or complete headlight failure, increasing crash risk at night. The lcm is under the dash near the pedals. It causes loud vibrating noise for a long time and causes a parasitic drain to my battery almost daily especially when it's cool outside. The relay under the hood vibrates as well

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE BATTERY DRAINED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE LIGHT CONTROL MODULE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 64,000.

WHILE TRAVELING IN TRAFFIC SOUTHBOUND ON I-95 @ 75 MPH IN PALM BEACH COUNTY THERE WAS A SHIFT OF THE RIGHT REAR TO THE RIGHT. I ADJUSTED TO MAINTAIN CONTROL PRESUMING POSSIBLE HIGH WINDS ON THE ROAD. UPON ACCELERATING THERE WAS NO POWER, THEREFORE I APPLIED BRAKES TO COAST TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK (AUTOMOBILE WAS STILL MOVING UNTIL IT CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP). LOOKING AROUND THE VEHICLE, EVERYTHING SEEMED NORMAL; NO LEAKAGE OF LIQUIDS/FLUIDS, NO SKID MARKS, NO FOREIGN DEBRIS, ETC. WHILE AUTO WAS BEING PUT UPON THE FLAT BED FOR TOW, THERE WAS A CYLINDER-SHAPED PIECE LOCATED ON THE GROUND NEAR THE TOW TRUCK. I NOTICED THE ITEM, BUT DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT AT THE TIME. AFTER THE CAR WAS TOWED TO MY RESIDENCE 40 MILES AWAY FROM THE INCIDENT AND BEFORE BEING RELEASED FROM FLAT BED TOW TRUCK; THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL/TIRE WAS PROJECTING ABOUT 45 DEGREES OUT FROM REAR FENDER WELD. THE CAR HAD TO BE JACKED UP AND THE WHEEL/TIRE HAD TO BE HELD IN PLACE BY HAND AND ROTATED SLOWLY OFF THE RAMP . UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, IT IS NOTICED THAT ONLY THE TOP PORTION OF THE BRAKE CALIPHER ASSEMBLY WAS HOLDING THE WHEEL ALL ALONG. THE JACK HAD TO BE LEFT IN PLACE BECAUSE THE WHEEL/TIRE WAS NOT STABLE. ALSO, GREASE WAS SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE INTERIOR WHEEL; 3 WHEEL BEARINGS SEEMED MISSING, THE AXLE WAS COMPLETELY DISENGAGED (CLEAN-CUT THROUGH) FROM THE PORTION OF THE WHEEL/TIRE ASSEMBLY, INCLUDING THE WHEEL BREAK CYLINDER AND THE OTHER PORTION OF THE AXEL WAS LODGED IN THE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING UNIT. THE AREA AROUND THE RING SHELVE HAD A RUST-LIKE COLOR (THEREFORE, ASSUMING THAT A HIGH DEGREE OF HEAT WAS A FACTOR IN THE STRUCTURAL/MATERIAL BREAKDOWN), PORTIONS OF THE WHEEL WERE MAGNETIZED WITH METAL SHAVINGS WITHIN GREASE UPON THE WHEEL DRUM HOUSING; BROKEN/CRUSHED BEARINGS PARTS AND THE AXEL COMPLETELY CUT OFF AT THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY AREA. MECHANICS WERE PUZZLED. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILED AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WAS MISSING TWO LUG NUTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. HE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 41,000.

WE OWNED A 2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WE DROVE THAT CAR THAT EVENING, PARKED IT IN THE GARAGE AT 10:45PM AND WENT TO BED. AT 3:30AM, WE WERE AWOKEN BY POLICE BREAKING OUR DOOR DOWN AND FLAMES WERE SHOOTING OUT OF OUR GARAGE. THE SOURCE OF THE FIRE WAS DETERMINED TO BE FROM THE LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE TOWN CAR HAD NO HOOD AFTER THE FIRE, 2 OTHER VEHICLES WERE ALSO DESTROYED. OUR HOME ALSO CAUGHT ON FIRE AND APPROXIMATELY 100% OF OUR CONTENTS AND 50% OF OUR HOME WAS DESTROYED. LUCKILY, NOONE WAS INJURED.THE TOWN CAR ENGINE WAS BURNT BEYOND RECOGNITION, SO THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE WHICH PART WAS DEFECTIVE, HOWEVER THE INSURANCE CO, (AMERICAN FAMILY INVESTIGATORS) DETERMINED IT HAD DEFINITELY STARTED FROM THE LINCOLN . THEY STATED THAT WE CANNOT PROVE TO FORD WHICH PART IS DEFECTIVE SO IT WAS NOT REPORTED TO FORD. *TR

My car has the same lcm control module issues as cars from the same years ad models, but when I enter my VIN it is not showing. +4 PO#3 1998-2000 Lincoln Town Car Lighting Control Module YW1T ... Yes, a recall exists for a 2003-2005 model year Ford/Lincoln Town Car lighting control module (LCM) failure that can cause a loss of headlights. The recall, #15S39, involves dealers installing a bypass module kit to fix the problem for free. The issue stems from a cracked solder joint inside the LCM that can lead to intermittent or complete headlight failure, increasing crash risk at night. The lcm is under the dash near the pedals. It causes loud vibrating noise for a long time and causes a parasitic drain to my battery almost daily especially when it's cool outside. The relay under the hood vibrates as well

WHEN LIGHTING IS SWITCHED ON FROM THE DASHBOARD SWITCH OR FROM AUTO LAMP FEATURE, ALL LIGHTS COME ON EXCEPT THE HEADLIGHTS.. NO HI OR LO BEAM. THE HIGH BEAMS WILL WORK FROM THE "FLASH TO PASS" FEATURE WITH THE TURN SIGNAL STALK. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED SUDDENLY. FORTUNATELY JUST BEFORE I ENTERED THE HIGHWAY THIS SEEMS PRECISELY THE LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE PROBLEM THAT FORD COVERS FOR THE CROWN VIC AND MARQUIS VEHICLES UNDER RECALL 15S39. THE TOWN CAR IS THE SAME PANTHER PLATFORM AS THE "COVERED" VEHICLES, AND CERTAINLY WITHIN THE SAME YEAR RANGE AS COVERED IN THE RECALL. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. MINE IS A "HARD" FAILURE.. NOT INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE HAS NO HEADLIGHTS AT THIS MOMENT. I VISITED THE LOCAL FORD DEALER TODAY AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE TOWN CAR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER FORD 15S39.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILED AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WAS MISSING TWO LUG NUTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000. *TR

2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR PURCHASED NEW FROM DEALER WITH DEFECTIVE WHEEL BEARINGS. WHEN WE PURCHASED THE CAR IT HAD LOUD CABIN NOISE, THE DEALER INFORMED US THAT THE OUTSIDE NOISE WAS CAUSED BY THE REAR WINDOW AND A SPECIALIST WAS BROUGHT IN TWO DAYS LATER TO ALIGN THE WINDOW. CABIN NOISE CONTINUED UNTIL THE BEARINGS GAVE OUT AT 98,709 MILES. AS PER THE WINDOW THAT WAS ALIGN, IT IS NOW THE ONLY WINDOW THAT YOU CAN OPEN BUT NOT CLOSE. *TR

OPENING THE DRIVER'S DOOR NORMALLY, THE DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF WITH A PIECE OF THE DOOR PANEL. THE WHOLE DOOR ASSEMBLY USED TO OPEN/CLOSE THE DOOR IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE AND HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED. THE ONLY WAY TO OPEN THE DOOR NOW IS TO ROLL THE WINDOW DOWN AND REACH OUTSIDE TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. THIS IS PARTICULARLY UNSAFE AS IT IS THE DRIVER'S MAIN ESCAPE.

DRIVER'S SIDE INTERIOR DOOR LATCH BROKE AND IS INTEGRAL TO THE DOOR PANEL. FORD DEALER SAYS THE PART IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE AND FORD HAS PROVIDED NO OTHER MEANS OF REPAIR. FORD PROVIDED THE FOLLOWING PART NUMBER: 4W1Z5423943EAA, WHICH IS NOT AVAILABLE. TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, THE WINDOW MUST BE ROLLED DOWN AND THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE USED. THIS IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY RISK IF A QUICK EXIT IS REQUIRED DURING A FIRE, ACCIDENT, OR OTHER EMERGENCY. *TR

ON JUNE 20 2012 I PURCHASED 4 GOODYEAR VIVA AUTHORITY TIRES 225/70/16.ON APRIL 24 2014 I NOTICED I WAS LOSING AIR ON MY FRONT LEFT TIRE! I WENT TO WALMART# 01698 IN HOOKSETT,N.H.,AND WAS TOLD MY TIRE HAD DRY ROTTED,THE OUTSIDE SIDEWALL LOOKED FINE, THE INSIDE SIDEWALL HOWEVER LOOKED LIKE IT WAS ABOUT TO SPLIT IN TWO,THE MANAGER SAID THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF AN IMPACT AND THE TIRE WAS PRO-RATED. THE MANAGER ALSO INFORMED ME THE OTHER TIRES,ALL BOUGHT ON 6/20/12,SHOWED EVIDENCE OF DRY ROT,BUT SINCE THEY HAD NOT YET FAILED,THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. *TR

2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR HAD THE WRONG TIRE PRESSURE PUT IN ALL FOUR TIRES DURING TIRE REPLACEMENT RESULTING IN THE VEHICLE PERFORMING BADLY WHILE DRIVING.*MR WHEN THE CONSUMER CHECKED THE OWNERS MANUAL FOR THE CORRECT TIRE PRESSURE IT STATED 35 PSI FOR THE REAR AND 32 PSI FOR THE FRONT. THE CONSUMER STOPPED TO A LOCAL SERVICE STATION AND DISCOVERED THE REAR TIRES HAD 30 PSI AND THE FRONT TIRES HAD 31 PSI. *JB

WHILE TRAVELING IN TRAFFIC SOUTHBOUND ON I-95 @ 75 MPH IN PALM BEACH COUNTY THERE WAS A SHIFT OF THE RIGHT REAR TO THE RIGHT. I ADJUSTED TO MAINTAIN CONTROL PRESUMING POSSIBLE HIGH WINDS ON THE ROAD. UPON ACCELERATING THERE WAS NO POWER, THEREFORE I APPLIED BRAKES TO COAST TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK (AUTOMOBILE WAS STILL MOVING UNTIL IT CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP). LOOKING AROUND THE VEHICLE, EVERYTHING SEEMED NORMAL; NO LEAKAGE OF LIQUIDS/FLUIDS, NO SKID MARKS, NO FOREIGN DEBRIS, ETC. WHILE AUTO WAS BEING PUT UPON THE FLAT BED FOR TOW, THERE WAS A CYLINDER-SHAPED PIECE LOCATED ON THE GROUND NEAR THE TOW TRUCK. I NOTICED THE ITEM, BUT DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT AT THE TIME. AFTER THE CAR WAS TOWED TO MY RESIDENCE 40 MILES AWAY FROM THE INCIDENT AND BEFORE BEING RELEASED FROM FLAT BED TOW TRUCK; THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL/TIRE WAS PROJECTING ABOUT 45 DEGREES OUT FROM REAR FENDER WELD. THE CAR HAD TO BE JACKED UP AND THE WHEEL/TIRE HAD TO BE HELD IN PLACE BY HAND AND ROTATED SLOWLY OFF THE RAMP . UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, IT IS NOTICED THAT ONLY THE TOP PORTION OF THE BRAKE CALIPHER ASSEMBLY WAS HOLDING THE WHEEL ALL ALONG. THE JACK HAD TO BE LEFT IN PLACE BECAUSE THE WHEEL/TIRE WAS NOT STABLE. ALSO, GREASE WAS SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE INTERIOR WHEEL; 3 WHEEL BEARINGS SEEMED MISSING, THE AXLE WAS COMPLETELY DISENGAGED (CLEAN-CUT THROUGH) FROM THE PORTION OF THE WHEEL/TIRE ASSEMBLY, INCLUDING THE WHEEL BREAK CYLINDER AND THE OTHER PORTION OF THE AXEL WAS LODGED IN THE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING UNIT. THE AREA AROUND THE RING SHELVE HAD A RUST-LIKE COLOR (THEREFORE, ASSUMING THAT A HIGH DEGREE OF HEAT WAS A FACTOR IN THE STRUCTURAL/MATERIAL BREAKDOWN), PORTIONS OF THE WHEEL WERE MAGNETIZED WITH METAL SHAVINGS WITHIN GREASE UPON THE WHEEL DRUM HOUSING; BROKEN/CRUSHED BEARINGS PARTS AND THE AXEL COMPLETELY CUT OFF AT THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY AREA. MECHANICS WERE PUZZLED. *JS

2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR PURCHASED NEW FROM DEALER WITH DEFECTIVE WHEEL BEARINGS. WHEN WE PURCHASED THE CAR IT HAD LOUD CABIN NOISE, THE DEALER INFORMED US THAT THE OUTSIDE NOISE WAS CAUSED BY THE REAR WINDOW AND A SPECIALIST WAS BROUGHT IN TWO DAYS LATER TO ALIGN THE WINDOW. CABIN NOISE CONTINUED UNTIL THE BEARINGS GAVE OUT AT 98,709 MILES. AS PER THE WINDOW THAT WAS ALIGN, IT IS NOW THE ONLY WINDOW THAT YOU CAN OPEN BUT NOT CLOSE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING 72 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE WALL, AND THEN BOUNCED TO ANOTHER CONCRETE WALL. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. BEFORE THE CRASH, NEW BACKUP SENSORS WERE PLACED IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 26,000.

WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE CONSUMER WAS DEPRESSING THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. CONSUMER LOST TOTAL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND COLLIDED INTO A WALL. A BICYCLE RACK WAS DESTROYED IN THE PROCESS. THE SEAT BELTS WERE WORN AND THE AIR BAGS DID DEPLOY. THE POLICE DID ARRIVE AND CITED THE CONSUMER FOR THE COLLISION. *AK *NM

CLAMP FAILURE FOR CONNECTING FUEL HOSES TO INLINE FUEL FILTER. CLAMPS ARE MADE OF PLASTIC AND DETERIORATE WITH TIME AND MILEAGE. RESULT IS PRESSURED FUEL LINE SEPARATING FROM FUEL FILTER AND SPRAYING GASOLINE OVER UNDERSIDE OF CAR, INCLUDING CATALYTIC CONVERTER. VEHICLE WAS 2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR FUEL LINES WERE REPLACED, BUT REPLACEMENTS ALSO HAVE PLASTIC CLAMPS TO SECURE HOSES TO FILTER. *TR

DT: THE ENGINE DIED/STALLED. THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED WAS ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2005. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP. THEY CHANGED THE FUEL PUMP. IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON OCTOBER 3. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT, BUT IT DIED AGAIN. HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT AND SLOWLY GOT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED TWO FUEL INJECTORS, AND TWO SPARK PLUGS. AFTERWARDS THEY TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THEY FOUND THE VACUUM LINE HAD NOT BEEN CONNECTED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE PROBLEM WILL REOCCUR. *AK UPDATED 11/29/05. *JB

WHILE TRAVELING IN TRAFFIC SOUTHBOUND ON I-95 @ 75 MPH IN PALM BEACH COUNTY THERE WAS A SHIFT OF THE RIGHT REAR TO THE RIGHT. I ADJUSTED TO MAINTAIN CONTROL PRESUMING POSSIBLE HIGH WINDS ON THE ROAD. UPON ACCELERATING THERE WAS NO POWER, THEREFORE I APPLIED BRAKES TO COAST TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK (AUTOMOBILE WAS STILL MOVING UNTIL IT CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP). LOOKING AROUND THE VEHICLE, EVERYTHING SEEMED NORMAL; NO LEAKAGE OF LIQUIDS/FLUIDS, NO SKID MARKS, NO FOREIGN DEBRIS, ETC. WHILE AUTO WAS BEING PUT UPON THE FLAT BED FOR TOW, THERE WAS A CYLINDER-SHAPED PIECE LOCATED ON THE GROUND NEAR THE TOW TRUCK. I NOTICED THE ITEM, BUT DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT AT THE TIME. AFTER THE CAR WAS TOWED TO MY RESIDENCE 40 MILES AWAY FROM THE INCIDENT AND BEFORE BEING RELEASED FROM FLAT BED TOW TRUCK; THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL/TIRE WAS PROJECTING ABOUT 45 DEGREES OUT FROM REAR FENDER WELD. THE CAR HAD TO BE JACKED UP AND THE WHEEL/TIRE HAD TO BE HELD IN PLACE BY HAND AND ROTATED SLOWLY OFF THE RAMP . UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, IT IS NOTICED THAT ONLY THE TOP PORTION OF THE BRAKE CALIPHER ASSEMBLY WAS HOLDING THE WHEEL ALL ALONG. THE JACK HAD TO BE LEFT IN PLACE BECAUSE THE WHEEL/TIRE WAS NOT STABLE. ALSO, GREASE WAS SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE INTERIOR WHEEL; 3 WHEEL BEARINGS SEEMED MISSING, THE AXLE WAS COMPLETELY DISENGAGED (CLEAN-CUT THROUGH) FROM THE PORTION OF THE WHEEL/TIRE ASSEMBLY, INCLUDING THE WHEEL BREAK CYLINDER AND THE OTHER PORTION OF THE AXEL WAS LODGED IN THE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING UNIT. THE AREA AROUND THE RING SHELVE HAD A RUST-LIKE COLOR (THEREFORE, ASSUMING THAT A HIGH DEGREE OF HEAT WAS A FACTOR IN THE STRUCTURAL/MATERIAL BREAKDOWN), PORTIONS OF THE WHEEL WERE MAGNETIZED WITH METAL SHAVINGS WITHIN GREASE UPON THE WHEEL DRUM HOUSING; BROKEN/CRUSHED BEARINGS PARTS AND THE AXEL COMPLETELY CUT OFF AT THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY AREA. MECHANICS WERE PUZZLED. *JS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT WHEN HE ACTIVATES THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT, HE HEARS A LOUD RATTLING NOISE IN THE MOTOR. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE AIR COMPRESSOR IN THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 75,000. UPDATED 09/15/08 *BF UPDATED 09/17/08. *JB