RoadVitals

2010 Lincoln Town Car Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
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Latest Sep 24, 2024
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
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Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2010 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

  • Steering529.4%
  • Electrical317.6%
  • Interior & seats211.8%
  • Fuel system15.9%
  • Powertrain (other)15.9%
  • Seat belts15.9%
  • Airbags15.9%
  • Visibility15.9%
  • Body & structure15.9%
  • Driver assistance15.9%

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

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2010 Lincoln Town Car. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became difficult to control. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the driveshaft had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

NHTSA ID 11616187 · filed Sep 24, 2024

The contact owns a 2010 Lincoln Town Car. The contact stated while driving at 30 MPH and steering the steering wheel, the steering wheel was resistant and was emitting abnormal metallic sounds, and the accelerator pedal was making clicking sounds. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving. However, the failure reoccurred increasingly. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that there was a plastic component of the driveshaft that had slipped and had bond to the accelerator pedal, which caused it to click. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V38500 (Steering) and NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V704000 (Steering). The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.

NHTSA ID 11481797 · filed Aug 29, 2022

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Electrical; fill gas tank. Minutes later gauge shows I'm empty. Continues to repeat over and over. Driver's seat; crackling sound "like metal broke" seat does not adjust correctly and can no longer move the seats tilt. Having me drive in an uncomfortable position. Wipers; rainy day both motors left and right smoke up and burn out at the same time. Can no longer drive vehicle when it rains. Can't see anything wipers motors fried. As if they were allergic to water.

NHTSA ID 11514717 · filed Mar 31, 2023

ON 10/09/14, WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND THEN ALL SYSTEMS AND ENGINE WENT TOTALLY OFF. THIS HAPPENED FOR THE FIRST TIME TWO WEEKS AGO WHILE DRIVING WHICH WAS REPORTED. THE SAME FUSE THAT WAS CHANGED TWO WEEKS AGO WAS AGAIN CHANGED AND THEN THE VEHICLE PERFORMED NORMAL AGAIN. THIS WAS AGAIN REPORTED TO OUR MECHANIC WHO HAS A LONG HISTORY OF WORKING ON LINCOLN CARS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10643605 · filed Oct 9, 2014

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Electrical; fill gas tank. Minutes later gauge shows I'm empty. Continues to repeat over and over. Driver's seat; crackling sound "like metal broke" seat does not adjust correctly and can no longer move the seats tilt. Having me drive in an uncomfortable position. Wipers; rainy day both motors left and right smoke up and burn out at the same time. Can no longer drive vehicle when it rains. Can't see anything wipers motors fried. As if they were allergic to water.

NHTSA ID 11514717 · filed Mar 31, 2023

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN THE DRIVER'S SEAT WIRING FAILED AND CAUSED THE SEAT TO MOVE INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE MALFUNCTION OCCURRED DUE TO A BEVERAGE UNDER THE SEAT SPILLING ONTO THE WIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 102,754.

NHTSA ID 10457941 · filed May 9, 2012

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THE FUEL PUMP/SENDING UNIT THAT IS IN THE FRONT OF THE TANK LEAKS FUEL WHERE THE WIRES GO INTO THE UNIT. THIS IS NOT CONTRIBUTED A GASKET BETWEEN THE FUEL PUMP UNIT AND THE TANK. REPEAT..IT LEAKS THRU THE WIRES IN THE FUEL PUMP/SENDING UNIT. WE HAVE GROUNDED THE VEHICLE AT THIS TIME. WE HAVE A FLEET OF 6 LINCOLN TOWN CARS. ON OCTOBER 22 OF 2015 WE REPLACED ONE ON ANOTHER LINCOLN TOWN CAR VIN [XXX] THRU A SHOP WHEN I NOTICED A PUDDLE OF GASOLINE UNDER THE TANK WHILE IT WAS STATIONARY AND PARKED IN OUR PARKING GARAGE AND CRAWLED UNDER TO INSPECT THE SOURCE OF THE LEAK...THAT WAS COMING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I AM REPORTING THIS BECAUSE I DO NOT WANT ANYONE TO BURN UP BECAUSE OF IT, WITH THE KNOWLEDGE THAT I AM NOW REPORTING. I HOPE SOMEONE WILL CONTACT ME BEFORE I HAVE IT REPAIRED TO GET IT ON THE ROAD. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *TR

NHTSA ID 10837579 · filed Feb 22, 2016

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2010 Lincoln Town Car. The contact stated while driving at 30 MPH and steering the steering wheel, the steering wheel was resistant and was emitting abnormal metallic sounds, and the accelerator pedal was making clicking sounds. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving. However, the failure reoccurred increasingly. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that there was a plastic component of the driveshaft that had slipped and had bond to the accelerator pedal, which caused it to click. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V38500 (Steering) and NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V704000 (Steering). The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.

NHTSA ID 11481797 · filed Aug 29, 2022

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THIS VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE A TETHER ANCHOR INSTALLED IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE POSITION IN THE BACK SEAT. THERE WERE TETHER ANCHORS INSTALLED IN THE CENTER & PASSENGER SEATS. THERE WAS THE PLASTIC CAP ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, BUT LIFTING IT UP REVEALED NO TETHER ANCHOR. THIS IS IN VIOLATION WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 213 & 225 WHICH REQUIRE ALL VEHICLES 2000 AND NEWER (WEIGHING LESS THAN 8,500 POUNDS) TO HAVE AT LEAST 3 TETHER ANCHORS. THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAD 2. SEE PICTURES: HTTP://THECARSEATLADY.FILES.WORDPRESS.COM/2014/04/MISSING-DRIVERS-SIDE-TETHER-ANCHOR.JPG HTTP://THECARSEATLADY.FILES.WORDPRESS.COM/2014/04/PRESENT-CENTER-TETHER.JPG HTTP://THECARSEATLADY.FILES.WORDPRESS.COM/2014/04/PRESENT-PASSENGER-TETHER.JPG. *TR

NHTSA ID 10586924 · filed May 7, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

MY AIRBAG ICON LIGHTS UP MOST OF THE TIME THAT IAM DRIVING THE FORD DEALERSHIP SAYS IT MEANS THAT THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX IT I TOLD THE MANAGER WHY IS THAT ON ME ITS NOT APART THAT I WORE OUT BY DRIVING THE CAR HE SAID WHY ISNT ON YOU

NHTSA ID 11004675 · filed Jul 11, 2017

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

Electrical; fill gas tank. Minutes later gauge shows I'm empty. Continues to repeat over and over. Driver's seat; crackling sound "like metal broke" seat does not adjust correctly and can no longer move the seats tilt. Having me drive in an uncomfortable position. Wipers; rainy day both motors left and right smoke up and burn out at the same time. Can no longer drive vehicle when it rains. Can't see anything wipers motors fried. As if they were allergic to water.

NHTSA ID 11514717 · filed Mar 31, 2023

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WHEN I OPENED THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR, THE INTERIOR HANDLE STUCK OUT WHEN I PULLED IT AND REMAINED SO. I COULD ONT OPEN THE DOOR. HE DEALER PUT A BOLT IN IT TO FIX IT BUT THEN IT CRACKED AROUND THE BOLT AND I HAD TO REPLACE THE DOOR PANEL. TWO YEARS LATER (5/6/2017), THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR DID THE SAME THING. HANDLE STUCK IN UP POSITION AND COULD NOT OPEN THE DOOR. AM SEARCHING FOR A REPLACEMENT BECAUSE TOWN CAR IS DISCONTINUED AND LINCOLN SAID THEY CANNOT HELP ME. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS EXACT ISSUE IS A RECALL FOR THE NAVIGATOR BUT NOT TOWN CAR. BEING UNABLE TO OPEN A DOOR IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND APPARENTLY A KNOWN ISSUE BY LINCOLN. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER (LINCOLN MARGATE FLORIDA) THAT OTHER CUSTOMERS HAD TO BUY REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR THIS ISSUE

NHTSA ID 10983845 · filed May 6, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

3 SUA - SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION ACCIDENTS. 1 IN 2016 IN TOWN, 2ND ON FEB. 9, 2018 ON I-10 FOR AN ACCIDENT AHEAD, AND 3 ON MAR. 4, 2018 ON A RURAL HIGHWAY. ALL THREE WERE ABOUT 10 MPH WHEN SLOWING DOWN FOR A STOP. THE CAR THEN WENT FULL ACCELERATION AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP THE CAR.

NHTSA ID 11093516 · filed May 13, 2018

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

Data on this page last refreshed .