1990 Lincoln Town Car

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN 1996-1999 FORD CROWN VICTORIA POLICE, FLEET, NATURAL GAS, AND 1996-1999 LINCOLN TOWN CAR LIMOUSINE VEHICLES THAT WERE PRODUCED WITH A LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CONTAINING A ONE PIECE BEARING; AND 1990-1996 FORD CROWN VICTORIA POLICE, FLEET, AND NGV VEHICLES AND 1990-1996 LINCOLN TOWN CAR LIMOUSINE VEHICLES THAT HAVE BEEN SERVICED WITH EITHER A BALL JOINT CONTAINING THE ONE-PIECE BEARING OR A FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM CONTAINING A BALL JOINT WITH A ONE-PIECE BEARING. THE ONE-PIECE BEARING WITHIN THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CAN WEAKEN SLOWLY DURING USE AND EVENTUALLY CRACK. THIS COULD RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE BALL AND CAP OF THE JOINT, ALLOWING THE CONTROL ARM TO DROP TO THE GROUND.

Risk. IF THIS OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING, REDUCED STEERING CONTROL COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS (2).

Defect. CORROSION OF THE HOOD LATCH STRIKER PLATE CAUSES DETACHMENT OF THE PLATE FROM THE HOOD ASSEMBLY RESULTING IN AN UNEXPECTED OPENING OF THE HOOD WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN.

Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN REDUCE THE DRIVER'S VIEW OF THE ROAD INCREASING THE POTENTIAL OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HOOD INNER PANEL REINFORCEMENT AND A NEW, GALVANIZED HOOD LATCH STRIKER PLATE.

Defect. GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATINGS AND TIRE INFORMATION MAY BE INCORRECT ON LABELS.

Risk. VEHICLES WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH 49 CFR PART 567.

Remedy. INSTALL REVISED CERTIFICATION LABELS.

Defect. TIRE PLACARD MAY CONTAIN INCORRECT GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATINGS AND TIRE INFORMATION.

Risk. LIMOUSINES WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 110 AND CONSUMERMIGHT UNKNOWINGLY OVERLOAD THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF PLACARD MISINFORMATION.

Remedy. INSTALL REVISED TIRE PLACARDS.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE HOOD WAS RAISED. SMOKE AND FLAMES WERE SPOTTED COMING FROM THE PLUG ON THE ALTERNATOR. THE BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED AND THE PLUG REMOVED. THE FIRE SMOTHERED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY UNDER GOING INSPECTION AND REPAIR.

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED:ON 5-19-04 HIS 1990 LINCOLN TOWN CAR BURNED WHILE IT WAS PARKED. WITHIN A HALF OF AN HOUR THE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THERE WERE 3 DIFFERENT INVESTIGATIONS DONE;. AN ELECTRICAL AND AND ENGINEERING INVESTIGATION, AND ONE DONE BY THE TAMPA FIRE DEPARTMENT AND FOUND NO EXACT FAULT. . HE SAID THERE WERE A TOTAL OF 3 OTHER CARS TOTALED, AND 4 OTHERS DAMAGED DURING THE FIRE. THE HOOD MELTED AWAY. THE CAR HAD ONLY 76,000 MILES ON IT AND HAD BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. HE DID SUBMIT MAINTENANCE REPORTS TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY, AND WAS NOT LIABLE FOR THE FIRE.*AK

DT: CONSUMER HAD A 1990 LINCOLN TOWN CAR WHICH CAUGHT ON FIRE. WHEN CONSUMER CAME HOME HE PARKED THE VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE, WENT INSIDE AND ATE, THEN A NEIGHBOR POUNDED AT DOOR TO LET HIM KNOW HIS HOUSE WAS ON FIRE. THE POLICE, FIRE DEPARTMENT, FIRE MARSHAL AND INSURANCE ADJUSTERS CAME OUT AND COULDN'T FIND THE REASON THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. VEHICLE BURNED WITH SUCH INTENSITY THAT PIECES LEFT WERE CHARRED AND NOTHING REMAINED. A FEW FIREMEN WERE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL DUE TO THE FIRE. *AK

CONSUMER REPORTED THAT ALL FOUR DOORS CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE. ONE OF THE VEHICLE WINDOWS HAD TO BE LEFT OPEN TO GAIN ENTRANCE INTO THE VEHICLE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMERTHAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL. *AK

CONSUMER PARKED THE VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE, AND IN MINUTES WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE BURNED COMPLETELY. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT NOTED THAT THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. *AK......... CONSUME RCLAIMED FIRE APPEARED TO BE DUE TO MECHANICAL FAILURE IN CAR , POSSIBLY BRAKES. *AK

THIS CAR IS ABOUT A PIECE OF JUNK. PAINT IS ALMOST GONE, 3 OF 4 POWER WINDOWS DONT WORK, WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR HAS QUIT TWICE, REAR SUSPENSION FAILED, RADIO NON-FUNCTIONAL, MESSAGE CENTER SAYS THAT IT IS -76 DEGREES AT MOST TIMES WITH 400 MILES UNTIL EMPTY (NOT TRUE). *AK

VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING ON HOT DAYS WHILE DRIVING.AND WHEN DRIVEN ON HOT DAYS AND IS PARKED WILL NOT START AGAIN , UNLESS IT COOLS DOWN. REPLACED THE IGNITION MODULE , WHICH I WAS TOLD WAS UNDER INVESTIGATION IN CALIFORNIA. *AK

ON MAY 9TH MY CAR ENGINE BURST IN TO FLAMES WHILE PARKED AND OFF.

ON FEBRUARY 1, 2003, KIMBERLY LOVE WAS DRIVING A 1990 LINCOLN TOWN CAR WITH FAYE LOVE(PASSENGER). WHILE DRIVING EAST ON INTERSTATE 26 IN COLUMBIA, SC AT 60 MILES PER HOUR, THE HOOD FLEW UP, SHATTERING THE WINDSHIELD. THE HOOD WAS BENT AND THE FRONT WINDOW SHATTERED. THE LATCH IS BROKEN ALSO. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE SHAKEN BUT ABLE TO PULL TO SAFETY. *JB

CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 1/2 HOUR, AND THEN PARKED. 1 AND 1/2 HOURS LATER THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND BURNED COMPLETE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE IS TOTALED, POSSIBLY ENGINE RELATED. *YH

WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH HOOD FLEW UP WHICH IMMEDIATELY DISFIGURED/ DENTED, AND STRUCK THE ROOF. ONCE THE HOOD BENT BACK, IT STRUCK THE WINDSHIELD, SHATTERING IT. OWNER HAD TO PULL OVER, AND TIE HOOD DOWN BEFORE DRIVING VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP RIGHT AFTER THAT. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH HOOD SUDDENLY FLEW OPEN. MECHANIC INDICATED LATCH PLATE WAS CORRODED.*AK

INTRUMENTAL PANEL IS NOT VISIBLE WHEN DRIVING IN DAYTIME. UNABLE TO CHECK SPEED/ GAS,ETC.*AK

INSTRUMENTAL PANEL IS NOT LEGIBLE IN THE DAY TIME. UNABLE TO SEE HOW FAST VEHICLE IS GOING, AND HOW FULL GAS TANK IS. *AK *YH

VEHICLE WAS GOING 40-45MPH IN THE DARK AND RAIN, AND VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. CONSUMER SUSTAINED SPINAL INJURIES. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.*AK PHOTOS ATTACHED. *TT

LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD DOESN'T APPEAR AT DAY, BUT AT NIGHT THERE IS LIGHT. DASHBOARD IS DIGITAL. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE PURCHASE DATE OF THE VEHICLE. *AK

STEERING GEAR BOX FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING,CAUSING VEHICLE TO GO OFF ROAD. DEALER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. *AK THE DEALER STATED THAT BOLTS SECURING STEERING BOX PULLED THROUGH RUSTY FRAME CAUSING STEERING FAILURE. *YH

THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. EVERYTIME YOU WOULD TURN THE CAR OFF IT WAS VERY HAD TO RESTART.

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH CONSUMER SAW SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. SHE PULLED OVER, AND FIRE DEPARTMENT PUT OUT FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT FIRE WAS CAUSED BY WIRING OR THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT . VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED.*AK *SLC

DASHLIGHTS WERE NOT BRIGHT ENOUGH TO SEE SPEEDOMETER. VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES OVER THE YEARS. DEALER ADMITTED THERE WAS A PROBLEM, COULD NOT REMEDY IT. *AK

HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLY - ON CHRISTMAS DAY HOOD FLEW UP INTO THE WINDSHIELD CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD TO GET SMASHED, THE HOOD WAS COMPLETELY BENT IN HALF, AND DAMAGED WAS DONE TO THE ROOF. MY FAMILY AND I WERE TERRIFIED AND I WAS VERY HAPPY THAT MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING. IF HE DIDN'T DRIVE I AM SURE THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A FATAL CAR ACCIDENT. AS THIS HAPPENED, CAR SWERVED INTO LANE TO LEFT AND WE WERE SIDE-SWIPED BY A VAN. THE VAN DID NOT STOP, NO ONE STOPPED. WE WERE THERE FOR QUITE AWHILE BUT NO POLICE CAME. WE JUST WANTED TO GET HOME. OTHER OBVIOUS DAMAGE WAS THE DRIVERS FRONT END. TOOK TO SALVAGE YARD BECAUSE WE WERE NOT AWARE OF THE SAFETY RECALL AND THAT IT WAS NOT DONE ON THIS CAR. THIS CAR HAD NO COLLISION ON IT BECAUSE IT WAS "OLDER" DID FINALLY REPORT TO INSURANCE JUST TO HAVE ON RECORD. IF WE KNEW ABOUT THE RECALL ON THIS I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN DRIVING MY 2 & 4 YEAR OLD SONS IN THIS "SAFE" CAR. I WOULD HAVE DONE DIRECTLY TO DEALER IF I KNEW ABOUT RECALL. HAVE TRIED GOING THROUGH DEALER RECENTLY AND CALLING LINCOLN'S 800# TO SPEAK WITH THEIR CONSUMER AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT. NO ONE IS CLAIMING ANY KIND OF RESPONSIBILITY AND YET IN MY MIND WE WERE ALMOST KILLED. I NEVER RECEIVED A LETTER ABOUT THE RECALL. ONLY THE PREVIOUS OWNERS APPARANTLY RECEIVED ONE. I'M SURE LINCOLN WOULD PAY ATTENTION IF SOMEONE WAS KILLED DUE TO A SAFETY RECALL. HOW CAN I GET LINCOLN TO MAKE MY CAR SAFE AND REIMBURSE ME FOR MONEY I DID PAY OUT DUE TO THIS OCCURRENCE -- THEY WON'T EVEN LOOK AT THE PART OF THE

SHIFT LEVER DOES NOT SHIFT TO PARK. GEAR SHIFT WAS SLOPPY AND WOULD WOULD UP AND DOWN. STEERING COLUMN WAS TAKEN APART AND THE HOUSING TUBE THAT HOLDS THE STEERING LEVER INSIDE COLUMN HAD BROKEN IN HALF. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN CORRECTED.

SHIFT ROD HOUSING BROKE IN HALF,INSIDE OF STEERING COLUMN. *AK

ON APRIL 23, 2001 OUR LINCOLN TOWN CAR HAD BEEN PARKED FRO ABOUT TEN MINUTES IN AN ENCLOSED PARKING STRUCTURE AT SUPERMARKET WHEN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT SELF-IGNITED. A MAJOR FIRE ENSUED BUT A PASSERBY HAD CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE DAMAGE WAS LIMITED TO THE TOTAL LOSS OF OUR CAR. I HAVE EMAILED LINCOLN HQ REPEATEDLY SINCE THEN TO ASK IF THEY HAD ANY RECORD OF THIS UNUSUAL AND POTENTIALLY LETHAL PROBLEM. EACH TIME THEY REPLIED SAYING THAT THEY COULD NOT ANSWER TECHNICAL QUESTIONS. THEY REFERRED ME TO THE LOCAL DEALER, WHOSE SERVICE MANAGER I HAD ALREADY SPOKEN TO, AND WHO HAD NEVER HEARD OF THE PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THAT THERE MAY BE MORE TO THIS?*AK

WHILE SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT THE SPARE TIRE T125/80R16, DOT FNTA2XHX150 LOCATED IN TRUNK OF 1990, LINCOLN, TOWN CAR EXPLODED. THIS EXPLOSION OF SPARE TIRE RESULTED IN TRUNK OF VEHICLE, RAISING 1 1/2 INCHES ABOVE NORMAL LEVEL AND A CHUNK OF GLASS AND REAR VIEW MIRROR, TO FALL FROM FRONT WINDSHIELD. *AK CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY A MICHELIN REPRESENTATIVE THAT AGE AND TEMPERATURE WOULD CAUSE A SPARE TIRE TO FAIL, THAT THEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED PERIODICALLY, ONE PERSON WAS INJURED DUE TO FAILURE. *SLC

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY. *AK

AFTER PARKING VEHICLE FOR 20 MINUTES IN DRIVEWAY CONUSMER NOTICED A POPPING NOISE. VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE DEPARTMENT. FIRE DEPARTMENT PUT FIRE OUT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

WINDSHIELD WIPERS CUT ON AND OFF ERRATICLY DURING RAIN STORMS. LINCOLN CUTOMER SERVICE HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK *JB

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE, POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE CAUSED THE ENTIRE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE. NLM

WHILE DRIVING TRSANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED DUE TO FAULTY BUSHINGS WITHIN TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY. *AK THE TRANSMISSION WAS DETERMINED TO HAD BEEN DAMAGED DUE TO FAILURE OF PLASTIC BUSHING. *YH

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING ON HOT DAYS WHILE DRIVING IN CRUISE CONTROL AS WELL AS IN THE CITY IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, CONSUMER BELIEVES PROBLEM IS LINKED TO FAULTY TFI MODULE WHICH WAS UNDER INVESTIGATION IN CALIFORNIA. NLM

WHILE DRIVING AT SPEED UNDER 30MPH CAR WILL SHUT OFF WHETHER IN DRIVE/ PARK/ SWITCHING GEARS, OR IDLING. CONSUMER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM.*AK

WHILE TRAVELLING S/B ON I89 IN VT ON 10/13/2000 AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MILES INTO MY TRIP, THE HOOD FLEW OPEN AND TOTALLY COVERED THE WINDSHIELD, CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD TO SMASH AND THE ROOF TO BE DAMAGED.

STALLING ON INTERSTATE AND CITY DRIVING WHEN TEMP GETS VERY HOT, LOOSING THE POWER IN BRAKES AND THE ABILITY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE'S STEERING. THE CAR CAN BE STARTED AGAIN WHEN IT HAS COOLED DOWN. THIS PROBLEM IS VERY DANGEROUS.

STALLING ON INTERSTATE AND CITY DRIVING WHEN TEMPERATURE GETS VERY HOT. LOSING THE POWER IN BRAKES AND THE ABILITY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE'S STEERING. THE CAR CAN BE STARTED AGAIN WHEN IT HAS COOLED DOWN. THIS PROBLEM IS VERY DANGEROUS. *AK *NLM **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS*734325

MY FRAME IS RUSTED OUT WHERE THE GEER BOX BOLTS UP TO THE FRAME AND THE OTHER SIDE IS THE SAME WAY. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

THE PAINT SHOULD NOT BE PEELING, I KNOW THIS IS NOT A SAFETY BUT FORD NEEDS TO KNOW.MY LEVEL RIDE IS A SAFETY PROBLEM.I WILL BE DRIVING AT 65 AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE REAR WILL START BOUNCING AROUND.I HAVE TO SLOW DOWN THAN THE REAR LOWERS ITSELF AFTER AWHILE IT WILL GO BACK ON. PLEASE HELP BEFORE SOMETHING GOES ON. *AK

THE CONSUMER HAS HAD MANY COMPONENTS REPLACED (HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND 2 DIGITAL DASH ASSEMBLIES) WHILE TRYING THE FIND THE CAUSE OF THE POOR VISIBILITY OF THE DASHBOARD BUT THE DASH HAS SHOWN NO NOTICEABLE CHANGE. NLM

PULLED INTO GARAGE. SAW FIRE UNDER HOOD. CALLED FIRE DEPT. CAR BURNED. TOTAL LOSS PER INSURANCE ADJUSTER.*AK

CONSUMER HAD DRIVEN ABOUT 25 MILES, MADE A STOP AND REACHED DOWN TO TURN OFF IGNITION, AND SWITCH WAS OVERHEATED, ABOUT 140 DEGREES. THEN CONSUMER HAD TROUBLE ENGAGING THE STARTER. *AK

INSTRUMENT PANEL IS NOT READABLE IN SUNLIGHT. YH

VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONSUMER JUST SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. VEHICLE TOTALLED. DEALER CONTACTED, BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. *AK *ML

RECALL 98V322000/ FRONT CONTROL ARM: BALL JOINT. VEHICLE EXPERIENCING A CRACKED FRONT CONTROL ARM: BALL JOINT. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED,AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER MANUFACTURER'S RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

THE DIGITAL DASH ASSEMBLY HAS BEEN REPLACED TWO TIMES DUE TO DIFFICULTY IN READING IN THE DAYTIME. *MJS

VEHICLE IN GARAGE FOR 10-15 MINUTES. CAR ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNT CAR AND HOUSE (TOTAL LOSS). AAA INSURANCE TO INVESTIGATE. *AK

VEHICLE HAD JUST BEEN PARKED IN GARAGE AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE, TOTALLY DESTROYING THE HOUSE AND CAR. FIRE IS BEING INVESTIGATED BY AAA. *AK *ML

15 MINUTES AFTER FUELING VEHICLE AND PARKING IT IN GARAGE A FIRE STARTED, BURNING VEHICLE AND HOUSE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED,CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK