Owners filed 249 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine and engine cooling › engine › gasoline. It has been recalled 4 times.
When it fails
100000100,000 milesMedian miles at failure
29 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 90,000–105,000 miles.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
34
0
22
1
Vehicle Speed Control
28
2
7
2
Electrical System › Wiring › Front Underhood
18
0
17
0
Electrical System
15
0
14
0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
12
3
1
1
Electrical System › Ignition
10
0
4
3
Seats
8
0
0
1
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
8
0
0
0
Electrical System › Wiring
8
0
6
0
Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under Dash
7
0
3
0
4 safety recalls
Part 573 reports
Vehicle Speed Control07V336000
Filed Aug 3, 20073,600,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company
Defect. ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Risk. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
Electrical System99V124000
Filed May 19, 1999262,695 vehiclesFord Motor Company
Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH CAN DEVELOP A RESISTIVE SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT THAT COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE. A FIRE IS POSSIBLE BOTH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING AND WHEN THE VEHICLE ENGINE IS OFF. ALSO, THE SHORT COULD DISABLE THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM OR CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHT FUSE TO OPEN.
Risk. A FIRE CAN ORIGINATE IN THE LEFT FRONT UNDERHOOD AREA.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH AND CONNECTOR SHELL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 20, 1999.
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint98V322000
Filed Dec 16, 1998175,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company
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).
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch95V151000
Filed Aug 7, 199573,837 vehiclesFord Motor Company
Defect. THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH MAY NOT ENGAGE WHEN THE HOOD IS CLOSED.
Risk. IN THE EVENT THE PRIMARY HOOD LATCH RELEASES OR IS NOT PROPERLY LATCHED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, THE HOOD COULD FLY UP OBSTRUCTING THE OPERATOR'S VISION, AND INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLY.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Electrical System
Filed May 13, 201475,000 milesNH
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
Unknown or OtherFire
Filed Apr 21, 201287,000 milesAL
THE CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN ON A TRIP OF APPROXIMATELY 450 MILES AND WAS THEN PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY WHERE IT SAT WITHOUT BEING ENTERED, CRANKED OR DRIVEN FOR 2 WEEKS. AT AROUND MIDNIGHT, WHILE MY FAMILY WAS SLEEPING, A NEIGHBOR CAME BEATING ON OUR DOOR TO TELL US THAT THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. AT THAT POINT, THE FIRE WAS COMPLETELY INVOLVED UNDER THE HOOD OF THE CAR, WITH SMOKE GETTING INTO THE CABIN OF THE CAR. THE FRONT TIRES MELTED TO THE GROUND. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. MY HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO QUICKLY MOVE ANOTHER CAR PARKED NEARBY BUT IT HAD SLIGHT PAINT BLISTERING ON THE BODY NEAREST THE FIRE DUE TO THE HEAT. *JS
Tires
Filed May 19, 201190,000 milesMT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 LINCOLN TOWN CAR WITH A SET OF GOODYEAR ARRIVIVA 2 TIRES, LINE SIZE P205/75 R15. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE ORDERED FROM THE MANUFACTURER AND AFTER RECEIVING THE TIRES, THE CONTACT NOTICED WRINKLES ON THE SIDE WALL. HE THEN RETURNED ALL OF THE TIRES TO THE MANUFACTURER AND THE MANUFACTURER AGREED TO REPLACE THE TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IF HE HAD NOT IDENTIFIED THE WRINKLES, THE TIRES COULD HAVE FAILED OR BLOWN WHILE DRIVING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jan 10, 2010MO
DRIVING AT ABOUT 25 MPH TURNING ONTO AN ENTRANCE RAMP TO THE HIGHWAY MY CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO SPEEDS SURPASSING 85 AND I COULD NOT MAKE IT STOP. I TRIED STOMPING ON THE BRAKES AND IT FIRST SLOWED THE CAR BUT THE ACCELERATION OVERPOWERED THEM, I HAD TO THROW MY CAR IN NEUTRAL AND TURN IT OFF COMPLETELY TO MAKE MY CAR STOP. *TR
Suspension
Filed Nov 21, 2009155,000 milesFL
LINCOLN, TOWN CAR,1992, MANUAL SAYS TO TURN OFF AIR SUSPENSION BEFORE JACKING AUTOMOBILE. NOT WHEN TIRE GO FLAT . WHEN TIRE IS FLAT FOR 30+ MINUTES. THE AIR SUSPENSION PUMP CONTINUES TO PUMP TILL IT DESTROYS THE REAR SUSPENSION. THERE BY LOWERING THE AUTOMOBILES REAR END TO A DANGEROUS LEVEL.( 2"). CAN CRIPPLE AUTOMOBILE WITH POTHOLES & SPEED-BUMPS & SOME STEERING CIRCUMSTANCES . WHICH CAN LEAD TO MORE SERIOUS DAMAGE AND DANGER TO DRIVER, PASSENGERS & PEDESTRIANS. SWITCH SHOULD BE LOCATED ON DASHBOARD OR GLOVE BOX AND NOTED !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *TR
Structure › Body
Filed Dec 22, 2008140,000 milesIL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY LOOSENED AND LIFTED UP. THE HOOD BLOCKED THE DRIVER'S VIEW AND THE WINDSHIELD. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO SLOWLY SWITCH LANES TO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND TIE DOWN THE HOOD. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP AND HAD THE HOOD REPLACED WITH ONE FROM A USED VEHICLE. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE 1991 LINCOLN TOWN CAR PERTAINING TO THE SAME ISSUE; HOWEVER, HIS YEAR WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT SINCE THE FAILURES ARE IDENTICAL, HIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO REIMBURSE HIM OR INCLUDE HIS VIN IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE MILEAGE. HE BELIEVES THERE MAY BE MORE 1992 MODELS WITH THE SAME FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 145,000.
Electrical SystemFire
Filed Nov 25, 200867,656 milesAR
OUR 1992 LINCOLN TOWN CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE INSIDE OUR SHOP. THE CAR WAS OFF WITH THE KEYS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *TR
Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Nov 15, 2008CA
I HAVE NOT RECEIVE A NOTICE ABOUT VEHICLE PART OF SAFETY RECALL 99S15 NOR 05S28 SINCE REMOVED 09/25/07 BY HOLLYWOOD FORD, 4531 HOLLYWOOD BLVD, LOS ANGELES, CA. 90027(323) 663-9999. *TR
Vehicle Speed ControlFire
Filed Mar 6, 2008130,000 milesGA
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN SEPTEMBER OF 2007 FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE FORD DEALER ADVISED HER TO CALL OWNER CONNECTION AND PROVIDE THEM WITH ALL THE INFORMATION RELATING TO THE FIRE. THE DEALER THEN STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE DUE TO THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE POWERTRAIN AND PURCHASE DATE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 130,000.
Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jan 22, 2008AZ
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE IN SEPTEMBER OF 2007 FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. IN JANUARY OF 2008, THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW WHEN THE PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE PURCHASE DATE AND RECALL NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 126,000.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Dec 17, 2007100,000 milesNY
I OWN 2 1992 LINCOLN TOWN CARS. IN THE FIRST WEEK OF OCT.,2007, THE BRAKES ON BOTH CARS FAILED. THE BRAKE LINES UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT AREA RUSTED THROUGH. MY NEW LINCOLN HAS A CERAMIC COATING. THE LINES ARE BADLY RUSTED ALL ALONG THE EXPOSED AREA UNDER THE MIDDLE OF THE CAR. *TR
Vehicle Speed ControlFire
Filed Oct 24, 2007140,000 milesMI
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 25-45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING. FIFTEEN MINUTES AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED, IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED, THE VEHICLE PORT WAS DAMAGED, AND THE SIDING ON THE CONTACT'S HOME MELTED. PICTURES ARE AVAILABLE OF HER HOME AND THE VEHICLE PORT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BEFORE SHE WAS ABLE TO TAKE PICTURES. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE PURCHASE DATE AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 140,000.
Vehicle Speed ControlFire
Filed Oct 24, 2007100,000 milesTN
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN SEPTEMBER OF 2007 FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. AT THAT TIME, SHE DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE SWITCH DEACTIVATED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND THE WIRING HARNESS WAS DESTROYED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ONLY THING THEY COULD DO WAS DEACTIVATE THE SWITCH. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000. UPDATED 11/15/07
Vehicle Speed ControlFire
Filed Sep 26, 2007AL
1992 LINCOLN TOWN CAR RECALL WAS RECEIVED AFTER THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS ALREADY DESTROYED . CUSTOMER STATES THAT SHE BELIEVES THAT FORD SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE BECAUSE THEY ARE THE REASON HER CAR BURNED UP. *KB
Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Feb 26, 2007106,000 milesVA
PARKED CAR. ATTEMPTED TO START CAR AND THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS LIT AS NORMAL, BUT THE STARTER DID NOT START. AFTER MANY ATTEMPTS CAR MOTOR TURNED OVER BUT BECAUSE I LET OFF STARTING TOO SOON CAR DID NOT START AND PROBLEM RESUMED. BATTERY GOOD. STARTER GOOD. FUSES GOOD. IGNITION SWITCH GOOD. THIS IS THE SECOND 1992 TOWN CAR IN WHICH THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED. BOTH CARS HAVE OVER 100,000 MILES. *NM
Electrical SystemFire
Filed Nov 1, 2006174,000 milesTN
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THERE WERE TWO LOUD BANGS. THE CONTACT LOOKED INTO THE DRIVEWAY, AND SAW THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FLAMES WERE LOCATED ON THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE BURNED COMPLETELY, AND THE HEAT FROM THE FIRE BURNED THE SIDE OF A RECREATIONAL VEHICLE WHICH WAS PARKED ALONGSIDE THE FIRST VEHICLE. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT AND A FIRE REPORT PROCESSED AT THE SCENE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS A STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS ON NHTSA RECALL # 99V124000 WHICH PERTAINS TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Oct 3, 2006130,108 milesAR
SMOKE! SMELL OF BURNING! MODULE FOR FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SHORTED OUT. AIR BAG LIGHT ON AND BEEPER BEEPING. *NM
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch
Filed May 12, 2006135,000 milesIL
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60MPH WITHOUT WARNING THE HOOD FLEW UP AND HIT THE WINDSHIELD. AS A RESULT OF THE WINDSHIELD FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS SAFELY STOPPED AND THE HOOD WAS TIED DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHO DETERMINED THE METAL AROUND THE HOOD LATCH STRIKER PLATE FASTENERS HAD CORRODED. THEREFORE, CAUSING THEM TO PULL THROUGH THE METAL HOOD. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 05V091000, REGARDING THE HOOD LATCH. THE MODEL YEAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. UPDATED 06/12/06. *JB
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch
Filed Jan 17, 2006145,000 milesFL
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 60MPH THE HOOD LATCH BROKE CAUSING THE HOOD TO FLY UP. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 95V151000, REGARDING THE HOOD LATCH. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. *NM
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Sep 7, 200565,000 milesNJ
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE NOT STOPPING THE VEHICLE. THIS OCCURED WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEEDS OF 20 MPH OF LESS ON 9-04-05. SHE REPORTED THIS BEING THE FIRST TIME SHE HAD A BRAKE PROBLEM. A MONTH AGO THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON SO THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. SHE DID NOT HEAR ANY KIND OF NOISE WHEN SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES. SHE THEN TOOK VEHICLE TO A SERVICE DEALER AND THEY TOLD HER TO CALL NHTSA VEHICLE SAFETY HOT LINE. *AK *MR
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: Aug 3, 2007. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.