TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE NUMBER 05S28 FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL IN AUGUST OF 2007. THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL REPAIR ARE STILL UNAVAILABLE AS OF JANUARY 28, 2008. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,000. UPDATED 02-14-08 *BF UPDATED 02/14/08 *TR
1997 Lincoln Town Car complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 1997 record →
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE IN AUGUST OF 2007 FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. AS OF JANUARY 2008, FORD DOES NOT KNOW WHEN THE PART WILL BE AVAILABLE. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,300.
1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR WITH SPEED CONTROL RECALL. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DEALER TOLD HIM THAT THE PARTS WILL PROBABLY NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL APRIL OF 2008. *KB
1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR WITH MULTIPLE SAFETY ISSUES. SPEED CONTROL SWITCH WAS DEACTIVATED AND BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED DUE TO BAD BRAKE SWITCH. INCIDENTALLY, WHEN THE BRAKE SWITCH WENT BAD, THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN GEAR. ALL INTERIOR LIGHTS FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO USE THE CRUISE CONTROL SINCE IT WAS DISCONNECTED BY THE DEALERSHIP IN SEPTEMBER 2007. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THEY MAY NEVER GET THE PARTS FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO USE THE HIGH BEAMS FOR OVER 4 YEARS. IF SHE USED THEM FOR A COUPLE MINUTES, ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH AND IN THE VEHICLE WOULD GO OUT. *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A FORD SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL IN AUGUST OF 2007. THE CONTACT HAD THE SWITCH DISCONNECTED AT THAT TIME. HE HAS BEEN INFORMED EVERY MONTH THEREAFTER THAT THE PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE THE FOLLOWING MONTH. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE PURCHASE DATE AND RECALL NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 106,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH IN AUGUST OF 2007 AND HE IMMEDIATELY SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE DEALER DISCONNECTED THE SWITCH AND INFORMED HIM THAT THE PARTS WOULD BE UNAVAILABLE UNTIL DECEMBER OF 2007. HE CALLED BACK AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 169,000. UPDATED 3/5/08 *CN UPDATED 03/05/08 *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE IN AUGUST OF 2007 FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. HE SPOKE WITH THE DEALER AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY IN JANUARY OF 2008 AND THEY COULD NOT INFORM HIM 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 94,644. UPDATED 3/4/08 *CN
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. HE RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTIFICATION IN SEPTEMBER 2007 FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID #07V336000). THE DEALER DISCONNECTED THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL IN AUGUST OF 2007 AND STATED THAT THE PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE IN OCTOBER. AS OF JANUARY 2, 2008, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 114,957 AND THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. UPDATED 01/29/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED STILL WAITING TO HAVE VEHICLE RECALL PERFORMED. UPDATED 01/29/08 *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE DEACTIVATION SWITCH WAS DISCONNECTED BECAUSE THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS DISPLEASED ABOUT NOT BEING ABLE TO USE THE CRUISE CONTROL FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,000. UPDATED 01/17/08. *LJ UPDATED *JB
(RECALL 05S28: SPEED CONTROL) CALLED DEALER AFTER NOTIFICATION (AUGUST 2007) WAS TOLD THEIR WAS NO PARTS. WAIT UNTIL DECEMBER 2007. CALLED DEALER12/13/07 NO PARTS AVAILABLE .I WAS REFERRED TO FORDS 800 392 FORD WAS TOLD TO WAIT UNTIL MARCH 2008. THIS IS CRAZY WHY ARE WE LEFT BEHIND. I WAS TOLD THEIR WAS NOT ONE TO BE HAD. PLEASE DO NOT DISREGARD THIS MESSAGE IF THIS IS NOT THE CORRECT PLACE TO REPORT PLEASE SEND LINK OR ADDRESS. I THINK FORD NEEDS TO KEEP ITS PROMISES AS STATED IN THERE NOTICE ALTHOUGH I ORIGINAL THOUGHT THE " PARTS WILL BECOME AVAILABLE IN THE 4TH QUARTER OF 2007" WAS OUTRAGEOUS AS STATED IN THE NOTICE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN 07V336000) IN SEPTEMBER 2007. THE DEALER DISCONNECTED THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE IN THE FOURTH QUARTER. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE A DATE WHEN THE PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE. AS OF DECEMBER 5, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. UPDATED 01-10-08. *KB UPDATED 12/31/07. *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD WHILE PARKED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. BOTH THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE CONTACT'S HOME WAS DAMAGED. HE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER APPROXIMATELY 2 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE FIRE. AT THAT TIME, HE CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY PARTS AVAILABLE. THE POWERTRAIN AND RECALL NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 119,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) IN AUGUST OF 2007. HE HAD THE SWITCH DISCONNECTED AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE IN NOVEMBER. WHEN NOVEMBER ARRIVED, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WOULD BE UNAVAILABLE UNTIL MARCH OF 2008. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING 3-5 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING SOUND AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE DROPPED. THE LOWER BALL JOINTS HAD FALLEN OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT HAS SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 136,278.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTROL ARM AND LOWER BALL JOINTS FAILED. THERE ARE RECALLS FOR THE SUSPENSION: FRONT: CONTROL ARM: LOWER BALL JOINT (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V322000) AND SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: FOUNDATION COMPONENTS: HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98I001000); HOWEVER, THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AS PART OF THE RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 99,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE JUMPED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTROL ARM AND LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED. THE BRAKE LINES ALSO FAILED. AS OF OCTOBER 23, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THERE ARE RECALLS FOR THE SUSPENSION: FRONT: CONTROL ARM: LOWER BALL JOINT (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V322000) AND SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: FOUNDATION COMPONENTS: HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98I001000); HOWEVER, THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AS PART OF THE RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 143,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE BEGAN PULLING TO THE RIGHT AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE RESULTS INDICATED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED THREE YEARS AGO. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,500. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED A COPY OF THE RECALL NOTICE. UPDATED 10/24/07 *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE POWER BRAKES AND STEERING LOST POWER AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD A LEAK. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
WHILE SURFING THE WEB MY HUSBAND CAME ACROSS AN ARTICLE ABOUT FORD INTAKE MANIFOLDS WE HAVE A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR THAT THIS CRACKED ON IN 2004 WHICH RESULTED IN REPLACING THE ENGINE. WHEN I CALLED FORD THIS HAD ALREADY BEEN SETTLED AS IT WAS NOT A RECALL BUT CLASS ACTION SUIT & NOT DONE IN A DEALER SHOP SORRY ABOUT MY LUCK. *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE UPPER CONTROL ARM MAKES A HORRIBLE SQUEAKING AND POPPING NOISE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH. THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL NUMBER 98V322000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT). HE BELIEVES HIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL SINCE IT IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 09/10/07 *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED. THE CONTACT SPOKE IN DETAIL REGARDING THE CONTROL ARM. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS PRIVATE MECHANIC AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CONTROL ARM WAS THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 153,000. THE UPPER BALL JOINTS, LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS AND RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM WERE ALL REPLACED. THE MECHANIC ALSO NOTED THE REAR MAIN SEAL AND TRANSMISSION FRONT PUMP SEAL WAS STARTING TO LEAK. UPDATE 09/11/07. *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH IS ATTACHED TO THE RESERVOIR FOR THE BRAKE FLUID. THE BRAKE FLUID LEAKS DOWN THE CABLE INTO THE FUSE BOX AND CAUSES THE OVERDRIVE AND SPEED CONTROL TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 138,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE DEALER NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE'S TIRE (MICHELIN XW4) IS AT THE 50% MARK AND THE SIDE WALLS ARE CRACKING. THE DOT NUMBER, PURCHASE DATE, ENGINE SIZE, TRANSMISSION TYPE, AND CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN. THE CONSUMER STATED REQUESTED 50% REIMBURSEMENT FOR DEFECTIVE TIRES. UPDATED 11/1/07 *TR UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF
BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO CORRODED AND RUSTED BRAKE LINES. HAD TO REPLACE ALL LINES. CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS OCCURRED AS I ONLY HAVE 75,000 MILES ON MY AUTOMOBILE. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AS I WAS IN THE MOUNTAINS OF TENNESSEE LAST YEAR. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM, NOR HAS ANYONE ELSE WHOM I HAVE SPOKEN TO HAS EVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM, AND NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH ANY AUTOMOBILE THAT I HAVE EVER OWNED. THIS REPAIR WAS COSTING APPROXIMATELY $2,000 TO REPLACE ALL LINES. PLEASE ADVISE. THANK YOU. *AK
INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED AND STARTED LEAKING COOLANT DUE TO MANUFACTURING DEFECT, CAUSING LOTS OF STEAM AND THE INABILITY TO SEE ,ALMOST RESULTING AN ACCIDENT. ALSO, WHERE THE CRACK ALWAYS OCCURRED IT ALLOWED WATER TO POUR ONTO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, CREATING THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS REPLACED WITH ONE OF A NEW DESIGN WITH AN ALUMINUM SLEEVE BUILT IN TO THE POLYMER COMPOSITE INTAKE MANIFOLD. A LAW SUITE SETTLED ON THIS MATTER. *AK
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWNCAR. THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUBBING AGAINST THE FRAME WHICH CAUSED A LEAK. THIS FAILURE WAS IDENTICAL TO ONE MENTIONED IN RECALL#98I001000 CONCERNING SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS. THE MECHANIC STATED THIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. *AK
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN SYMMETRY TIRES, P21570R1597SWW. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE, IN CLEAR WEATHER, THE TIRE FAILED, THE WHOLE SIDEWALL WAS COMPLETELY SPLIT OPEN, THERE WAS NO PUNCTURE IN THE TIRE, PRIOR TO THE FAILURE THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE TIRE. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE TIRE WAS DEFECTIVE, THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20-25,000. THE VEHICLES CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000.*AK THE CONSUMER STATED THE TIRES WERE REPLACED AT COSTCO CRANBERRY TWP. AT NO CHARGE. UPDATED 10/26/07 *TR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 4 MPH UNDER NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD NOISE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINT SEPARATED.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE AT NIGHT, ALL EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR LIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER TURNING THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH OFF AND ON SEVERAL TIMES, THE EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR LIGHTS RESUMED NORMAL FUNCTION. THE DEALER WAS ALERTED. UPDATED 2/12/2007 - *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED NO HEAT WAS PRESENT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO USE THE HEATER. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THE BLEND DOOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
CONSUMER WAS NOT SENT A RECALL NOTICE FOR HIS VEHICLE . RECALL EXPIRED APRIL 2006. *TS THE CONSUMER WAS INQUIRING ABOUT A RECALL RELATED TO THE ENGINE MANIFOLD. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR SERVICE. A LETTER WAS RECEIVED BY THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THOSE WHO HAD TO REPLACE THE MANIFOLD IN THEIR VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE REIMBURSEMENT HAD EXPIRED. THE CONTACT NEVER RECEIVED REIMBURSEMENT. UPDATED 12/15/06. *JB
MICHELIN TIRE SIDEWALLS AND TREAD WALLS CRACKED. *TS THE TIRES WERE INSPECTED AND THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED THAT MICHELIN EITHER PROVIDE HIM WITH FOUR NEW TIRES OR THE MONEY TO REPLACE THEM. *NM THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THIS WAS A DANGEROUS DEFECT. THE CONSUMER STATED WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED 50% OF THE COST TO REPLACE THE TIRES. UPDATED 11/1/07 *TR
I AM THE OWNER OF A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR TODAY WITH HER MOTHER AND 2 CHILDREN, AGES 2 1/2 YRS & 4 WKS. THE ENGINE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO LOOSE COOLANT FLUID RAPIDLY AND OVERHEATED. THIS LEFT ALL OF THEM STRANDED. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE TOWED INTO A REPAIR SHOP, WE WERE NOTIFIED IT HAD A CRACKED INTAKE MANIFOLD. IT ONLY HAS 99K MILES. THEN I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS WAS NORMAL CONSIDERING IT HAD A PLASTIC MANIFOLD. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE, I HAVE FOUND THOUSANDS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT OF COURSE FORD IS WILLING TO HANDLE THE BIG GUYS (I.E.; GOVERNMENT FLEETS AND TAXIS SERVICES) AND GET THEIR PROBLEMS FIXED. OF COURSE US LITTLE GUYS MUST SPEND THE MONEY TO REPLACE SOME GUYS PROJECT WITH PLASTIC. THEY WOULD LOOSE MONEY IF THEY DIDN'T TAKE CARE OF THEIR MONEY BAG, THE BIG GUYS. SO TELL ME WHY I HAVE TO PAY $1000 TO FIX THEIR SCREW UP. I THINK THEIR NEEDS TO BE ANOTHER CLASS ACTION TO MAKE FORD PAY FOR THEIR MISTAKE. I AM PAYING FOR MINE, BUYING A FORD. *NM
ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN VERY ROUGH TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER DEALER REPLACED INTAKE MANIFOLD AND SPARK PLUG WIRES. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE BRAKING THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THIS INCIDENT RESULTED IN ACCIDENTS ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. ONE ACCIDENT OCCURRED IN JUNE OF 2005 WHILE IN TRAFFIC. THE OTHER ACCIDENT OCCURRED IN AUGUST OF 2006 RESULTING IN THE VEHILCLE DRIVING THROUGH THE GARAGE. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE OF THE FIRST INCIDENT. THE SERVICE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. DURING EACH ACCIDENT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS ALSO NO AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO EACH INCIDENT.*AK
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, WHITE SMOKE WAS OBSERVED COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, ACCOMPANIED BY A SMELL OF BRAKE FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, WHERE THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE STAINLESS STEEL BRAKE PIPING WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND CRACKED. THIS CAUSED BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK FROM BETWEEN THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE ABS SYSTEM. THE BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING ON TO THE ENGINE CAUSING THE SMOKE. THE REPAIR SHOP REPLACED PART OF THE PIPING, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. UPDATED 10/04/06.*JB
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR IN JUNE 2006. A FEW WEEKS AGO, I LEARNED OF THE CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST FORD AUTOMOBILES REGARDING FAULTY PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS USED IN SEVERAL OF THEIR CARS. I ALSO LEARNED THAT MY CAR MODEL AND YEAR FALL UNDER THE CLASS OF CARS THAT ARE MENTIONED IN THE SUIT, BUT THE SETTLEMENT PERIOD HAS SINCE EXPIRED. WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR, I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAULTY INTAKE MANIFOLDS NOR DID I HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF A PAST LAWSUIT THAT WAS SETTLED. MY CAR STILL HAS THE OLD INTAKE MANIFOLD THAT IS PRONE TO CRACKING AND THERE APPEARS THAT THERE IS NOTHING I CAN DO ABOUT IT EXCEPT HOPE IT DOESN'T CRACK. EVEN THOUGH IT HASN'T CRACKED YET, I AM UPSET THAT I WAS NOT WARNED OR NOTIFIED ABOUT THIS. I ALSO FEEL IT IS UNFAIR TO RECALL FLEET VERSIONS OF MY VEHICLE BUT NOT CIVILIAN VEHICLES LIKE MINE. IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO? IS FORD GOING TO RECALL VEHICLES WITH THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD ANYTIME SOON? *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE ARE NHTSA RECALLS, # 98I001000 AND 01V318000, REGARDING THE SERVICE BRAKES: HYDRAULIC :FOUNDATION COMPONENTS: HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS AND THE AIRBAGS: FRONTAL: DRIVER SIDE INFLATOR MODULE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE SERVICE BRAKES AND THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED. ALSO, THE HORN IS INOPERABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED ABOUT BOTH RECALLS WHO DETERMINED THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS.
1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR FRONT CONTROL ARM LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED, PUNCTURING TIRE AND DRIVING LOWER CONTROL ARM INTO ASPHALT. SPEED OF ACCIDENT 15 MPH. NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON LOWER CONTROL ARM FAILURES FOR LINCOLN, CROWN VICTORIA ETC. MANUFACTURER CLAIMS THE SPECIFIC VIN IS NOT UNDER RECALL CRITERIA. I SUSPECT THIS IS AN OVERSIGHT BY THE MANUFACTURER. I AM THANKFUL THAT I WAS NOT TAKING MY CHILD ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THERE WOULD HAVE CERTAINLY BEEN A WRECK AND THE WAY THE FAILURE OCCURRED, I AM NOT SURE HOW THE CAR COULD NOT HAVE SPUN AND ROLLED IF THE FAILURE WOULD HAVE OCCURRED AT A HIGHER SPEED. THE CONTROL ARM LEFT A GROOVE IN THE ASPHALT AND HALTED THE CAR INSTANTLY THROWING EVERYONE FORWARD WHEN IT OCCURRED. IT WOULD BE ADVISABLE TO HAVE THESE RECALLED TO AVOID POTENTIAL LITIGATION AND LAW SUITS. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL INSTANCES OF THIS IN THIS COMPLAINT DATABASE AS WELL AS ON THE WEB. I HAVE NOT SEEN ANY CLASS ACTION SUIT AND CAN ONLY FIND THE RECALL ON THE LOWER CONTROL ARM THAT APPARENTLY DOES NOT INCLUDE MY SPECIFIC VIN NUMBER (AND A LOT OF OTHERS APPARENTLY AS WELL). I HAVE ASKED SEVERAL MECHANICS AND THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS AND SUSPECT A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND THEY ALSO SAY THAT IT IS PRETTY RIDICULOUS TO HAVE A CONTROL ARM GO OUT SO SOON IN A VEHICLES LIFE. THERE ARE CARS THAT STILL HAVE THEIR ORIGINAL CONTROL ARMS AND TWICE THE MILEAGE OF OTHER MANUFACTURERS. THE REPAIRS ARE EXPENSIVE, THE FAILURE IS DANGEROUS, AND I HONESTLY HAVE PRO
HEARD A POPPING IN THE FRONT END OF MY 1997 LINCOLN TOWNCAR AND IT WAS PULLING TO THE LEFT WHEN I WOULD APPLY THE BRAKES. I TOOK IT TO THE GARAGE AND HAD THE TIRES ROTATED AND THE FRONT BRAKES REPLACED AND THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED AND BRAKE PADS, NOTHING WAS NOTICED AT THIS TIME. THE CAR WAS STILL PULLING TO THE LEFT WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. I WAS DRIVING TO MY JOB WHICH IS ABOUT 10 MILES FROM HOME AND WHEN I PULLED IN TO THE DRIVE AND WENT TO BACK UP I HEARD A LOUD POP, I CALLED MY HUSBAND AND TOLD HIM ABOUT IT AND WHEN HE LOOKED UNDERNEATH THE CAR HE FOUND THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BRACKET THAT WAS FACTORY WELDED TO THE FRAME HAD COME LOOSE. THE POPPING NOISE WAS OBVIOUSLY FLEXING OF THE BRACKET THAT WAS WELDED TO THE FRAME AND WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE FLEXING OF THE BRACKET WAS CAUSING THE CAR TO PULL TO THE LEFT. MY HUSBAND CALL THE LOCAL LINCOLN DEALERSHIP AND EXPLAINED WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING BEFORE. I THEN WENT ON LINE TO CARFAX AND RESEARCHED THE HISTORY OF MY CAR TO SEE IF IT HAD EVER BEEN WRECKED AND THE RESULTS WERE CLEAN, NO WRECKS OR SERVICE HISTORY OF ANY PROBLEM. WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL PEOPLE LOOK AT THE CAR AND EACH AND EVERY ONE EXPRESSED THAT THIS WAS A FIRST FOR THEM, THAT THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING BEFORE AND THAT THEY FEEL LIKE IT WAS A FACTORY DEFAULT ON THE WELDING AND THAT I MUST HAVE HAD AN ANGEL ON MY SHOULDER BECAUSE THIS COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS. AS IT STANDS RIGHT NOW
I AM NOT COVERED BY THE RECENT SETTLEMENT ON MY 1997 TOWN CAR BOTH BECAUSE OF IT'S AGE IS JUST OUTSIDE THE COVERED RANGE, AND BECAUSE THE MANIFOLD ONLY FAILED YESTERDAY. THE MANIFOLD CRACKED ON INTERSTATE 293 IN MANCHESTER, NH. WHEN THE CAR SHIFTED INTO OVERDRIVE AFTER ACCELERATING SLIGHTLY STEAM CAME FROM UNDER THE CAR DUE TO COOLANT LOSS. THE ENGINE DID NOT OVERHEAT, BECAUSE I WAS ABLE TO STOP AND CALL FOR HELP QUICKLY. I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THE CAR. IT HAS 96,000 MILES ON IT, HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED, AND OTHERWISE HAS NEVER HAD A MECHANICAL PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN QUOTED $900 TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A LIFETIME PART, MINE CRACKED WITHOUT BEING ABUSED. *NM
UPPER PLASTIC MANIFOLD BROKE AND LEAKED OUT COOLANT WHILE TRAVELING. REPAIR WAS MADE BY REPLACING MANIFOLD AT A COST OF $812.89. REPORTED THIS TO FORD DEALER AFTER SETTLEMENT DATE AND WAS TOLD THAT THE REPAIR WAS MADE AFTER 7 YEAR WARRANTY PERIOD HAD EXPIRED. *JB
INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILURE. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING UNDER THE DASH, THE WINDOWS FOGGED UP, AND COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM THE MANIFOLDS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT INSPECTED. THEY DISCOVERED THE HEATER CORE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AK
DT: CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED AT LOW SPEEDS AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. HE WAS TOLD BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC IT WAS A MANIFOLD LEAK. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO FREE REMEDY. DUE TO THE EXCESSIVE EXPENSE NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. *AK
DT: CONTACT STATED THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL FELL OFF ON 8-5-05. IT SOUNDED LIKE A FLAT TIRE AND THE FRONT END WAS DRAGGING. THE TIRES WERE A FEW YEARS OLD. HE CALLED FORD AND ASKED ABOUT A RECALL AND THEY TOLD HIM NO THERE HAD NOT BEEN ANY RECALLS.*AK IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS HAD FAILED.*JB
DT: THE DRIVER'S SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT FELL OFF ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2005. THE VEHICLE JUST HAD AN OIL CHANGE THE DAY BEFORE, AND THEY DID NOT SEE ANYTHING AT THAT TIME. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE MECHANICS. THE CONSUMER FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED DUE TO VIN. *AK UPDATED 12/07/05. *JB
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED. THE CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE THE MANIFOLD AT A COST $1600.00. THE OWNER WAS HOPING THAT THERE MAY BE A RECALL ON THE MANIFOLD. THE CAR WAS FINE BEFORE THIS. THE CAR WAS RUNNING WELL AND A METAL INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS PUT ON. THE DEALER COULD NOT HELP BECAUSE OF THE AGE OF THE CAR.*AK *JB
I HAVE A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR THE TWO BRAKE LINES THAT RUN TO THE BACK BRAKES RUSTED OUT, AND I LOST MY STOPPING POWER. THIS SHOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPEN. YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON THEM. I HAD NEW ONES PUT IN AT MY EXPENSE. CAN YOU THINK THAT THEY WOULD PUT CHEAP LINES IN THE LINCOLN THAT COAST 35000 DOLLARS. THEY DID. *JB
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NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Full record for the 1997 Lincoln Town Car → · Every Town Car year → · How the figures are calculated →