1998 Lincoln Town Car complaints

ACCIDENT 7/11/04 WIFE REAR ENDED A DODGE DORANGO AND TOTALED HER LINCOLN TOWN CAR. SHE DIDN'T SEE THR CAR STOP IN FRONT OF HER QUICK ENOUGH WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE CAR WENT IN A NICE STRAIGHT LINE BUT DID NOT HAVE GOOD BRAKING . I FOUND THIS TO BE TRUE WHEN DRIVING THIS CAR MYSELF . NOW WE HAVE TO PAY THE PRICE OF INCREASED INS. AND A BAD MARK . MY WIFE HAS NEVER HAD AN ACCIDENT BUT THERE IS NO ROOM FOR THIS IN THE INS. WORLD EVEN THOUGH THE CAR HAD A ENGINEERING PROBLEM AS SO RECORDED BY MYCARSTATS.COM AND OTHERS.THIS CAR AND FORD PRODUCTS WERE ===IMPROVED=== IN 1999 OR 2000 BUT OF COURSE THERE IS NO PROBLEM.

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWY 84 EAST THE RIGHT REAR TIRE AND WHEEL IN MY LINCOLN FELL OFF AND CONSEQUENTLY CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE WHILE TRYING TO GET IT OFF THE HIGHWAY. RESULTING IN A CRASH. UPON RECOVERY OF THE WHEEL AND TIRE IT SHOWS WHERE THE AXLE BROKE OFF.*AK

INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED, AND COOLANT SPILLED INSIDE THE ENGINE, TECHNICIAN INDICATED THE NEED TO BE REPLACE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE OF $967.40. *AK THE CONSUMER HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE WARRANTY WAS NO LONGER VALID BECAUSE THE COMPANY WAS OUT OF BUSINESS. THE CONSUMER HAD THE MANIFOLD REPLACED AT A SERVICE STATION. *NM

CONSUMER NOTICED WHEN BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED TAIL LIGHTS DID NOT ILLUMINATE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. *AK

WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO ENGINE FAILURE. *AK ABOUT AN INCH AWAY ON THE WHEEL WELL, THERE WAS A 1/4 HOLE WHICH ALLOWED SALTWATER FROM THE LEFT FRONT TIRE TO BE SPRAYED UP AND CAUSED CORROSION TO ACCUMULATE IN THE FUSE BOX. *SC *JB

WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE BALL JOINT SNAPPED. THIS CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO GO INTO A DITCH, WHICH AVOIDED A SEVERE COLLISION. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP, WHO DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK *JB

WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE DRIVER TILTED THE STEERING WHEEL CAUSING THE WIRE HARNESS TO BREAK OFF. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS, AND THE MECHANIC REPLACED TRANSPONDER HARNESS. *AK *MR

DRIVER NOTICED FLAMES AT THE RIGHT REAR CORNER OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING ALONG THE OHIO TURNPIKE. *PH *MR

I HAVE HAD A BRAKE PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT BRAKES THEY KEPT LOCKING-UP AND SMOKING 1 FIRST ROUND THEY CHANGED A FRONT RIGHT HUB AND SENSOR, THAT LASTED ABOUT 1 MILE THAT WAS AROUND $425.00 DOLLARS. PICKED UP THE CAR DROVE IT HOME 1/4 MILE THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON. THIS TIME IT HAD TO BE TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER. CAR SAT FOR ONE WEEK BECAUSE A TECH WAS ON VACATION! THEN I GOT A CALL FROM MY SERVICE REP AND GAVE ME PRICE AROUND $3200.00 FOR THE REPAIR. AFTER THINKING HOW MUCH MONEY I PUT IN THE CAR OVER THE YEARS I GAVE HER THE GO AHEAD TO DO THE WORK. ANOTHER 3/4 WEEK WENT BY THE JOB WAS KNOW COMPLETED SO I PICKED UP THE CAR DROVE IT TO WORK. AGAIN IT DID THE SAME PROBLEM THE FRONT WHEELS LOCKED-UP BUT THIS TIME I DROVE & MADE IT TO THE DEALER. I CALLED AHEAD OF TIME SO SHE WAS WAITING FOR ME TO PULL INTO THEIR YARD. SHE SAW THE SMOKING PADS SO I ASKED HER TO DRIVE THE CAR AND IT JUST BEARLY MOVED BECAUSE THE FRONT WHEELS WERE LOCKED-UP. THIS TIME A DAY WENT BY AND I WAS TOLD IT NEEDED ANOTHER PART BUT THEY WOULD DO IT FOR COST. I ASKED FOR THE SERVICE MANAGER CORTNEY TO LOOK AT MY BILLS AND DO THE RIGHT THING ON MY INVOICES. THERE WAS NO CHARGE FOR THE LAST JOB . 1ST BILL = FRONT HUB AND SENSOR $ 420.00 2ND BILL = ABS PUMPASY /HOSES ASSY-FRT AND REAR BRK/CALIPER HOSES/KIT-BRK ANTI/LK V/BLK ABS MODULE/BRAKE FLUID/470 CPM/LABOR $ 3463.14 3RD BILL = $ 400.00 AFTER CONVERSATION WITH SERVICE THIS WAS WAIVED. I SPENT ALMOST $ 4000.00 ON PARTS AND LABOR ON MY CAR AND IT DID THE SAME TH

1) LEAK FROM MANIFOLD, INVOLVED REPLACING WHOLE MANIFOLD. 2) PAINT PEELING FROM BUMPERS. 3) AIR CONDITIONER BLOWER MOTOR FAILURE. 4) SPECIAL SWITCH DEVICE LOCATED UNDER DASHBOARD THAT CONTROLS COOLING/HEATING FOR THE VENTS IN THE DASHBOARD FAILURE. 5) GENERATOR WARNING LAMP FAILURE.

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A SNAPPING SOUND, AND FELT THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE SWAY FROM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER. AFTER A THOROUGH INSPECTION IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE TRAILER ARM BRACKETS BROKE. THIS TRAILER ARM BREAKING HAD A LOT TO DO WITH THE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *AK *MR

WHEN BRAKING , THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD PULL HARD TO THE RIGHT. THIS MADE IT HARD FOR THE DRIVER TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE. *AK THE BRAKE ROTORS WERE WARPED. *PH ALSO THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED, THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE DEALER FOUND THE EVAP CANISTER SOLENOID VALVE LEAKING. *JB

WHILE PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY AT 2-3 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE, STOPPED VEHICLE, AND NOTICED TIE ROD END WERE DRAGGING ON THE GROUND ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF VEHICLE. DEALER STATED TIE RODS HAD DISCONNECTED. ALSO, THE BALL JOINTS WERE NOT LUBRICATED AND RUSTED. BOTH TIE RODS WERE REPLACED.*AK *JB *NLM

UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS AT NIGHT DUE TO EXCESS CONDENSATION BUILD-UP IN THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES. THIS IS PREVALENT ON MANY VEHICLES BEING MANUFACTURED IN THE U.S.A DUE FAULTY ASSEMBLY AND IMPROPER SEALANT. *LA

WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, AND DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, VEHICLE WILL PULL TO RIGHT. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

STARTING IN MARCH 2001 I STARTED TO REGULARLY GET FLAT TIRES DURING MY WARRANTY PERIOD BUT THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT. IN NOV 2001 I HAD A BLOWOUT ON THE EXPRESSWAY AT 60MPH AND ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF MY CAR AND CRASHED. IT WAS NOT UNTIL RECENTLY WHEN A TIRE RETAILER TOLD ME THIS WAS COMMON KNOWLEDGE BY FORD AND TIRE DEALERS. THE ALUMINUM RIMS HAVE A CHEAP, THIN CHROME COATING INSIDE AND CARODE AND PEEL CAUSING SLOW LEAKS. THIS IS VERY POTENTIALLY FATAL ON THE HIGHWAY. I TRIED TO GET FORD TO LOOK AT IT BUT THEY DONT CARE. THEY TOLD ME EVEN THOUGH IT STARTED IN MY WARRANTY PERIOD I WOULD HAVE TO PAY THEM $150 BECAUSE MY WARRANTY PERIOD WAS OVER. DO I HAVE TO DIE????????? PLEASE RECALL ALL THESE RIMS!!!!!! ON SAT 8-30-03 I HAD A FLAT IN BROOKLYN AND WAS STRANDED FOR 2HRS UNTIL A SERVICE CHANGED MY DONUT.WHEM MY TIRE WAS REPAIRED THEY SHOWED THE RIM TO ME. THE CHROME COATING WAS PEELING IN LARGE PIECES. THEY GRINDED THE RIMS AND COATED THEM WITH SOMETING AND TOLD ME IT WILL BE TEMPORARY. DO WE HAVE TO WAIT FOR SOMEONE TO HAVE A BLOWOUT ON THE HIGHWAY AND GET KILLED?????PLEASE DO SOMETHING.*AK

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL COME ON AND OFF. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK *TS

WATER BEGAN TO COME INTO MY CAR WHEN IT RAINED. ONE DAY IT FLOODED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARD. THERE WAS A GASKET BETWEEN THE FRESH AIR DUCT ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR LEADING TO THE INTERIOR. THE REPAIRMAN FOUND THAT THE GASKET WAS CRIMPED FROM THE FACTORY DURING INSTALLATION. THIS REPAIRMAN STATED THAT HE HAD SEEN THIS PROBLEM MANY WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL AS WELL AS WITH TWO OTHER FORD MODELS. THIS REPAIR COST ME SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS. MY ENTIRE DASH HAD TO BE REMOVED AS WELL AS BOTH FRONT SEATS.*AK

WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER HEARD THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE SQUEAKING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE FRONT CONTROL ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB *TS *JB

TWO BOLTS IN THE STEERING BOX HAD BECOME COMPLETELY BROKEN. THEY APPEARED TO HAVE NOT BEEN TIGHTENED PROPERLY BY THE FACTORY, THE LOCK TIGHTS WERE VISIBLE ON THE THREAD, AND PORTIONS OF THE BROKEN BOLTS WERE EXTRACTED FROM THE GEAR BOX. *NLM *SCC

THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. *JB

WATER LEAKED INTO THE VEHICLE, THE CAUSE WAS UNKNOWN. *JB

HEATER CORE IN MY 1998 LINCLON T.C. HAS BEEN REPLACED SIX TIMES IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS. LAST MAY 2002 I HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED AGAIN, YESTERDAY I HAD TO HAVE IT OR WAS GOING TO HAVE IT REPLACED AGAIN BUT THE FORD DEALER IN ONTARIO SAID IT IS NOT COVERED ANY MORE EVEN THO IT HAS A ONE YEAR OR 12,000 MILE WARRANTY THEY WILL NOT HONER IT.I AM THE SECOND OWNER AND THIS WILL BE MY SECOND HEATER CORE.THE SAME FORD DEALER REPLACED IT MY FIRST ONE.ITS BEEN 8 MONTHS SINCE THEY REPLACED IT.FORD DEALER SAID IT HAD BEEN REPLACED FIVE TIMES ALREADY WHICH I DDID NOT KNOW THIS.SOMETHING WRONG SOME PLACE 6 TIMES IN 4 YEARS,,,,,, PLEASE ADVISE JOHN M.VERNON

MY 1998 LINCOLN TOWN CAR (APPROX 35,000 MILES) DRAMATICALLY PULLS TO THE RIGHT DURING BRAKING WHEN ROAD CONDITIONS ARE WET AND THE CAR IS TRAVELLING IN EXCESS OF 40 MILES PER HOUR. THIS PROBLEM IS ADDRESSED IN FORDMOTOR COMPANY'S REPAIR BULLITEN 98-13-4 DTD 07/06/98. NOTWITHSTANDING HAVING THE CAR REPAIRED BY AN ASE CERTIFIED MECHANIC (NAPA APPROVED) IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SERVICE BULLITEN THE PROBLEM HAS REOCCURED AFTER 3,000 MILES. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS CONDITION WHICH COULD RESULT IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT, PARTICULARLY SINCE THE PROBLEM ONLY OCCURS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN TRAFFIC CONDITIONS ARE ALREADY DANGEROUS BECAUSE OF WET CONDITIONS.

WHILE TRAVELING 10 MPH AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION BRAKES FAILED, RESULTING IN VEHICLE HITTING CURVE TO STOP. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

I HAVE A 1998 LINCOLN TOWNCAR. ON JANUARY 11TH, MY CAR WAS BEING SERVICED FOR AN OIL CHANGE. THE MECHANIC NOTIFIED ME THAT THE HEADGASKET WAS LEAKING AT THE 4TH CYLANDER AND ADVISED ME TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER CHARGED ME $300.00 AND STATED IN WRITING THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE HEAD GASKET. ON JANUARY 19, MY CAR STOPPED RUNNING AND I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE NEXT DAY I WAS NOTIFIED THAT IT WAS MY HEADGASKET AND THEY OVERLOOKED THE LEAK AT THE EXACT LOCATION I TOLD THEM BASED ON MY MECHANICS ADVISE. NOW THEY WANT AN ADDITIONAL $1200.00 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. MY MECHANIC ADVISED ME THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS VEHICLE AND TO FILE A COMPLAINT AGAINST THE DEALER. MY CONCERN IS NOW THE ENGINE MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED BY THE LACK OF PROPER ATTENTION BY THE DEALER.

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE A/C BLOWS HOT AIR. *MR

AT 25 MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY VEERED LEFT. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. OUTER TIE ROD HAD SNAPPED.*AK THE STEERING LINKAGE AND TIE ROD END FALIED. THE DEALER REFUSED TO PAY FOR REPAIR OF THE VEHICLE. *JG

HEADLIGHT LENSES ARE DISCOLORED, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. DEALER CONTACTED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH SMOKE FROM UNDER THE HOOD, ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF, AND FIRE WENT OUT. WIRING HARNESS WAS REPLACED.*AK

WHEN IT'S RAINING BRAKES ON VEHICLE DO NOT WORK PROPERLY, VEHICLE WILL START TO PULL TO LEFT OR RIGHT.*AK

WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE AND HITTING A BUMP IN THE ROAD VEHICLE HITS BUMP VERY HARD. TOOK TO DEALER, AND THEY STATED THAT SHOCK ABSORBERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

MORE AND MORE CARS ARE APPEARING ON THE ROAD WITH "DISCHARGE" BLUE HEADLAMPS. I'M 67 AND FIND DRIVING AT NIGHT MUCH MORE DIFFICULT WHEN BLUE HEADLAMPS ARE COMING TOWARD ME. OTHER ELDERLY PEOPLE TELL ME THAT THESE HEADLAMPS ON OTHER CARS ARE MUCH MORE DAZZELING. I HATE TO THINK WHAT NIGHT DRIVING WILL BE LIKE WHEN THE MAJORITY OF CARS HAVE THE SUPER-BRIGHT "DISCHARGE" LAMPS. HAS AND STUDY BEEN DONE TO DETERMINE WHAT LIMITS SHOULD BE PLACED ON THE "DAZZLE POWER" OF HEADLAMPS. THANKS.*AK

UNIROYAL, TIGER PAW, NAILGUARD TIRES, P225/60R16, DOT UNKNOWN, REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT WITH 20000 MILES ON A 1998, LINCOLN, TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH NOTICED VIBRATION. PULLED OVER, AND CHECKED TIRES, CONSUMER NOTICED THAT RIGHT FRONT AND RIGHT REAR TIRES HAD TREAD SEPARATION.*AK

WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH VEHICLE JUMPED OUT OF CRUISE CONTROL AND ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO STOP VEHICLE WITHOUT INCIDENT. DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE, BUT UNABLE TO FIND CAUSE THROUGH A DIAGNOSTIC AND DRIVEN EXAMINATION. *AK

CONSUMER WAS SITTING AT A TRAFFIC STOP LIGHT AND WAS WAITING TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN IN A LEFT HAND LANE WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE VEERED INTO LEFT LANE AND HIT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HEAD- ON. UPON IMPACT, DUAL AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY, AND CONSUMER WAS HURT. DEALERSHIP AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

VEHICLE WAS INSIDE OF A CAR WASH. SHIFTED GEAR AND VEHICLE SURGED IN UNCONTROLLABLE SPEED AND MERGED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THEN, CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. *AK

DUE TO DESIGN WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE NOT FAST ENOUGH, AND VISIBILITY IS GREATLY REDUCED WHEN PRECIPITATION IS HEAVY. *AK THE CONSUMER SAYS THE WIPER PROBLEM IS A SAFETY HAZARD DURING HEAVY RAIN OR STORM. *YH

MIRROR DEFECT IN RECALL 98V322000 FOR THIS MAKE/MODEL/YEAR. DEALERSHIP INFORMED CONSUMER THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT A PART OF RECALL DUE TO VIN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORM ATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK

WHEN WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES ARE RUNNING IN RAIN, THEY START GOING SLOWER/ SLOWER AND SLOWER UNTIL THEY JUST STOP. CAR HAS BEEN IN REPAIR SHOP TWICE FOR WIPERS, AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

ONGOING PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE WANDERING ACROSS ROAD, AND IT BECAME MORE SEVERE AT 70 MPH OR MORE. VEHICLE BEEN IN DEALER SHOP ON TWO OCCASIONS, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG. *AK THE LIGHTS AIMED TOO HIGH DIE TO HEAD LAMPS MISALIGNMENT. *YH

GOING UP HILL IN 2 INCHES OF SNOW, VEHICLE STARTED SLIPPING, TRACTION CONTROL MOTOR MADE NOISE. CONSUMER APPLIED GAS PEDAL AND ENGINE WOULD NOT REV UP. AS STATED IN OWNERS MANUAL. ENGINE STALLED. *AK WHEN THE TRACTION CONTROL CAME ON, THE VEHICLE COULD ONLY GO 32 MPH, AND WHEN ACCELERATOR WAS LET OFF, THE ENGINE CUT OFF. *YH

HAVE NO CONTROL BRAKING ON WET OR ICED ROADS.*AK

ENGINE CUTS OUT, TRACK ACTIVE LIGHT COMES ON, NO RESPONSE TO ACCELERATOR UNTIL CAR HAS COASTED BELOW 25 MPH -- CAUSED BY REPLACEMENT MICHELIN TIRES BEING 1.5" LARGER THAN ORIGINAL MICHELIN TIRES

THE LEFT AND RIGHT HEADLIGHT GASKETS ARE PREMATURELY DETACHING FROM THE HEADLIGHT FRAME. THE MANUFACTURE OR DEALER WILL NOT COVER THIS EXPENSE.

LOWER CONTROL ARM AND BALL JOINT BROKE WHILE DRIVING. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON THE VEHICLE'S MAKE AND MODEL ; HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED UNDER THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEM WITH VIBRATION WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED DUE TO EXCESSIVE WARPING OF ROTORS. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT NOTHING ELSE COULD BE DONE AT THIS TIME. VIBRATION STILL PRESENT AFTER REPLACING THE ROTORS. *AK *ML

WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED ON WET SURFACES VEHICLE WILL PULL OR JERK TO THE RIGHT. DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE.*AK

VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE RIGHT IN BAD WET WEATHER CONDITIONS. WHEN THE PADS WERE REPLACED VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE LEFT AT ANYTIME. DEALER RESOLVED THE PROBLEM . VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 8 DIFFERENT TIMES. *AK CONSUMER ALSO STATES VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER WHEEL AND WHEN AKING TURNS THERE WOULD BE A NOISE FROM THE FRONT END. ALSO WHEN PRESSING BRAKES RADIO MAKES A STATIC SOUND, AND WHEN PLAYING TAPES THERE IS ALSO A SQUEALING NOISE POWRE MIRROR SWITCH STICKS IN THE DOWN POSITION.*JB

WHEN CAR GOES THROUGH A BODY OF WATER ON THE ROAD (DURING AND AFTER A RAIN) THE STEERING WHEEL IS JERKED OUT OF THE OPERATOR'S HAND DUE TO FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING WHEN THE MECHANISM GETS WET. I CONSIDER THIS A DANGEROUS MALFUNCTION. *AK