2001 Lincoln Town Car

Routine

Owners filed 161 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. It has been recalled 6 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
80,000 milesMedian miles at failure

90 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 90,000105,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags24
605
Vehicle Speed Control20
703
Air Bags › Side/Window17
106
Air Bags › Frontal12
204
Steering6
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip5
201
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor4
000
Visibility4
000
Engine and Engine Cooling4
000
Electrical System4
020

6 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Steering15E082000
Filed Oct 6, 20151,767 vehiclesDorman Products, Inc.

Defect. Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain model Dorman Steering Shafts, part number 425-359, Solutions Steering Shafts, part number 7-0359, and OE Solutions Steering Shafts, part number 425-359, manufactured April 17, 2014, to September 28, 2015. These aftermarket replacement steering shafts are sold for use in 1995-2002 Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Car vehicles. These steering shafts may separate during operation if the integral fastener is loose or missing and if the interfacing vehicle shaft is compressed in length.

Risk. If the shafts separate during vehicle operation, a loss of steering control would result, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy. Dorman will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering shaft, free of charge. The recall began on October 28, 2015. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492, option 5.

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor01V258000
Filed Aug 8, 20011,083,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND LIGHT AND MEDIUM DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. A SWITCH LOCATED IN THE PLASTIC COVER OF THE WIPER MOTOR GEAR CASE COULD MALFUNCTION AND OVERHEAT, POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN LOSS OF INTERMITTENT WIPER FUNCTION, LOSS OF WIPER PARK FUNCTION, COMPLETE LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION, OR IGNITION OF THE PLASTIC COVER MATERIAL. SWITCH MALFUNCTION IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR WHEN THE INTERMITTENT SETTING OF THE WIPERS IS BEING USED, OR WHEN SNOW OR ICE OBSTRUCTS THE BLADES FROM RETURNING TO THE "PARKED" POSITION AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT AT THE FOLLOWING ASSEMBLY PLANTS: ATLANTA PLANT FROM 2/11/00 THROUGH 7/31/00; CHICAGO PLANT FROM 2/14/00 THROUGH 8/4/00; KANSAS CITY PLANT FROM 2/26/00 TO 9/4/00; KENTUCKY TRUCK PLANT FROM 2/18/00 TO 8/31/00; MICHIGAN TRUCK PLANT FROM 2/23/00 THROUGH 8/3/00; NORFOLK PLANT FROM 2/21/00 THROUGH 7/27/00; WAYNE STAMPING AND ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 2/25/00 THROUGH 8/15/00; AND WIXOM PLANT FROM 2/15/00 THROUGH 8/8/00.

Risk. LOSS OF VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DATE CODE ON THE WIPER MOTOR. MOTORS BUILT WITH THE SUSPECT TIME FRAME WILL HAVE THE WIPER MOTOR GEAR CASE COVER REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 20, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.

Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly01V227001
Filed Jul 16, 20011,400,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND MINIVANS. EQUIPPED WITH SEAT BELTS SUPPLIED BY TRW. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE DRIVER'S AND/OR FRONT PASSENGER'S OUTBOARD SEAT BELT BUCKLE MAY NOT FULLY LATCH. FORD CROWN VICTORIA BUILT AT ST. THOMAS ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 4/17/00 - 5/29/01 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS BUILT AT ST. THOMAS ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 4/17/00 - 5/29/01. LINCOLN TOWN CARS BUILT AT WIXOM ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 3/27/00 - 5/30/01. LINCOLN NAVIGATORS BUILT AT MICHIGAN TRUCK PLANT FROM 4/11/00 - 5/31/01. FORD WINDSTARS BUILT AT OAKVILLE ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 3/23/00 - 5/30/01. FORD RANGERS BUILT AT TWIN CITIES PLANT FROM 3/28/00 - 5/30/01, AND ALSO AT THE EDISON PLANT FROM 3/13/00 - 5/25/01. FORD F-150 TRUCK BUILT AT NORFOLK PLANT FROM 4/18/00 - 5/25/00; AT ONTARIO PLANT FROM 5/10/00 - 5/28/01; AT KANSAS CITY PLANT FROM 9/11/99 - 5/25/01; AND AT CUAUTITLAN PLANT FROM 5/16/00 - 6/9/01. FORD SUPER DUTY F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS BUILT AT KENTUCKY PLANT FROM 4/17/00 - 5/27/01; AND AT CUAUTITLAN PLANT FROM 5/16/00 - 6/19/01. FORD EXCURSIONS BUILT AT KENTUCKY PLANT FROM 4/17/00 - 10/2/00. FORD EXPEDITIONS BUILT AT MICHIGAN TRUCK PLANT FROM 4/11/00 - 5/31/01.

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM MAY NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE OCCUPANT PROTECTION, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT OUTBOARD SEAT BELT BUCKLES AND IF THE BUCKLE FAILS THE INSPECTION PROCESS, IT WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 25, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.

Tires00V356000
Filed Dec 12, 200010,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN LIMOUSINES STRETCHED OVER 60 INCHES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 109, "NEW PNEUMATIC TIRES," AND NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS."

Risk. THE VEHICLE WEIGHT COULD EXCEED THE MAXIMUM LOAD RATING FOR THE TIRE, INCREASING THE RISK OF PREMATURE TIRE WEAR OR BLOWOUT.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE ALL 5 TIRES (INCLUDING THE SPARE TIRE) WITH MICHELIN TIRES (225/70R16 107T REINFORCED WHITE SIDEWALL) WITH A SUFFICIENTLY HIGHER LOAD RATING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 10, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-248-0186.

Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module-inactive00V412000
Filed Dec 6, 200016,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS AND PASSENGER VEHICLES. A RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE (RCM) OR A SIDE OR FRONT CRASH SENSOR MAY HAVE BEEN ASSEMBLED WITH ONE OR MORE OF THE SCREWS THAT MOUNT THE CIRCUIT BOARD IN THE HOUSING MISSING. IF SOME OR ALL OF THE SCREWS ARE MISSING, THE PERFORMANCE OF THE OCCUPANT RESTRAINS COULD BE AFFECTED.

Risk. IN SOME CASES, LESS THAN THE INTENDED LEVEL OF PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE RCM AND CRASH SENSORS AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THEM.

Air Bags00V270000
Filed Sep 13, 200018,500 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, LIMOUSINES, AND MINI VANS WERE BUILT WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE (RCM). IN SOME CASES, THE RCM DOES NOT RECOGNIZE CERTAIN SYSTEM FAULTS THAT COULD RESULT IN AN AIR BAG OR SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONER UNEXPECTEDLY ACTIVATING DURING THE SELF-TEST SEQUENCE AT VEHICLE START-UP.

Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RCM IN THESE VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 14, 2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Engine
Filed Oct 17, 2022NM

My car has been making a weird whistling noise for a few months. My husband found it was coming from the rear intake manifold hose. He started my car and next the car started smoking and he looked under the hood the nipple where the hose connected had broke off and there is a crack all the way down the intake manifold.

Engine
Filed Oct 17, 2022NM

There was a loud pop after I got gas. My car wouldn't stay running. I couldn't figure out what was going on. My husband looked under the hood and the spark plug still attached to the ignition coil had popped out of the engine. All of the screws holding the ignition coils had backed out.

Air Bags
Filed Jul 8, 202150,930 milesKS

The contact owns a 2001 Lincoln Town Car. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, the passenger’s side curtain air bag inadvertently deployed without warning. While the contact was startled by the deployment of the air bag, there was no injury sustained. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the vehicle was not under recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 50,930.

Air Bags
Filed May 15, 2020248,780 milesOH

PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG DEPLOYED OVERNIGHT. CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND PARKED IN DRIVEWAY, 50' FROM STREET. *TR

Steering
Filed May 31, 2019KY

" TAKATA RECALL " WHEN I DRIVE OVER A POT HOLE MY CAR WANTS 2 GO ALL OVER THE ROAD THE STEERING IS LOOSECAN'T HARTLEY HOLE IT STRAIGHT ON THE ROAD I CANNT. AND ALSO MY WINDSHIELD FLUID DOESN'T COME OUT WHEN PUSH.STEERING COULD IS LOOSE.ALL IN MOTION EVEN.ON THE HWY I CANNOT GO ON. I CANNOT TAKE PIC IT IS UNDER THE CAR

Suspension
Filed Jun 27, 2018131,500 milesOH

ON JULY 16, 2017, I WAS TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE 70 EAST, NEAR WASHINGTON, PA. ALL OF A SUDDEN MY 2001 LINCOLN STARTED SHAKING VERY VIOLENTLY. I MANAGED TO PULL INTO A REST STOP A FEW MILES AWAY, AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR PORTION OF MY LINCOLN WAS VERY LOW TO THE GROUND. I MANAGED TO DRIVE INTO WASHINGTON, PA, AND A LOCAL MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT HE SUSPECTED THAT THE AIR SUSPENSION COMPRESSOR, WHICH CONTROLS THE REAR AIR SUSPENSION BAGS, WAS DEFECTIVE. A FEW WEEKS EARLIER, THE "AIR BAGS" WARNING LIGHT RELATING TO THE REAR AIR SUSPENSION BAGS HAD COME ON; MY MECHANIC CHECKED THEM OUT AND STATED THAT THEY WERE FINE, AS HE HAD REPLACED BOTH OF THEM, IN 2013. HOWEVER, IN RETROSPECT, THE COMPUTER WAS REFERRING TO THE AIR SUSPENSION COMPRESSOR AND PROBABLY TO THE AIR SUSPENSION HEIGHT SENSOR. I HAD MY MECHANIC REPLACE BOTH OF THOSE PARTS. IT APPEARS TO ME THAT THE LINCOLN PERSONNEL SHOULD HAVE WARNED THE LINCOLN TOWN CAR OWNERS THAT THE AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM, WHICH IS USED ON THE LINCOLN TOWN CARS, IS PRONE TO FAILURE; AND, THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A WARNING BUILT INTO THE COMPUTER TO WARN DRIVERS OF AN IMPENDING LOSS TO THAT SYSTEM. A LIGHT COMING ON JUST STATING "AIR BAGS" IS NOT SUFFICIENT. PRIOR TO THAT PROBLEM, I HAD NO IDEA THAT THERE WAS AN AIR SUSPENSION COMPRESSOR, OR AN AIR SUSPENSION HEIGHT SENSOR TO CONTROL THE REAR AIR SUSPENSION BAGS. SINCE THERE ARE STILL THOUSANDS OF LINCOLN TOWN CARS ON THE ROAD, THE NHTSA SHOULD AT LEAST WARN OWNERS OF THOSE CARS, ABOUT THE POTENTIAL S

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Apr 21, 201798,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO STOP. NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONE OTHER TIME AND HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL COMING TO A SCREECHING STOP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

Electrical System
Filed Apr 21, 2017104,250 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE ROAD SHOULDER AND WAS RESTARTED AFTER TEN MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 104,250.

Steering
Filed Apr 16, 2017140,000 milesIL

I HAVE REPLACED ALL STEERING COMPONENTS. AND THE STEERING STILL WONDERS TO BAD TO DRIVE.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Dec 30, 2016146,999 milesFL

MY 2001 LINCOLN TOWNCAR SIGNATURE ,. GAS IN FUEL AND DROVE 3 MILES IN PARK. THE CAR LITTLE EXHAUST, I PROCEEDED TO THE LIGHT AND THERMOSTATS HEATING NEEDLE TO HOT. I MOVE TO NEXT, LIGHT, AIR CONDITION ON TO COOL DOWN. IMMEDIATELY LEFT TURN INTO CYPRESS RESTAURANT. PARKING, TURN OFF, COOL DOWN, AND NEXT OPEN BY FRIEND WHO NEEDED GO THE DOCTOR. CALLED AAA PULL TO THE SHOP. ESTIMATED , CAN NOT REPAIRED THIS...DAY. SO, IF IT WAS MANUFACTURED DEFECEITS. I LOOK UP ...

Air BagsCrash3 injured
Filed Jul 22, 2016199,700 milesIN

AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN HARD IMPACT

Suspension
Filed Jan 22, 2016102,020 milesNC

AIRBAGS HAD TO BE REPLACED, MILEAGE 102050.ALSO, WIPER MOTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED 3TIMES SO FAR.

Steering
Filed Nov 12, 2015146,000 milesMD

WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION STEERING WONDERS BACK AND FORTH. CENTER STEERING ONLY OBTAIN WITH CONSTANT CORRECTING.

Steering
Filed Nov 10, 2015168,500 milesRI

ON WIPERS THE INTERMEDIATE DONT WORK AND WHEN WASHER FLUID SPRAYED CANT SHUT WIPERS OFF 2 NOW ON WHEELS CONSTANTLY LOOSING AIR DUE TO RIMS PEELING AND THE INSIDE RIMS ARE PEELING CAUSING TIRE NOT TO HOLD AIR AND 3 FRONT END WOBBLES AND RADDLES HAD NEW TIERODS AND BALL JOINTS WONDERING IF ANY RECALLS WERE DUE TO BE DONE AND PREVIOUS OWNER NEGLECTED TO GET DONE PLEASE HELP

Air Bags
Filed Sep 1, 2015159,000 milesMI

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 30 MILES AN HOUR, THE PASSENGER SEAT SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG MODULE ASSEMBLY DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO CRASH, IMPACT, OR CONTACT WITH ANYTHING. FAULTY SENSOR OR CONTROLLER?

Steering
Filed Jul 28, 201569,000 milesIN

THE CAR HAS DEVELOPED POOR RETURN TO CENTER WHEN TURNING. IT ALSO SEEMS TO BE STICKY IN NORMAL HIGHWAY DRIVING, THAT IS, A MINOR CORRECTION SEEMS TO STAY UNTIL CORRECTED THE OTHER DIRECTION. THIS MAKES THE CAR WANDER BACK AND FORTH. I HAD ONE MECHANIC IN TOWN DIAGNOSE IT AS LOWER STEERING SHAFT AND I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WITH MY LOCAL FORD DEALER TO EVALUATE THE PROBLEM. I NOTE THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM FOR 2005 AND LATER MODEL YEARS. THERE HAVE BEEN ACCIDENTS FROM STEERING FAILURE REPORTED.

Visibility
Filed Feb 19, 2015120,000 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 12/30/15*LJ THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. UPDATED 04/07/16.*JB

Engine
Filed Jan 18, 201593,000 milesNY

ENGINE STARTED TO MAKE A LOUD CLICKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING 45MPH DOWN THE BLOCK. MANAGED TO PULL INTO THE DRIVEWAY AND WHEN A OPENED THE HOOD THE COIL PACK HAD BLOWN APART AND THE SPARK PLUG WAS SITTING ON TOP OF THE ENGINE. *TR

Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod Assembly
Filed Oct 3, 201483,000 milesIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD METAL DRAGGING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE COMPLETELY COLLAPSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TIE ROD FRACTURED AND DAMAGED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE DEFECTIVE TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Aug 21, 201496,000 milesTN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH IN HEAVY RAIN, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ACTIVATED AND THEN SUDDENLY FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT AND OCCURRED ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

20 of 161 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1997
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20116300Routine
201013310Routine
20095300Routine
200820300Routine
200784310Routine
2006143210Routine
2005119321Fatalities reported
200483030Routine
2003201100Above average
200265110Routine
2001 — this page161640Routine
2000108980Routine
1999148670Routine
1998154870Routine
1997314860Above average
199625910110Above average
19951659102Fatalities reported
19941555260High concern
19931764560High concern
19922494931Fatalities reported
19911555140Routine
19902094640High concern

Compare every Town Car year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

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: Oct 6, 2015. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.