Owners filed 201 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the suspension › rear. It has been recalled 1 time.
When it fails
06900069,000 milesMedian miles at failure
159 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 40,000–50,000 miles.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Suspension › Rear
42
0
0
0
Suspension
28
0
0
0
Vehicle Speed Control
16
7
0
2
Steering
11
0
0
0
Power Train
11
0
0
0
Engine
6
0
0
0
Tires
5
0
0
0
Power Train › Axle Assembly
5
0
0
0
Electrical System
5
0
0
0
Power Train › Axle Assembly › Axle Shaft
4
0
0
0
1 safety recall
Part 573 reports
Suspension › Rear04V328000
Filed Jul 7, 200447,314 vehiclesFord Motor Company
Defect. CERTAIN POLICE, COMMERCIAL, AND PASSENGER VEHICLES SOLD TO FLEETS TYPICALLY INPUT HIGHER LOADS INTO THE VEHICLE CHASSIS OVERLOADING THE WHEEL BEARINGS AND AXLES.
Risk. THIS COULD LEAD TO EARLY BEARING FAILURE AND ULTIMATELY TO AXLE SHAFT FRACTURE. IN THE EVENT OF AXLE SHAFT FRACTURE, THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE DRIVE FUNCTION AND WOULD COAST TO A STOP. LOSS OF DRIVE FUNCTION COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS, SEALS,AND AXLE SHAFTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 15, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Suspension
Filed Apr 29, 2024MO
[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Engine
Filed Jan 20, 2023140,000 milesIL
The contact owns a 2003 Lincoln Town Car. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the vehicle experienced rough idling. Additionally, the headlights were flickering, and the alternator failed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the powertrain control module (PCM) was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 140,000.
Power Train
Filed Jul 24, 2022KY
I have had to replace wheel bearing and axle every few months because of premature wear and causing driving to be a safety concern. Once it wears thin, the car shakes and wobbles and the tire almost snapped off twice.
Suspension
Filed Jun 28, 2022155,000 milesSC
The contact owns a 2003 Lincoln Town Car. The contact stated while his son was driving on the highway, the accelerator pedal was slightly released; however, the vehicle stopped instantly. There was no warning light illuminated. The driver was able to drive to his destination safely. The vehicle was towed to the contact's workplace. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The tow truck operator stated that the rear axle was fractured. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 155,000.
Suspension
Filed Jun 1, 2022IA
The rear-end failed does not have tempered axle There was a recall on 2003 lincolns with same problem but when I enter vin It does not pull anything up Lost control of car and had to be towed home have not had it to the dealer yet
Power Train
Filed May 22, 2022NY
Been trying for about a year to get this safety recall called 4 local ford dealer ships first one said my cars to old they won’t fix the safety recall other don’t give call back I can hear like vibrating in the back where this recall would fix it hopfully it don’t break on me
Vehicle Speed Control
Filed May 7, 2022IA
Rear end started a sudden howell and shaking and grinding and the Abs and traction control light came on and brakes and suspension did not want to function properly while driving in traffic as quick as I could I pulled over and it looked like one tire was sticking out of the axel way far So I just pulled over and called for my AAA to to and got towed home thats it
Suspension
Filed Dec 16, 202173,000 milesNY
The contact owns a 2003 Lincoln Town Car. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V328000 (Suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, vibration sounds were heard coming from the rear of the vehicle. The local dealer, All American Ford of Paramus (375 NJ-17, Paramus, NJ 07652) and Mahwah Ford (55 Franklin Turnpike, Mahwah, NJ 07430) were made aware of the recall however, all three dealers informed the contact that the parts were obsolete. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to several dealers. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000. Consumer stated safety recall for a fracture in the rear axle and bearing states can cause crash still isn’t resolved.
Engine
Filed Jun 1, 202185,800 milesIL
The contact owns a 2003 Lincoln Town Car. The contact stated that he noticed fuel on the pavement in the driveway at his residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the intake manifold was faulty. The mechanic also confirmed that the manifold was leaking and needed to be replaced. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 85,800.
Power Train
Filed Apr 16, 202192,611 milesOK
THE REAR RIGHT WHEEL BEARING WAS REPLACED LESS THAN 2 YEARS AGO AND IS ALREADY BAD AGAIN. THIS SPECIFIC MAKE AND MODEL AND YEAR OF CAR HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR THE BEARING ISSUES THAT THIS CAR HAS, AND THIS CAR WAS PRODUCED IN THE EXACT PLANT THAT THE RECALL INVOLVES. HOWEVER, THE RECALL MANUFACTURE DATE ENDS ON DECEMBER 31, 2002 AND THIS CAR'S MANUFACTURE DATE IS FEBRUARY 2003. THE CAR HAS THE BAD PARTS THAT HAVE BEEN RECALLED AND IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.
Suspension › Rear
Filed Dec 19, 2019106,000 milesNC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE AXLE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BEARINGS SEIZED, WHICH CAUSED THE AXLE TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V328000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.
Suspension
Filed Jul 1, 201992,643 milesOK
RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING WENT OUT. MILEAGE OF CAR IS 92,643. THERE WAS A RECALL OF THIS YEAR OF CAR MANUFACTURED FROM THE SAME PLANT, WIXOM, MI, BUT THE PRODUCTION LINE OF RECALL ENDED IN DECEMBER 2002. THIS CAR ROLLED OFF IN FEBRUARY2003. HOWEVER, IT WAS EXACTLY AS THE RECALL STATED AND THERE IS NO WAY THAT THE BAD PARTS WAS NOT PUT ON OTHER VEHICLES OF THE 2003 PRODUCTION VEHICLES. WHEN THE BEARING WENT, IT CHEWED THE AXLE SO IT TOO HAD TO BE REPLACED. IT WENT OUT WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOPPED POSITION. WAS IMMEDIATELY PARKED AND NOT DRIVEN TIL FIXED. MACHANIC AGREES THAT IT WAS BAD PARTS AND KNOWS OF SEVERAL 2003 MODELS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.
Engine
Filed Jun 26, 201981,000 milesFL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS SCRAPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO POMPANO FORD (2741 N FEDERAL HWY, POMPANO BEACH, FL 33064, (954) 773-9486) FOR REPAIRS. WHEN THE CONTACT RETRIEVED THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE FLOORBOARD WAS FLOODED WITH WATER. THE DEALER BELIEVED THE WATER WAS DUE TO THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT FLOODING OR THE WIPERS PUSHING WATER INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER THEN STATED THAT THERE WAS A PAN IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO DRAIN WATER OUT INTO THE STREET. THE DEALER TRIED TO BLAME THE INSURANCE COMPANY THAT DIRECTED THE CONTACT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE SCRAPE REPAIRED. THE DEALER GAVE THE CONTACT A BILL FOR $880 AND DID NOT CLEAR OUT THE WATER. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE INSURANCE COMPANY WOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE DEALER RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE CONTACT STILL FULL OF WATER AND GAVE HIM A STATEMENT LISTING THE CHARGES FOR WHICH THEY EXPECTED THE INSURANCE COMPANY TO PAY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000.
Power Train
Filed Feb 15, 2019240,000 milesNV
THE CAR DOESNT GO ON GEAR. ENGINE STARTS BUT WONT GO ON ANY GEAR. EITHER AXLE SHAFT OR BEARING PROBLEM
Air Bags
Filed Dec 27, 2018140,500 milesMT
I RECENTLY HAD OPEN HEART SURGERY AND NEED TO GET THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DISABLED. MY LINCOLN DEALER WILL DISABLE THE AIR BAG BUT THEY NEED SOME STATEMENT FROM YOUR AGENCY TO ALLOW THE TO COMPLETE THE DISABLE. MY NAME: (XXXX) PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash1 injured
Filed Sep 25, 2018146,000 milesNY
WHILE DRIVING NORMALLY, THE ACCELERATOR STUCK OPEN CAUSING THE CAR TO GAIN AN EXCESS AMOUNT OF SPEED IN TRAFFIC. THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN OFF AND THE BREAKS WOULD NOT HOLD IT OR SLOW IT DOWN. IN THE END THE CAR WAS TOTALED AFTER HITTING 2 TREES AND A WALL.
Steering
Filed Sep 12, 2018168,000 milesMA
WHEN PUTTING VEHICLE IN MOTION, STEERING IS STIFF. POWER STEERING OIL LEVEL IS PROPER AT APPROPRIATE LEVEL. THE LOCAL MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THE STEERING MECHANISM IS AT FAULT. WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON STREET, STEERING IS DIFFICULT BUT MANAGEABLE.
Steering
Filed Feb 6, 2018151,000 milesIL
13S08 CAMPAIGN FOR LOWER/UPPER STEERING SHAFT REPLACEMENT COVERS 2005-2011 CROWN VICTORIA/GRAND MARQUIS/TOWN CAR, BUT NOT THE 2003-2004, WHICH HAVE THE SAME PARTS. MY 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR IS HAVING THE ISSUE ADDRESSED BY 13S08, BUT IS NOT COVERED BY THE CAMPAIGN.
Electrical System
Filed Nov 27, 201798,000 milesNV
LOSS OF AM RECEPTION. OUR LOCAL FORD / LINCOLN DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THAT THERE IS A TSB ON MY VEHICLE. TSB 03-23-07 PUBLISHED NOVEMBER 18/03. IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE A REVISED HIDDEN ANTENNA MODULE WITH A BUILT-IN SIGNAL BOOSTER AND DIFFERENT WIRING HOOKUP TO THE REAR GLASS. THE KIT PART NUMBER IS 4W1Z-19G323-AA. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE MANAGER SINCE IT IS A TSB AND NOT A RECALLS...I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE PART (APPROX. $170) AND 2.9HRS OF LABOR. SINCE IT IS A DEFECT I THINK THE REPAIRS SHOULD BE FREE.
Service Brakes
Filed Nov 26, 2017IL
ASSISTING A FRIEND WITH THIS. THE LEFT REAR AXLE HAS BROKEN AND DAMAGED THE BRAKES AND ABS SENSOR. HE HAD DRIVEN THE VEHICLE TO WORK AND PARKED IT. AFTER HIS SHIFT ENDED, HE STARTED THE VEHICLE, SHIFTED INTO GEAR AND FOUND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE & WAS MAKING NOISE. HE HAD IT TOWED TO HIS HOUSE AND ASKED ME TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE. AFTER RAISING THE REAR AXLE, I WAS ABLE TO DETERMINE THAT THE LEFT REAR AXLE BEARING HAD WORN THROUGH THE AXLE AND IT BROKE. WHEN I CHECKED THE NHTSA WEBSITE, IT SHOWED IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE REAR AXLE SAFETY RECALL, ALTHOUGH THE CONDITIONS ARE SIMILAR TO WHAT WAS LISTED.
Complaint volume is well above typical for a single model year.
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: Jul 7, 2004. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.