FaultScore report
Owners have filed 40 complaints about the 1987 Lincoln Town CAR with NHTSA between 1995 and 2009. The largest single group is the electrical system.
40
Complaints
2
Crashes reported
16
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
0 crashes, 3 fires · median 150,000 mi
0 crashes, 1 fires
0 crashes, 1 fires
1 crashes, 0 fires
Median failure at 34,102 miles
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIMOUSINES BUILT BY EMPIRE COACH. VEHICLE ALTERERS LABEL MAY BE MISSING OR INCOMPLETE.
Risk: VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH PART 567.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
SAFETY BELTS (TYPE 1 LAP BELTS) FOR REAR FACING SEATS WERE NOT INSTALLED.
Risk: LACK OF RESTRAINTS COULD CONTRIBUTE TO OTHERWISE PREVENTABLE INJURY AND WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 209 AND 210.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
Risk: COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A FIRE RISK.
STEERING:LINKAGES:ARM:IDLER AND ATTACHMENT
Risk: DRIVER WOULD EXPERIENCE A CLUNKING NOISE ON TURNS AND ALOOSE FEELING IN THE STEERING WHEEL; STEERING CONTROL WOULD BE MAINTAINED.
STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING
STEERING CENTERLINKS MAY BREAK AT A BEND LOCATION.
Risk: STEERING CONTROL WOULD BE DIMINISHED, WITH REDUCEDCONTROL OF LEFT WHEEL ONLY AND CONSIDERABLE STEERING WHEEL FREE PLAY.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WIRING HARNESS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT MAY BE MISROUTED AND SUBJECT TO DAMAGE. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: A SHORT CIRCUIT COULD OCCUR (DURING USE OR WHEN PARKED) WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.
Fuel System
ON VEHICLES WITH EFI OR CFI, THE SPRING-LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING USED TO CONNECT THE FUEL SUPPLY AND RETURN LINES TO THE EFI FUEL RAILS OR TO THE CFI THROTTLE BODIES AS WELL AS OTHER FUEL LINE CONNECTIONS NEAR THE DASH PANELS ON SOME VEHICLES, COULD DISENGAGE DURING VEHICLE USE. SHOULD THIS OCCUR, LOSS OF FUEL WILL RESULT, PROVIDING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE FIRE. CORRECTION: COUPLING RETAINER CLIPS WILL BE INSTALLED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES. NOTE: ESCORT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH EFI AND CFI. LYNX VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH CFI ONLY. EFI - ELECTRONIC FUEL INJECTION CFI - CENTRAL FUEL INJECTION
Steering
VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH IDLER ARM BRACKETS THAT ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO FRACTURE AT THE THREADED SHAFTS DUE TO IMPROPER HEAT TREATMENT. A FRACTURED IDLER ARM BRACKET WOULD RESULT IN A CLUNKING NOISE ON TURNS AND A LOOSE FEELING IN THE STEERING WHEEL DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. STEERING CONTROL WOULD BE MAINTAINED HOWEVER BECAUSE BOTH FRONT WHEELS WOULD REMAIN CONNECTED TO THE STEERING ARM. CORRECTION: IDLER ARM ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Steering
THE NEWLY DESIGNED STEERING CENTRELINKS ON THESE VEHICLES MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO BREAKAGE AT A BEND LOCATION. SHOULD A FRACTURE OCCUR, VEHICLE STEERING WOULD BE DIMINISHED, ALLOWING REDUCED CONTROL OF THE LEFT WHEEL ONLY. CORRECTION: STEERING CENTRELINK WILL BE REPLACED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Electrical
RETAINERS FOR THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS ASSEMBLIES MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY INSTALLED IN THE DASH PANEL AREA OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THIS COULD ALLOW A COWL TOP ATTACHING SCREW TO DAMAGE THE HARNESS CREATING THE POTENTIAL FOR A SHORT CIRCUIT. THIS COULD RESULT IN OVERHEATING OF THE WIRING INSULATION MATERIAL AND A POSSIBLE VEHICLE FIRE. CORRECTION: VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND MAIN WIRING HARNESS ASSEMBLIES WILL BE CORRECTLY INSTALLED IF REQUIRED.
Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
FOUR MINUTES AFTER THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF, BLACK SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE OWNER OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICED THE ALTERNATOR WAS ON FIRE. *AK A MECHANIC EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND NO POLICE REPORT WAS MADE. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE FORD TO RECALL ALL VEHICLES WITH THE SAME TYPE ALTERNATOR AND OTHER COMPONETS AS HIS.
NHTSA complaint #10050168 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN TURNING VEHICLE AT LESS THAN FIVE MILES AN HOUR, VEHICLE WENT INTO HIGH THROTTLE MODE, AND ACCELERATED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO JUMP CURB. BOTH FRONT TIRES WENT FLAT, KNOCKING DOWN 20 FEET WOODED FENCE, AND HIT HOUSE.*AK CONSUMER STATED PROBLEM WAS RELATED TO THE CRUISE CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #887146 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
ONGOING TFI IGNITION MODULE PROBLEM, ALL IGNITION COMPONENTS REPLACED, TFI 3+ TIMES, STILL HAPPENS, CAR STALLS AND WON'T START. CALIFORNIA HAS DONE SOMETHING ABOUT THIS, WHEN ARE YOU!? NOW I HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS ONGOING PROBLEM. DO I HAVE TO GET SERIOUSLY INJURED OR WHAT????????
NHTSA complaint #744068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN DUE TO FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH . CONSUMER NOTICED THAT TAILIGHTS HAD TURNED ON BY THEMSELVES. 1 WEEK PRIOR TO INCIDENT, RADIO HAD STARTED TO SMOKE AND THEN FAILED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #872813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN DUE TO FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH . CONSUMER NOTICED THAT TAILIGHTS HAD TURNED ON BY THEMSELVES. 1 WEEK PRIOR TO INCIDENT, RADIO HAD STARTED TO SMOKE AND THEN FAILED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #872813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN DUE TO FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH . CONSUMER NOTICED THAT TAILIGHTS HAD TURNED ON BY THEMSELVES. 1 WEEK PRIOR TO INCIDENT, RADIO HAD STARTED TO SMOKE AND THEN FAILED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #872813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
TIRES
TOTAL TREAD SEPARATION FROM TIRE WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 65 ..M.P.H. FRONT RIGHT TIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10276936 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
FOUR MINUTES AFTER THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF, BLACK SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE OWNER OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICED THE ALTERNATOR WAS ON FIRE. *AK A MECHANIC EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND NO POLICE REPORT WAS MADE. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE FORD TO RECALL ALL VEHICLES WITH THE SAME TYPE ALTERNATOR AND OTHER COMPONETS AS HIS.
NHTSA complaint #10050168 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
WHILE DRIVING RADIATOR SUDDENLY STARTED TO LEAK FLUID. UPON THE LEAKAGE FROM THE RADIATOR VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY SHUT DOWN WITH NO WARNING.
NHTSA complaint #10038380 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
STRONG GASOLINE ODOR INSIDE CAR MOST NOTICEABLE WITH A WINDOW DOWN, HAVE CHECKED FOR LEAKS AND CAN'T FIND IT, SEEMS LIKE IT MAY BE COMING FROM BEHIND THE DASH.
NHTSA complaint #10018443 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN TURNING VEHICLE AT LESS THAN FIVE MILES AN HOUR, VEHICLE WENT INTO HIGH THROTTLE MODE, AND ACCELERATED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO JUMP CURB. BOTH FRONT TIRES WENT FLAT, KNOCKING DOWN 20 FEET WOODED FENCE, AND HIT HOUSE.*AK CONSUMER STATED PROBLEM WAS RELATED TO THE CRUISE CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #887146 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
ONGOING TFI IGNITION MODULE PROBLEM, ALL IGNITION COMPONENTS REPLACED, TFI 3+ TIMES, STILL HAPPENS, CAR STALLS AND WON'T START. CALIFORNIA HAS DONE SOMETHING ABOUT THIS, WHEN ARE YOU!? NOW I HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS ONGOING PROBLEM. DO I HAVE TO GET SERIOUSLY INJURED OR WHAT????????
NHTSA complaint #744068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN DUE TO FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH . CONSUMER NOTICED THAT TAILIGHTS HAD TURNED ON BY THEMSELVES. 1 WEEK PRIOR TO INCIDENT, RADIO HAD STARTED TO SMOKE AND THEN FAILED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #872813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN DUE TO FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH . CONSUMER NOTICED THAT TAILIGHTS HAD TURNED ON BY THEMSELVES. 1 WEEK PRIOR TO INCIDENT, RADIO HAD STARTED TO SMOKE AND THEN FAILED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #872813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN DUE TO FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH . CONSUMER NOTICED THAT TAILIGHTS HAD TURNED ON BY THEMSELVES. 1 WEEK PRIOR TO INCIDENT, RADIO HAD STARTED TO SMOKE AND THEN FAILED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #872813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
VEHICLE STALLS, FAILS TO START, AFTER FIRST 30 TO 45 MINS DRIVING DURING 95F PLUS OUTSIDE AIR TEMP, DRY WEATHER CONDITIONS, DALLAS, TX. TFI REPLACED TWICE, COIL REPLACED, TPS REPLACED, AND TUNE UP STILL HAS NOT RESOLVED PROBLEM. POTENTIAL FOR SERIOUS ACCIDENT, INJURY, OR DEATH EXISTS WITH THIS PROBLEM AS VEHICLE STALLS WITH NO WARNING. ONCE STALL CONTITION EXISTS VEHICLE CANNOT BE STARTED FOR AT LEAST 1.5 TO 2 HOURS, UNTIL ENGINE HAS COOLED ENOUGH TO ALLOW FOR A RESTART. ENGINE TEMP GUAGE REMAINS IN NORMAL RANGE DURING THIS ENTIRE PROCESS. ALSO BOTH COOLANT TEMP SENSORS, GUAGE, AND COMPUTER COOLANT SENSOR, HAVE BEEN REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #730224 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
VEHICLE STALLS, FAILS TO START, AFTER FIRST 30 TO 45 MINS DRIVING DURING 95F PLUS OUTSIDE AIR TEMP, DRY WEATHER CONDITIONS, DALLAS, TX. TFI REPLACED TWICE, COIL REPLACED, TPS REPLACED, AND TUNE UP STILL HAS NOT RESOLVED PROBLEM. POTENTIAL FOR SERIOUS ACCIDENT, INJURY, OR DEATH EXISTS WITH THIS PROBLEM AS VEHICLE STALLS WITH NO WARNING. ONCE STALL CONTITION EXISTS VEHICLE CANNOT BE STARTED FOR AT LEAST 1.5 TO 2 HOURS, UNTIL ENGINE HAS COOLED ENOUGH TO ALLOW FOR A RESTART. ENGINE TEMP GUAGE REMAINS IN NORMAL RANGE DURING THIS ENTIRE PROCESS. ALSO BOTH COOLANT TEMP SENSORS, GUAGE, AND COMPUTER COOLANT SENSOR, HAVE BEEN REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #730224 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE SITTING IN THE HOUSE CONSUMER HEARD A STRANGE NOISE THAT SOUDED LIKE A CAR STARTING. WHEN GOING TO INVESTIGATE CONSUMER THEN NOTICED THAT THE GARAGE WAS FULL OF SMOKE. CONSUMER OPENED CAR HOOD AND THERE WERE FLAMES COMING OUT.
NHTSA complaint #852478 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
PLEASE SEND SIGNATURE FORM TO SEND TO MANUFACTURER
NHTSA complaint #713778 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
PLEASE SEND SIGNATURE FORM TO SEND TO MANUFACTURER
NHTSA complaint #713778 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
PLEASE SEND SIGNATURE FORM TO SEND TO MANUFACTURER
NHTSA complaint #713778 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
PLEASE SEND SIGNATURE FORM TO SEND TO MANUFACTURER
NHTSA complaint #713778 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
PLEASE SEND SIGNATURE FORM TO SEND TO MANUFACTURER
NHTSA complaint #713778 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH
VEHICLE EXPERIENCES A PROBLEM WITH ROLLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY. VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH. CONSUMER'S FOUR YEAR OLD CHILD MOVED THE SHIFTER OUT OF GEAR, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL DOWN THE STREET. CAN NHTSA HELP OR PROVIDE ADDITION INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #849340 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
DEFECTIVE "O"-RINGS IN THE FUEL RAIL CAUSED A FUEL LEAK WHICH, IN TURN STARTED A FIRE IN UNDERHOOD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. OWNER REPAIRED VEHICLE HIMSELF, AND FOUND THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA complaint #834646 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
CONSUMER STARTED VEHICLE, SMELLED BURNING, STEERING COLUMN CAUGHT ON FIRE,FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH, DEALER CLAIMS BAD IGINITION SWITCH WAS INSTALLED.
NHTSA complaint #818999 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
COMBUSTIBLE GASOLINE WAS EXPELLED, FROM EITHER A BREACHED RUBBER HOSE OR QUICK CONNECT FITTING, INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CAUSING FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #511104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT)
NHTSA complaint #506369 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLES BROKE. .
NHTSA complaint #803577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WHILE CAR WAS IN PARK, CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE CAUSED BY INGITION SWITCH.
NHTSA complaint #986017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #505253 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.