FaultScore report
Owners have filed 97 complaints about the 1989 Lincoln Town CAR with NHTSA between 1995 and 2011. The largest single group is the electrical system.
97
Complaints
8
Crashes reported
39
Fires reported
7
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, 1 fires · median 96,951 mi
1 crashes, 2 fires
0 crashes, 4 fires
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 102,000 mi
1 crashes, 0 fires
0 crashes, 1 fires
Median failure at 500,800 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.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATINGS AND TIRE INFORMATION MAY BE INCORRECT ON LABELS.
Risk: VEHICLES WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH 49 CFR PART 567.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
TIRE PLACARD MAY CONTAIN INCORRECT GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATINGS AND TIRE INFORMATION.
Risk: LIMOUSINES WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 110 AND CONSUMERMIGHT UNKNOWINGLY OVERLOAD THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF PLACARD MISINFORMATION.
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.
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.
Electrical
A SHORT CIRCUIT COULD DEVELOP IN THE IGNITION SWITCH THAT COULD LEAD TO OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN OF THE VEHICLE. THIS CONDITION MAY OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN USE OR UNATTENDED. CORRECTION: IGNITION SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED WITH A REVISED DESIGN SWITCH.
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:WIRING
AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE AND TURNING OFF THE IGNITION, THE CONSUMER HEARD A POPPING SOUND. A FEW SECONDS PASSED AND THE CONSUMER SAW THICK BLACK SMOKE AND A FIRE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM MAY HAVE BEEN THE WIRING HARNESS. *JB *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10044700 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
WHILE MAKING A TURN AT 10 MPH CONSUMER RAN THROUGH A MEDIUM AND SEAT BELTS NEVER LOCKED IN PLACE, PASSENGER ALMOST WENT THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD.*AK
NHTSA complaint #8012520 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
VEHICLE HIT A 8-10 INCH HIGH CONCRETE DIVIDER, PASSENGER HIT HEAD ON WINDSHIELD. SEATBELT DID NOT RESTRAIN HER, SHE SUFFERED HEAD LACERATIONS/ NECK AND BACK INJURIES. DRIVER WAS NOT WEARING SEATBELT DUE TO MEDICAL REASON, HIT HEAD ON WINDSHIELD. DAMAGE TO VEHICLE UNKNOWN.*AK JG
NHTSA complaint #8012055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
CONSUMER STATES THAT AFTER HE HEARD A LOUD SOUND AND SAW A SMOKE, FIRE SHOT OUT FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, FIRE DEPARTMENT ARE SUGGESTING THAT THE TAIL SHIFT MALFUNCTION WHICH CAUSED FIRE (OHIO TRAFFIC POLICE REPORT# 10-91-158).
NHTSA complaint #565794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE RESULTED IN FIRE UNDER THE HOOD (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). NLM
NHTSA complaint #562921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #751112 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
LETTER ON BEHALF OF CONCERN ABOUT THE 1996 RECALL ON LINCOLN TOWN CARS, HIS BROTHER-IN-LAW IS HAVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH ON HIS 1989 LINCOLN TOWN CAR; SEND INCOMING LTR WITH REPLY TO ATTN: ALLISON JACKSON/FOLEY *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE KEY DID NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. THE CONSUMER LEARNED A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR THE PROBLEM, BUT THE PREVIOUS OWNERS WERE NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WHEN THEY SOLD THE VEHICLE TO THE CONSUMERS BROTHER-IN-LAW.
NHTSA complaint #10415676 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SCREW INSIDE THE REFLECTIVE CONE OF THE BULB WAS LOOSE WHICH CAUSED THE BULB TO SHATTER AND FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO SELL THE CONTACT A NEW BULB INSTEAD OF REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 500,800.
NHTSA complaint #10323516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:REAR
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH REAR SUSPENSION FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE REAR END DROPPED AT LEAST ONE FOOT TO THE GROUND.
NHTSA complaint #10081815 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING THE PLASTIC CAP ON THE TRANSMISSION CABLE THAT CONNECTED TO THE THROTTLE BODY BROKE. THIS MAD IT HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION GEARS. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK THE TRANSMISSION WAS DAMAGED DUE TO THE PLASTIC CLIP BREAKING. THE CONSUMER HAD TO PAY TO HAVE THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THIS FAILURE IS A FACTORY DEFECT. THE TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT THEY WERE REPLACING THE PLASTIC CAPS WITH BRASS CLIPS. THE CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE COST TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION.
NHTSA complaint #10075907 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE AND TURNING OFF THE IGNITION, THE CONSUMER HEARD A POPPING SOUND. A FEW SECONDS PASSED AND THE CONSUMER SAW THICK BLACK SMOKE AND A FIRE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM MAY HAVE BEEN THE WIRING HARNESS. *JB *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10044700 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
CONSUMER STATES THAT IT IS HARD TO START UP VEHICLE DUE TO THE IGNITION SWITCH. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #8013278 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
WHILE MAKING A TURN AT 10 MPH CONSUMER RAN THROUGH A MEDIUM AND SEAT BELTS NEVER LOCKED IN PLACE, PASSENGER ALMOST WENT THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD.*AK
NHTSA complaint #8012520 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
VEHICLE HIT A 8-10 INCH HIGH CONCRETE DIVIDER, PASSENGER HIT HEAD ON WINDSHIELD. SEATBELT DID NOT RESTRAIN HER, SHE SUFFERED HEAD LACERATIONS/ NECK AND BACK INJURIES. DRIVER WAS NOT WEARING SEATBELT DUE TO MEDICAL REASON, HIT HEAD ON WINDSHIELD. DAMAGE TO VEHICLE UNKNOWN.*AK JG
NHTSA complaint #8012055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
CONSUMER STATES THAT AFTER HE HEARD A LOUD SOUND AND SAW A SMOKE, FIRE SHOT OUT FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, FIRE DEPARTMENT ARE SUGGESTING THAT THE TAIL SHIFT MALFUNCTION WHICH CAUSED FIRE (OHIO TRAFFIC POLICE REPORT# 10-91-158).
NHTSA complaint #565794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE RESULTED IN FIRE UNDER THE HOOD (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). NLM
NHTSA complaint #562921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
CONSUMER STATES THERE WAS NO TETHER FOR CHILD CAR SEAT.
NHTSA complaint #564323 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
WHILE DRIVING, THE STARTER SOLENOID SELF ACTIVATED AND SLAMMED THE STARTER GEAR INTO THE FLYWHEEL IMMEDIATELY DISABLING THE CAR, THIS HAD CAUSED THE FLYWHEEL TO BREAK AND RUINED THE STARTER, CONSUMER WAS TOLD HE ALSO NEEDED TO REPLACE THE IGNITION AND WHEN TAKING OUT THE OLD SWITCH, THE PARTS FELL OUT INTO PIECES, NOW THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH HAS BEEN REPLACED THE AIR CONDITIONER WORKS WHEN IT HAD QUIT A COUPLE WEEKS PRIOR, CONSUMER IS NOW AWARE OF RECALL 96V071 AND FEELS THIS RECALL WAS THE CAUSE OF THESE PROBLEMS. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #562908 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
CONSUMER STATES THERE WAS NO TETHER FOR CHILD CAR SEAT.
NHTSA complaint #564323 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
REAR DRIVER SIDE AND FRONT PASSENGER WINDOWS FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #564323 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
WHILE DRIVING, THE STARTER SOLENOID SELF ACTIVATED AND SLAMMED THE STARTER GEAR INTO THE FLYWHEEL IMMEDIATELY DISABLING THE CAR, THIS HAD CAUSED THE FLYWHEEL TO BREAK AND RUINED THE STARTER, CONSUMER WAS TOLD HE ALSO NEEDED TO REPLACE THE IGNITION AND WHEN TAKING OUT THE OLD SWITCH, THE PARTS FELL OUT INTO PIECES, NOW THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH HAS BEEN REPLACED THE AIR CONDITIONER WORKS WHEN IT HAD QUIT A COUPLE WEEKS PRIOR, CONSUMER IS NOW AWARE OF RECALL 96V071 AND FEELS THIS RECALL WAS THE CAUSE OF THESE PROBLEMS. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #562908 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #751112 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
PURCHASED CREAM PUFF TOWNCAR IN 1996. MID 1997, VEHICLE BEGAN STALLING AFTER THE ENGINE REACHED OPERATING TEMPERATURE. INDEPENDANT MECHANIC-NO HELP. FORD DEALER, SPENT ALMOST $1,000.00 TO REPLACE SEVERAL ITEMS. EACH TIME, I TOLD THEM TO CHECK THE IGNITION MODULE/COIL PICKUP. FORD DEALER SAID THAT WOULDN'T BE THE PROBLEM. ENROUTE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR EITHER THE 3D OR 4TH TIME AND TOTALLED THE AUTOMOBILE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO KEEP IT FROM STALLING. MY FAULT BUT I SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN FIGHTING THE CAR AND GOING TO THE DEALER IN THE FIRST PLACE. MY FATHER HAS A 1985 CONTINENTAL WITH ONLY 30K MILES. SAME PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION MODULE WHICH HE JUST REPLACED. JUST HEARD THAT FORD KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM THE WHOLE TIME. OF COURSE I CAN'T PROVE NOW THE MODULE WAS BAD SINCE THE CAR WAS TOTALLED GOING BACK TO THE DEALER. I JUST WANTED TO ADD MY 2 CENTS.
NHTSA complaint #750296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
WITHIN A WEEK OF PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE I RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THE SERVICE MANAGER THE FRONT SEAT BELTS WERE MALFUNCTIONING. THE MANAGER ASSURED ME THEY NEEDED TO FEEL THE BODY WEIGHT OF A PERSON BEFORE THEY "GRABBED." AFTER A RECENT ACCIDENT IN ANOTHER VEHICLE IN WHICH A SEAT BELT LITERALLY SAVED MY LIFE, I RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP ON FEB. 8, 2001. AFTER A SERVICE MAN CHECKED BOTH FRONT SEAT BELTS HE STATED THEY WERE BOTH MALFUNCTIONING. I SPOKE TO A PHIL LOWE WHO TOLD ME HE'D CONTACT ME LATER IN THE DAY. THAT AFTERNOON MR.LOWE CALLED ME AND SIMPLY STATED "THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO FOR ME." THEREFORE, BECAUSE I WAS LIED TO TEN YEARS EARLIER WHEN I WAS TOLD THE BELTS WERE FINE, I'VE BEEN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WITHOUT THE BENEFIT OF A SEAT BELT EVEN THOUGH I FAITHFULLY "BUCKLED UP."
NHTSA complaint #741052 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATES AND WILL NOT STOP UNTIL IS TURNED OFF.
NHTSA complaint #881436 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
THE ODOMETER MILES ARE NOT ACCURATE, IT IS READING MORE MILEAGE THAN WHAT THE CONSUMER IS PUTTING ON THE VEHICLE. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #558008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
AFTER TURNING IGNITION AND PUTTING VEHICLE INTO DRIVE VEHICLE TOOK OFF AND HIT A STORE WINDOW. DRIVER APPLIED BRAKES, AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. NO ONE HAS SEEN VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #878087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
AFTER TURNING IGNITION AND PUTTING VEHICLE INTO DRIVE VEHICLE TOOK OFF AND HIT A STORE WINDOW. DRIVER APPLIED BRAKES, AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. NO ONE HAS SEEN VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #878087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES:SIDEWALL
SIDEWALL OF FIRESTONE (215/70R15) TIRE BLEWOUT WHILE DRIVNG, CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT. NLM
NHTSA complaint #556212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLING WHILE DRIVING. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. *AK ENGINE CUTS OFF AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES. THE MANUFACTURERS STATES IT IS BEING EVALUATED.
NHTSA complaint #872912 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCLERATED. BRAKES COULD NOT SLOW DOWN VEHICLE, WHICH ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THEY NEVER HAD THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION*AK.
NHTSA complaint #868178 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.