45 of the
97 complaints about the 1989 Lincoln Town CAR are about the
electrical system — 46% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
76,000 miles.
F
45
Complaints
1
Crashes
30
Fires
2
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Switch
2146.7%
Ignition
1124.4%
Interior/Under Dash
48.9%
Alternator/Generator/Regulator
48.9%
Front Underhood
24.4%
Wiring
24.4%
Electrical System
12.2%
Electrical System across every Lincoln Town CAR year
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.
at 76,000 milesHuntingdon Valley, PAFire
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.
Elmburst, IL
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.
Metairie, LA
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.
Metairie, LA
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.
Miramar, FLFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #751112 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Conroe, TXCrash
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.
Albany, NY
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.
Ellington, CTFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #721009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lewisville, TXFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE NEAR STEERING WHEEL, UNDER THE DASH DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. DEALER HAS VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA complaint #857135 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MT Holly, NCFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
ALERNATOR IS NOT CHARGING THE BATTERY BECAUSE THE PLUG ON THE ALTERNATOR CAUGHT FIRE. THERE IS NOT INDICATION THAT THE ALTERNATOR IS NOT WORKING UNTIL THE BATTERY DIES OR THE ALTERNATOR CATCHES FIRE. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #843997 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pecuilar, MO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
ELECTRICAL: IGNITION SWITCH RECALL#96V071000. HAVING SAME PROBLEM, BUT THIS CAR IS NOT IN THE RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #820603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saint Louis, MOFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED IN INSIDE GARAGE & IGNITION SWITCH TURNED OFF. PROPERTY DAMAGE WAS DUE TO FIRE. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN MANUFACTURER'S. RECALL # 95S-28 / NHTSA # 96V-071000 PERTAINING TO AN INGITION SWITCH WHICH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT. DEALER/MFR WAS NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME.
NHTSA complaint #831393 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bayamon, PRFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE RESULTING IN VEHICLE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #507512 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Leland, NCFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
STARTED TO SMELL RUBBER BURNING WHILE DRIVING 30MPH. NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN. PULLED INTO SHOPPING AREA & GOT OUT. SOON FLAMES SHOT OUT OF STEERING COLUMN. FIRE DEPARTMENT CALLED & ARRIVED TO PUT OUT THE FLAMES. WAS INFORMED IT WAS ELECTRICAL WIRING. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #828592 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Belleair Bluffs, FLFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
WHILE PARKED AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE. *AK CONSUMER LEARNED ABOUT RECALL 96V071, HOWEVER IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED FOR RECALL, VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE INSPECTED BY FORD AND IT HAD ALREADY BEEN TOWED. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #816568 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Diana, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
RECALL REPAIRS ON IGNITION SWITCH NOT PERFORMED DUE TO A PROBLEM WITH DEALERSHIP.
NHTSA complaint #508995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Canton, MS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
RECALL REPAIR ON IGNITION SWITCH FAILED, CAUSING SMOKE AND SPARKS.
NHTSA complaint #517056 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Abilene, TXFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR A FEW MINUTES, THE VEHICLE SMELLED LIKE SMOKE. WHEN THE COMSUMER GOT CLOSER TO IT SMOKE WAS COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD; THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SHOP, AND THE MECHANIC SAID THE FIRE STARTED AT THE ALTERNATOR OR THE WIRES OF THE ALTERNATOR. VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. *AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #815303 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Princeton, LAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #516750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Canton, MS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE IGNITION SWITCH TRIED TO START ITSELF WHILE ALREADY ON. OWNER HAD TO UNHOOK BATTERY CABLE, THAT WAS SMOKING AND SPARKLING, IN ORDER TO STOP.
NHTSA complaint #517056 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brooklyn, NY2 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
VEHICLE STALLED 7 TIMES DUE TO WIRING HARNESS BURNING OUT, ONCE CAUSING ACCIDENT/INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #513919 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Temple, TXFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
ALTERNATOR FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #511018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dallas, TXFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION SWITCH FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #510143 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Quitman, TXFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION SWITCH FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #510057 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gulston, KYFire1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION SWITCH FIRE PRIOR TO RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #509501 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dallas, TXFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
ELECTRICAL FIRE IN STEERING COLUMN.
NHTSA complaint #507743 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Birmingham, AL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE DEALERSHIP WILL HONOR THE RECALL LETTER.
NHTSA complaint #800452 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ashland, ILFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
AFTER AUTO WAS DRIVEN APPROX 5 MILES , AUTO LOST POWER AND CONSUMER PULLED OFF ROAD, THEN REALIZED AUTO WAS ON FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #986738 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dallas, TXFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION SWITCH SHORTED, CAUSING FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #505191 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.