FaultScore

1990 Lincoln Town CAR electrical problems

74 of the 267 complaints about the 1990 Lincoln Town CAR are about the electrical system — 28% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 88,500 miles.

F

74

Complaints

1

Crashes

46

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Front Underhood 18 24.3%
Alternator/Generator/Regulator 11 14.9%
Switch 10 13.5%
Wiring 8 10.8%
Electrical System 7 9.5%
Interior/Under Dash 5 6.8%
Ignition 4 5.4%
Starter Assembly 4 5.4%
12V/24V/48V Battery 3 4.1%
Module 2 2.7%

Electrical System across every Lincoln Town CAR year

1984 11 2.2%
1986 32 6.5%
1987 19 3.8%
1988 45 9.1%
1989 45 9.1%
1990 74 14.9%
1991 17 3.4%
1992 83 16.7%
1993 44 8.9%
1994 20 4.0%
1995 22 4.4%
1996 19 3.8%
1997 16 3.2%
1998 15 3.0%
1999 14 2.8%
2000 20 4.0%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 118,000 miles Houston, TX Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE HOOD WAS RAISED. SMOKE AND FLAMES WERE SPOTTED COMING FROM THE PLUG ON THE ALTERNATOR. THE BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED AND THE PLUG REMOVED. THE FIRE SMOTHERED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY UNDER GOING INSPECTION AND REPAIR.

NHTSA complaint #10150925 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 76,000 miles Holiday, FL Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED:ON 5-19-04 HIS 1990 LINCOLN TOWN CAR BURNED WHILE IT WAS PARKED. WITHIN A HALF OF AN HOUR THE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THERE WERE 3 DIFFERENT INVESTIGATIONS DONE;. AN ELECTRICAL AND AND ENGINEERING INVESTIGATION, AND ONE DONE BY THE TAMPA FIRE DEPARTMENT AND FOUND NO EXACT FAULT. . HE SAID THERE WERE A TOTAL OF 3 OTHER CARS TOTALED, AND 4 OTHERS DAMAGED DURING THE FIRE. THE HOOD MELTED AWAY. THE CAR HAD ONLY 76,000 MILES ON IT AND HAD BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. HE DID SUBMIT MAINTENANCE REPORTS TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY, AND WAS NOT LIABLE FOR THE FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #10127122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,000 miles Levittown, NY Fire 3 injured

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DT: CONSUMER HAD A 1990 LINCOLN TOWN CAR WHICH CAUGHT ON FIRE. WHEN CONSUMER CAME HOME HE PARKED THE VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE, WENT INSIDE AND ATE, THEN A NEIGHBOR POUNDED AT DOOR TO LET HIM KNOW HIS HOUSE WAS ON FIRE. THE POLICE, FIRE DEPARTMENT, FIRE MARSHAL AND INSURANCE ADJUSTERS CAME OUT AND COULDN'T FIND THE REASON THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. VEHICLE BURNED WITH SUCH INTENSITY THAT PIECES LEFT WERE CHARRED AND NOTHING REMAINED. A FEW FIREMEN WERE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL DUE TO THE FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #10125859 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 101,000 miles Winter Park, FL Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

CONSUMER PARKED THE VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE, AND IN MINUTES WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE BURNED COMPLETELY. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT NOTED THAT THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. *AK......... CONSUME RCLAIMED FIRE APPEARED TO BE DUE TO MECHANICAL FAILURE IN CAR , POSSIBLY BRAKES.

NHTSA complaint #10104990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Minneapolis, KS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THIS CAR IS ABOUT A PIECE OF JUNK. PAINT IS ALMOST GONE, 3 OF 4 POWER WINDOWS DONT WORK, WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR HAS QUIT TWICE, REAR SUSPENSION FAILED, RADIO NON-FUNCTIONAL, MESSAGE CENTER SAYS THAT IT IS -76 DEGREES AT MOST TIMES WITH 400 MILES UNTIL EMPTY (NOT TRUE).

NHTSA complaint #10028622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fremont, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING ON HOT DAYS WHILE DRIVING.AND WHEN DRIVEN ON HOT DAYS AND IS PARKED WILL NOT START AGAIN , UNLESS IT COOLS DOWN. REPLACED THE IGNITION MODULE , WHICH I WAS TOLD WAS UNDER INVESTIGATION IN CALIFORNIA.

NHTSA complaint #10025463 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tuscaloosa, AL Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ON MAY 9TH MY CAR ENGINE BURST IN TO FLAMES WHILE PARKED AND OFF.

NHTSA complaint #10019186 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tuscaloosa, AL Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

ON MAY 9TH MY CAR ENGINE BURST IN TO FLAMES WHILE PARKED AND OFF.

NHTSA complaint #10019186 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lynchburg, VA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

STALLING ON INTERSTATE AND CITY DRIVING WHEN TEMP GETS VERY HOT, LOSING THE POWER IN BRAKES AND THE ABILITY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE'S STEERING. THE CAR CAN BE STARTED AGAIN WHEN IT HAS COOLED DOWN. THIS PROBLEM IS VERY DANGEROUS.

NHTSA complaint #734325 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Alexander, MN

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD DOESN'T APPEAR AT DAY, BUT AT NIGHT THERE IS LIGHT. DASHBOARD IS DIGITAL. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE PURCHASE DATE OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #8005920 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cicero, IL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. EVERYTIME YOU WOULD TURN THE CAR OFF IT WAS VERY HAD TO RESTART.

NHTSA complaint #9004582 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pauline, SC Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH CONSUMER SAW SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. SHE PULLED OVER, AND FIRE DEPARTMENT PUT OUT FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT FIRE WAS CAUSED BY WIRING OR THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT . VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED.*AK *SLC

NHTSA complaint #896629 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Honolulu, HI Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

ON APRIL 23, 2001 OUR LINCOLN TOWN CAR HAD BEEN PARKED FRO ABOUT TEN MINUTES IN AN ENCLOSED PARKING STRUCTURE AT SUPERMARKET WHEN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT SELF-IGNITED. A MAJOR FIRE ENSUED BUT A PASSERBY HAD CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE DAMAGE WAS LIMITED TO THE TOTAL LOSS OF OUR CAR. I HAVE EMAILED LINCOLN HQ REPEATEDLY SINCE THEN TO ASK IF THEY HAD ANY RECORD OF THIS UNUSUAL AND POTENTIALLY LETHAL PROBLEM. EACH TIME THEY REPLIED SAYING THAT THEY COULD NOT ANSWER TECHNICAL QUESTIONS. THEY REFERRED ME TO THE LOCAL DEALER, WHOSE SERVICE MANAGER I HAD ALREADY SPOKEN TO, AND WHO HAD NEVER HEARD OF THE PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THAT THERE MAY BE MORE TO THIS?

NHTSA complaint #745988 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ooltewah, TN Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #742478 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Logansport, IN

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING ON HOT DAYS WHILE DRIVING IN CRUISE CONTROL AS WELL AS IN THE CITY IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, CONSUMER BELIEVES PROBLEM IS LINKED TO FAULTY TFI MODULE WHICH WAS UNDER INVESTIGATION IN CALIFORNIA. NLM

NHTSA complaint #557420 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lynchburg, VA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

STALLING ON INTERSTATE AND CITY DRIVING WHEN TEMP GETS VERY HOT, LOOSING THE POWER IN BRAKES AND THE ABILITY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE'S STEERING. THE CAR CAN BE STARTED AGAIN WHEN IT HAS COOLED DOWN. THIS PROBLEM IS VERY DANGEROUS.

NHTSA complaint #734325 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tampa, FL Crash

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

WHILE DRIVING AT SPEED UNDER 30MPH CAR WILL SHUT OFF WHETHER IN DRIVE/ PARK/ SWITCHING GEARS, OR IDLING. CONSUMER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #873714 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Council Bluffs, IA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

PULLED INTO GARAGE. SAW FIRE UNDER HOOD. CALLED FIRE DEPT. CAR BURNED. TOTAL LOSS PER INSURANCE ADJUSTER.

NHTSA complaint #724248 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Maury City, TN

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

CONSUMER HAD DRIVEN ABOUT 25 MILES, MADE A STOP AND REACHED DOWN TO TURN OFF IGNITION, AND SWITCH WAS OVERHEATED, ABOUT 140 DEGREES. THEN CONSUMER HAD TROUBLE ENGAGING THE STARTER.

NHTSA complaint #863588 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Maury City, TN

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY

CONSUMER HAD DRIVEN ABOUT 25 MILES, MADE A STOP AND REACHED DOWN TO TURN OFF IGNITION, AND SWITCH WAS OVERHEATED, ABOUT 140 DEGREES. THEN CONSUMER HAD TROUBLE ENGAGING THE STARTER.

NHTSA complaint #863588 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rochester Hill, MI Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONSUMER JUST SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. VEHICLE TOTALLED. DEALER CONTACTED, BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. *AK

NHTSA complaint #861413 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chapel HIL, NC

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

THE DIGITAL DASH ASSEMBLY HAS BEEN REPLACED TWO TIMES DUE TO DIFFICULTY IN READING IN THE DAYTIME. *MJS

NHTSA complaint #551748 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chesterfield, VA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

VEHICLE HAD JUST BEEN PARKED IN GARAGE AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE, TOTALLY DESTROYING THE HOUSE AND CAR. FIRE IS BEING INVESTIGATED BY AAA. *AK

NHTSA complaint #858193 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tallahasse, FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN

THE DESIGN OF THE HORN MAKES IT HARD TO USE THE HORN NORMALLY, DUE TO SMALL BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT EASILY LOCATED WHEN NECESSARY. YH

NHTSA complaint #549127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Columbia, MD Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN FRONT YARD AND ELECTRICAL WIRING FROM THE ALTERNATOR MELTED, CAUSING A FIRE. CONSUMER VEHICLE HAD ALTERNATOR REPLACED THREE TIMES.

NHTSA complaint #839071 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Columbia, MD Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN FRONT YARD AND ELECTRICAL WIRING FROM THE ALTERNATOR MELTED, CAUSING A FIRE. CONSUMER VEHICLE HAD ALTERNATOR REPLACED THREE TIMES.

NHTSA complaint #839071 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pinellas Park, FL Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

THE CAR WAS PARKED WHEN A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD, CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. FIRE DEPT WAS CALLED. THERE WAS NO INSURANCE TO COVER THE FIRE SO OWNER HAD TO PAY ABOUT $5,000 FOR REPAIRS.

NHTSA complaint #706497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Englewood, FL Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE IN THE ENGINE, RESULTED IN A VEHICLE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #837198 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Nipomo, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

DIGITAL INST.CLUSTER UNREADABLE ON BRIGHT SUNNY DAYS

NHTSA complaint #704014 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Milton, FL Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

AFTER ONE HOUR AND 10 MINUTES VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE INSIDE CONSUMER'S GARAGE WHICH SET THE HOUSE ON FIRE AND RESULTED IN TOTAL PROPERTY DAMAGE. LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED UNDER THE HOOD, CAUSE UNKNOWN AT THIS THE TIME.

NHTSA complaint #833147 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1990 Lincoln Town CAR problems

← Full 1990 Lincoln Town CAR report