FaultScore

1994 Lincoln Town CAR brake problems

28 of the 212 complaints about the 1994 Lincoln Town CAR are about the braking system — 13% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 140,500 miles.

F

28

Complaints

3

Crashes

2

Fires

4

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 10 35.7%
Hoses, Lines/Piping, AND Fittings 3 10.7%
Foundation Components 2 7.1%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 2 7.1%
Service Brakes 2 7.1%
Master Cylinder 1 3.6%
Pedals AND Linkages 1 3.6%
Rotor 1 3.6%
ABS Warning Light 1 3.6%
Differential Proportional Valve 1 3.6%

Brakes across every Lincoln Town CAR year

1990 21 4.3%
1991 60 12.3%
1992 37 7.6%
1993 27 5.6%
1994 28 5.8%
1995 62 12.8%
1996 33 6.8%
1997 50 10.3%
1998 22 4.5%
1999 24 4.9%
2000 14 2.9%
2001 13 2.7%
2002 11 2.3%
2003 15 3.1%
2004 10 2.1%
2005 25 5.1%
2006 21 4.3%
2007 13 2.7%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 130,000 miles Urbandale, IA Fire

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ODOR OF BURNING RUBBER AND PLASTIC. THE VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED WITH SMOKE AND FLAMES. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BURNED BODY ON THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE WAS ABOVE THE MASTER CYLINDER. NO REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT FOUND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V017000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL); HOWEVER, THE CONTACT HAD NEVER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF THE RECALL AND THE VEHICLE HAD NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA complaint #10870791 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 200,000 miles Mabelton, GA

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKES WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND PUMP IT REPEATEDLY. ADDITIONALLY, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC STATED THERE WAS A REAR BRAKE SEAL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA complaint #10522121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 237,576 miles Anaheim, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND ATTEMPTED TO STOP, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP COMPLETELY. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, AND PLACE THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL IN ORDER FOR IT TO STOP. OCCASIONALLY, HE HAS TO OPEN THE VEHICLE DOOR AND APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AT A CERTAIN ANGLE. ADDITIONALLY, BRAKE FLUID IS LEAKING INTO THE VEHICLE AND ONTO THE BRAKE PEDAL. HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY CUPS MAY HAVE LEAKED THROUGH THE BRAKE BOOSTER. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN DENIED ASSISTANCE FROM SEVERAL DEALERS, EMERGENCY SERVICE MECHANICS, AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 237,576 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 295,350.

NHTSA complaint #10221680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 237,576 miles Anaheim, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND ATTEMPTED TO STOP, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP COMPLETELY. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, AND PLACE THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL IN ORDER FOR IT TO STOP. OCCASIONALLY, HE HAS TO OPEN THE VEHICLE DOOR AND APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AT A CERTAIN ANGLE. ADDITIONALLY, BRAKE FLUID IS LEAKING INTO THE VEHICLE AND ONTO THE BRAKE PEDAL. HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY CUPS MAY HAVE LEAKED THROUGH THE BRAKE BOOSTER. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN DENIED ASSISTANCE FROM SEVERAL DEALERS, EMERGENCY SERVICE MECHANICS, AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 237,576 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 295,350.

NHTSA complaint #10221680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 237,576 miles Anaheim, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND ATTEMPTED TO STOP, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP COMPLETELY. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, AND PLACE THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL IN ORDER FOR IT TO STOP. OCCASIONALLY, HE HAS TO OPEN THE VEHICLE DOOR AND APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AT A CERTAIN ANGLE. ADDITIONALLY, BRAKE FLUID IS LEAKING INTO THE VEHICLE AND ONTO THE BRAKE PEDAL. HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY CUPS MAY HAVE LEAKED THROUGH THE BRAKE BOOSTER. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN DENIED ASSISTANCE FROM SEVERAL DEALERS, EMERGENCY SERVICE MECHANICS, AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 237,576 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 295,350.

NHTSA complaint #10221680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 45,000 miles Murrysville, PA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH ON NORMAL CITY ROAD CONDITIONS THERE WAS COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE WHICH ALMOST CAUSED THE VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE DRIVING IN FRONT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO OBSERVED RUSTING IN THE HYDRAULIC LINE. THE LINE WAS LOCATED UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE. FLUID LEAKED OUT OF THE LINE LEAVING THE REAR WHEELS WITHOUT BRAKING ACTION. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN BECAUSE THE FLUID LINES WERE NOT STAINLESS STEEL MANUFACTURED. THERE WAS A RECALL # 95V133000 FOR THE VEHICLE HOWEVER IT DID NOT MENTION THE CORROSION AS A FACTOR FOR POSSIBLE FLUID LEAKAGE.*AK UPDATED 11/03/06.

NHTSA complaint #10166374 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Englishtown, NJ

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

DEFECTIVE BRAKE LINES ON 1994 LINCOLN TOWN CAR.*MR BOTH BRAKES LINES BURST LEAVING THE CONSUMER WITH NO BRAKES. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE METAL LINES HAD CORRODED, POSSIBLY FROM ROAD SALT.

NHTSA complaint #10091531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 140,500 miles Lynn, MA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

WHILE COMING TO A STOP SIGN CONSUMER DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. CONSUMER CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD AND FOUND THAT THE BRAKE FLUID LEVEL WAS LESS THAN HALF FULL. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN HOME, AND THE BRAKE LINE WAS FOUND TO BE RUPTURED.

NHTSA complaint #10074101 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 55,000 miles Bradenton, FL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

AIR COND. PROBLEM= AIR- HEAT DIRERCION MOTOR FAILED. BRAKE FAILER PROBLEM= TOTAL BRAKE FAILER ,PETAL FAILER DURING A NON PANIC STOP DUE TO BACKED UP TRAFFIC ON X-WAY. TWO PUMPS ON THE PETAL AND IT WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR BOARD. I WAS ABLE TO MISS THE CAR BY A PANIC TURN TO THE LEFT. I JUST MISSED THE STOP CAR ON THE ROAD STILL DOING 45 MPH. CAR WAS HAULED TO ALEX KARRAS LINCOLN MERCURY FOR REPAIR.. NO HELP IN CONTACTING FORD FOR HELP. BRAKES LINES NEXT TO THE FRAME UNDER THE DRIVER SEAT WERE RUSTED OUT. THE RUSTED LINESWERE NOT SAVED.

NHTSA complaint #10071120 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 99,000 miles Clare, MI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

CONSUMER ADVISED THAT LEFT SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT CONNECTED TO WHEEL SEPARATED WHILE DRIVING CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. DEALER ADVISED JOINT SEPARATED DUE TO LACK OF GREASE AT ASSEMBLY. *PH BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED AND ALIGNED THE FRONT END. NEEDED FRONT BRAKES REPLACED. CONSUMER DECLINED BRAKE REPAIRS.

NHTSA complaint #10002075 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Titusville, FL Fire

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

VEHICLE PARKED FOR 2 HOURS. OWNER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER HOOD AFTER RETURNING. HOOD WAS RAISED AND FLAMES SHOT OUT. FLAMES EXTINGUISHED. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. MECHANIC DETERMINED CAUSE WAS ABS PRESSURE SENSOR SWITCH.*AK * REFERENCED IN EA02-025

NHTSA complaint #8002036 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sunman, IN

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

AN ELECTRICAL SHORT OR SHOCK IN WIRING HARNESS CAUSED AIR BAG LIGHT TO BE ILLUMINATED ON DASH. ALSO, FRONT ABS BRAKES WERE INOPERABLE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #881950 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Saint Loui, MO

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

REAR BRAKE ROTORS FAULTY CAUSING PULSATION. NLM

NHTSA complaint #558908 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hickory, NC

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHEN DRIVING AND UPON COMING TO A STOP BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, AND RESULTING IN VEHICLE GOING STRAIGHT THROUGH A RED LIGHT WHICH CAUSED A NEAR ACCIDENT. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER HAS REPLACED PARTS PROBLEM STILL OCCUR. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #866930 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lauderhill, FL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

REAR BRAKES FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #543802 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brunswick, OH

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ANTI LOCK BRAKES FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #529805 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Parkville, MO 2 injured

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

BRAKE CONTROL MODULE REPLACED DUE TO INADEQUATE LUBRICATION.

NHTSA complaint #511821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Parkville, MO 2 injured

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

AFTER INSTALLING BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE GAUGE ON BRAKE PEDAL, BRAKES FADED UPON APPLICATION W/ENGINE RUNNING, HOWEVER WORKED FINE W/ENGINE OFF.

NHTSA complaint #511821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Parkville, MO 2 injured

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ANTI-LOCK BRAKE ASSEMBLY INOPERATIVE.

NHTSA complaint #511821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Parkville, MO 2 injured

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM

VACUUM BOOSTER MOVES OUT AND UP WHEN APPLYING BRAKES.

NHTSA complaint #511821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Homosassa, FL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

BRAKES FADE, ALSO SHUTTER WHEN APPLIED AT HIGH SPEEDS.

NHTSA complaint #507201 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fort Smith, AR

PARKING BRAKE

WHILE PARKED ON A HILL. THE VEHICLE JUMPED OUT OF GEAR AND ROLLED FORWARD. *AK CONSUMER STATES EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILED. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #800415 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

N. Tonawanda, NY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

THE CAR HAS ABS BRAKES. WHEN THE BRAKES GET WET, THEVEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT.

NHTSA complaint #800069 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Memphis, TN

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DIFFERENTIAL PROPORTIONAL VALVE

DIFFERENTIAL MAKES CLANGING NOISE OCCASIONALLY.

NHTSA complaint #503953 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ST. Louis, MO

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

THE ABS SYSTEM HAS FAILED. THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR WILL NOT STOP. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT

NHTSA complaint #972980 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Scotch Plain, NJ Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ABS, DRIVING VEHICLE AT SPEED 35 MPH, BRAKES LOCKED UP, VEHICLE SLID AT 5:00 POSITION, HITTING A PARKED VEHICLE. TT

NHTSA complaint #964599 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fort Worth, TX Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ABS BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. TT

NHTSA complaint #958404 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

High Land PA, MI Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

BRAKE PEDAL PUSH ROD RETAINER WAS NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED, CAUSING BRAKES TO FAIL, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT AFTER RECALL REPAIRS (94V-129).

NHTSA complaint #958173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1994 Lincoln Town CAR problems

← Full 1994 Lincoln Town CAR report