Lincoln Town Car Problems by Year

We compared every Lincoln Town Car model year from 1995–2011 using 2,048 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 27 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 1997, 1996, 2003, 1998 and 2001, which drew far more complaints than other Town Car years at the same age. The best years are 2009, 2011 and 2010.

17model years
2,048complaints
27recalls
1997, 1996worst years
2009, 2011best years

Complaints by model year

’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11165259314154148108161652018311914384205136
Owner complaints per model year, Lincoln Town Car. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
20116−94%3SteeringGood
201013−88%3SteeringGood
20095−94%3AccelerationGood
200820−81%3AccelerationGood
200784−34%3AccelerationAverage
20061431.3×2AirbagAverage
2005119−28%3AccelerationAverage
200483−45%—AccelerationGood
20032011.7×1SuspensionCaution
200265−38%—AirbagAverage
20011611.6×5AirbagCaution
2000108typical8ElectricalAverage
19991481.3×5AirbagAverage
19981541.6×7EngineCaution
19973142.9×6EngineAvoid
19962592.4×8EngineAvoid
19951651.6×6BrakeCaution

* Complaints compared with the median Town Car year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Lincoln Town Car problems

Latest Lincoln Town Car recalls

Steering › Rack and pinion › Pinion shaft

NHTSA recall 14V-704 · Nov 5, 2014 · 36,888 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Ford Crown Victoria, 2005-2011 Mercury Grand Marquis vehicles manufactured March 23, 2004, to August 30, 2011, and 2005-2011 Lincoln Town Car vehicles manufactured March 8, 2004, to August 30, 2011, and on which the upper intermediate shaft was serviced during…

Remedy: Ford will notify the owners of vehicles whose repair records reflect that the upper intermediate steering shaft was repaired during the course of the prior recall 13V-385.

Steering

NHTSA recall 13V-385 · Aug 29, 2013 · 355,000 vehicles

Ford is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Ford Crown Victoria (including Crown Victoria Police Interceptors), Mercury Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Car vehicles. The affected vehicles are currently registered or were originally sold in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky,…

Remedy: Ford will notify owners and dealers will replace the lower intermediate shaft, free of charge. The upper intermediate shaft and steering column lower bearing will be inspected to identify any damage that may have…

Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe

NHTSA recall 10V-638 · Dec 9, 2010 · 161 vehicles

Executive coach is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Lincoln town car limousines. The fuel rail shield was left off during manufacturing. In a frontal impact the engine could potentially bend or rupture fuel lines if the replacement shield is not in place, causing those lines to leak fuel.

Remedy: Executive coach will supply kits and installation instructions to have vehicles repaired at a facility of the owner's choice. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on December 1, 2010.

Vehicle speed control

NHTSA recall 07V-336 · Aug 3, 2007 · 3,600,000 vehicles

On certain pickup trucks, passenger vehicles, sport utility vehicles, and motor homes chassis, the speed control deactivation switch May, under certain conditions, leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.

Remedy: Dealers will install a fused wiring harness. Owners of the passenger cars included in this campaign will be instructed to return their vehicles to their dealers to have the speed control deactivation switch disconnected…

Suspension › Front › Hub

NHTSA recall 07V-270 · Jun 26, 2007 · 8,800 vehicles

On certain passenger vehicles, a front wheel bearing and hub assembly May fracture due to improper heat treatment.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect both front wheel bearing and hub assemblies and replace them free of charge. The recall began on June 22, 2007. Owners May contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.

All 27 Lincoln Town Car recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Lincoln Town Car should you avoid?

1997, 1996, 2003, 1998, 2001 and 1995 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Town Car years at the same age, led by engine & cooling problems in the 1997.

What is the best year for the Lincoln Town Car?

2009 has the fewest complaints compared with other Town Car years at the same age, followed by 2011 and 2010. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Lincoln Town Car problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the engine & cooling (320), speed control & acceleration (292) and brakes (291). Engine complaints peak in the 1997 model year.

How many recalls has the Lincoln Town Car had?

27 recalls across 1995–2011. The model year with the most is 1996. See all Lincoln Town Car recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.