Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1996 Lincoln Town Car owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 Lincoln Town Car. While attempting to drive the vehicle and shift the gear into drive with the brake pedal depressed. The pedal traveled to the floorboard and all the warning indicators illuminated. When the contact poured brake fluid into the reservoir and depressed the brake pedal, smoke appeared from the engine compartment near the master cylinder. The contact also stated that the brake line corroded. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
On four separate occasions the consumer experienced a loss of braking due to four different sections of the metal brake line due to exterior corrosion. Each time the vehicle was taken to a repair shop to have the brake line replaced. The dealer was notified. The vehicle struck the rear of a utility truck due to the brake failure. The air bag did not deploy. The first failure occurred in 2001. The brake pedal had gone to the floor upon application with no braking effect on either axle. Each failure occurred by ruptured steel brake line due to external rust.
I own a 1996 Lincoln towncar VIN [redacted]. On Saturday 7/9/2011 my brake lines broke and my brakes failed in rockwood, tn. Fortunately I was able to safely drive the Car to a safe place where I had a friend patch the lines with rubber hoses and was able to again use my brakes. I discovered that Ford has issued a recall for certain towncars #79493 4/7/1998 for brake line replacement. I went to 2 Ford dealerships and was told this recall didn't cover my Car. I feel this recall should cover my Car because the same defects on the towncars covered are present on my towncar and caused the brake lines to break. I am asking Ford to authorize me to receive the same protection afforded the owners of the covered towncars and cover my repairs at one of my local Ford dealerships. I called the customer relations center on 7/12/2011 and was given a case number [redacted]. …
Ltr fm edward f. Harrigan (nj) asking NHTSA to look into a brake line corrosion problem on his 1996 Lincoln Town Car. Refer to recall #02V101000. The vehicle experienced sudden brake failure while entering a major interstate. Brake fluid was found over the rear housing as a result of pin holes that were in the crossover line from the left to the right wheel cylinders. The brake pedal had gone to the floor very suddenly. (the manufacturer May use a low-carbon steel which was cheaper or alloy or coatings which were readily available but are corrosion proof.)
A cell phone using driver cut into my lane and I had to hit the brakes hard. There was a sudden loss of braking power but I was able to steer around the SUV. My rear steel brake line failed in the area located just in front of the left rear tire. These brake lines are a problem! Last summer the same thing happened to my wife's 95 Mercury grand marquis. I will have to replace all steel lines as all are rusted. When will fomoco do something about these failures? How many people must get hurt or die?
Brake pedal to the floor while driving in mall parking lot. Brake fluid flowing from leak in rusted brake line under body of vehicle at location where attached to frame. Found metal brake lines rusty from distribution block in engine compartment to all 4 wheels. Fortunately this happened at slow speed, what would have happened if this vehicle failed to stop at a busy intersection?vehicle currently awaiting parts to repair. Old parts will be available for inspection. Updated 10/10/07
I am reporting a catastrophic brake line safety failure that occurred with my 1996 Lincoln Town Car due to corrosion of a flexible span of the brake line to the ABS. Fortunately no injuries or damage occurred as I was driving about 10 MPH and stopped using the emergency brake. This looks like a recall safety issue. Also, according the sheehy Ford dealer, the only replacement includes other lines and components at an expense of nearly $500.
Total sudden brake failure on Lincoln Town Car due to rust/corrosion of brake lines. Own two other Lincoln Town cars whose brake lines are also severely rusted. Fortunately, failure occurred on my driveway and wreck was avoided. Personally replaced worst sections of rear brake lines via bypassing factory installed lines leaving original lines in place.
Sudden loss of brakes, pedal went to the floor. I pulled into a midas brake shop and they put the Car in the lift and found that he entire brake line from the left rearwheel crossing over to the rt.rear wheel was corroded and full of pin holes.thiscar was well maintained but this is a problem that would not appear referenced in rq03-004
While driving at 10 MPH the consumer applied the brakes and brake pedal went to the floor, brakes failed completely. This resulted in extended stopping distance. Consumer had to use the emergency brake to stop. Dealer indicated the hose connected to the master cylinder needed to be replaced.
NHTSA investigations
Rear brake line failure
Odi has received 40 complaints alleging rear brake line failure in the subject vehicles, including 8 that have been received this year.an additional 192 reports and 478 warranty claims have been received from Ford.a leak in the rear brake line can cause extended stopping distance.a search of odi's complaint database for peer vehicle complaints, using the same brake line failure criteria as for the subject vehicles…
Rear brake line failure
In a letter dated February 25, 2005, Ford motor company (Ford) notified odi that it would be conducting a customer satisfaction program (Ford no. 04b26) to correct a rear brake line chafing concern in approximately 44,000 model year (my) 1997 Ford crown victoria and grand marquis non-fleet vehicles equipped with electronic traction control that werebuilt after March 19, 1997.these vehicles have an additional rear…
Brake complaints in other Town Car years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1996 Lincoln Town Car?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the brakes of the 1996 Lincoln Town Car, 12% of the model year's 259 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (11 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Lincoln Town Car brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 1996 Lincoln Town Car, though it has 8 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1996 Lincoln Town Car brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 101,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.