Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Lincoln Town Car owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2003 Lincoln Town Car. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V328000 (Suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, vibration sounds were heard coming from the rear of the vehicle. The local dealer, All American Ford of Paramus (375 NJ-17, Paramus, NJ 07652) and Mahwah Ford (55 Franklin Turnpike, Mahwah, NJ 07430) were made aware of the recall however, all three dealers informed the contact that the parts were obsolete. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to several dealers. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000. Consumer stated safety recall for a fracture in the rear axle and bearing states can cause crash still isn't resolved.
The contact owns a 2003 Lincoln Town Car. The contact stated while his son was driving on the highway, the accelerator pedal was slightly released; however, the vehicle stopped instantly. There was no warning light illuminated. The driver was able to drive to his destination safely. The vehicle was towed to the contact's workplace. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The tow truck operator stated that the rear axle was fractured. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 155,000.
Rear end started a sudden howell and shaking and grinding and the Abs and traction control light came on and brakes and suspension did not want to function properly while driving in traffic as quick as I could I pulled over and it looked like one tire was sticking out of the axel way far So I just pulled over and called for my AAA to to and got towed home thats it
The rear-end failed does not have tempered axle There was a recall on 2003 lincolns with same problem but when I enter vin It does not pull anything up Lost control of car and had to be towed home have not had it to the dealer yet
I have a 2003 Lincoln Town Car that I bought in 2005, which was still under warranty. Over the years, I've had to pay for replacing the rear axles and axle bearings that went bad. I saw on the NHTSA website yesterday that this was a problem that resulted in a recall of this make/model/year. I never received a recall notice on this problem, and have paid out-of-pocket for these repairs twice, not knowing that there was ever a recall. Now, all Ford will tell me that there is not currently a recall on my Car, ignoring that I should have been sent a recall notice. I believe that Ford should replace the rear axles and bearings, which are once again needing replaced. I also believe that Ford should reimburse me for the two times already that I had to pay to have the axles and bearings replaced. The VIN of the Car is [redacted]
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Lincoln Town Car. While driving at an unknown speed, an abnormal noise was heard from the rear of the vehicle. In, addition, the contact noticed grease on the rear passenger wheel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the bearing and the rear passenger axle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, six months after the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rear driver axle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, two years later, the rear passenger axle needed to be replaced again. The contact was unaware if the vehicle was serviced per NHTSA campaign number: 04V328000 (suspension). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.
Right rear wheel bearing went out. Mileage of Car is 92,643. There was a recall of this year of Car manufactured from the same plant, wixom, mi, but the production line of recall ended in December 2002. This Car rolled off in february2003. However, it was exactly as the recall stated and there is no way that the bad parts was not put on other vehicles of the 2003 production vehicles. When the bearing went, it chewed the axle so it too had to be replaced. It went out while accelerating from a stopped position. Was immediately parked and not driven til fixed. Machanic agrees that it was bad parts and knows of several 2003 models with the same problem.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Lincoln Town Car. Upon starting the vehicle, the rear air suspension was activated. The rear of the vehicle was at a higher height and would not lower. As a result, the vehicle bounced while driving. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The contact called capital Ford Lincoln of wilmington (4222 oleander dr, wilmington, nc 28403 [phone]) and received several recommendations; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 106,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Lincoln Town Car. While driving approximately 45 MPH, there was an abnormal noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rear wheel bearings and axle shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred five months later. The vehicle was repaired a second time, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 04V328000 (suspension). The failure mileage was 100,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Lincoln Town Car. While the vehicle was stopped at a traffic light, the rear passenger side axle fractured. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the bearings seized, which caused the axle to fail. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 04V328000 (suspension). The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 106,000.
Related recalls
Suspension › Rear
Certain police, commercial, and passenger vehicles sold to fleets typically input higher loads into the vehicle chassis overloading the wheel bearings and axles.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear wheel bearings, seals,and axle shafts. The recall began on July 15, 2004. Owners should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Suspension complaints in other Town Car years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2003 Lincoln Town Car?
NHTSA has 81 complaints about the suspension of the 2003 Lincoln Town Car, 40% of the model year's 201 complaints. The component named most often is rear (43 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Lincoln Town Car suspension problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 04V-328 (rear, Jul 7, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2003 Lincoln Town Car suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to suspension 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.