Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Lincoln Town Car owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
While accelerating approximate @ 30 mph, vehicle speed increased without assistance nearly plummeting into a body of water at a curve... exit 77 on I-95S MD. The car could not handled the curve at that rate of speed. Town Car had to be thrown into neutral and hard press brake pedal in order to stop. Safety issue could have been major accident or my death. I do not desire to reproduce a dangerous scenario with an accelerating vehicle. Dealership and private mechanic refused to reproduce incident. Zero warning lamps and nothing in computer to determine a problem/fix.
I was parking at applebees when the Car bolted and slammed in the wall. I tried to put it in park but went in reverse also at hgh speed. Finally I was able to brake and go to park. I'm concerned. I did not have my foot on the acceleator. I would like someone to check my Car out.
After starting the Car while parked, I stepped on the brake and put the Car in drive, as soon as I put the Car in drive the engine accelerated without me putting my foot on the gas pedal and I had to stand on the brake, the Car jumped forward, I jammed the Car into neutral and the engine still continued to accelerate to a high RPM, I had to shut the engine off to get it to stop accelerating. I had several children in the Car and we almost hit the Car parked in front of us. This is the fourth time in 4 months that this has happened. I took the Car to the Ford dealership to be diagnosed the last time this happened, they found nothing! …
Tl contact owns a 2005 Lincoln Town Car. While parked, the vehicle suddenly accelerated to the highest possible RPM and then stopped. A few days later, the vehicle accelerated again on its own while driving between 1-15 MPH. The contact was depressing the brake pedal as hard as possible and steering the vehicle around traffic when she struck another vehicle and struck a parked vehicle. The entire front end was damaged, including the radiator, battery, engine block, and windshield, however, the front end of the passenger side was the most affected. A police report was filed. The contact has pictures of the Car and reports from witnesses. She sustained injuries to her left ankle, left wrist, left knee, in addition to hematoma. The powertrain was unknown. The failure mileage was 23,934 and current mileage was 23,934. Ohio traffic crash report 12/12/07
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Lincoln Town Car. While driving 55 MPH, the vehicle accelerated independently without warning. The vehicle accelerated to 85 MPH. The contact was able to place the vehicle in neutral and slow down the vehicle. The contact turned the vehicle off and on, and the vehicle operated normally. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the electronic valve in the fuel injector seized in the open position and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000. The VIN was not available.
Tl* the contact owns 2005 Lincoln Town-Car. While attempting to decelerate, the vehicle began to accelerate without intention. Even after repeated brake application the vehicle would not stop. Consequently she crashed into a grass embankment. She was hospitalized because her back had broken. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer, but the technician could not identify the cause of the failure. The failure and current mileages 82,000. Updated 01/20/10 the consumer believed the problem was the throttle positioning sensor or throttle box or both. The consumer stated he slowed down for a stop. Updated 01/22/10.
07/24/217 driving on hwy. 55 north. Selected cruise control on nothing increased speed to 70 MPH reselected speed control(cruise control) nothing again. Repeated several times, nothing. When I got home checked fuses #25 under dash. And fuse f13 in engine compartment neither was burnt replaced with new fuses. Checked recall 3 recalls open on 2005 Town cars. 1 on speed control disconnect deactivation sw. Could cause to short out, seems likely. 07V336000
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Lincoln Town Car. While coming to a complete stop, the vehicle accelerated independently. After the brake pedal was depressed numerous times, the vehicle came to a stop. The failure recurred three times within two years. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000. Updated 06/15/16
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Lincoln Town Car. The contact stated that while pressing the brake pedal, the vehicle erroneously accelerated and crashed into the rear of a second vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 87,000. Updated 9/18/14
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Lincoln Town Car. While driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle accelerated independently and the emergency brake was engaged in order to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 118,000.
Acceleration complaints in other Town Car years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2005 Lincoln Town Car?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2005 Lincoln Town Car, 29% of the model year's 119 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Lincoln Town Car acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2005 Lincoln Town Car, though it has 3 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 2005 Lincoln Town Car acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 53,000 miles, and 29% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 9 crashes, 0 fires and 10 injuries to speed control & acceleration 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.