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 2006 Lincoln Town Car owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2006 Lincoln Town Car. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the engine made an abnormally loud sound. The contact stated upon shifting into drive(D), the vehicle accelerated unintendedly down the steep driveway. The contact continuously depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact then turned off the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring intermittently while driving. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
On the 2006 Lincoln Town Car signature limited, the accelerator and brake pedals are adjustable. The pedals are close together, therefore, leaving little space between the brake and accelerator. When trying to stop, the brake and, unfortunately, accelerator pedals were both being pressed at the same time. This has almost caused accidents when trying to stop for my spouse and me. This has been a problem since the Car was purchased in feb 2006. The vehicle was not diagnosed or serviced. On June 3, 2014, I was leaving my driveway and saw a tractor-trailer coming down the road. Trying to stop, I pressed the brake and accelerator pedals at the same time. I pressed on the brake harder to stop; however, I was also pressing on the accelerator harder. This caused a terrible accident between the tractor-trailer and me. I was air lifted to a trauma center. The truck driver was also injured. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Lincoln Town Car. The contact stated that the vehicle suddenly accelerated while turning left, causing the contact to lose control of the vehicle. The vehicle then proceeded through traffic and crashed into another vehicle that was turning right but the contact's vehicle did not stop and proceeded to travel over a side walk. The contact was able to shift into neutral and shut the engine off to stop the vehicle from accelerating any further. The driver and passenger were both injured. A police report was not filed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact returned the vehicle to the manufacturer as a trade-in. The failure and current mileage was 71,000. Updated 4/4/14
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Lincoln Town Car signature. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH, he attempted to apply the brakes and his foot accidentally depressed the accelerator pedal as well. The vehicle lunged forward as a result. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who stated that they were unable to assist him since they were not able to alter the design of the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 25,000 and the current mileage was 67,000. Updated 6/7/12 the consumer stated he hit another vehicle. The consumer did not stated if there was any property damage. He also stated the accelerator and brake pedals were too close together.
While exiting a parking facility cars were doing an alternate merge into a single lane. It was slow stop and go and I was waiting my turn with my foot on the brake. All of a sudden my Car accelerated aggressively and I slammed on the brakes and put it in park. I used just less than a Car length to stop the Car after it lurched forward. I noticed that the tachometer momentarily exceeded 4000 RPM. This would have been an accident except for fortuitous timing. I allowed the Car to my left space to merge and there was about a Car length of space available which the other Car had not entered yet. That space gave me the margin to get the Car stopped without hitting a Car in front of me.
My 2006 Lincoln Town Car only has 45,000 miles on it and is kept in a garage. The first incident was with my family on vacation in south dakota. The gas pedal stuck down to the floor and the vehicle began accelerating by itself. We were on the highway and the vehicle speed reached 85 MPH. The second time less than a year later my husband was pulling into our driveway and it did the same thing he turned off into the grass to avoid hitting our children and garage. Both times he had to reach down and manually pull up the gas pedal. Even hitting the brakes wouldn't stop it.
Driver was parking Lincoln Town Car. Stepped on brake while putting Car into park position. Car suddenly accelerated over concrete parking stop and slammed into an entrance to shopping center sign that was in front of the parking space. The Car ended up with the front of the Car against the sign and the rear wheels of the Car up against the parking stop. Also, the rear door locks failed, and passengers were unable to exit the vehicle and the air bag light illuminated. Updated 06/10/14
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Lincoln Town Car. While approaching a stop, the vehicle independently accelerated when the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. Updated 02/12/16 updated 02/17/16.
When the brake was applied the Car kept wanting to accelerate. I had to keep my foot on the brake and put the Car in n then turn it off. I was stopping at a light. This has happened more than once with this vehicle.
Tl contact owns a 2006 Lincoln Town Car. The contact stated that the vehicle has accelerated on its own five times while driving 30 MPH. The first failure occurred on October 8, 2007. He placed the gear in neutral in order to slow the vehicle down and, on occasion, he would have to turn off the engine. The vehicle was taken to the dealer twice and the diagnosis indicated failure codes for the powertrain, control module, and (the dec) electronic control. The dealer reprogrammed the powertrain control module; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer on November 1, 2008. The dealer stated that they May be unable to correct the failure. A report was filed with the manufacturer and they stated that they would call the dealer. The contact was informed that he would receive a call from the dealer. The failure mileage was 22,311 and current mileage was 32,390.
Acceleration complaints in other Town Car years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2006 Lincoln Town Car?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2006 Lincoln Town Car, 18% of the model year's 143 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Lincoln Town Car acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2006 Lincoln Town Car, though it has 2 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 2006 Lincoln Town Car acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 31,000 miles, and 41% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 4 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.