Body complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 1 | 8% | 80,000 miles |
| 2008 | 2 | 10% | 47,000 miles |
| 2007 | 8 | 10% | 44,000 miles |
| 2006 | 8 | 6% | 30,000 miles |
| 2005 | 8 | 7% | 30,000 miles |
| 2004 | 11 | 13% | 99,000 miles |
| 2003 | 12 | 6% | 46,000 miles |
| 2002 | 2 | 3% | 49,000 miles |
| 2001 | 6 | 4% | 123,000 miles |
| 2000 | 5 | 5% | 65,000 miles |
| 1999 | 12 | 8% | 50,000 miles |
| 1998 | 14 | 9% | 95,000 miles |
| 1997 | 8 | 3% | 90,000 miles |
| 1996 | 4 | 2% | 93,000 miles |
| 1995 | 6 | 4% | 120,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
This safety issue was discovered yesterday. The passenger-side rear door will not unlock, either by manual attempt to raise the knob or by using the control buttons on the FOB nor at the driver's station. The window in that door also no longer responds to attempts to raise or lower it. Both my rear seat passengers had to enter using the driver's-side rear door. This creates a serious potential safety hazard by preventing rear-seat passengers exiting the vehicle near their closest door in an emergency. The car will be taken to a local dealership to resolve this safety and convenience issue upon my return from an extended trip. I had no warning of any impending component failure. That door lock and window worked well days ago.
My 07 Lincoln only has around 80,000 miles on it and has water leaks causing water to pool in the floor boards thereby causing the potential for rust, electrical issues and the hazards that could result therefrom. A quick online search will reveal to you that these leaks are incredibly common and very well known among Lincoln owners and dealers alike (very, very common problem due to manufacturer defects) but Ford refuses to do anything about it. Given how widespread this problem is it seems that the right thing to do would be for Ford to issue a recall and repair these things. Problem appears to affect 99'-11 models. Thank You
The contact owns a 2006 Lincoln Town Car. The contact stated that after it rained, rainwater entered the vehicle, soaking the rear passenger's and rear driver's side seats. The contact removed the debris around the doors, but the failure persisted. Additionally, the front driver's seat remained extremely hot even after the seat heater was turned off. The contact stated that the dealer had previously replaced the intake manifold; however, the failure recurred, and the vehicle made an abnormal sound while being started. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Lincoln Town Car. While driving 65 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal popping noise and the moon roof detached from the vehicle. The contact noticed that the frame around the roof was rusted. The contact had work performed inside the vehicle through an independent mechanic. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 267,000. Consumer stated glass roof left the Car drive was unaware. Moon roof was installed by dealers sub contractor. Updated 8/1/18
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Lincoln Town Car. The contact stated that water entered the vehicle through the passenger side of the vehicle. The contact also stated that the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000. The VIN was not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Lincoln Town Car. The contact stated that water entered through both sides of the vehicle under both floormats. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.
2004 Lincoln Town Car cartier. Riding down road 35 MPH accelerating. Windows were all up, sunroof closed. Never had any problems prior. Wife touched sunroof button to open sunroof while windows still closed, and bam! The sunroof exploded; luckily did not shatter onto us but cracked in large pieces. Scared us both but I kept control of the Car until could pull over. No cars in the area around us. Not aware of any debris. A windshiled replacement company told us there is a high incidence of sunroofs exploding for no reason. My thoughts are that the sudden pulling back of the sunroof cover caused a big difference in air pressure causing the sunroof glass to break. This is a serious problem needing attn. Usuallly I have my windows opened slightly before opening sunroof..no prior problems. …
I came from work at around 0600 am on 9/4/15 in my 2004 Lincoln Town Car and park it in my apartment. At around 0330 of the same day I decided to go pick my child from school . Whent I statrted my Car and put it in reverse tryng to back up from the parking lot, the Car suddenly accelerated at a speed of about 60 ml/hr to hit tow cars park in the parking lot and dragging one of the to a tree which finally stopped the Car. If that tree did not stop the Car the damage would have been worse because all my efforts to stop the Car failed. The Car was just uncontrollable with unprecedented speed . It was as if the Car had a mind of it self. I was just lucky because my wife and kids were in another Car very close to the Car that was dragged. If they have came out of the Car , they would have been dragged too. Thank god their is no fatalities. …
Frequently asked questions
Which Lincoln Town Car years have body problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1998 (14), 1999 (12), 2003 (12), 2004 (11) and 1997 (8) model years. Body complaints make up 9% of all complaints for the 1998.
Is there a recall for Lincoln Town Car body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for any Lincoln Town Car model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Lincoln Town Car body problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles; 39% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the body (43 mentions), followed by the body › door (18).
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.