Brake complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 | 17% | 15,000 miles |
| 2008 | 5 | 25% | 43,000 miles |
| 2007 | 13 | 15% | 25,000 miles |
| 2006 | 21 | 15% | 31,000 miles |
| 2005 | 24 | 20% | 53,000 miles |
| 2004 | 10 | 12% | 2,000 miles |
| 2003 | 15 | 7% | 67,000 miles |
| 2002 | 11 | 17% | 56,000 miles |
| 2001 | 13 | 8% | 64,000 miles |
| 2000 | 13 | 12% | 30,000 miles |
| 1999 | 19 | 13% | 53,000 miles |
| 1998 | 20 | 13% | 31,000 miles |
| 1997 | 44 | 14% | 80,000 miles |
| 1996 | 30 | 12% | 101,000 miles |
| 1995 | 52 | 32% | 95,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Lincoln Town Car. While approaching traffic in a lane, the brake pedal was applied and was slow to respond. The contact applied force and the brake pedal traveled to the floor. As a result, the contact crashed into the preceding vehicle. The driver sustained minor whiplash that did not require medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was able to be driven to the contact's residence and parked. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA action number: pe16003 (service brakes, service brakes, hydraulic). The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the brake master cylinder was replaced per the contact's request. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided no specific remedy for the condition. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 32,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Lincoln Town Car. While driving at any speed and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle accelerated. The contact depressed the brake pedal a couple of times and regained control of the vehicle. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The failure recurred four times. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000. Updated 10/26/17
Unintended/Unexpected acceleration, even while brake pedal is pressed. Happens intermittently. Most scary time for me happened in Publix parking lot at crosswalk for pedestrians. I thought I was going to hit the pedestrians. There are two drivers for this car and has happened to both of us. Just now, [redacted] around [redacted] it happened again when the other driver was driving out of Subway parking lot near St. Johns river into right lane of 3 lanes of traffic near an intersection with a car tuning left right in front of us. Very scary and glad no collision. No, to dealer or independent service dealer question. No, to the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others question No, to the warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem question
Tl* the contact owned a 2007 Lincoln Town Car. The contact stated that while reversing out of a parking lot and attempting to drive up a hill, the contact depressed the accelerator pedal and the vehicle accelerated excessively independently. The brakes ceased to operate and the contact was unaware if any warning lights illuminated. The contact then forced the vehicle into park as the vehicle which caused the vehicle to make an abrupt stop. As the vehicle was in park, the vehicle then proceeded to accelerate backwards down the hill. The contact attempted to avoid hitting other vehicles and steered the vehicle into an embankment and backed into a small tree. The air bags did deploy upon impact. The police were called and a report was filed. The contact did not receive any medical attention at the scene. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was destroyed. …
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 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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Lincoln Town Car. The contact called in regards to having a brake failure. The contact stated while approaching a red light and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to stop causing the vehicle to hit a truck and the curb. The vehicle was able to stop after depressing the brake pedal multiple times. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that no air bags deployed. A police report was filed. The contact stated no injury were sustained. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for body damage estimate and repairs. The contact stated a local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired as of yet. The vehicle was not deemed a total loss. The manufacturer was contacted, case was filed, and referred to contact NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Lincoln Town Car. While attempting to stop the vehicle, the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle inadvertently accelerated. The vehicle came to a stop at an extended distance. On another occasion, the brake pedal was depressed and the contact struck a guardrail in order to avoid crashing into another vehicle. There were no injuries. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was taken to gateway Ford Lincoln Nissan (located at 1055 w andrew johnson hwy, greeneville, tn 37745, [phone]) to be diagnosed, but the mechanic was unable to retrieve a fault code or duplicate the failure. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 93,000.
Related recalls (1)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Improper installation of the rear brake line at the point at which the extended brake line first bends and extends over the left rear wheel area of the frame. If not installed with sufficient clearance, chafing of the brake line can occur in an area adjacent to the rear floor pan.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the brake line for proper installation and/or damage and replace as necessary. Also a protective boot or sleeve over the brake line will be installed.
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…
Frequently asked questions
Which Lincoln Town Car years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1995 (52), 1997 (44), 1996 (30), 2005 (24) and 2006 (21) model years. Brake complaints make up 32% of all complaints for the 1995.
Is there a recall for Lincoln Town Car brake problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 95V-133 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Jul 11, 1995). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Lincoln Town Car brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 56,000 miles; 44% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (89 mentions), followed by the foundation components › hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (34).
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.