Transmission complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 1 | 8% | 94,000 miles |
| 2008 | 2 | 10% | 85,000 miles |
| 2007 | 2 | 2% | 147,000 miles |
| 2006 | 6 | 4% | 31,000 miles |
| 2005 | 7 | 6% | 53,000 miles |
| 2004 | 1 | 1% | 153,000 miles |
| 2003 | 27 | 13% | 84,000 miles |
| 2001 | 5 | 3% | 178,000 miles |
| 2000 | 1 | 1% | 55,000 miles |
| 1999 | 7 | 5% | 70,000 miles |
| 1998 | 11 | 7% | 44,000 miles |
| 1997 | 3 | 1% | 153,000 miles |
| 1996 | 2 | 1% | — |
| 1995 | 12 | 7% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2006 Lincoln Town Car. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, he was unable to shift into the intended gear. The contact stated that the gear shifter had seized. The contact stated the steering shaft was maneuvered until the gear shifter unlocked. There was an unknown warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the local dealer was contacted; however, no assistance was provided. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000.
I put the Car in reverse to backup. Then, with my foot on the brake, I place the Car into drive goes forward. It continues forward for about a Car length before it stops. The Car has done this on several occasions. I fear for my life.
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.
After being parked in parking lot - engine turned off, no radio playing, etc. We started the vehicle up, backed up, braked, put in drive and accelerated at which time the vehicle immediately accelerated out of control. Brakes would not stop the Car. The Car continued to accelerate faster and faster. We ran over a couple of islands, pulled fire hydrant out of the ground, ran into a wall, vehicle continued to accelerate and it seared from the wall, accelerating faster we knocked 6 parked cars out of the way like they were boxes all the while braking to no avail vehicle continuing to accelerate faster headed across the parking lot toward a chain link fence we threw the gear shift into park about the same time we hit the fence. The vehicle balked and came to stop in about 50 feet in an adjacent parking lot on the other side of the fence ripping about 50 feet of the fence with it. …
Been trying for about a year to get this safety recall called 4 local ford dealer ships first one said my cars to old they won't fix the safety recall other don't give call back I can hear like vibrating in the back where this recall would fix it hopfully it don't break on me
I have had to replace wheel bearing and axle every few months because of premature wear and causing driving to be a safety concern. Once it wears thin, the car shakes and wobbles and the tire almost snapped off twice.
I lost control of the Car when it hit ice at 9:20a- 1/25/2013 on I-94 near chesterton, in, spun around and crashed twice (front/rear) into the left concrete barrier parallel to the roadway. None of the 4 air bags deployed. I (age 77) and my passenger (age 83) wore seat belts that saved us. Car front smashed; Car rear less damaged. Sides are o.k.. Isp report id:201300021141. Neither of us sought medical treatment. My chest still hurts! Air bags would have helped had they deployed. Lake shore Ford, chesterton, in [phone] said Car was "totaled." isp officer weems reported that I May receive a ticket for "too fast for conditions." tc failed the only air bag test it ever had. Seat belts did not. No other cars were involved on busy I-94. We were lucky!
Vehicle: 2001 Lincoln Town Car cartier with 45,000 original miles. Date problem revealed: 05/08/2008 at 38,000 miles. Component: powertrain: driveline; suspension: (rear); suspension: (front); steering. Defect summary: certain police, commercial, and passenger vehicles sold input higher loads into the vehicle chassis overloading the wheel bearings and axles. Four wheel alignment check was performed. Rear wheels was not aligned to manufacture specifications, for which, this vehicle has a non-adjustable rear end. Front-end alignment was not in manufacture specifications and could not be corrected due to faulty rear end components. Consequence summary: this could lead to early bearing failure and ultimately to axle shaft fracture. In the event of axle shaft fracture, the vehicle would lose drive function and would coast to a stop. Loss of drive function could lead to a crash. …
NHTSA investigations
Rear axle fracture
This pe was opened after odi became aware of two allegations concerning rear axle fracture and partial wheel separation involving my 2003 Ford crown victoria police interceptors (cvpi).initially, the pe's scope involved all my 2003 grand marquis, crown victoria, and Lincoln town cars (I.e., panther platform) produced through January 2003.while gathering information about this issue, it became evident that the…
Frequently asked questions
Which Lincoln Town Car years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2003 (27), 1995 (12), 1998 (11), 1999 (7) and 2005 (7) model years. Transmission complaints make up 13% of all complaints for the 2003.
Is there a recall for Lincoln Town Car transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 83,000 miles; 30% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (27 mentions), followed by the axle assembly (7).
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.