Lincoln Town Car Recalls

The Lincoln Town Car has 50 recalls spanning the 1986–2011 production run, with the most serious recent issue being a steering shaft defect on 2005–2011 models where an improperly serviced upper intermediate shaft can separate and cause complete loss of steering control.

The 2005–2011 era also has a fire risk from a battery cable that can chafe against a frame bolt on 2005 models, generating enough heat to ignite surrounding components. Limousine-converted 2008–2011 vehicles have a separate fire concern: a missing fuel rail shield means a frontal impact can rupture fuel lines and create conditions for an engine fire. On 2007 models, front wheel hub assemblies can develop cracks that allow the wheel to shift outward or detach entirely, leaving the wheel held only by the brake caliper.

The 2001 model year has a restraint control module that can unexpectedly fire an airbag or seatbelt pretensioner during the startup self-test, as well as a separate issue where missing mounting screws in a crash sensor can reduce airbag protection in a collision. On 2003 fleet and commercial vehicles, rear axle shafts can fracture under high loads and leave the vehicle coasting without drive power.

Going back to the late 1990s, 1997 models have a driver airbag module that can stay in place during deployment but eject from the steering wheel cavity immediately after, becoming a hazard in the cabin. The 1999 model year has aftermarket-sourced front seat belts sold through Ford parts counters that may not restrain an occupant in a crash. The 1996 model year covers a pitman arm ball joint that can corrode, separate, and cause loss of steering control, along with rear brake line and seatbelt assembly issues on vehicles with livery configurations.

The 1995 model has a fuel tank seal that can leak at the filler pipe junction, and on limousine-trim 1995–1996 vehicles, a separate rear brake line campaign addresses the potential for fluid loss and longer stopping distances. The 1994 model year has a particularly dense set of brake-related issues: a missing or improperly installed hairpin clip on the brake pedal pushrod can disengage the rod and eliminate all service braking without warning, and rear brake backing plate fasteners on limousine-prep vehicles can loosen and damage the parking brake and anti-lock brake components.

Earlier production had multiple hood latch failures concentrated on 1990 and 1991 models, where the secondary latch could fail to engage and allow the hood to fly open and block the driver's view. The 1991 model year also has fuel lines that can contact the steering column universal joint, wear through, and leak fuel near ignition sources, along with a front ball joint issue on limousine-trim vehicles that reduces steering control. The 1992 and 1993 model years both have speed control deactivation switches that can overheat and start an underhood fire even with the engine off, and 1993 vehicles have an additional brake line chafing issue that can result in fluid loss and reduced rear braking. The 1987 model has a wiring harness that can be damaged by a cowl screw, creating a short circuit and potential fire. The 1986 model year has a throttle body defect that can prevent the throttle from returning to idle, and a transmission shift linkage bolt that can allow unintended gear selection.