The 1991 Lincoln Town Car has 8 recalls, with the most serious being a fuel line that can wear through where it contacts the steering column joint in the engine compartment, leaking fuel that can ignite and cause a fire.
Four recalls address the hood latch system, and while they represent separate filings, they all point to the same danger: the secondary latch may not fully engage when the hood is closed, meaning if the primary latch also releases while driving, the hood can fly up and block the driver's view of the road. In one version of this problem, a corroded striker plate can detach from the hood entirely, producing the same result. Note that prior repair attempts did not fully resolve the issue, which is why multiple campaigns exist. Finally, on limousine-configured vehicles, a front lower control arm ball joint can fail while driving, reducing steering control and raising the risk of a crash.
At a glance
What can fail
The lower control arm ball joint can weaken and crack during use. If it fails completely, the ball and cap separate, causing the control arm to drop.
What the fix does
Replace both lower control arm ball joints.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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At a glance
What can fail
The secondary latch can wedge against the striker, preventing the hood from closing fully. This may cause the primary latch to not engage completely, allowing the hood to open unexpectedly while driving.
What the fix does
The hood latch assembly will be replaced with a corrected assembly.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The secondary hood latch may fail to engage when you close the hood, potentially allowing it to open while driving.
What the fix does
Your dealer will replace the hood latch assembly with a corrected part.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The hood latch striker plate can corrode and detach from the hood assembly, allowing the hood to open unexpectedly while driving.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a new hood inner panel reinforcement and a new galvanized hood latch striker plate.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The secondary hood latch may not fully engage when the hood closes. If the primary latch releases while driving, a partially engaged secondary latch might not hold the hood, causing it to fly up and block the driver's view.
What the fix does
The hood latch will be replaced with a revised design that fully engages when the hood closes.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The secondary hood latch may fail to engage when you close the hood.
What the fix does
Install a new hood latching assembly.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Fuel lines in the engine compartment may have been bent during assembly and could rub against the steering column joint, wearing through the fuel line and causing fuel to leak.
What the fix does
Fuel lines will be inspected, repositioned, repaired, or replaced as needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Fuel lines in the engine compartment may be positioned where they contact the steering column universal joint, causing the fuel line to become damaged.
What the fix does
Fuel lines will be repositioned away from the universal joint. Damaged fuel lines will be repaired or replaced as needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
