Is This A Lemon?

Year · Make · Model

1996 Lincoln Town CAR

What the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration knows about this vehicle: every recall, every consumer complaint, every defect investigation, every NCAP crash test. Sourced directly from NHTSA data feeds.

10
Open recalls
259
NHTSA complaints
6
Defect investigations
124
Service bulletins

NCAP safety

Overall
Not rated
Frontal
Not rated
Side
Not rated
Rollover
Not rated

Consumer complaints

259 filed
9
Crashes
11
Fires
8
Injuries reported
0
Fatalities reported

What people complain about

  • Engine AND Engine COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL Pipe
    42
  • Vehicle Speed Control
    21
  • Engine AND Engine COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
    17
  • Engine AND Engine Cooling
    16
  • SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER Ball Joint
    14
  • Service BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND Fittings
    11
  • Exterior LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
    9
  • Service BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC Limited Slip
    9

Recalls

10 campaigns
15E082000·STEERING2015-10-06

Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain model Dorman Steering Shafts, part number 425-359, Solutions Steering Shafts, part number 7-0359, and OE Solutions Steering Shafts, part number 425-359, manufactured April 17, 2014, to September 28, 2015. These aftermarket replacement steering shafts are sold for use in 1995-2002 Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Car vehicles. These steering shafts may separate during operation if the integral fastener is loose or missing and if the interfacing vehicle shaft is compressed in length.

RiskIf the shafts separate during vehicle operation, a loss of steering control would result, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

FixDorman will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering shaft, free of charge. The recall began on October 28, 2015. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492, option 5.

07V336000·VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2007-08-03

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

RiskTHIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

FixDEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

01V318000·AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE2001-10-03

EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG MODULE REPLACED AFTER APRIL 5, 2000. THE REPLACEMENT DRIVER'S AIR BAG MODULE INFLATOR MAY HAVE INSUFFICIENT WELDS THAT COULD PREVENT PROPER INFLATION OF THE AIR BAG.

Risk IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG MAY NOT PROPERLY DEPLOY WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN LESS THAN THE INTENDED LEVEL OF OCCUPANT PROTECTION.

FixDEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 5, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.

00V157002·SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE2000-06-12

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES USING AFTERMARKET FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE SOLD BY FORD PARTS DEPARTMENTS FROM JANUARY 1, THROUGH JUNE 13, 2000. THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THE EQUIPMENT INVOLVED IS SERVICE STOCK SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES, MODEL NOS. H 9977, H 9979, T 9063, AND T 9217, BUILT BY TRW VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEMS, INC. (TRW) MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 1, 1998 THROUGH MAY 21, 2000. SOME OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED AS SERVICE REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT ON THE VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THE RECALL.

RiskIN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, THESE SEAT BELTS MAY NOT RESTRAIN AN OCCUPANT INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

FixDEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES AND REPLACE THE SERVICE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE INSTALLED IN THESE VEHICLES FROM JANUARY 1 THROUGH JUNE 13, 2000.

00V157001·SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE2000-06-12

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES USING AFTERMARKET DRIVER'S SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE SOLD BY FORD PARTS DEPARTMENTS FROM JANUARY 1, THROUGH JUNE 13, 2000. THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THE EQUIPMENT INVOLVED IS SERVICE STOCK SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES, MODEL NOS. H 9977, H 9979, T 9063, AND T 9217, BUILT BY TRW VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEMS, INC. (TRW) MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 1, 1998 THROUGH MAY 21, 2000. SOME OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED AS SERVICE REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT ON THE VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THE RECALL.

RiskIN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, THESE SEAT BELTS MAY NOT RESTRAIN AN OCCUPANT INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

FixDEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES AND REPLACE THE SERVICE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE INSTALLED IN THESE VEHICLES FROM JANUARY 1 THROUGH JUNE 13, 2000.

98V322000·SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT1998-12-16

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN 1996-1999 FORD CROWN VICTORIA POLICE, FLEET, NATURAL GAS, AND 1996-1999 LINCOLN TOWN CAR LIMOUSINE VEHICLES THAT WERE PRODUCED WITH A LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CONTAINING A ONE PIECE BEARING; AND 1990-1996 FORD CROWN VICTORIA POLICE, FLEET, AND NGV VEHICLES AND 1990-1996 LINCOLN TOWN CAR LIMOUSINE VEHICLES THAT HAVE BEEN SERVICED WITH EITHER A BALL JOINT CONTAINING THE ONE-PIECE BEARING OR A FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM CONTAINING A BALL JOINT WITH A ONE-PIECE BEARING. THE ONE-PIECE BEARING WITHIN THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CAN WEAKEN SLOWLY DURING USE AND EVENTUALLY CRACK. THIS COULD RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE BALL AND CAP OF THE JOINT, ALLOWING THE CONTROL ARM TO DROP TO THE GROUND.

RiskIF THIS OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING, REDUCED STEERING CONTROL COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

FixDEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS (2).

98I001000·SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS1998-04-07

THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATION 573. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. FORD IS INITIATING AN OWNER NOTIFICATION PROGRAM FOR OWNERS OF CERTAIN 1995-1997 CROWN VICTORIA MODEL VEHICLES WITH POLICE, TAXI, AND COMMERCIAL FLEET PACKAGES AND TOWN CAR VEHICLES WITH THE LIVERY PACKAGE. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE LINE AND THE UNDERBODY FRONT FLOOR PAN ASSEMBLY WHICH COULD CAUSE WEAR OF THE BRAKE LINES.

RiskTHIS COULD LEAD TO BRAKE FLUID LOSS FOR THE REAR BRAKES AND, POTENTIALLY, INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES.

FixDEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE LINES FOR WEAR, INSTALL TWO NEW TUBE BUNDLE CLIPS, AND CHECK THE BRAKE LINES FOR PROPER CLEARANCES. IF THE BRAKE LINES ARE WORN, THE DAMAGED SECTION OF THE BRAKE LINE WILL BE REPLACED.

96V135000·STEERING:LINKAGES1996-07-18

THE PITMAN ARMS WERE NOT FULLY LUBRICATED AT THE ASSEMBLY PLANT. THE "BALL JOINT" AT THE OUTER END OF THE PITMAN ARM CAN BECOME CONTAMINATED AND CORRODE.

RiskSUCH CORROSION CAN RESULT IN ABNORMAL WEAR OF THE JOINT, RESULTING IN SEPARATION OF THE JOINT. LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

FixDEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES AND IF THE JOINT IS FOUND TO HAVE SIGNIFICANT WEAR, THE ARM WILL BE REPLACED. THOSE PITMAN ARMS NOT REPLACED WILL HAVE THE "BALL JOINT" FULLY GREASED.

+ 2 more recalls. Pagination is on the roadmap.

NHTSA investigations

11 actions
EA03012·SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID2003-07-25 → 2005-04-11

REAR BRAKE LINE FAILURE

Led to recall05V086000

EA03012·SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS2003-07-25 → 2005-04-11

REAR BRAKE LINE FAILURE

Led to recall05V086000

EA03012·SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC2003-07-25 → 2005-04-11

REAR BRAKE LINE FAILURE

Led to recall05V086000

RQ03004·SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID2003-03-11 → 2003-07-25

REAR BRAKE LINE FAILURE

RQ03004·SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS2003-03-11 → 2003-07-25

REAR BRAKE LINE FAILURE

← home