Electrical System. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Structure. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports26 fire reports3 injury reports

Unknown Or Other complaints

2 reports

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Mileage unknown · Sep 6, 1999

Unknown Or Other

NO SUMMARY

NHTSA ODI #710999

Mileage unknown · Dec 23, 1998

Unknown Or Other

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MY CAR BEGAN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH SURGING (FEELING LIKE SOMEONE IS REPEATEDLY MASHING ON AND THEN LETTING UP ON THE ACCELERATER) SEVERAL YEARS AGO. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO NUMEROUS MECHANICS INCLUDING A FORD DEALERSHIP OVER THE PAST YEARS AND NO ONE SEEMS TO BE ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. IT WILLN'T IDLE. I REPEATEDLY DIES AT INTERSECTIONS, IN PARKING LOTS, ETC. IT DIED 6 TIMES WHILE A MECHANIC ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE IT INTO A BAY AND STILL THE COMPUTER SAID THAT THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE SYSTEM. MECHANICS HAVE DONE EVERYTHING INCLUDING SETTING THE TIMEING, AND STILL IT SURGES AND DIES. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO SELL IT; PEOPLE CAN HEAR THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG. I HAVE EVEN CALLED THE 800 NUMBER AT FORD, AND WAS ONLY REFERRED TO DEALERSHIPS IN MY AREA EVEN WHEN I TOLD THEM THAT THEY HAD BEEN UNABLE TO HELP ME IN THE PAST. I WILLN'T BUY ANY FORD PRODUCT AGAIN AND WILL DISCOURAGE ANY OF MY FRIENDS FROM PURCHASING ONE. I LIMIT MY TRAVEL AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE DUE TO FEAR OF ACCIDENTS. I FEEL THAT I WASTED A GREAT DEAL OF MONEY PURCHASING AND MAKING REPAIRS ON A VEHICLE THAT DIDN'T HELP. I STILL HAVE A VERY DANGEROUS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #701554

Official recalls

90V093000 · Equipment:other:labels

May 9, 1990

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIMOUSINES BUILT BY EMPIRE COACH. VEHICLE ALTERERS LABEL MAY BE MISSING OR INCOMPLETE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH PART 567.

Remedy: ADD COMPLIANCE LABEL.

90V050000 · Seat Belts:front:anchorage

Mar 6, 1990

SAFETY BELTS (TYPE 1 LAP BELTS) FOR REAR FACING SEATS WERE NOT INSTALLED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: LACK OF RESTRAINTS COULD CONTRIBUTE TO OTHERWISE PREVENTABLE INJURY AND WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 209 AND 210.

Remedy: INSTALL SAFETY BELTS FOR REAR FACING SEATS.

87V139000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Sep 4, 1987

SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A FIRE RISK.

Remedy: INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.

85V123000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:column Shift

Oct 7, 1985

INCORRECT BOLTS WERE USED IN THE TRANSMISSION LINKAGE ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THE TRANSMISSION GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR LEVER ON THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD BE ON THE WRONG TRANSMISSION FUNCTION. SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE DRIVER WOULD FIND THEIR CAR IN A GEAR OTHER THAN THE ONE INDICATED BY SHIFT LEVER INDICATOR. THIS COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF THE CAR IS LEFT UNATTENDED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Not supplied

Remedy: REPLACE THE SHIFT LINKAGE TRUNNION, GROMMET AND ADJUSTMENT BOLT.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

PE88012 · Non Collision Fires

Opened Jan 15, 1988 · Closed May 2, 1988

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension

SUMMARY: ALLEGEDLY THE AXLE BEARINGS ON LINCOLN TOWN CAR LIMOUSINES OVER-HEAT IGNITING COMBUSTIBLE COMPONENTS NEARBY.RECOMMENDATION: OPEN PE SEND LETTER TO FORD.===