Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 2 of 50 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
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
What owners actually said
50 reports
Mileage unknown · Dec 23, 1998
Unknown Or Other
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 INTERS…
Read full complaint
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
Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 1998
Electrical SystemFire
ORIGINAL ALTERNATOR REPLACED ON 11-23-96, NEW ALTERNATOR SHORTED OUT RESULTING IN FIRE.
NHTSA ODI #542017
Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 1998
Electrical SystemFire
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TOTALLED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #826709
Mileage unknown · Jul 28, 1998
Electrical SystemFire
WHILE PARKED AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE WIRING CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE IN THE ALTERNATOR.*AK *JB
NHTSA ODI #825958
Mileage unknown · Aug 20, 1997
Wheels
LEFT REAR WHEEL CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA ODI #520745
Mileage unknown · May 27, 1997
SteeringFire
STEERING COLUMN CAUGHT FIRE PRIOR TO RECALL.
NHTSA ODI #514618
Mileage unknown · Jan 23, 1997
Structure
WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND THE ROOF CAME OFF .*AK
NHTSA ODI #808026
Mileage unknown · Jan 14, 1997
Power Train
WHEN SHIFT SELECTOR IS PUT IN DRIVE IT READS OVERDRIVE/OVERDRIVE READS NEUTRAL.
NHTSA ODI #513934
Mileage unknown · Dec 20, 1996
Electrical SystemFire
WHILE PARKED AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE WIRING HARNESS, CAUSED THE VEHICLE WIRES UNDER THE HOOD TO CATCH ON FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
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.
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
1
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.===
1986 Lincoln Town Car Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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