NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
24 reportsClear category filter140,000 miles · Jul 29, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
1993 LINCOLN TOWN CAR CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT TURN OFF AFTER APPLYING BRAKES. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY 15 MILES WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 55 MPH I APPROACHED A RED LIGHT AND APPLIED THE BREAK AND THE CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT TURN OFF. TO AVOID A COLLISION THE BREAKS WERE APPLIED AS HARD AS POSSIBLE AND…
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1993 LINCOLN TOWN CAR CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT TURN OFF AFTER APPLYING BRAKES. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY 15 MILES WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 55 MPH I APPROACHED A RED LIGHT AND APPLIED THE BREAK AND THE CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT TURN OFF. TO AVOID A COLLISION THE BREAKS WERE APPLIED AS HARD AS POSSIBLE AND I PUT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL, WHEREAS THE ENGINE RPM RACED BUT THE VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING. AFTER THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I PUT THE VEHICLE BACK IN DRIVE AND PRECEDED TO THE CURB WHERE I AGAIN PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. I INSPECTED THE THROTTLE AND CRUISE CONTROL LINKAGE AND FOUND NOTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY. I DISCONNECTED THE CRUISE CONTROL LINKAGE AND WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE IDLED NORMALLY. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND UPON HIS INSPECTION HIS ONLY FINDING WAS A BLOWN FUSE FOR THE BRAKE LIGHTS. HE CHANGED THE FUSE AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOW SHIFT OUT OF PARK. HE TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND USED THE CRUISE CONTROL WITHOUT ANY ABNORMAL ANOMALIES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10278672
117,000 miles · Aug 28, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FEEL SPONGY AND THE VEHICLE FEELS AS IF IT WILL NOT STOP WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. SHE MUST CONTINUOUSLY ADD BRAKE FLUID TO THE VEHICLE, BUT IT LEAKS OUT. NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 95V133000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LIN…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FEEL SPONGY AND THE VEHICLE FEELS AS IF IT WILL NOT STOP WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. SHE MUST CONTINUOUSLY ADD BRAKE FLUID TO THE VEHICLE, BUT IT LEAKS OUT. NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 95V133000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS) WAS REFERENCED. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.
NHTSA ODI #10200963
Mileage unknown · Feb 16, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHILE APPLYING BRAKES VEHICLE DOES NOT STOP ACCORDINGLY. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR SERVICE TWICE, AND THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10111667
140,000 miles · Sep 10, 2004
Fuel System, GasolineService Brakes, Hydraulic
THE FUEL LINE RUSTED AND RUPTURED ON MY TOWN CAR ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2004. I CALLED LINCOLN AND THEY WILL NOT EVEN CONCIDER LOOKING AT THIS VEHICLE. MY HUSBAND IS A MECHANIC AND HAS SEEN THIS PROBLEM WITH A 200 NAVIGATOR...WHERE THE BRAKES AND FUEL LINES WERE RUSTED AND THE BRAKE LINES RUPTURED. I WOULD LIKE THIS MATTER LOOKED IN…
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THE FUEL LINE RUSTED AND RUPTURED ON MY TOWN CAR ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2004. I CALLED LINCOLN AND THEY WILL NOT EVEN CONCIDER LOOKING AT THIS VEHICLE. MY HUSBAND IS A MECHANIC AND HAS SEEN THIS PROBLEM WITH A 200 NAVIGATOR...WHERE THE BRAKES AND FUEL LINES WERE RUSTED AND THE BRAKE LINES RUPTURED. I WOULD LIKE THIS MATTER LOOKED INTO AND FIXED. THIS IS NOT A WEAR AND TEAR ITEM AND I SHOULD NOT BE EXPECTED TO PAY FOR IT. I DO NOT HAVE THE $2000.+ THAT IT WILL COST TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. I MEAN THIS IS DEFINATLY A SAFTY ISSUE. MY CAR COULD HAVE EXPLODED WITH ME AND MY SON IN IT ON THE LAST 4800 MILE TRIP THAT WE JUST TOOK AFTER HIS LAST 6 MONTH DEPLOYMENT. THANK YOU DEBRA SIERENS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10090797
94,174 miles · Mar 17, 2004
Air BagsService Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury
WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AT A LOW SPEED, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, WHICH RESULTED IN THE CONSUMER REAR ENDING ANOTHER MOTORIST. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND CONSEQUENTLY THE AIR BAG BROKE THE PASSENGER'S ARM. *AK *JB
NHTSA ODI #10057396
39,359 miles · Nov 17, 2003
Service Brakes, HydraulicWheelsFire
CONSUMER HAD PICKED UP VEHICLE FROM DEALERSHIP AFTER BRAKE LINE WAS REPLACED. OWNER DROVE THE VEHICLE ABOUT 5 MILES AND FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL CAUGHT ON FIRE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AFTER FLAMES WERE PUT OUT. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED FRONT WHEEL LOCKED UP BECAUSE OF BRAKE CALIPER FAILURE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10048045
Mileage unknown · Feb 21, 2002
Fuel System, GasolineService Brakes, HydraulicFire
AFTER PUTTING VEHICLE IN PARK, CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A TRAIL OF FUEL LEADING UP THE DRIVEWAY COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE OUT FROM THE GARAGE AND SOON AFTER THAT, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK DEALER FOUND PERFORATED RUST ON STEEL FUEL LINES AT THE FUEL PUMP WHICH WAS ALSO HEAVIL…
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AFTER PUTTING VEHICLE IN PARK, CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A TRAIL OF FUEL LEADING UP THE DRIVEWAY COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE OUT FROM THE GARAGE AND SOON AFTER THAT, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK DEALER FOUND PERFORATED RUST ON STEEL FUEL LINES AT THE FUEL PUMP WHICH WAS ALSO HEAVILY RUSTED, FUEL LINE SPRAYED FUEL ON HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM. STEEL BRAKE LINES SHOWED EVIDENCE OF CORROSION. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #8004354
Mileage unknown · Aug 4, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
STEEL BRAKE / FUEL LINE ASSEMBLY FAILURE. HEAVILY ROTTED DUE TO POSITIONING ON FRAME RAIL, TRAPPS DIRT/ MOISTURE OR COULD JUST BE INFIRIOR QUALITY MATTERIALS. MANUFACTURER SAID THEY HAD NOT DOCUMENTED ANY PROBLEMS. THE DEALER SAID IT WASN'T COMMON BUT KNEW THE REPAIR LABOR AND PARTS PRICE OFF TOP OF HEAD. OTHER LINES IN OTHER LO…
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STEEL BRAKE / FUEL LINE ASSEMBLY FAILURE. HEAVILY ROTTED DUE TO POSITIONING ON FRAME RAIL, TRAPPS DIRT/ MOISTURE OR COULD JUST BE INFIRIOR QUALITY MATTERIALS. MANUFACTURER SAID THEY HAD NOT DOCUMENTED ANY PROBLEMS. THE DEALER SAID IT WASN'T COMMON BUT KNEW THE REPAIR LABOR AND PARTS PRICE OFF TOP OF HEAD. OTHER LINES IN OTHER LOCATIONS ON VEHICLE APPEARED OK. I HAVE OTHER VEHICLE MUCH OLDER THAN THIS ONE AND ORIGINAL LINES ARE IN GOOD SHAPE. IV'E NEVER SEEN BRAKE LINE FAILURE, WHICH OCCOURS SUDDENLY RESULTING IN BRAKE FAILURE, IN A VEHILE ONLY 8 YEARS OLD. DETERIORATION IS EXTENSIVE. WOULD IT REALLY DRIVE THE COST OF A NEW VEHICLE UP THAT MUCH NOT TO MANDATE STAINLESS STEEL BRAKE LINES AS MANY MANUFACTURERS ARE PROVIDING STAINLESS EXHAUST SYSTEMS? THANK YOU FOR THIS WEB SITE FRANK MARKUT
NHTSA ODI #749821
Mileage unknown · Mar 21, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ON 3 OCCASIONS WHILE APPLYING BRAKES PEDAL WILL FAIL AND GO TO FLOOR, CAUSING NO BRAKE POWER. ALSO, ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT WILL COME ON. CONSUMER MUST REAPPLY BRAKES IN ORDER TO STOP VEHICLE. DEALER STATED TO CONSUMER THAT IF LIGHT WAS NOT ON WHEN VEHICLE WA BROUGHT TO DEALER , THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE. VEHI…
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ON 3 OCCASIONS WHILE APPLYING BRAKES PEDAL WILL FAIL AND GO TO FLOOR, CAUSING NO BRAKE POWER. ALSO, ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT WILL COME ON. CONSUMER MUST REAPPLY BRAKES IN ORDER TO STOP VEHICLE. DEALER STATED TO CONSUMER THAT IF LIGHT WAS NOT ON WHEN VEHICLE WA BROUGHT TO DEALER , THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE. VEHICLE HAS A COMPUTER THAT ERASED MEMORY AFTER IT WAS TURNED OFF. THEREFORE, CONSUMER WILL HAVE TO DRIVE VEHICLE DIRECTLY TO DEALER WHEN ABS LIGHT WAS TURNED ON. HAD DEALER INSPECT VEHICLE IMMEDIATLEY.*AK
NHTSA ODI #883687
Mileage unknown · Feb 28, 2001
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspension
WHILE TRAVELING IN COLD WEATHER 15-20 MINUTES CONSUMER NOTICED ABS INDICATOR LIGHT WOULD FLASH ON. WHEN VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF OR COOLING DOWN INDICATOR LIGHT WOULD CUT OFF. *AK THE VEHICLE OCCASIONALY MAKES A RUMBLE NOISE ONCE A DAY. *YH
NHTSA ODI #881745
Official recalls
4Aug 3, 2007
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS 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.
May 19, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH CAN DEVELOP A RESISTIVE SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT THAT COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE. A FIRE IS POSSIBLE BOTH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING AND WHEN THE VEHICLE ENGINE IS OFF. ALSO, THE SHORT COULD DISABLE THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM OR CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHT FUSE TO OPEN.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A FIRE CAN ORIGINATE IN THE LEFT FRONT UNDERHOOD AREA.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH AND CONNECTOR SHELL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 20, 1999.
Dec 16, 1998
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING, REDUCED STEERING CONTROL COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS (2).
Jul 11, 1995
IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE REAR BRAKE LINE AT THE POINT AT WHICH THE EXTENDED BRAKE LINE FIRST BENDS AND EXTENDS OVER THE LEFT REAR WHEEL AREA OF THE FRAME. IF NOT INSTALLED WITH SUFFICIENT CLEARANCE, CHAFING OF THE BRAKE LINE CAN OCCUR IN AN AREA ADJACENT TO THE REAR FLOOR PAN.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE REAR BRAKE LINE CAN LEAK OR RUPTURE RESULTING IN REDUCED BRAKING CAPABILITY, LOSS OF REAR BRAKES, AND/OR LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID RESERVES IN THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE LINE FOR PROPER INSTALLATION AND/OR DAMAGE AND REPLACE AS NECESSARY. ALSO A PROTECTIVE BOOT OR SLEEVE OVER THE BRAKE LINE WILL BE INSTALLED.
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
7EA02025 · Speed Control Deactivation Switch Fires
Opened Sep 6, 2002 · Closed Jun 30, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
BASED ON THE LOW RATE OF FIRE INCIDENTS (2.5 INCIDENTS PER 100,000 VEHICLES SOLD) WHERE FAILURE OF THE SCDS IS INVOLVED AND THE AGE OF THE VEHICLES ? 7 TO 11 YEARS ? A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
DP02007 · FUEL-FED Fires
Opened Aug 22, 2002 · Closed Dec 4, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
THE FARS DATA SHOWS THAT THE RISK OF FIRE FROM IMPACT IN ALL DIRECTIONS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS THE SAME AS ALL OTHER SEDANS.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE NOT OVER REPRESENTED WITH RESPECT TO THE RISK OF FIRE IN REAL-WORLD HIGH-ENERGY CRASHES.A FURTHER DISCUSSION OF ISSUES RELATED TO POST CRASH FIRES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS SET OUT IN THE CLOSING REPORT FOR SQ 01-014 AND THAT REPORT IS IN THE DOCKET FOR THIS PETITION.AFTER REVIEWING THE PETITION AND ITS SUPPORTING MATERIALS, AS WELL AS INFORMATION FURNISHED BY FORD AND GM, AND INFORMATION WITHIN THE AGENCY'S POSSESSION FROM PREVIOUS INVESTIGATIONS AND OTHER RELATED ACTIONS,NHTSA HAS CONCLUDED THAT FUTHER INVESTIGATION CONCERNING POST-CRASH FIRES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS NOT LIKELY TO LEAD TO A DECISION THAT THE VEHICLES CONTAIN A SAFETY DEFECT.
SQ01014 · Post Rear End Collision Fires
Opened Nov 27, 2001 · Closed Oct 3, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage
There is no summary currently available
RQ01002 · Engine Compartment Fires
Opened Sep 20, 2001 · Closed Sep 6, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
No summary supplied.
EA99006 · Under Hood Fires
Opened Mar 11, 1999 · Closed May 19, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
ALLEGED THAT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE IN THE AREA OF THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL WELL AND THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER
PE98055 · Under Hood Fires
Opened Oct 27, 1998 · Closed Mar 11, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
ALLEGED ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE IN THE AREA OF THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL WELL AND THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINER.
PE93086 · Hood FLY-UP While Driving
Opened Oct 1, 1993 · Closed Feb 28, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
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