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: 32 of 176 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 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
13 crash reports56 fire reports10 injury reports
What owners actually said
176 reports
112,000 miles · Jul 1, 2005
Vehicle Speed ControlFire
DT: CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR OVER 24 HOURS WHEN IT CAUGHT FIRE. ACCORDING TO THE INSURANCE INVESTIGATOR THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH WAS THE CAUSE. HE HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED APPROXIMATELY A MONTH PRIOR, AND TOLD THEM THAT CRUISE CONTROL WASN'T WORKING. BUT THEY DIDN'T FIX IT. HE USED THE CRUISE CONTROL APPROXIMATEL…
Read full complaint
DT: CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR OVER 24 HOURS WHEN IT CAUGHT FIRE. ACCORDING TO THE INSURANCE INVESTIGATOR THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH WAS THE CAUSE. HE HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED APPROXIMATELY A MONTH PRIOR, AND TOLD THEM THAT CRUISE CONTROL WASN'T WORKING. BUT THEY DIDN'T FIX IT. HE USED THE CRUISE CONTROL APPROXIMATELY 4 TIMES AFTER THAT BECAUSE IT STARTED WORKING ON ITS OWN. CONSUMER'S OFFICE AND ATTIC WAS BURNED. A FIRE REPORT WAS ISSUED. APPROXIMATELY 20 FIREMEN AND 4 FIRE TRUCKS WERE THERE. THE FIRE CAPTAIN COULDN'T FIND THE REASON FOR THE FIRE . CONSUMER CONTACTED FORD AND WAS TOLD THEY WERE NOT HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THIS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10127286
118,000 miles · Mar 24, 2005
Electrical SystemFire
I DON'T REALLY KNOW WHO TO REPORT THIS TO. SO, I WILL BEGIN WITH YOU. LAST WEEK, OUR 1993 LINCOLN TOWN CAR HAD BEEN PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY FOR ABOUT 10 HOURS WHEN IT JUST WENT UP IN FLAMES. IT WAS 6:00 A.M. WHEN A MAN DRIVING TO WORK, KNOCKED ON OUR DOOR AND TOLD US OUR CAR WAS ON FIRE. WE HAD FLAMES SOME 30' HIGH IN OUR FRON…
Read full complaint
I DON'T REALLY KNOW WHO TO REPORT THIS TO. SO, I WILL BEGIN WITH YOU. LAST WEEK, OUR 1993 LINCOLN TOWN CAR HAD BEEN PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY FOR ABOUT 10 HOURS WHEN IT JUST WENT UP IN FLAMES. IT WAS 6:00 A.M. WHEN A MAN DRIVING TO WORK, KNOCKED ON OUR DOOR AND TOLD US OUR CAR WAS ON FIRE. WE HAD FLAMES SOME 30' HIGH IN OUR FRONT YARD. MY HUSBAND BACKED IN THE CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY, OTHERWISE OUR HOUSE WOULD HAVE BEEN LOST, TOO. A CO-WORKER TOLD ME THAT HER NEIGHBOR LOST HER ENTIRE HOUSE BECAUSE HER 93 LINCOLN SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT ON FIRE IN HER GARAGE. NO ONE WAS IN THE CAR AND HAD NOT BEEN IN THE CAR OVERNIGHT. IT JUST WENT UP IN FLAMES. I HAVE LOTS OF PICTURES IF YOU NEED THEM!
NHTSA ODI #10114665
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
72,000 miles · Feb 15, 2005
Electrical SystemFire
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY; THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE GARAGE OVER HANG SUSTAINED SOME FIRE AND SMOKE DAMAGES. THE SOURCE OF THE FIRE WAS DETERMINED TO BE AN ELECTRICAL. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10111520
Mileage unknown · Sep 14, 2004
Electrical SystemFire
LINCOLN TOWNCAR - FIRE UNDER HOOD DESTROYED CAR. FIRE STARTED WHILE CAR WAS PARKED AND NOT RUNNING. HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR 8 HOURS PRIOR TO FIRE.
NHTSA ODI #10090993
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…
Read full complaint
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
Mileage unknown · Jul 6, 2004
Electrical SystemFire
VEHICLE PARKED IN GARAGE FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES. OWNER HEARD NOISES AND INVESTIGATED TO FIND CAR ON FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. ORIGIN IS AT REAR OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT IN VICINITY OF VACUUM BOOSTER. HAS ALL THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH FAILURE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10080444
110,000 miles · Jul 6, 2004
Vehicle Speed ControlFire
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DEVELOPED A RESISTIVE SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT. THIS RESULTED IN AN UNDER HOOD FIRE. THE DAMAGE WAS MINIMUM BECAUSE THE CONSUMER HAD A FIRE DISTINGUISHER ON HAND, AND WAS ABLE TO DISTINGUISH THE FIRE QUICKLY. RECALL 99V124000 WAS ISSUED FOR SPEED CONTROL SWITCH, B…
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DEVELOPED A RESISTIVE SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT. THIS RESULTED IN AN UNDER HOOD FIRE. THE DAMAGE WAS MINIMUM BECAUSE THE CONSUMER HAD A FIRE DISTINGUISHER ON HAND, AND WAS ABLE TO DISTINGUISH THE FIRE QUICKLY. RECALL 99V124000 WAS ISSUED FOR SPEED CONTROL SWITCH, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK A FUSE KEPT BLOWING ON CIRCUIT 12. THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE FOUND. ONE FUSE WAS REPLACED WITH A 15 AMP CIRCUIT BREAKER BECAUSE WHEN THE FUSE WOULD BLOW, IT WOULD DISABLE THE BRAKE TO SHIFT THE INTERLOCK. *SC
NHTSA ODI #10075910
Mileage unknown · Mar 30, 2004
Electrical System
ANTI THEFT ALARM SYSTEM GOES OFF AT ALL TIMES OF THE DAY AND/OR NIGHT FOR NO APPARENT REASON. WE HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE IN ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WITH NO SUCCESS IN SOLVING THE PROBLEM. IS THERE ANY SOLUTION FOR THIS PROBLEM THAT HAS WORKED FOR OTHERS IN THE PAST. IT IS GETTING VERY ANNOYING! IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS SINCE THE D…
Read full complaint
ANTI THEFT ALARM SYSTEM GOES OFF AT ALL TIMES OF THE DAY AND/OR NIGHT FOR NO APPARENT REASON. WE HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE IN ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WITH NO SUCCESS IN SOLVING THE PROBLEM. IS THERE ANY SOLUTION FOR THIS PROBLEM THAT HAS WORKED FOR OTHERS IN THE PAST. IT IS GETTING VERY ANNOYING! IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS SINCE THE DAY WE FIRST BROUGHT IT HOME.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10064140
Mileage unknown · Mar 25, 2004
Electrical SystemFire
THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE HER VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN HER DRIVEWAY, IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN IN ABOUT 1-2 WEEKS. SHE STATED THE FIRE INVESTIGATORS SAID THAT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE AND THAT THERE HAD BEEN RECALLS ON THIS TYPE VEHICLE. *JB
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.
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.
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).
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
7
EA02025 · 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
1993 Lincoln Town Car Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration