NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
20 reportsClear category filter237,576 miles · Mar 14, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND ATTEMPTED TO STOP, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP COMPLETELY. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, AND PLACE THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL IN ORDER FOR IT TO ST…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND ATTEMPTED TO STOP, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP COMPLETELY. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, AND PLACE THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL IN ORDER FOR IT TO STOP. OCCASIONALLY, HE HAS TO OPEN THE VEHICLE DOOR AND APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AT A CERTAIN ANGLE. ADDITIONALLY, BRAKE FLUID IS LEAKING INTO THE VEHICLE AND ONTO THE BRAKE PEDAL. HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY CUPS MAY HAVE LEAKED THROUGH THE BRAKE BOOSTER. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN DENIED ASSISTANCE FROM SEVERAL DEALERS, EMERGENCY SERVICE MECHANICS, AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 237,576 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 295,350.
NHTSA ODI #10221680
45,000 miles · Aug 23, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH ON NORMAL CITY ROAD CONDITIONS THERE WAS COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE WHICH ALMOST CAUSED THE VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE DRIVING IN FRONT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO OBSERVED RUSTING IN THE HYDRAULIC LINE. THE LINE WAS LOCATED UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE. FLUID LEAKED OUT OF …
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH ON NORMAL CITY ROAD CONDITIONS THERE WAS COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE WHICH ALMOST CAUSED THE VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE DRIVING IN FRONT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO OBSERVED RUSTING IN THE HYDRAULIC LINE. THE LINE WAS LOCATED UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE. FLUID LEAKED OUT OF THE LINE LEAVING THE REAR WHEELS WITHOUT BRAKING ACTION. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN BECAUSE THE FLUID LINES WERE NOT STAINLESS STEEL MANUFACTURED. THERE WAS A RECALL # 95V133000 FOR THE VEHICLE HOWEVER IT DID NOT MENTION THE CORROSION AS A FACTOR FOR POSSIBLE FLUID LEAKAGE.*AK UPDATED 11/03/06. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10166374
Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
DEFECTIVE BRAKE LINES ON 1994 LINCOLN TOWN CAR.*MR BOTH BRAKES LINES BURST LEAVING THE CONSUMER WITH NO BRAKES. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE METAL LINES HAD CORRODED, POSSIBLY FROM ROAD SALT. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10091531
140,500 miles · May 24, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHILE COMING TO A STOP SIGN CONSUMER DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. CONSUMER CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD AND FOUND THAT THE BRAKE FLUID LEVEL WAS LESS THAN HALF FULL. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN HOME, AND THE BRAKE LINE WAS FOUND TO BE RUPTURED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10074101
55,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic
AIR COND. PROBLEM= AIR- HEAT DIRERCION MOTOR FAILED. BRAKE FAILER PROBLEM= TOTAL BRAKE FAILER ,PETAL FAILER DURING A NON PANIC STOP DUE TO BACKED UP TRAFFIC ON X-WAY. TWO PUMPS ON THE PETAL AND IT WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR BOARD. I WAS ABLE TO MISS THE CAR BY A PANIC TURN TO THE LEFT. I JUST MISSED THE STOP CAR ON THE ROAD STILL D…
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AIR COND. PROBLEM= AIR- HEAT DIRERCION MOTOR FAILED. BRAKE FAILER PROBLEM= TOTAL BRAKE FAILER ,PETAL FAILER DURING A NON PANIC STOP DUE TO BACKED UP TRAFFIC ON X-WAY. TWO PUMPS ON THE PETAL AND IT WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR BOARD. I WAS ABLE TO MISS THE CAR BY A PANIC TURN TO THE LEFT. I JUST MISSED THE STOP CAR ON THE ROAD STILL DOING 45 MPH. CAR WAS HAULED TO ALEX KARRAS LINCOLN MERCURY FOR REPAIR.. NO HELP IN CONTACTING FORD FOR HELP. BRAKES LINES NEXT TO THE FRAME UNDER THE DRIVER SEAT WERE RUSTED OUT. THE RUSTED LINESWERE NOT SAVED.
NHTSA ODI #10071120
99,000 miles · Jan 6, 2003
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspension
CONSUMER ADVISED THAT LEFT SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT CONNECTED TO WHEEL SEPARATED WHILE DRIVING CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. DEALER ADVISED JOINT SEPARATED DUE TO LACK OF GREASE AT ASSEMBLY. *PH BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED AND ALIGNED THE FRONT END. NEEDED FRONT BRAKES REPLACED. CONSUMER DECLINED BRAKE REPAIRS. …
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CONSUMER ADVISED THAT LEFT SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT CONNECTED TO WHEEL SEPARATED WHILE DRIVING CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. DEALER ADVISED JOINT SEPARATED DUE TO LACK OF GREASE AT ASSEMBLY. *PH BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED AND ALIGNED THE FRONT END. NEEDED FRONT BRAKES REPLACED. CONSUMER DECLINED BRAKE REPAIRS. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10002075
Mileage unknown · Jan 11, 2002
Electrical SystemService Brakes, HydraulicFire
VEHICLE PARKED FOR 2 HOURS. OWNER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER HOOD AFTER RETURNING. HOOD WAS RAISED AND FLAMES SHOT OUT. FLAMES EXTINGUISHED. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. MECHANIC DETERMINED CAUSE WAS ABS PRESSURE SENSOR SWITCH.*AK * REFERENCED IN EA02-025
NHTSA ODI #8002036
Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2001
Air BagsElectrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic
AN ELECTRICAL SHORT OR SHOCK IN WIRING HARNESS CAUSED AIR BAG LIGHT TO BE ILLUMINATED ON DASH. ALSO, FRONT ABS BRAKES WERE INOPERABLE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #881950
Mileage unknown · Jan 11, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolinePower Train
THE ENGINE HAD A NOTICEABLE AMOUNT OF OIL EXHAUST SMOKE, THIS IS AN INDICATION OF INTERNAL ENGINE WEAR. NLM
NHTSA ODI #558908
Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHEN DRIVING AND UPON COMING TO A STOP BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, AND RESULTING IN VEHICLE GOING STRAIGHT THROUGH A RED LIGHT WHICH CAUSED A NEAR ACCIDENT. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER HAS REPLACED PARTS PROBLEM STILL OCCUR. PLEASE PROVIDE…
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WHEN DRIVING AND UPON COMING TO A STOP BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, AND RESULTING IN VEHICLE GOING STRAIGHT THROUGH A RED LIGHT WHICH CAUSED A NEAR ACCIDENT. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER HAS REPLACED PARTS PROBLEM STILL OCCUR. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #866930
Official recalls
5Aug 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.
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.
Aug 9, 1994
THE NUTS AND BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE REAR BRAKE ADAPTOR TO THE AXLE HOUSING FLANGE CAN LOOSEN AND EVENTUALLY SEPARATE. IF ONE OR MORE OF THE NUTS COME OFF THE BOLTS, DAMAGE TO THE PARKING BRAKE ASSEMBLY OR TO THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) SENSOR AND SENSOR RING (IF SO EQUIPPED) WILL OCCUR. IF ALL FOUR NUTS ON ONE END OF THE AXLE COME OFF THE BOLTS, DAMAGE TO THE BRAKE HYDRAULIC LINE OR THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE CAN OCCUR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: OCCURRENCE OF ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF BRAKING CAPABILITY AND POSSIBLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NEEDED, INSTALL NEW BOLTS. IF ANY OF THE FASTENERS ARE DISCONNECTED, THE PARKING BRAKE AND ABS COMPONENTS WILL BE INSPECTED AND SERVICED.
Jul 12, 1994
THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSH ROD RETAINER (HAIRPIN CLIP) MAY BE MISSING OR NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED ON THE SERVICE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS CAN CAUSE DISENGAGEMENT OF THE BRAKE PUSHROD AND LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE RETAINER.
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
4EA02025 · 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.
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