IllustrationWHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 68 MPH IN A 1994, LINCOLN, TOWN CAR LEFT-REAR FIRESTONE TIRE, SIZE: P215/70R15, DOT: UNKNOWN EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION. THERE WERE APPROXIMATELY 15,000 MILES ON THE TIRES, AND THEY WERE NOT ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. *AK DOT NUMBER HYM3F28018. *JB
1994 Lincoln Town Car
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1994 Lincoln Town Car do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 86.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Town Car years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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: 38 of 155 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.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
15 crash reports26 fire reports13 injury reports
What owners actually said
155 reportsTHIS IS THE SECOND FAILUR ON THIS PART. THE FIRST OCCURED IN JANUARY 1999. THE FRONT LOCKING BOLTS BROKE FROM METAL FATIGUE THE FIRST TIME AND THE LEFT FRONT BROKE THIS TIME. I HAD A FRIEND THAT HAD THIS SAME THING OCCUR IN 1999 AND THAT DID RESULT JURIES. THE DEALERSHIP WAS SUED AT THAT TIME. THIS IS CLEARLY A POOR DESIGN …
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THIS IS THE SECOND FAILUR ON THIS PART. THE FIRST OCCURED IN JANUARY 1999. THE FRONT LOCKING BOLTS BROKE FROM METAL FATIGUE THE FIRST TIME AND THE LEFT FRONT BROKE THIS TIME. I HAD A FRIEND THAT HAD THIS SAME THING OCCUR IN 1999 AND THAT DID RESULT JURIES. THE DEALERSHIP WAS SUED AT THAT TIME. THIS IS CLEARLY A POOR DESIGN AS THE METTAL FATIGUE IS SIMULAR IN BOTH CASES ON MY CAR. THE DEALERSHIP WON'T DO ANYTHING ON THE REPAIRS AND SUGGESTED I CONTACT THE UPHOLSTRY SHOP FOR REPAIRS. I ASKED IF THEY COULD GIVE ME A PART NUMBER AND THEY SAID NO CALL THE UPHOLSTERY SHOP. THEY DON'T WANT ANYTHING TO DO WITH THIS BROKEN SEAT.*AK
WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IT SUDDENLY BURST INTO FLAMES AND BURNED UP. ALSO,IT INGNITED VEHICLE THAT WAS PARKED NEXT TO IT. FIREMAN SAID THAT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. *AK REFERENCED IN EA02-025
FRONT AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM IS NOT HOLDING UP PROPERLY. HAS NOT CONTACTED DEALER YET.*AK
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
THE ENGINE HAD A NOTICEABLE AMOUNT OF OIL EXHAUST SMOKE, THIS IS AN INDICATION OF INTERNAL ENGINE WEAR. NLM
TRANSMISSION IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETE FAILURE WITH NO INDICATION OF IMPENDING ACTION , AND YOU ARE LEFT WITH NO WAY TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. *AK
THE RANGE SENSOR WHICH ISPART OF TRANSMISSION IS FAILING CAUSING VEHICLE TO SHIFT IN AND OUT OF GEAR WHILE TRAVELING INTERMITTENLY. EVENTUALLY TRANSMISSION WILL FAIL OR CONSUMER WILL ENDED UP LOSING CONTROL OF VEHICLE. MANUFACTURE SENT OUT A CAMPAIGN #95B64 FOR 1993 TOWNCAR BUT DID NOT INCLUDED THE 1994 TOWNCAR WHICH IS SAME E…
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THE RANGE SENSOR WHICH ISPART OF TRANSMISSION IS FAILING CAUSING VEHICLE TO SHIFT IN AND OUT OF GEAR WHILE TRAVELING INTERMITTENLY. EVENTUALLY TRANSMISSION WILL FAIL OR CONSUMER WILL ENDED UP LOSING CONTROL OF VEHICLE. MANUFACTURE SENT OUT A CAMPAIGN #95B64 FOR 1993 TOWNCAR BUT DID NOT INCLUDED THE 1994 TOWNCAR WHICH IS SAME EXACT PROBLEM.
WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE AND STARTED TO FEEL VIBRATION, RIGHT REAR FIRESTONE FTZ0C EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. *SLC
WHILE DRIVING AN MAKING A LEFT TURN VEHICLE WILL COMPLETELY SHUTDOWN WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
Official recalls
507V336000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Aug 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.
98V322000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint
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).
95V133000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
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.
94V152000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components
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.
94V129000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:pedals And Linkages
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.