Lincoln TOWN CAR Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Lincoln TOWN CAR options? We analyzed 10 model years (2002–2011) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.
- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Lincoln TOWN CAR has 739 owner complaints and 22 safety recalls across model years 2002–2011. The most reported issue area is VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. 2003 drew the most complaints; 2009 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Lincoln
- Model
- TOWN CAR
- Model years analyzed
- 2002–2011 (10 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 739
- Safety recall campaigns
- 22
- Crash-related complaints
- 103
- Fire-related complaints
- 9
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2003 (201 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2009 (5 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Reliability signal
- Poor
By model year
Lincoln TOWN CAR: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings
What the complaint data suggests
PoorThe LINCOLN TOWN CAR has 739 NHTSA complaints and 22 recalls on record. 103 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 739 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 22 federal recall campaigns
- 103 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Aug 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
22 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
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ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
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SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB
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Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2002–2011. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 739 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
739 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
I believe I have problem with the ,safety recall ,the vehicle experience a loss of steering, and I was almost crash my vehicle on the highway ,and also believe car was recalled but not fixed .
I WAS DRIVING GOING OVER 50 PER MILE ON HWY , WHEN I TRY TO TAKE THE EXIT MY VEHICLE KEEP GOING STRAIGHT I CAN'T MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL , I WAS ALMOST GOING TO THE TREES THAN I STOP . AND I THINK THIS PART OF RECALL PLEASE CONTACT ME AT [XXX] THANK YOU . INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
THE CAR ACCELERATED WHILE GOING UP A RAMP THAT WENT TO AN AXIS ROAD TO THE INTERSTATE. WE HIT A RETAINING WALL HEAD ON, SPUN AROUND AND THEN THE BACK OF THE CAR ALSO HIT THE WALL. MY SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD ME BACK. I ENDED WEDGED BETWEEN THE CONSOLE AND DASHBOARD. I HAVE A BROKEN RIB AND CHIPPED TOOTH AND BUMPS AND BRUISES. MY WIFE WAS A PASSENGER AND HER SEAT BELT HELD HER. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. OUR CAR WAS TOTALED
STEERING BINDS DURING RIGHT AND LEFT TURNS. I HAVE TO MANUALLY RETURN THE WHEEL TO CENTER AFTER A TURN.
WHILE DRIVING, MY 2011 LINCOLN, CONTINENTAL WHICH WAS IS SHOWROOM CONDITION, AT APPROXIMATELY 30-35 MPH, ON WET PAVEMENT (NOT SATURATED) NEGOTIATING SLIGHT CURVE,WHILE WEARING A SEATBELT, VEHICLE VEERED LEFT MORE THAN A LEFT FRONT FLAT TIRE WOULD CAUSE. STEERING DID NOT RESPOND. VEHICLE CROSSED YELLOW DOUBLE SOLID LINE STRIKING GUIDE RAIL HEAD ON. NO INTERIOR SAFETY EQUIPMENT WORKED FOR PASSENGER. SEATBELT REMAINED IN LATCHED POSITION BUT DID NOT TIGHTEN. STANDING ON BRAKE VEHICLE DID NOT APPEAR TO SLOW. ... 10-12 SECONDS LATER MY VEHICLE WAS STRUCK AT THE DRIVER'S FRONT WHEEL AND FENDER BY A TRUCK TRAVELING APPROX. 50 MPH. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. INJURIES TO PASSENGER. VEHICLE TOTALED. NOTE:LINCOLN CONTINENTAL DRIVER IS A PROFESSIONAL DRIVER WITH NO ACCIDENTS IN 34 YEARS. 1. STEERING DID NOT WORK, LEFT OR RIGHT. 2. ABS DID NOT ACTIVATE. 3. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN FIRST OR SECOND COLLISION. NO FRONT AIRBAG NO SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LINCOLN TOWN CAR EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN RADIAL XSE TIRES, SIZE P225/60/R17. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY FLAT WITH A 3 INCH GASH ON IT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE TIRE TO A DEALER WHO STATED THAT HE MUST HAVE HIT A POT HOLE IN ORDER FOR THE TIRE TO SUCH EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED BUT ANOTHER FAILURE RECURRED ON THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE TIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS ALSO A BLISTER ON THE TIRE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE OF THE TIRE AND VEHICLE WAS 6,000. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Read 14 more owner reports
TAKATA RECALL. THE CAR ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN WHEN HITTING THE BRAKES., WHILE IN MOTION. ( PERIODICALLY.)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION OF THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 13V385000 (STEERING); HOWEVER ,THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE SERVICED UNDER THE RECALL SINCE THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THERE ARE NO FAILURES AT THIS TIME.
AS I WAS APPROACHING MY LEFT TURN INTO THE COMMUNITY I LIVE IN AND DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH, I STEPPED ONTO THE BRAKE AND THE CAR ENGINE STARTED ACCELERATING. THERE WAS A VEHICLE APPROACHING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION WHICH WAS THE REASON I WAS TRYING TO STOP. I PUSHED DOWN ON THE BRAKE BUT THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. I SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE SLOWED DOWN. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION TO BE IN. THIS HAPPENED TWICE SINCE I OWNED THE VEHICLE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER BUT THEY COULD NOT RE-CREATE THE SITUATION AGAIN. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED, FOLLOWED BY AN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND THE SPEED INCREASED TO APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH. THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL AND THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10,500. UPDATED 06/08/10.*LJ UPDATED 07/12/10*JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHEN A PASSENGER SITS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT THE AIR BAG DEACTIVATION LIGHT WILL COME ON EVEN WHEN THE APPROPRIATE WEIGHT IS OCCUPYING THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WEIGHT CALIBRATION FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG WAS BETWEEN 110-130 LBS. THE CONTACT HAD NOTICED THE PROBLEM SINCE THE DAY THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 12619. BL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SWAYED TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT REGAINED CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED NOR DIAGNOSED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V385000 (STEERING) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 157,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK AIR SUSPENSION AND TIRE FAULT WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE AIR BAGS AND ALL FOUR TIRE SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 486,713.
2008 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FACTORY'S NON-REMOVAL OF PLASTIC SHEETING (USED TO PREVENT DUST IN FAN COMPARTMENT) SHREDDED/BLOCKED DEFROSTER VENTS, FAN, BLEND DOOR, AND HEATER CAUSING NOISES AND SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. *SMD *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL A COUPLE OF TIMES AND REGAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR TIMES. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 72,000. UPDATED 10/26/17*LJ *JS
I WAS SLOWLY BACKING OUT OF MY SHORT DRIVEWAY MY FOOT ONLY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN SUDDENLY CAR ACCELERATES AND HIT PARKED CAR ACROSS AT RESULTING IN ACCIDENT. TWO WEEKS BEFORE THIS I WAS DRIVING ON ROAD ABOUT 15 MPH AND SAW CAR AHEAD OF ME HAD STOPPED I PUT FOOT ON BRAKE STARTED SLOWING WHEN CAR ACCELERATED HARD TAPPED BRAKE AND CAR STOPPED. I DIDN'T PRESS THROTTLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR INDEPENDENTLY LOCKED AND UNLOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,800.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE APPROACHING TRAFFIC IN A LANE, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED AND WAS SLOW TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT APPLIED FORCE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR WHIPLASH THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE16003 (SERVICE BRAKES, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED PER THE CONTACT'S REQUEST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO SPECIFIC REMEDY FOR THE CONDITION. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000.
THIS VEHICLE HAS SUDDENLY VIOLENTLY ACCELERATED ON FOUR DIFFERENT OCCASIONS DURING THE LAST ELEVEN MONTHS. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED AFTER TAPPING THE BRAKE PEDAL AT A VERY SLOW SPEED AND RESULTED IN THE CAR CRASHING INTO A BARRIER AT A FILLING STATION IN UPSTATE NEW YORK. SUBSEQUENT EPISODES WERE HALTED BY TURNING THE IGNITION SWITCH OFF WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE CAR WITH THE SERVICE BRAKES. THERE SEEMS TO BE FEW COMMON THREADS AMONG THE INCIDENTS. THERE ARE NO WARNING INDICATORS BEFORE OR AFTER THE SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION EVENTS. NO HISTORY CODES WERE EVER RECORDED IN THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE. THE INCIDENTS ALWAYS OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING AT A SLOW SPEED SOMETIMES WHEN TAPPING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND OTHER TIMES WHILE PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. NO FLOOR MATS WERE INVOLVED IN ANY OF THE INCIDENTS AND THE DRIVER DEFINITELY DID NOT DEPRESS THE WRONG PEDAL OR BOTH PEDALS AT THE SAME TIME.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 63,478.
Showing 20 of 739 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Lincoln TOWN CAR
These pages show model-year patterns across 10 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Lincoln TOWN CAR, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Lincoln TOWN CAR has 739 complaints on record across 10 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Lincoln TOWN CAR has 22 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 103 of the Lincoln TOWN CAR's 739 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Lincoln TOWN CAR vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Lincoln TOWN CAR vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Lincoln TOWN CAR has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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By state
Check a Lincoln TOWN CAR by state
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Lincoln TOWN CAR.
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Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Lincoln TOWN CAR reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Lincoln TOWN CAR reliable?
Poor. The Lincoln TOWN CAR has 739 NHTSA owner complaints and 22 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Lincoln TOWN CAR years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2003 (201 complaints), 2006 (143 complaints), 2007 (84 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Lincoln TOWN CAR problems?
Top reported issues: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (150 complaints); AIR BAGS (129 complaints); SERVICE BRAKES (98 complaints).
Does the Lincoln TOWN CAR have recalls?
Yes — 22 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Lincoln TOWN CAR. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.