Craftsmen LINCOLN TOWN CAR problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
11 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
100,040 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1991 to 1999 model years. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 11 complaints (27.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 3 | 27.3% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 18.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 9.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft | 1 |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 1 |
| Suspension | 1 |
Air Bags: 3; Engine: 2; Service Brakes: 2; Steering: 2; Electrical System: 1; Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft: 1; Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar: 1; Suspension: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 5 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 2 |
2005: 1; 2012: 3; 2013: 2; 2015: 3; 2016: 2
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10457908 · 2012-05-09 (May 9, 2012)
I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT AND ONLY THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. COULD IT BE BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP FIX MY STEERING COLUMN AND NOT MY DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10457908 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10808909 · 2015-12-07 (December 7, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CRAFTSMEN LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE CONCRETE WALL OF A BRIDGE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BACK AND SHOULDER INJURIES, AS WELL AS A MILD CONCUSSION THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT TOWING LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10808909 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10458719 · 2012-05-16 (May 16, 2012)
WHILE RUNNING, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING, INITIALLY COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. FIRE BEGAN COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. BRAKES THEN FAILED COMPLETELY. I WAS ABLE TO PUT TRANSMISSION INTO PARK, WHICH EVENTUALLY STOPPED THE VEHICLE, AFTER CRASHING THROUGH A GATE SECURITY BARRIER.(NO BRAKES AT THAT TIME.). FIRE COMPLETELY DESTROYED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND HOOD OF THE VEHICLE, AS EXPLOSIONS OCCURRED.
Owner-reported narrative. 56,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10458719 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10555186 · 2013-12-07 (December 7, 2013)
BRAKE FAILURE FROM RUSTED BRAKE LINES LOSS OF 90% OF BRAKES AT TIME OF INCIDENT THIS HAS ALSO HAPPENED ON TWO OF MY OTHER LINCOLNS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 106,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10555186 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1991 | 1 |
| 1992 | 1 |
| 1993 | 2 |
| 1994 | 1 |
| 1995 | 1 |
| 1996 | 1 |
| 1997 | 1 |
| 1998 | 1 |
| 1999 | 1 |
1991: 1; 1992: 1; 1993: 2; 1994: 1; 1995: 1; 1996: 1; 1997: 1; 1998: 1; 1999: 1