1989 Lincoln TOWN CAR problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
59 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
99,476 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1989 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch is the most frequently named component, appearing in 12 of 59 complaints (20.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 12 | 20.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 10.2% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 6.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 5.1% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 3.4% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 12 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 8 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 6 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 4 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 3 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 2 |
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 12; Electrical System:Ignition: 8; Vehicle Speed Control: 6; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 4; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 3; Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 2
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 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 1
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 55 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 |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 11 |
| 1996 | 24 |
| 2000 | 7 |
| 2001 | 7 |
| 2002 | 5 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
1995: 11; 1996: 24; 2000: 7; 2001: 7; 2002: 5; 2003: 1; 2004: 2; 2010: 1; 2011: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 6 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 4 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 478310 · 1995-01-09 (January 9, 1995)
STEERING COLUMN FIRE. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 478310 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 490992 · 1996-01-04 (January 4, 1996)
SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF STEERING COLUMN FOLLOWED BY FIRE. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 490992 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10044700 · 2003-11-25 (November 25, 2003)
AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE AND TURNING OFF THE IGNITION, THE CONSUMER HEARD A POPPING SOUND. A FEW SECONDS PASSED AND THE CONSUMER SAW THICK BLACK SMOKE AND A FIRE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM MAY HAVE BEEN THE WIRING HARNESS. *JB *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 76,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10044700 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10415676 · 2011-07-26 (July 26, 2011)
LETTER ON BEHALF OF CONCERN ABOUT THE 1996 RECALL ON LINCOLN TOWN CARS, HIS BROTHER-IN-LAW IS HAVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH ON HIS 1989 LINCOLN TOWN CAR; SEND INCOMING LTR WITH REPLY TO ATTN: ALLISON JACKSON/FOLEY *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE KEY DID NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. THE CONSUMER LEARNED A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR THE PROBLEM, BUT THE PREVIOUS OWNERS WERE NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WHEN THEY SOLD THE VEHICLE TO THE CONSUMERS BROTHER-IN-LAW. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10415676 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 750296 · 2001-08-13 (August 13, 2001)
PURCHASED CREAM PUFF TOWNCAR IN 1996. MID 1997, VEHICLE BEGAN STALLING AFTER THE ENGINE REACHED OPERATING TEMPERATURE. INDEPENDANT MECHANIC-NO HELP. FORD DEALER, SPENT ALMOST $1,000.00 TO REPLACE SEVERAL ITEMS. EACH TIME, I TOLD THEM TO CHECK THE IGNITION MODULE/COIL PICKUP. FORD DEALER SAID THAT WOULDN'T BE THE PROBLEM. ENROUTE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR EITHER THE 3D OR 4TH TIME AND TOTALLED THE AUTOMOBILE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO KEEP IT FROM STALLING. MY FAULT BUT I SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN FIGHTING THE CAR AND GOING TO THE DEALER IN THE FIRST PLA…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 750296 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 872912 · 2000-10-12 (October 12, 2000)
VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLING WHILE DRIVING. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. *AK ENGINE CUTS OFF AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES. THE MANUFACTURERS STATES IT IS BEING EVALUATED. *YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 872912 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10075907 · 2004-07-30 (July 30, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING THE PLASTIC CAP ON THE TRANSMISSION CABLE THAT CONNECTED TO THE THROTTLE BODY BROKE. THIS MAD IT HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION GEARS. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK THE TRANSMISSION WAS DAMAGED DUE TO THE PLASTIC CLIP BREAKING. THE CONSUMER HAD TO PAY TO HAVE THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THIS FAILURE IS A FACTORY DEFECT. THE TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT THEY WERE REPLACING THE PLASTIC CAPS WITH BRASS CLIPS. THE CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE COST…
Owner-reported narrative. 96,951 miles reported. Look up ODI 10075907 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 504699 · 1996-05-21 (May 21, 1996)
GROMMET FELL OFF, CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. *DH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 504699 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 868178 · 2000-08-21 (August 21, 2000)
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCLERATED. BRAKES COULD NOT SLOW DOWN VEHICLE, WHICH ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THEY NEVER HAD THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION*AK.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 868178 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 878087 · 2001-01-12 (January 12, 2001)
AFTER TURNING IGNITION AND PUTTING VEHICLE INTO DRIVE VEHICLE TOOK OFF AND HIT A STORE WINDOW. DRIVER APPLIED BRAKES, AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. NO ONE HAS SEEN VEHICLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 878087 at NHTSA ↗