1991 Lincoln TOWN CAR problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
90 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
83,100 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1991 model year. Data snapshot: . 9 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 90 complaints (12.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 26 | 28.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 4.4% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 3.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 2.2% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 2.2% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch | 11 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 8 |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 8 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 6 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 5 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 5 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Vacuum | 5 |
| Structure:Body:Hood | 4 |
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch: 11; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 8; Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls: 8; Vehicle Speed Control: 6; Air Bags:Frontal: 5; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 5; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Vacuum: 5; Structure:Body:Hood: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 2
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 81 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 | 42 |
| 1996 | 14 |
| 2000 | 10 |
| 2001 | 5 |
| 2002 | 5 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
1995: 42; 1996: 14; 2000: 10; 2001: 5; 2002: 5; 2003: 1; 2004: 3; 2005: 3; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2010: 1; 2014: 2; 2015: 1; 2016: 1
Pattern summary
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 26 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 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 10071993 · 2004-05-03 (May 3, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. THIS CAUSED LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKES. CONSUMER FOUND IN THE NHTSA WEB 28 COMPLAINTS ON THE SAME PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 55,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10071993 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10138223 · 2005-09-30 (September 30, 2005)
DT: THE CONTACT STATED 1991 LINCOLN TOWN CAR HAD ONLY 17,000 MILES ON IT. ON 8-25-05 HE FELT LIKE HIS BRAKES WERE LOW. HE WENT TO HAVE THEM INSPECTED AND THE CAR PASSED THE INSPECTION, BUT HE HAD THE BRAKES CHANGED ANYWAY. HE SMELLED THE BRAKES BURNING THAT DAY AS HE WAS DRIVING HOME FROM THE GARAGE. HE PARKED THE CAR IN THE GARAGE ,AND DID NOT DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL ABOUT A MONTH LATER WHEN HE SMELLED WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS THE BRAKES BURNING AGAIN. WHEN HE GOT IN TO DRIVEWAY, HE SAW FIRE UNDER THE WHEELS. HE PUT THE FIRE OUT WITH A FIRE EXTINGUI…
Owner-reported narrative. 17,478 miles reported. Look up ODI 10138223 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10133962 · 2005-08-23 (August 23, 2005)
DT: 1991 FORD LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR TURNED ON THE AIR CONDITIONING AND ABOUT 15 TO 20 MINUTES LATER SAW FIRE COMING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD, SURROUNDING THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. PULLED OFF THE ROAD, BY THAT TIME THE CAR HAD A LARGE FIRE. THE CONSUMER PUT THE FIRE OUT BY THROWING WATER ON IT. AFTER LOOKING AT THE CAR SAW THAT ALL THE WIRES WERE MELTED AROUND WHERE THE WHEEL WAS, AND ALSO THERE WAS A MELTED RUBBER. A FRIEND INSPECTED THE CAR. HE CUT A WIRE THAT LET THE CONSUMER DRIVE THE CAR HOME. WHERE IT WAS PAR…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10133962 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 488573 · 1995-10-02 (October 2, 1995)
BATTERY REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 488573 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 801781 · 1996-09-04 (September 4, 1996)
THERE'S A SNAPPING NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE KEY GETS HOT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 801781 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 971903 · 1995-09-09 (September 9, 1995)
HAD AIR CONDITIONER , POWER WINDOW AND THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED THE CAR ALARM DOES NOT WORK RIGHT . TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 971903 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 973279 · 1995-10-11 (October 11, 1995)
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE, THE PARK GEAR WILL NOT ENGAGE. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 973279 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 722141 · 2000-05-01 (May 1, 2000)
APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT REALIZED I HAD NO ACCELERATOR PEDAL. ENGINE WAS RUNNING AND I HAD BRAKES, I PULLED THE CAR OFF THE ROAD AND IT STARTED TO SMOKE, THEN FLAMES. MY WONDERFUL LINCOLN WAS TOTALED. THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THERE WAS ANY PROBLEM. NO LIGHTS WENT ON THE CAR NEVER STALLED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID THEY FELT THE LINE WAS BURNING, AND I LOST THE ACCELERATOR BECAUSE IT WAS ALREADY ON FIRE AND BURNED THROUGH. I CHECKED THE RECALLS FOR 1991 LINCOLNS AND THERE WAS A RECALL FOR FUEL LINES, BUT NOT FOR MY VIN NUMBER. THE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 722141 at NHTSA ↗