1996 Lincoln TOWN CAR problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
197 owner complaints analyzed
8 distinct recall campaigns
92,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 109 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe is the most frequently named component, appearing in 42 of 197 complaints (21.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 26 | 13.2% |
| Steering behavior | 16 | 8.1% |
| Engine operation | 12 | 6.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 7 | 3.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 1.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 0.5% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 42 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 17 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 15 |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint | 14 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 10 |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control | 8 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 7 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 7 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe: 42; Vehicle Speed Control: 17; Engine And Engine Cooling: 15; Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint: 14; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 10; Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control: 8; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 7; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 7
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 21 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 32 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 32 |
| 150,000 and above | 14 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 21; 75,000 to 99,999: 32; 100,000 to 149,999: 32; 150,000 and above: 14
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (32). 88 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 | 2 |
| 1996 | 7 |
| 2000 | 6 |
| 2001 | 15 |
| 2002 | 23 |
| 2003 | 27 |
| 2004 | 35 |
| 2005 | 18 |
| 2006 | 10 |
| 2007 | 14 |
| 2008 | 17 |
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 5 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
1995: 2; 1996: 7; 2000: 6; 2001: 15; 2002: 23; 2003: 27; 2004: 35; 2005: 18; 2006: 10; 2007: 14; 2008: 17; 2009: 4; 2010: 3; 2011: 5; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 3; 2015: 1; 2016: 2; 2017: 1; 2020: 1; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 26 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 16 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 12 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 10001439 · 2002-12-23 (December 23, 2002)
GREAT DEAL OF CORROSION SPOTS INDICATING FUTURE POINTS OF POSSIBLE RUPTURE OF THE METALLIC BRAKE LINE AND BRAKE FAILURE. HAD CONSUMER TRAVELED IT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A MAJOR CRASH. *AK REFERENCED IN RQ03-004
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001439 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005652 · 2003-02-10 (February 10, 2003)
SUDDEN LOSS OF BRAKES, PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I PULLED INTO A MIDAS BRAKE SHOP AND THEY PUT THE CAR IN THE LIFT AND FOUND THAT HE ENTIRE BRAKE LINE FROM THE LEFT REARWHEEL CROSSING OVER TO THE RT.REAR WHEEL WAS CORRODED AND FULL OF PIN HOLES.THISCAR WAS WELL MAINTAINED BUT THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT WOULD NOT APPEAR REFERENCED IN RQ03-004
Owner-reported narrative. 69,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005652 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10010836 · 2003-03-21 (March 21, 2003)
AIR BAG WIRING FAILURE. CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY PART NUMBER F5VY-14A664-A STEERING COLUMN WIRING BROKE. ALL 7 WIRES WERE WORN THROUGH FROM THE MOVEMENT OF THE TILT STEERING COLUMN. 3 OF THESE WIRES WERE BROKEN-ONE GRAY WHICH SIGNALS THE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY AND THE OTHER CONTROLLED THE RADIO AND OTHER FUNCTIONS. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 72,290 miles reported. Look up ODI 10010836 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10069848 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
CAR STALLS BOTH WHEN IDLING READY TO MOVE AND TURNING CORNERS WHERE IT LOSES POWER STEERING
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10069848 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10012272 · 2003-03-24 (March 24, 2003)
THE FAULTY INTAKE MANIFOLD CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL WHILE DRIVING. DEALER NOTIFIED. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 52,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10012272 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10043939 · 2003-11-12 (November 12, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED , CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL. *AK THE MANIFOLD IS MADE OUT OF PLASTIC WHICH IS THE COMMON PROBLEM. CONSUME WAS INFORMED THAT THE POLICE VEHICLES WERE RECALLED. CONSUMER NOTED WHEN THE MANIFOLD SPLIT, IT SPILLED ANTIFREEZE ALL OVER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *PH *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 103,038 miles reported. Look up ODI 10043939 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10223017 · 2008-04-01 (April 1, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT HAD TO DISCONNECT THE WIRING HARNESS FROM THE SWITCH, WHICH ENABLED HIS VEHICLE TO START. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTIONALITY. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 101,252 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 98,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10223017 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 974837 · 1995-11-08 (November 8, 1995)
LUBE AND REPOSITION GAS TANK AND EXHAUST HANGERS, REMOVE REAR WHEEL TO GET TO FRAME AREA, FINALLY FIX SHIMMY LEFT SIDE BODY GROMMET, BODY TOO CLOSE TO FRAME. BODY WAS RESTED ON FUEL LINES, REMOVED BODY MOUNT BUSHINGS, RETORQUED BODY MOUNT BOLT.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 974837 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 986375 · 1996-07-01 (July 1, 1996)
ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT SHORTED OUT AND CAUSED FUEL PUMP TO STOP. ALL POWER TO THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENT. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 986375 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11503799 · 2023-01-26 (January 26, 2023)
The contact owns a 1996 Lincoln Town Car. The contact stated while the vehicle was turned on and he was shifting the vehicle from park(P) to drive(D), with his foot on the brake pedal, the vehicle lunged forward at high speed. The contact stated that the acceleration was extreme. The contact observed smoke coming from the rear tires as the vehicle accelerated. The contact was able to safely stop the vehicle after approximately 50 feet but had to depress the brake pedal with force. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact…
Owner-reported narrative. 140,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11503799 at NHTSA ↗