1998 Lincoln TOWN CAR problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
105 owner complaints analyzed
7 distinct recall campaigns
84,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 58 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 105 complaints (8.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 16 | 15.2% |
| Steering behavior | 10 | 9.5% |
| Engine operation | 8 | 7.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 3.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 1.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.0% |
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 | 9 |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint | 7 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 6 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 5 |
| Structure:Body | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 4 |
Engine And Engine Cooling: 9; Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint: 7; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 6; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe: 5; Structure:Body: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 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 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 7 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 12 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 15 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 14 |
| 150,000 and above | 6 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 7; 50,000 to 74,999: 12; 75,000 to 99,999: 15; 100,000 to 149,999: 14; 150,000 and above: 6
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (15). 47 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 |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 14 |
| 2001 | 9 |
| 2002 | 6 |
| 2003 | 17 |
| 2004 | 13 |
| 2005 | 7 |
| 2006 | 12 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 6 |
| 2009 | 8 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2000: 14; 2001: 9; 2002: 6; 2003: 17; 2004: 13; 2005: 7; 2006: 12; 2007: 3; 2008: 6; 2009: 8; 2010: 1; 2011: 2; 2012: 1; 2013: 4; 2018: 1; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 16 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 8 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 10004744 · 2003-01-27 (January 27, 2003)
WHILE TRAVELING 10 MPH AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION BRAKES FAILED, RESULTING IN VEHICLE HITTING CURVE TO STOP. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004744 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005269 · 2003-02-04 (February 4, 2003)
MY 1998 LINCOLN TOWN CAR (APPROX 35,000 MILES) DRAMATICALLY PULLS TO THE RIGHT DURING BRAKING WHEN ROAD CONDITIONS ARE WET AND THE CAR IS TRAVELLING IN EXCESS OF 40 MILES PER HOUR. THIS PROBLEM IS ADDRESSED IN FORDMOTOR COMPANY'S REPAIR BULLITEN 98-13-4 DTD 07/06/98. NOTWITHSTANDING HAVING THE CAR REPAIRED BY AN ASE CERTIFIED MECHANIC (NAPA APPROVED) IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SERVICE BULLITEN THE PROBLEM HAS REOCCURED AFTER 3,000 MILES. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS CONDITION WHICH COULD RESULT IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT, PARTICULARLY SINCE THE PR…
Owner-reported narrative. 30,920 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005269 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017457 · 2003-04-23 (April 23, 2003)
TWO BOLTS IN THE STEERING BOX HAD BECOME COMPLETELY BROKEN. THEY APPEARED TO HAVE NOT BEEN TIGHTENED PROPERLY BY THE FACTORY, THE LOCK TIGHTS WERE VISIBLE ON THE THREAD, AND PORTIONS OF THE BROKEN BOLTS WERE EXTRACTED FROM THE GEAR BOX. *NLM *SCC
Owner-reported narrative. 66,545 miles reported. Look up ODI 10017457 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10038255 · 2003-11-05 (November 5, 2003)
WHEN BRAKING , THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD PULL HARD TO THE RIGHT. THIS MADE IT HARD FOR THE DRIVER TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE. *AK THE BRAKE ROTORS WERE WARPED. *PH ALSO THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED, THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE DEALER FOUND THE EVAP CANISTER SOLENOID VALVE LEAKING. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 23,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10038255 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017212 · 2003-04-21 (April 21, 2003)
THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 98,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10017212 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10057988 · 2004-04-01 (April 1, 2004)
WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO ENGINE FAILURE. *AK ABOUT AN INCH AWAY ON THE WHEEL WELL, THERE WAS A 1/4 HOLE WHICH ALLOWED SALTWATER FROM THE LEFT FRONT TIRE TO BE SPRAYED UP AND CAUSED CORROSION TO ACCUMULATE IN THE FUSE BOX. *SC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 95,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10057988 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10218218 · 2008-02-16 (February 16, 2008)
1998 LINCOLN TOWN CAR CAUGHT FIRE. ELECTRICAL FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT DRIVERS SIDE. CAR BURNT TO GROUND, FIRE DEPT. PUT OUT FIRE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 111,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10218218 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10268731 · 2009-05-14 (May 14, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COATING ON THE RIMS WAS WEARING DOWN AND PREVENT AIR FROM REMAINING IN THE TIRES. AS A RESULT, SHE MUST CONSTANTLY PLACE AIR IN THE TIRES. THE TIRE DEALER STATED THAT THE RIMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE HEAD LAMPS HAVE TO BE REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME BECAUSE THEY HOLD CONDENSATION, WHICH SHORTS OUT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. LASTLY, THE SEAT BELTS STICK AND ARE DIFFICULT TO USE PROPERLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10268731 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 883821 · 2001-03-22 (March 22, 2001)
VEHICLE WAS INSIDE OF A CAR WASH. SHIFTED GEAR AND VEHICLE SURGED IN UNCONTROLLABLE SPEED AND MERGED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THEN, CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 883821 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10089599 · 2004-09-28 (September 28, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DEALER STATED THE FUEL PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE, AND SERVICED IT. *AK THERE WAS NO WARNING. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO CUT OFF WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNING CORNERS. THERE WOULD BE NO POWER BRAKES AND STEERING. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN PARK OR NEUTRAL AND THE KEY WAS TAKEN OUT, THE VEHICLE WOULD START IMMEDIATELY. *SC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 16,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10089599 at NHTSA ↗