1989 Lincoln TOWN CAR: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
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 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 10081815 · 2004-07-13 (July 13, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH REAR SUSPENSION FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE REAR END DROPPED AT LEAST ONE FOOT TO THE GROUND. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 102,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10081815 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10323516 · 2010-04-02 (April 2, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SCREW INSIDE THE REFLECTIVE CONE OF THE BULB WAS LOOSE WHICH CAUSED THE BULB TO SHATTER AND FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO SELL THE CONTACT A NEW BULB INSTEAD OF REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 500,800.
Owner-reported narrative. 500,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10323516 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 478310 · 1995-01-09 (January 9, 1995)
STEERING COLUMN FIRE. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 478310 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 490768 · 1996-01-02 (January 2, 1996)
REAR BEARING CAP BROKE. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 490768 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 ↗
Recall history
5 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
90V050000 · Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
Reported: 1990-03-06 (March 6, 1990)
SAFETY BELTS (TYPE 1 LAP BELTS) FOR REAR FACING SEATS WERE NOT INSTALLED.
Consequence: LACK OF RESTRAINTS COULD CONTRIBUTE TO OTHERWISE PREVENTABLE INJURY AND WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 209 AND 210.
Remedy: INSTALL SAFETY BELTS FOR REAR FACING SEATS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗90V093000 · Equipment:Other:Labels
Reported: 1990-05-09 (May 9, 1990)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIMOUSINES BUILT BY EMPIRE COACH. VEHICLE ALTERERS LABEL MAY BE MISSING OR INCOMPLETE.
Consequence: VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH PART 567.
Remedy: ADD COMPLIANCE LABEL.
NHTSA campaign record ↗90V133000 · Equipment:Other:Labels
Reported: 1990-07-27 (July 27, 1990)
TIRE PLACARD MAY CONTAIN INCORRECT GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATINGS AND TIRE INFORMATION.
Consequence: LIMOUSINES WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 110 AND CONSUMERMIGHT UNKNOWINGLY OVERLOAD THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF PLACARD MISINFORMATION.
Remedy: INSTALL REVISED TIRE PLACARDS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗90V134000 · Equipment:Other:Labels
Reported: 1990-07-27 (July 27, 1990)
GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATINGS AND TIRE INFORMATION MAY BE INCORRECT ON LABELS.
Consequence: VEHICLES WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH 49 CFR PART 567.
Remedy: INSTALL REVISED CERTIFICATION LABELS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗96V071000 · Electrical System:Ignition
Reported: 1996-04-25 (April 25, 1996)
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
NHTSA campaign record ↗