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U.S. public vehicle records

1992 Lincoln TOWN CAR: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

127 owner complaints analyzed

4 distinct recall campaigns

100,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1992 model year. Data snapshot: . 29 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Vehicle Speed Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 16 of 127 complaints (12.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior2015.7%
Electrical and battery issues1511.8%
Engine operation86.3%
Steering behavior43.1%
Fuel system concerns32.4%
Transmission and shifting21.6%

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.

Vehicle Speed Control
16
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
13
Electrical System
11
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
9
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
6
Seats
6
Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control
6
Electrical System:Ignition
5
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Vehicle Speed Control16
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline13
Electrical System11
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip9
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood6
Seats6
Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control6
Electrical System:Ignition5

Vehicle Speed Control: 16; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 13; Electrical System: 11; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 9; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 6; Seats: 6; Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control: 6; Electrical System:Ignition: 5

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
2
25,000 to 49,999
1
50,000 to 74,999
3
75,000 to 99,999
8
100,000 to 149,999
13
150,000 and above
2
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0002
25,000 to 49,9991
50,000 to 74,9993
75,000 to 99,9998
100,000 to 149,99913
150,000 and above2

Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 8; 100,000 to 149,999: 13; 150,000 and above: 2

100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (13). 98 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.

1995
25
1996
13
2000
28
2001
13
2002
7
2003
5
2004
5
2005
12
2006
4
2007
5
2008
5
2009
1
2010
1
2011
1
2012
1
2014
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
199525
199613
200028
200113
20027
20035
20045
200512
20064
20075
20085
20091
20101
20111
20121
20141

1995: 25; 1996: 13; 2000: 28; 2001: 13; 2002: 7; 2003: 5; 2004: 5; 2005: 12; 2006: 4; 2007: 5; 2008: 5; 2009: 1; 2010: 1; 2011: 1; 2012: 1; 2014: 1

Pattern summary

Vehicle Speed Control leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 20 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 15 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.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10023361 · 2003-06-19 (June 19, 2003)

I WAS DRIVING MY 1992 LINCOLN TOWNCAR WHEN SUDDENLY THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT FLEW UP FROM THE FRONT, NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. UPON EXAMINATION, I DISCOVERED THE BOLTS ON THE FLOOR WHICH ATTACH TO THE STEEL HOUSING OF THE SEAT WERE NO LONGER ATTACHED. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS A BOLT PROBLEM, BUT UPON FURTHER EXAMINATION DISCOVERED THE STEEL HOUSING UNDER THE SEAT PAD COVER WHICH THE BOLTS ATTACH TO HAD RIPPED OPEN, RELEASING THE BOLTS. *NLM

Owner-reported narrative. 134,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10023361 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10025078 · 2003-07-25 (July 25, 2003)

THE METAL OIL PAN RUSTED AND LEAKED OIL. THIS COULD RESULT IN THE ENGINE BLOWING WHILE DRIVING. *NLM *TS *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 94,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10025078 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10026547 · 2003-07-03 (July 3, 2003)

THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR RECALL #99V124000 REPAIRS CONCERNING SPEED CONTROL SWITCH IN JUNE 1999. DEALER DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE. DEALER DEACTIVATED THE SPEED CONTROL AS A TEMPORARY SOLUTION UNTIL THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. THE OWNER WAS NEVER NOTIFIED. THE OWNER CONTACTED THE DEALER ON 6/30/03. DEALER HAD NO RECORD OF THE RECALL OR ANY REPAIRS DONE TO THE VEHICLE. DEALER WAS REFUSING TO DO ANY REPAIRS. CONSUMER REQUESTED A CALL BACK.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10026547 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10031241 · 2003-07-28 (July 28, 2003)

AIR BAG PROBLEMS. CONSUMER WILL PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION AND POLICE REPORT.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10031241 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10039503 · 2003-09-24 (September 24, 2003)

MY REAR AIR SUSPENSION LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR DROPPED ALL THE WAY TO THE GROUND. IT IS NOT COMING BACK UP!!!

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10039503 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10055985 · 2004-01-28 (January 28, 2004)

WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH ENGINE DRIVE BELT FELL OFF. AS A RESULT, STEERING BELT FELL OFF, AND CONSUMER LOST CONTROL. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10055985 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10069288 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)

1992 LINCOLN TOWNCAR SIGNATURE EDITION. CAR PARKED IN CARPORT 4PM THURSDAY AFTERNOON, ENGINE BURST INTO FLAMES 5AM FRIDAY MORNING. CAR COMPLETELY DESTROYED, CAUSING MAJOR DAMAGE TO CARPORT.

Owner-reported narrative. 94,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10069288 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10069454 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)

THE CAR HAD NO FORWARD ENGAGEMENT WHEN IT WAS IN THE DRIVE POSITION.IT SUDDENLY FAILED AND WOULD NOT GO FORWARD.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10069454 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

07V336000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Reported: 2007-08-03 (August 3, 2007)

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
95V151000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch

Reported: 1995-08-07 (August 7, 1995)

THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH MAY NOT ENGAGE WHEN THE HOOD IS CLOSED.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT THE PRIMARY HOOD LATCH RELEASES OR IS NOT PROPERLY LATCHED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, THE HOOD COULD FLY UP OBSTRUCTING THE OPERATOR'S VISION, AND INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLY.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
98V322000 · Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint

Reported: 1998-12-16 (December 16, 1998)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN 1996-1999 FORD CROWN VICTORIA POLICE, FLEET, NATURAL GAS, AND 1996-1999 LINCOLN TOWN CAR LIMOUSINE VEHICLES THAT WERE PRODUCED WITH A LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CONTAINING A ONE PIECE BEARING; AND 1990-1996 FORD CROWN VICTORIA POLICE, FLEET, AND NGV VEHICLES AND 1990-1996 LINCOLN TOWN CAR LIMOUSINE VEHICLES THAT HAVE BEEN SERVICED WITH EITHER A BALL JOINT CONTAINING THE ONE-PIECE BEARING OR A FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM CONTAINING A BALL JOINT WITH A ONE-PIECE BEARING. THE ONE-PIECE BEARING WITHIN THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CAN WEAKEN SLOWLY DURING USE AND EVENTUALLY CRACK. THIS COULD RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE BALL AND CAP OF THE JOINT, ALLOWING THE CONTROL ARM TO DROP TO THE GROUND.

Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING, REDUCED STEERING CONTROL COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS (2).

NHTSA campaign record ↗
99V124000 · Electrical System

Reported: 1999-05-19 (May 19, 1999)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH CAN DEVELOP A RESISTIVE SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT THAT COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE. A FIRE IS POSSIBLE BOTH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING AND WHEN THE VEHICLE ENGINE IS OFF. ALSO, THE SHORT COULD DISABLE THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM OR CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHT FUSE TO OPEN.

Consequence: A FIRE CAN ORIGINATE IN THE LEFT FRONT UNDERHOOD AREA.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH AND CONNECTOR SHELL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 20, 1999.

NHTSA campaign record ↗