1993 Lincoln TOWN CAR: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
112 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
108,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1993 model year. Data snapshot: . 32 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Vehicle Speed Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 23 of 112 complaints (20.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 23 | 20.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 14 | 12.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 8 | 7.1% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 2.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 2.7% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 1.8% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 23 |
| Electrical System | 15 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 8 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 6 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 6 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 5 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 5 |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control | 4 |
Vehicle Speed Control: 23; Electrical System: 15; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 8; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 6; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 6; Air Bags:Frontal: 5; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 5; Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control: 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 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 20 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 20; 150,000 and above: 2
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (20). 80 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 | 12 |
| 2000 | 14 |
| 2001 | 20 |
| 2002 | 7 |
| 2003 | 7 |
| 2004 | 7 |
| 2005 | 7 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 10 |
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
1995: 11; 1996: 12; 2000: 14; 2001: 20; 2002: 7; 2003: 7; 2004: 7; 2005: 7; 2006: 2; 2007: 10; 2008: 5; 2009: 3; 2010: 3; 2011: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 1; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Vehicle Speed Control leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 23 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 14 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting 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 10001455 · 2002-12-24 (December 24, 2002)
THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHEN ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE FIRE DEPT SAID THE SPEED CONTROL MODULE OVER THE LEFT WHEEL STARTED THE FIRE AND/OR DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. TS SCC REFERENCED IN EA02-025
Owner-reported narrative. 79,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10001455 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10015691 · 2003-04-11 (April 11, 2003)
THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED. THE ALLEGED CAUSE WAS THE SPEED CONTROL SWITCH WHICH CAUSED AN ELECTRICAL FIRE UNDER THE CAR. *JB REFERENCED IN EA02-025
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10015691 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10024037 · 2003-06-13 (June 13, 2003)
AFTER VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN CONSUMER PARKED VEHICLE, AND 10 MINUTES LATER SMOKE WAS COMING FROM HOOD. VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK REFERENCED IN EA02-025
Owner-reported narrative. 30,286 miles reported. Look up ODI 10024037 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10029534 · 2003-07-02 (July 2, 2003)
THE CONSUMER INQUIRED ABOUT ANY UPDATES REGARDING A 1993 LINCOLN TOWN CAR ELECTRICAL FIRE. *PH *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10029534 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10044123 · 2003-10-16 (October 16, 2003)
THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE. DRIVE RPULLED VEHICLE OVER TO CHECK. THE NOISE, AND NOTICED THAT LEFT REAR TIRE LOST ITS TREAD. CHANGED THE TIRE AND PROCEEDED ONWARD. TIRE SIZE #P215/70R70R1515. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 107,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10044123 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10047035 · 2003-11-17 (November 17, 2003)
CAR CAUGHT FIRE BY ITSELF 5 HOURS AFTER PARKED. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. 103,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10047035 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10047038 · 2003-11-17 (November 17, 2003)
SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM AND DEACTIVATION SWITCH STOP WORKING ON 260 MILE TRIP TO SAVANNAH, GA, AND CAR CAUGHT FIRE BY ITSELF 5 HOURS AFTER PARKED UNDER PRIVATE SURVEILLANCE CITY OF SAVANNAH PARKING BUILDING. FIRE BEGUN UNDERHOOD-LEFT FRONT. HOOD MELTED,CAR DESTROYED BY FIRE-TOTAL LOSS. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. 103,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10047038 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10048045 · 2003-11-17 (November 17, 2003)
CONSUMER HAD PICKED UP VEHICLE FROM DEALERSHIP AFTER BRAKE LINE WAS REPLACED. OWNER DROVE THE VEHICLE ABOUT 5 MILES AND FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL CAUGHT ON FIRE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AFTER FLAMES WERE PUT OUT. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED FRONT WHEEL LOCKED UP BECAUSE OF BRAKE CALIPER FAILURE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 39,359 miles reported. Look up ODI 10048045 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 ↗95V133000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 1995-07-11 (July 11, 1995)
IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE REAR BRAKE LINE AT THE POINT AT WHICH THE EXTENDED BRAKE LINE FIRST BENDS AND EXTENDS OVER THE LEFT REAR WHEEL AREA OF THE FRAME. IF NOT INSTALLED WITH SUFFICIENT CLEARANCE, CHAFING OF THE BRAKE LINE CAN OCCUR IN AN AREA ADJACENT TO THE REAR FLOOR PAN.
Consequence: THE REAR BRAKE LINE CAN LEAK OR RUPTURE RESULTING IN REDUCED BRAKING CAPABILITY, LOSS OF REAR BRAKES, AND/OR LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID RESERVES IN THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE LINE FOR PROPER INSTALLATION AND/OR DAMAGE AND REPLACE AS NECESSARY. ALSO A PROTECTIVE BOOT OR SLEEVE OVER THE BRAKE LINE WILL BE INSTALLED.
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 ↗