2001 Lincoln TOWN CAR: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
161 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
80,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2001 model year. Data snapshot: . 90 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 24 of 161 complaints (14.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 27 | 16.8% |
| Steering behavior | 10 | 6.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 3.7% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 1.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 0.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.6% |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 24 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 20 |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 17 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 13 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 7 |
| Steering | 7 |
| Seats | 6 |
| Unknown Or Other | 6 |
Air Bags: 24; Vehicle Speed Control: 20; Air Bags:Side/Window: 17; Air Bags:Frontal: 13; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 7; Steering: 7; Seats: 6; Unknown Or Other: 6
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 10 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 15 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 17 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 21 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 19 |
| 150,000 and above | 8 |
Under 25,000: 10; 25,000 to 49,999: 15; 50,000 to 74,999: 17; 75,000 to 99,999: 21; 100,000 to 149,999: 19; 150,000 and above: 8
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (21). 71 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 | 4 |
| 2001 | 16 |
| 2002 | 20 |
| 2003 | 22 |
| 2004 | 14 |
| 2005 | 12 |
| 2006 | 7 |
| 2007 | 10 |
| 2008 | 10 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2011 | 5 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 6 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 2 |
2000: 4; 2001: 16; 2002: 20; 2003: 22; 2004: 14; 2005: 12; 2006: 7; 2007: 10; 2008: 10; 2009: 5; 2010: 4; 2011: 5; 2012: 4; 2013: 4; 2014: 6; 2015: 6; 2016: 3; 2017: 3; 2018: 1; 2019: 1; 2020: 1; 2021: 1; 2022: 2
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 27 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 6 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 10001049 · 2002-12-17 (December 17, 2002)
WHILE DRIVING 20MPH PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING INJURIES TO PASSENGER IN SEAT. TS...*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10001049 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002228 · 2003-01-07 (January 7, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES WHILE AT A RED LIGHT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED EVEN WHEN CONSUMER APPLIED ON THE BRAKES. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002228 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006092 · 2003-01-31 (January 31, 2003)
WHEN TRYING TO APPLY BRAKES THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL GO TO THE FLOOR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006092 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006229 · 2003-02-03 (February 3, 2003)
VEHICLE SUFFERED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN SHIFTED FROM PARK INTO REVERSE. DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE THREE TIMES AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. 15,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10006229 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10010010 · 2003-03-18 (March 18, 2003)
THE VEHICLE CONTAINED A SEVERE MALFUNCTION FLAW IN THE VEHICLE. *AK *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10010010 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011225 · 2003-03-10 (March 10, 2003)
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION, WHICH CAUSED CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10011225 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011228 · 2003-03-10 (March 10, 2003)
CONSUMER LOSS CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND WAS IN A COLLISION, AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CONSUMER WAS INJURED.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10011228 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011675 · 2003-03-13 (March 13, 2003)
THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY IMPACT.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10011675 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.
00V270000 · Air Bags
Reported: 2000-09-13 (September 13, 2000)
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, LIMOUSINES, AND MINI VANS WERE BUILT WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE (RCM). IN SOME CASES, THE RCM DOES NOT RECOGNIZE CERTAIN SYSTEM FAULTS THAT COULD RESULT IN AN AIR BAG OR SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONER UNEXPECTEDLY ACTIVATING DURING THE SELF-TEST SEQUENCE AT VEHICLE START-UP.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RCM IN THESE VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 14, 2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
NHTSA campaign record ↗00V356000 · Tires
Reported: 2000-12-12 (December 12, 2000)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN LIMOUSINES STRETCHED OVER 60 INCHES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 109, "NEW PNEUMATIC TIRES," AND NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS."
Consequence: THE VEHICLE WEIGHT COULD EXCEED THE MAXIMUM LOAD RATING FOR THE TIRE, INCREASING THE RISK OF PREMATURE TIRE WEAR OR BLOWOUT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE ALL 5 TIRES (INCLUDING THE SPARE TIRE) WITH MICHELIN TIRES (225/70R16 107T REINFORCED WHITE SIDEWALL) WITH A SUFFICIENTLY HIGHER LOAD RATING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 10, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-248-0186.
NHTSA campaign record ↗00V412000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module-Inactive
Reported: 2000-12-06 (December 6, 2000)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS AND PASSENGER VEHICLES. A RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE (RCM) OR A SIDE OR FRONT CRASH SENSOR MAY HAVE BEEN ASSEMBLED WITH ONE OR MORE OF THE SCREWS THAT MOUNT THE CIRCUIT BOARD IN THE HOUSING MISSING. IF SOME OR ALL OF THE SCREWS ARE MISSING, THE PERFORMANCE OF THE OCCUPANT RESTRAINS COULD BE AFFECTED.
Consequence: IN SOME CASES, LESS THAN THE INTENDED LEVEL OF PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE RCM AND CRASH SENSORS AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THEM.
NHTSA campaign record ↗01V227001 · Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
Reported: 2001-07-16 (July 16, 2001)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND MINIVANS. EQUIPPED WITH SEAT BELTS SUPPLIED BY TRW. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE DRIVER'S AND/OR FRONT PASSENGER'S OUTBOARD SEAT BELT BUCKLE MAY NOT FULLY LATCH. FORD CROWN VICTORIA BUILT AT ST. THOMAS ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 4/17/00 - 5/29/01 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS BUILT AT ST. THOMAS ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 4/17/00 - 5/29/01. LINCOLN TOWN CARS BUILT AT WIXOM ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 3/27/00 - 5/30/01. LINCOLN NAVIGATORS BUILT AT MICHIGAN TRUCK PLANT FROM 4/11/00 - 5/31/01. FORD WINDSTARS BUILT AT OAKVILLE ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 3/23/00 - 5/30/01. FORD RANGERS BUILT AT TWIN CITIES PLANT FROM 3/28/00 - 5/30/01, AND ALSO AT THE EDISON PLANT FROM 3/13/00 - 5/25/01. FORD F-150 TRUCK BUILT AT NORFOLK PLANT FROM 4/18/00 - 5/25/00; AT ONTARIO PLANT FROM 5/10/00 - 5/28/01; AT KANSAS CITY PLANT FROM 9/11/99 - 5/25/01; AND AT CUAUTITLAN PLANT FROM 5/16/00 - 6/9/01. FORD SUPER DUTY F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS BUILT AT KENTUCKY PLANT FROM 4/17/00 - 5/27/01; AND AT CUAUTITLAN PLANT FROM 5/16/00 - 6/19/01. FORD EXCURSIONS BUILT AT KENTUCKY PLANT FROM 4/17/00 - 10/2/00. FORD EXPEDITIONS BUILT AT MICHIGAN TRUCK PLANT FROM 4/11/00 - 5/31/01.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM MAY NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE OCCUPANT PROTECTION, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT OUTBOARD SEAT BELT BUCKLES AND IF THE BUCKLE FAILS THE INSPECTION PROCESS, IT WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 25, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
NHTSA campaign record ↗01V258000 · Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor
Reported: 2001-08-08 (August 8, 2001)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND LIGHT AND MEDIUM DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. A SWITCH LOCATED IN THE PLASTIC COVER OF THE WIPER MOTOR GEAR CASE COULD MALFUNCTION AND OVERHEAT, POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN LOSS OF INTERMITTENT WIPER FUNCTION, LOSS OF WIPER PARK FUNCTION, COMPLETE LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION, OR IGNITION OF THE PLASTIC COVER MATERIAL. SWITCH MALFUNCTION IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR WHEN THE INTERMITTENT SETTING OF THE WIPERS IS BEING USED, OR WHEN SNOW OR ICE OBSTRUCTS THE BLADES FROM RETURNING TO THE "PARKED" POSITION AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT AT THE FOLLOWING ASSEMBLY PLANTS: ATLANTA PLANT FROM 2/11/00 THROUGH 7/31/00; CHICAGO PLANT FROM 2/14/00 THROUGH 8/4/00; KANSAS CITY PLANT FROM 2/26/00 TO 9/4/00; KENTUCKY TRUCK PLANT FROM 2/18/00 TO 8/31/00; MICHIGAN TRUCK PLANT FROM 2/23/00 THROUGH 8/3/00; NORFOLK PLANT FROM 2/21/00 THROUGH 7/27/00; WAYNE STAMPING AND ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 2/25/00 THROUGH 8/15/00; AND WIXOM PLANT FROM 2/15/00 THROUGH 8/8/00.
Consequence: LOSS OF VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DATE CODE ON THE WIPER MOTOR. MOTORS BUILT WITH THE SUSPECT TIME FRAME WILL HAVE THE WIPER MOTOR GEAR CASE COVER REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 20, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
NHTSA campaign record ↗