2003 Lincoln TOWN CAR: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
201 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
69,222 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 160 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension:Rear is the most frequently named component, appearing in 43 of 201 complaints (21.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 31 | 15.4% |
| Steering behavior | 21 | 10.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 3.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 2.0% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 1.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 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 |
|---|---|
| Suspension:Rear | 43 |
| Suspension | 32 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 16 |
| Steering | 14 |
| Power Train | 12 |
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Engine | 6 |
| Wheels | 6 |
Suspension:Rear: 43; Suspension: 32; Vehicle Speed Control: 16; Steering: 14; Power Train: 12; Electrical System: 6; Engine: 6; Wheels: 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 | 22 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 32 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 31 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 29 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 31 |
| 150,000 and above | 15 |
Under 25,000: 22; 25,000 to 49,999: 32; 50,000 to 74,999: 31; 75,000 to 99,999: 29; 100,000 to 149,999: 31; 150,000 and above: 15
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (32). 41 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 |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 5 |
| 2003 | 16 |
| 2004 | 13 |
| 2005 | 10 |
| 2006 | 17 |
| 2007 | 13 |
| 2008 | 15 |
| 2009 | 12 |
| 2010 | 12 |
| 2011 | 14 |
| 2012 | 10 |
| 2013 | 9 |
| 2014 | 10 |
| 2015 | 12 |
| 2016 | 9 |
| 2017 | 6 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2002: 5; 2003: 16; 2004: 13; 2005: 10; 2006: 17; 2007: 13; 2008: 15; 2009: 12; 2010: 12; 2011: 14; 2012: 10; 2013: 9; 2014: 10; 2015: 12; 2016: 9; 2017: 6; 2018: 4; 2019: 4; 2021: 3; 2022: 5; 2023: 1; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Suspension:Rear leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 31 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 21 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting 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 10000429 · 2002-12-30 (December 30, 2002)
LED HIGH-MOUNT BRAKE LIGHT CAUSES A DISTRACTING REFLECTION ON THE REAR WINDOW.
Owner-reported narrative. 312 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000429 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001161 · 2002-12-18 (December 18, 2002)
DRIVER PUT VEHICLE IN DRIVE GEAR AND TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT. VEHICLES ENGINE REV UP TO FULL THROTTLE, AND ACCELERATED AT A HIGH SPEED CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THIS RESULTED IN THE DRIVER BEING INJURED. TS
Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10001161 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002172 · 2003-01-07 (January 7, 2003)
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE LEFT FRONT SIDE WITH AT AN ANGLE BY ANOTHER ANOTHER CAR TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 40-. THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED, BUT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DID NOT. CONSUMER VERY CONCERNED BECAUSE COLLISION CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO VEHICLE INCLUDING A BENT FRAME. CONSUMER FEELS THE SEVERITY OF THE COLLISION SHOULD HAVE CAUSED THE PASSENGER SIDE BAG TO DEPLOY. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002172 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003271 · 2003-01-23 (January 23, 2003)
INTERMITTENT VIBRATION/NOISE/RUMBLE, MOSTLY AT LOW SPEEDS - 0 TO 40 MPH FROM EITHER ENGINE COMPARTMENT OR UNDERNEATH.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10003271 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006426 · 2003-02-04 (February 4, 2003)
THE FENDER AND HOOD DOESN'T LINE UP PROPERLY. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION . DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006426 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008734 · 2003-02-19 (February 19, 2003)
THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE IDLING, WHICH RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE HITTING A WALL, CONSUMER WAS INJURED.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10008734 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009715 · 2003-03-14 (March 14, 2003)
WHEN THE DRIVER'S LEFT FOOT WAS QUICKLY MOVED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL FROM ITS RESTING POSITION, IT ENCOUNTERED AN OBJECT ABOVE IT THAT GAVE THE IMPRESSION THE FOOT DID NOT REACH THE BRAKE PEDAL, WHICH RESULTED IN USING THE RIGHT FOOT WHICH CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THE CONDITION WORSENED WITH THE BRAKE AND GAS PEDAL IN THE FULL DOWN POSITION THEN THE LEFT KNEE ENCOUNTERED THE STEERING WHEEL, WHICH GAVE THE IMPRESSION THE PEDAL WAS NOT REACHED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING BUT ADVISED TO HAVE VEHICLE MODIFIED. CONSUMER IS 5-9 IN HEIGHT A…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10009715 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011619 · 2003-04-01 (April 1, 2003)
HEAD RESTRAINT CUSHION WAS POSITIONED AT AN ANGLE WITH THE TOP EXTENDING FURTHER FORWARD THAN THE BOTTOM WHICH RESULTED IN IT CONTACTING THE CONSUMER AT THE TOP EDGE OF THE REAR OF HIS HEAD. IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP, THE BACKWARD MOTION OF CONSUMERS BODY WOULD FORCE CONSUMERS HEAD BACKWARD AND DOWN. THIS COULD CAUSE GREAT STRESS TO THE NECK. HEAD RESTRAINTS WERE PROPERLY ENGINEERED IN THE LINCOLN, TOWN CAR 2001, BUT NOT IN LINCOLN, TOWN CAR, 2003. REFER TO ODI#8022294 SCC *JB. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10011619 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
04V328000 · Suspension:Rear
Reported: 2004-07-07 (July 7, 2004)
CERTAIN POLICE, COMMERCIAL, AND PASSENGER VEHICLES SOLD TO FLEETS TYPICALLY INPUT HIGHER LOADS INTO THE VEHICLE CHASSIS OVERLOADING THE WHEEL BEARINGS AND AXLES.
Consequence: THIS COULD LEAD TO EARLY BEARING FAILURE AND ULTIMATELY TO AXLE SHAFT FRACTURE. IN THE EVENT OF AXLE SHAFT FRACTURE, THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE DRIVE FUNCTION AND WOULD COAST TO A STOP. LOSS OF DRIVE FUNCTION COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS, SEALS,AND AXLE SHAFTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 15, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
NHTSA campaign record ↗