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U.S. public vehicle records

2008 Lincoln TOWN CAR: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

20 owner complaints analyzed

3 distinct recall campaigns

45,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 16 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Vehicle Speed Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 20 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior1050.0%
Steering behavior315.0%
Transmission and shifting15.0%
Fuel system concerns15.0%

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.

Vehicle Speed Control
5
Electrical System
3
Service Brakes
3
Steering
3
Power Train
2
Air Bags
1
Engine
1
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Vehicle Speed Control5
Electrical System3
Service Brakes3
Steering3
Power Train2
Air Bags1
Engine1
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control1

Vehicle Speed Control: 5; Electrical System: 3; Service Brakes: 3; Steering: 3; Power Train: 2; Air Bags: 1; Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

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

Under 25,000
5
25,000 to 49,999
4
50,000 to 74,999
3
75,000 to 99,999
2
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
2
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0005
25,000 to 49,9994
50,000 to 74,9993
75,000 to 99,9992
100,000 to 149,9990
150,000 and above2

Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 2

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 4 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.

2009
1
2010
5
2011
1
2013
1
2014
2
2015
3
2016
2
2017
2
2018
1
2019
1
2021
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20091
20105
20111
20131
20142
20153
20162
20172
20181
20191
20211

2009: 1; 2010: 5; 2011: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 2; 2015: 3; 2016: 2; 2017: 2; 2018: 1; 2019: 1; 2021: 1

Pattern summary

Vehicle Speed Control leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 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 10272364 · 2009-05-29 (May 29, 2009)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE DRIVER PLACED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. SHE EXTENDED HER LEGS OUT OF THE DOOR AND PREPARED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WHEN IT SUDDENLY ROLLED BACKWARDS INTO THE STREET. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED LEG INJURIES. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WAS DAMAGED. THE POLICE WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. THE FAILURE AND CURREN…

Owner-reported narrative. 17,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10272364 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10329225 · 2010-05-06 (May 6, 2010)

WE HAD A SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF OUR CAR. WE WERE TRAVELING WEST ON THE NEW YORK STATE THRUWAY (I-90) TOWARDS NIAGARA FALLS. AS WE EXITED INTO A REST AREA, SUDDENLY THE ENGINE RACED AS IF THE GAS PEDAL WERE FLOORED. THE DRIVER PRESSED ON THE BRAKE VERY VERY HARD, AND THE CAR ALMOST STOPPED, MOVING FORWARD SLOWLY. THE DRIVER THEN SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL, AND THE ENGINE SLOWEDAND WE STOPPED--ABOUT 50 FEET BEYOND WHERE THE SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION STARTED. WE TURNED THE ENGINE OFF, AND EXAMINED THE FLOORMAT--IT WAS NOT IN A POSIT…

Owner-reported narrative. 4,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10329225 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10330094 · 2010-05-12 (May 12, 2010)

I HAVE A 2008 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. I WAS COMING UP TO AN INTERSECTION AT ABOUT 10 MPH TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN AND WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE THE ENGINE REALLY REVVED UP AND I HAD TO REALLY STOMP ON THE BRAKE (ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOORBOARD) TO STOP THE CAR. THE ENGINE THEN SLOWED DOWN. IF I HAD BEEN DOING 75 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STOP. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 25,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10330094 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10342918 · 2010-07-13 (July 13, 2010)

2008 LINCOLN TOWN CAR, PURCHASED ON 5/18/10 AT CORTESE LINCOLN, ROCHESTER NY. 6/1/10: BEGAN EXPERIENCING TROUBLE STOPPING - INTERMITTENT 7/2/10: TRIP FROM ROCHESTER, NY TO VERMILION, OH; TRAVELING I90 WEST, COULD NOT STOP THE CAR WHEN APPROACHING THE TOLL BOOTH IN BUFFALO, NY. STOPPED AT THE LAST SECOND INCHES AWAY FROM THE CAR AHEAD. PUSHED THE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL. I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED THE BRAKE FLUID; IT WAS FINE. ON ROUTE 2 WEST, STOPPED AT MCDONALDS. THE SAME THING HAPPENED AS JUST DESCRIBED. ARRIVE…

Owner-reported narrative. 21,507 miles reported. Look up ODI 10342918 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10364637 · 2010-11-03 (November 3, 2010)

2008 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. CONSUMER STATES WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, THE GAS PEDAL IS ALSO DEPRESSED *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED INSTEAD OF STOPPING, HE HIT A STOP SIGN. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10364637 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10365088 · 2010-11-09 (November 9, 2010)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AT A SLOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE AND REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WERE TOO CLOSE WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THE SAME FAILURE WITH THE 2004 LINCOLN TOWNCAR HE PREVIOUSLY OWNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP BUT THE DEA…

Owner-reported narrative. 6,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10365088 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10396568 · 2011-04-17 (April 17, 2011)

IN 2008, I PURCHASED A NEW LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE TIRES ON THE CAR ARE MICHELIN ENERGY LX4 XSE RADIALS. THE DOT NUMBER IS M3XHDEH3X0208. TREAD WEAR IS SHOWN AS 500. TIRE SIZE IS P225/60R17. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT ALL 4 TIRES SHOW SIDEWALL CRACKING. THE CAR HAS 23,000 MILES ON IT. TREAD WEAR LOOKS TO BE ABOUT HALF OF NEW. THE SIDEWALL CRACKING IS EXTENSIVE, AND I BELIEVE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY IN WEST CENTRAL FLORIDA, WHERE I LIVE, BECAUSE OF THE HIGH AMBIENT DAYTIME TEMPERATURES. I HAVE GOOGLED THE TIRE 'MICHELIN ENERGY LX4' AND…

Owner-reported narrative. 23,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10396568 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10534872 · 2013-08-12 (August 12, 2013)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK TO STOP THE ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP AND CRASHED THROUGH A BARRIER. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED DURING THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Owner-reported narrative. 61,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10534872 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

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

10V638000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe

Reported: 2010-12-09 (December 9, 2010)

EXECUTIVE COACH IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 LINCOLN TOWN CAR LIMOUSINES. THE FUEL RAIL SHIELD WAS LEFT OFF DURING MANUFACTURING. IN A FRONTAL IMPACT THE ENGINE COULD POTENTIALLY BEND OR RUPTURE FUEL LINES IF THE REPLACEMENT SHIELD IS NOT IN PLACE, CAUSING THOSE LINES TO LEAK FUEL.

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: EXECUTIVE COACH WILL SUPPLY KITS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS TO HAVE VEHICLES REPAIRED AT A FACILITY OF THE OWNER'S CHOICE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 1, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT EXECUTIVE COACH AT 888-322-9272.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
13V385000 · Steering

Reported: 2013-08-29 (August 29, 2013)

Ford is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Ford Crown Victoria (including Crown Victoria Police Interceptors), Mercury Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Car vehicles. The affected vehicles are currently registered or were originally sold in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Severe corrosion can seize the lower intermediate shaft which may cause the upper intermediate shaft to collapse and the steering column lower bearing to separate.

Consequence: If the lower bearing separates, the vehicle may experience a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners and dealers will replace the lower intermediate shaft, free of charge. The upper intermediate shaft and steering column lower bearing will be inspected to identify any damage that may have occurred as a result of lower intermediate shaft corrosion, and repaired or replaced as necessary. If the steering column lower bearing has separated, a retainer clip will be installed. The recall began on October 23, 2013. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall number is 13S08.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
14V704000 · Steering:Rack And Pinion:Pinion Shaft

Reported: 2014-11-05 (November 5, 2014)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Ford Crown Victoria, 2005-2011 Mercury Grand Marquis vehicles manufactured March 23, 2004, to August 30, 2011, and 2005-2011 Lincoln Town Car vehicles manufactured March 8, 2004, to August 30, 2011, and on which the upper intermediate shaft was serviced during the course of safety recall 13V-385. The prior repairs may not have been correctly performed.

Consequence: Improper servicing of the upper intermediate shaft could cause the shaft to separate, which can then result in a loss of steering control, and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify the owners of vehicles whose repair records reflect that the upper intermediate steering shaft was repaired during the course of the prior recall 13V-385. Dealers will inspect and replace the upper immediate shaft if necessary free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S25.

NHTSA campaign record ↗