1989 LINCOLN TOWN CAR Problems & Recalls
Detailed safety information and owner complaints
Problem Breakdown
Compare to Other Years
Common Problems
LETTER ON BEHALF OF CONCERN ABOUT THE 1996 RECALL ON LINCOLN TOWN CARS, HIS BROTHER-IN-LAW IS HAVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH ON HIS 1989 LINCOLN TOWN CAR; SEND INCOMING LTR WITH REPLY TO ATTN: ALLISON JACKSON/FOLEY *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE KEY DID NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. THE C...
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SCREW INSIDE THE REFLECTIVE CONE OF THE BULB WAS LOOSE WHICH CAUSED THE BULB TO SHATTER AND FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO SELL THE CONTACT A NEW ...
Mileage: 500,800
WHILE DRIVING THE PLASTIC CAP ON THE TRANSMISSION CABLE THAT CONNECTED TO THE THROTTLE BODY BROKE. THIS MAD IT HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION GEARS. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK THE TRANSMISSION WAS DAMAGED DUE TO THE PLASTIC CLIP BREAKING. THE CON...
Mileage: 96,951
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH REAR SUSPENSION FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE REAR END DROPPED AT LEAST ONE FOOT TO THE GROUND. *AK
Mileage: 102,000
AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE AND TURNING OFF THE IGNITION, THE CONSUMER HEARD A POPPING SOUND. A FEW SECONDS PASSED AND THE CONSUMER SAW THICK BLACK SMOKE AND A FIRE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUME...
Mileage: 76,000
CONSUMER STATES THAT IT IS HARD TO START UP VEHICLE DUE TO THE IGNITION SWITCH. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.*JB
WHILE MAKING A TURN AT 10 MPH CONSUMER RAN THROUGH A MEDIUM AND SEAT BELTS NEVER LOCKED IN PLACE, PASSENGER ALMOST WENT THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD.*AK *JG
VEHICLE HIT A 8-10 INCH HIGH CONCRETE DIVIDER, PASSENGER HIT HEAD ON WINDSHIELD. SEATBELT DID NOT RESTRAIN HER, SHE SUFFERED HEAD LACERATIONS/ NECK AND BACK INJURIES. DRIVER WAS NOT WEARING SEATBELT DUE TO MEDICAL REASON, HIT HEAD ON WINDSHIELD. DAMAGE TO VEHICLE UNKNOWN.*AK JG
CONSUMER STATES THAT AFTER HE HEARD A LOUD SOUND AND SAW A SMOKE, FIRE SHOT OUT FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, FIRE DEPARTMENT ARE SUGGESTING THAT THE TAIL SHIFT MALFUNCTION WHICH CAUSED FIRE (OHIO TRAFFIC POLICE REPORT# 10-91-158). *YD
REAR DRIVER SIDE AND FRONT PASSENGER WINDOWS FAILED. *TT
CONSUMER STATES THERE WAS NO TETHER FOR CHILD CAR SEAT. *TT
CONSUMER STATES THERE WAS NO TETHER FOR CHILD CAR SEAT. *TT
POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE RESULTED IN FIRE UNDER THE HOOD (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). NLM
WHILE DRIVING, THE STARTER SOLENOID SELF ACTIVATED AND SLAMMED THE STARTER GEAR INTO THE FLYWHEEL IMMEDIATELY DISABLING THE CAR, THIS HAD CAUSED THE FLYWHEEL TO BREAK AND RUINED THE STARTER, CONSUMER WAS TOLD HE ALSO NEEDED TO REPLACE THE IGNITION AND WHEN TAKING OUT THE OLD SWITCH, THE PARTS FELL O...
WHILE DRIVING, THE STARTER SOLENOID SELF ACTIVATED AND SLAMMED THE STARTER GEAR INTO THE FLYWHEEL IMMEDIATELY DISABLING THE CAR, THIS HAD CAUSED THE FLYWHEEL TO BREAK AND RUINED THE STARTER, CONSUMER WAS TOLD HE ALSO NEEDED TO REPLACE THE IGNITION AND WHEN TAKING OUT THE OLD SWITCH, THE PARTS FELL O...
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
PURCHASED CREAM PUFF TOWNCAR IN 1996. MID 1997, VEHICLE BEGAN STALLING AFTER THE ENGINE REACHED OPERATING TEMPERATURE. INDEPENDANT MECHANIC-NO HELP. FORD DEALER, SPENT ALMOST $1,000.00 TO REPLACE SEVERAL ITEMS. EACH TIME, I TOLD THEM TO CHECK THE IGNITION MODULE/COIL PICKUP. FORD DEALER SAID TH...
VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATES AND WILL NOT STOP UNTIL IS TURNED OFF.*AK
WITHIN A WEEK OF PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE I RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THE SERVICE MANAGER THE FRONT SEAT BELTS WERE MALFUNCTIONING. THE MANAGER ASSURED ME THEY NEEDED TO FEEL THE BODY WEIGHT OF A PERSON BEFORE THEY "GRABBED." AFTER A RECENT ACCIDENT IN ANOTHER VEHICLE IN WHICH A SEAT BELT...
AFTER TURNING IGNITION AND PUTTING VEHICLE INTO DRIVE VEHICLE TOOK OFF AND HIT A STORE WINDOW. DRIVER APPLIED BRAKES, AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. NO ONE HAS SEEN VEHICLE. *AK
AFTER TURNING IGNITION AND PUTTING VEHICLE INTO DRIVE VEHICLE TOOK OFF AND HIT A STORE WINDOW. DRIVER APPLIED BRAKES, AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. NO ONE HAS SEEN VEHICLE. *AK
THE ODOMETER MILES ARE NOT ACCURATE, IT IS READING MORE MILEAGE THAN WHAT THE CONSUMER IS PUTTING ON THE VEHICLE. *SLC
VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLING WHILE DRIVING. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. *AK ENGINE CUTS OFF AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES. THE MANUFACTURERS STATES IT IS BEING EVALUATED. *YH
SIDEWALL OF FIRESTONE (215/70R15) TIRE BLEWOUT WHILE DRIVNG, CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT. NLM *TS
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCLERATED. BRAKES COULD NOT SLOW DOWN VEHICLE, WHICH ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THEY NEVER HAD THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION*AK.
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCLERATED. BRAKES COULD NOT SLOW DOWN VEHICLE, WHICH ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THEY NEVER HAD THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION*AK.
THE PAINT SYSTEM OVER THE HOOD, ROOF AND TRUNK ARE ALL FAILING. THE TOP COLOR COAT IS FLAKING OFF WHICH IS A CONCERN WITH LITTLE CHILDREN EATING THE FLAKES. I HAVE HEAR CARS HAVING PRIMER AND COLOR COAT INCOMPATIBILTY PROBLEMS BEFORE WITH RECALLS BEING ISSUED BUT I WAS NOT ABLE TO LOCATE A RECALL ...
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK
VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE NEAR STEERING WHEEL, UNDER THE DASH DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. DEALER HAS VEHICLE. *AK *ML
CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGES THEN DISENGAGES BEFORE ATTAINING DESIRED SPEED. IT MAY NOT ENGAGE AT ALL AT ANY TIME, OR IT MAY DISENGAGE AT ANY TIME. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR FOR YEARS. THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM , BUT THE RECALL WAS NO LONGER IN EFFECT. I PAID...
ALERNATOR IS NOT CHARGING THE BATTERY BECAUSE THE PLUG ON THE ALTERNATOR CAUGHT FIRE. THERE IS NOT INDICATION THAT THE ALTERNATOR IS NOT WORKING UNTIL THE BATTERY DIES OR THE ALTERNATOR CATCHES FIRE. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER. *AK
WHILE DRIVING CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED UNEXPECTEDLY, CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION AND VIN#. *AK
AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR ABOUT AN HOUR, ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. MANUFDCTURER NOTIFIED. *AK
TRANSMISSION FAILED, CAUSING HESITATION AND NEAR STALLING.
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED IN INSIDE GARAGE & IGNITION SWITCH TURNED OFF. PROPERTY DAMAGE WAS DUE TO FIRE. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN MANUFACTURER'S. RECALL # 95S-28 / NHTSA # 96V-071000 PERTAINING TO AN INGITION SWITCH WHICH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT. D...
STARTED TO SMELL RUBBER BURNING WHILE DRIVING 30MPH. NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN. PULLED INTO SHOPPING AREA & GOT OUT. SOON FLAMES SHOT OUT OF STEERING COLUMN. FIRE DEPARTMENT CALLED & ARRIVED TO PUT OUT THE FLAMES. WAS INFORMED IT WAS ELECTRICAL WIRING. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES. *...
WHILE DRIVING ON A WINDING/CURVY MOUNTAIN ROAD, VEHICLE STARTED MAKING CLUNKING NOISE AND ALMOST STALLED. TOOK TO DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT TRANSMISSION HAD DEALY SHIFTS/DOWNSHIFTED DUE TO DESIGN FLAWS IN LINCOLN -MERCURY VEHICLES. MANUFACTURER HAS PUT OUT A TSB ON VEHICLE. *AK
REAR SEAT BELTS WOULD RETRACT COMPLETELY BACK INTO RETRACTOR AREA. CANNOT PULL BELTS OUT TO USE FOR REAR PASSENGER SIDE. TOOK TO DEALER & WAS INFORMED WAS OWNER'S PROBLEM. NOTHING THEY CAN DO. *AK
SEAT BELT SHOULDER HARNESS ON BOTH FRONT SEATS FAILED.
SEAT BELTS WOULD NOT UNLOCK.
ELECTRICAL: IGNITION SWITCH RECALL#96V071000. HAVING SAME PROBLEM, BUT THIS CAR IS NOT IN THE RECALL. *AK
ENGINE FIRE.
WHILE PARKED AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE. *AK CONSUMER LEARNED ABOUT RECALL 96V071, HOWEVER IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED FOR RECALL, VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE INSPECTED BY FORD AND IT HAD ALREADY BEEN TOWED. *SLC
GAS PEDAL STUCK WHEN DRIVER WAS LEAVING GARAGE, THE VEHICLE WENT THROUGH THE GARAGE AND INTO NEIGHBORS YARD, CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE.
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR A FEW MINUTES, THE VEHICLE SMELLED LIKE SMOKE. WHEN THE COMSUMER GOT CLOSER TO IT SMOKE WAS COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD; THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SHOP, AND THE MECHANIC SAID THE FIRE STARTED AT THE ALTERNATOR OR THE WIRES OF THE ALTERNATOR. VEHICLE WAS REPAIR...
THE STEERING GEAR BOX HAS GONE OUT 3 TIMES. CANNOT STEER THE VEHICLE AND IT CANNOT BE DRIVEN. *AK
THE IGNITION SWITCH TRIED TO START ITSELF WHILE ALREADY ON. OWNER HAD TO UNHOOK BATTERY CABLE, THAT WAS SMOKING AND SPARKLING, IN ORDER TO STOP.
RECALL REPAIR ON IGNITION SWITCH FAILED, CAUSING SMOKE AND SPARKS.
ELECTRICAL FIRE.
SUDDEN ACCELERATION. (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT)
VEHICLE STALLED 7 TIMES DUE TO WIRING HARNESS BURNING OUT, ONCE CAUSING ACCIDENT/INJURIES.
ALTERNATOR FIRE.
IGNITION SWITCH FIRE.
IGNITION SWITCH FIRE.
IGNITION SWITCH FIRE PRIOR TO RECALL.
WHEN TAKING FOOT OF ACCELERATOR, THE AUTO KEEPS ON ACCELERATING. *AK
RECALL REPAIRS ON IGNITION SWITCH NOT PERFORMED DUE TO A PROBLEM WITH DEALERSHIP.
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
ELECTRICAL FIRE IN STEERING COLUMN.
RIGHT REAR AXLE CAUGHT FIRE. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT)
IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE RESULTING IN VEHICLE FIRE.
THE DEALERSHIP WILL HONOR THE RECALL LETTER.
BROKEN TIE ROD END UNDERNEATH THE LINK DROPPED OUT AND FELL TO THE GROUND. *AK
AFTER AUTO WAS DRIVEN APPROX 5 MILES , AUTO LOST POWER AND CONSUMER PULLED OFF ROAD, THEN REALIZED AUTO WAS ON FIRE. *AK
SUDDEN ACCELERATION, CAUSING ACCIDENT. (1ST VEHICLE ON 506273)*SD
IGNITION SWITCH CUTS OFF AND CAR STALLS. THE STEERING LEAKS. *AK
IGNITION SWITCH SHORTED, CAUSING FIRE. *DH
GROMMET FELL OFF, CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. *DH
UPON WAITING TO RECEIVE LETTER FROM MFG., VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED FOR 3 TO 4 MINUTES. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SAW SMOKE COMING IGNITION SWITCH, STEERING COLUMN COMPARTMENT FIRE. *AK
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SAW SMOKE COMING IGNITION SWITCH, STEERING COLUMN COMPARTMENT FIRE. *AK
AFTER STARTING THE IGNITION, SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
PARKED VEHICLE IN DRIVEWAY FIVE MINUTES LATER ENGINE REVED HIGH, HORNE BLEW, AND IGNITION CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK
NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN, DEALER SAID A LITTLE LONGER DRIVEN THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A FIRE, REPLACE SWITCH. *AK
THE IGNITION SWITCH CAUGHT FIRE WHILE OFF . PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
CAR WAS PARKED IN GARAGE AND THERE WAS AN INTERIOR FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE . *AK
THE CAR WAS PARK IN THE DRIVE WAY WHEN IT WAS ON FIRE FOR NO REASON. THE FIRE CAME FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. *AK
IGNITION SWITCH CAUSED FIRE. *DSH
CONSUMER SET CRUISE CONTROL AND IT ACCELERATES, OPEN THE FRONT HOOD AND HOOD ALMOST FELL ON CONSUMER . TT
CONSUMER SET CRUISE CONTROL AND IT ACCELERATES, OPEN THE FRONT HOOD AND HOOD ALMOST FELL ON CONSUMER . TT
FIRE STARTED IN THE STEERING COLUMN, POSSIBLE DUE TO ELECTRICAL SHORT IN IGNITION AREA. TT
PURCHASE CAR USED WAS DRIVING AND CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE . TT
IGNITION SWITCH CAUGHT FIRE AND IGNITED THE VEHICLE. TT
SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF STEERING COLUMN FOLLOWED BY FIRE. *SD
REAR BEARING CAP BROKE. *SD
CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE IN STEERING COLUMN. 1987 LINCOLN CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE SAME PLACE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
MICHELIN TIRE DEVELOPED A BULGE CAUSED BY BELT SEPARATION (P215-70R15-XZ4).
SUDDEN ACCELERATION CAUSED CONSUMER TO HAVE ACCIDENT. TT
THROTTLE CONTROL GRUMMET BROKE CAUSED CLUTCH FAILURE IN TRANSMISSION. TT
DRIVER SEATBELT BUCKLE DOES NOT LOCK IN POSITION. TT
DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AT 65 MPH, AND ROLLOVER SIX TIMES. TT
WHEN STOPPING SHORT THE VEHICLE TENDS TO STALL. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT FAILURE, BUCKLE HAS BROKEN. *AK
PASSENGER AND DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT DO NOT RETRACT. TT
DRIVER'S SIDE SHOULDER/LAP BELT DOES NOT LOCK; NOT CONNECTING AT ALL. TT
HAD ELECTRICAL FIRE IN STEERING COLUMN. TT
STEERING COLUMN FIRE. *SKD