1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems

FORD LINCOLN -- TOWN CAR, YEAR MODEL 1997. BRAKE LINE (TUBING) BETWEEN POINT OF DISTRIBUTION FROM MASTER CYLINDER/BOOSTER TO REAR AXLE. ALSO BRAKE LINE BETWEEN REAR WHEELS (FASTENED TO OUTSIDE OF REAR AXLE HOUSING). THIS BRAKE LINE TUBING IS OF INFERIOR METAL COMPOSITION PRONE TO RUSTING IN NORTHERN CLIMATES WHERE WINTER SALT IS SPREAD ON ROAD SURFACES. CASE IN POINT: WHEN THE CAR WAS PARKED ON THE PARKING LOT, EVERYTHING WAS FINE. WHEN CAR WAS RESTARTED AFTER A SHORT DURATION OF BEING PARKED, UPON PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, ALL BRAKE FLUID SQUIRTED ONTO PAVEMENT. ROOT CAUSE: THE CORRODED BRAKE LINE BURST SOMEWHERE, APPROXIMATELY, UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT ON THE ROADSIDE (BOTTOM SIDE) OF THE FLOOR BOARD. THIS NECESSITATES THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE BRAKE LINE TUBING STRETCH (AS PER DESIGN) IN EXCESS OF $1,200, PARTS AND LABOR INCLUDED. THIS BURST OF FLUID COULD HAVE OCCURRED ANYWHERE. SINCE THE INCIDENT OCCURRED AT A TIME AND A PLACE FROM WHERE IT WAS POSSIBLE TO DRIVE THE CAR A SHORT DISTANCE TO ITS HOME PARKING POSITION USING ONLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, WHERE NEEDED, AT A SPEED OF NO HIGHER THAN 10 -15 MPH. A PRIVATE RESEARCH INDICATED THAT THIS PROBLEM IS SOMEWHAT 'COMMON.' SUBSEQUENT INQUIRIES AT DEALERSHIPS VERIFIED THE FACT THAT THERE IS A GOODLY NUMBER OF BRAKE LINE REPLACEMENTS. LABOR TIME EXPENDED IS ABOUT A FULL DAY (A FULL SHIFT). TO THE WRITER OF THIS NOTE IT IS NOT KNOWN HOW MANY SERIOUS ACCIDENTS MIGHT HAVE BEEN ALREADY CAUSED BY THIS INFERIOR QUALITY BRAKE LINE. A SHORT LENGTH OF THE SUBJECT BRAKE LINE COVERED WITH A PLASTIC COATING -- WHEN UNCOVERED TO EXPOSE THE METAL TUBING -- SHOWED THAT TUBING AS IF BRAND NEW, UNAFFECTED BY THE ROAD SALT. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM, AND IT MERITS A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION INCLUDING A RECALL. THE WRITER OF THIS NOTE IS NOT AWARE OF ANY LATER MODELS HAVING THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEM. THAT IS UP TO THE INVESTIGATORS TO FIND OUT. *TR

1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR MULTIPLE BRAKE LINE FAILURES. 2002,2005,2006,2007,2010. DUE TO EXTERNAL RUST. *TR

Mileage: 80,000

LIFE THREATENING COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID BECAUSE OF BRAKE LINE RUPTURES (BOTH SYSTEMS) WHILE APPLYING BRAKES ABRUPTLY TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. BRAKE LINE FAILURE WAS DUE TO USE OF CHEAP UNCOATED STEEL BRAKE LINES THAT WEAKENED OVER THE YEARS DUE TO RUST. FORTUNATELY, THIS BRAKE FAILURE OCCURRED AT 25MPH, JUST MOMENTS AFTER I APPLIED NORMAL BRAKING FROM 65MPH TO PROCEED THROUGH A TOLL BOOTH. IF THIS COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE BRAKING FOR THE TOLL BOOTH MOST LIKELY THIS BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN SEVERE INJURY AND/OR DEATH. THESE INFERIOR UNCOATED BRAKE LINES SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN ALLOWED TO BE INSTALLED IN THIS VITAL SAFETY SYSTEM (BRAKES) IN THE FIRST PLACE . AND NOW ...THEY SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPLACED WITH SUPERIOR BRAKE LINES UNDER A MANUFACTURER RECALL PROGRAM TO PREVENT FUTURE SEVERE COLLISIONS AND LOSS OF LIFE. *TR

Mileage: 150,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE JUMPED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTROL ARM AND LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED. THE BRAKE LINES ALSO FAILED. AS OF OCTOBER 23, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THERE ARE RECALLS FOR THE SUSPENSION: FRONT: CONTROL ARM: LOWER BALL JOINT (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V322000) AND SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: FOUNDATION COMPONENTS: HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98I001000); HOWEVER, THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AS PART OF THE RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 143,000.

Mileage: 90,000

BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO CORRODED AND RUSTED BRAKE LINES. HAD TO REPLACE ALL LINES. CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS OCCURRED AS I ONLY HAVE 75,000 MILES ON MY AUTOMOBILE. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AS I WAS IN THE MOUNTAINS OF TENNESSEE LAST YEAR. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM, NOR HAS ANYONE ELSE WHOM I HAVE SPOKEN TO HAS EVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM, AND NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH ANY AUTOMOBILE THAT I HAVE EVER OWNED. THIS REPAIR WAS COSTING APPROXIMATELY $2,000 TO REPLACE ALL LINES. PLEASE ADVISE. THANK YOU. *AK

Mileage: 75,000

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, WHITE SMOKE WAS OBSERVED COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, ACCOMPANIED BY A SMELL OF BRAKE FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, WHERE THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE STAINLESS STEEL BRAKE PIPING WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND CRACKED. THIS CAUSED BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK FROM BETWEEN THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE ABS SYSTEM. THE BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING ON TO THE ENGINE CAUSING THE SMOKE. THE REPAIR SHOP REPLACED PART OF THE PIPING, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. UPDATED 10/04/06.*JB

Mileage: 76,888

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE ARE NHTSA RECALLS, # 98I001000 AND 01V318000, REGARDING THE SERVICE BRAKES: HYDRAULIC :FOUNDATION COMPONENTS: HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS AND THE AIRBAGS: FRONTAL: DRIVER SIDE INFLATOR MODULE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE SERVICE BRAKES AND THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED. ALSO, THE HORN IS INOPERABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED ABOUT BOTH RECALLS WHO DETERMINED THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS.

Mileage: 100,000

I HAVE A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR THE TWO BRAKE LINES THAT RUN TO THE BACK BRAKES RUSTED OUT, AND I LOST MY STOPPING POWER. THIS SHOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPEN. YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON THEM. I HAD NEW ONES PUT IN AT MY EXPENSE. CAN YOU THINK THAT THEY WOULD PUT CHEAP LINES IN THE LINCOLN THAT COAST 35000 DOLLARS. THEY DID. *JB

Mileage: 97,000

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A BRAKE LINE PROBLEM. THERE IS INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE LINE AND THE UNDERBODY FRONT FLOOR PAN ASSEMBLY. THIS HAS CAUSED EXCESSIVE WEAR TO THE BRAKE LNE RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND AND INCREASING THE BRAKING DISTANCE. *AK *BF *NM

Mileage: 108,600

THE VEHICLE WAS PULLING OUT OF THE GARAGE WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN ALL THE BRAKE FLUID SPILLED, CAUSING THE BRAKES NOT OPERATE. TAKEN TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS.*AK

ABS BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT ONE OF THE CONNECTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED ON EACH WHEEL AND ONE ON THE MASTER CYLINDER.*AK

Mileage: 33,500

1997 LINCLON TOWN CAR REAR BRAKE LINE FAILURE DUE TO CORROSION. VEHICLE IS NOW IN REPAIR SHOP.*AK

WHILE DRIVING ON SUNDAY, WENT TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR - ALSO NOTICED THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. CHECKED THE FLUID AND FOUND IT ALMOST GONE. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER ON MONDAY AND WAS TOLD THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED AND NEEDED REPLACING. WAS ALSO TOLD MY FORD EXTENDED WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER THE PROBLEM SINCE IT WAS CAUSED BY RUST/CORROSION. *NLM REFERENCED IN RQ03-004

Mileage: 64,302

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE'S BRAKE LINE FAILED WHICH RESULTED IN THE CONSUMER VEHICLE REAR ENDING ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *NLM REFERENCED IN RQ03-004

Mileage: 76,000

WHEN BRAKES WAS APPLIED THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE OWNER HAD THE BRAKES CHECKED OUT WHICH INFORMED HIM THE BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED AND ALLOWED BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK OUT. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *MR REFERENCED IN RQ03-004

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN TRYING TO APPLY THE BRAKES THEY CAN HEAR A LOUD NOISE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL GO TO THE FLOOR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER NOTIFIED. NLM

OWNER ATTEMPTED TO PULL OUT ONTO A MAJOR ROAD AND BRAKE PEDAL DESCENDED TO FLOOR. OWNER NOTICED THAT ALL FLUID HAD RUN OUT ONTO THE GROUND. A STEEL BRAKE LINE THAT RAN PARALLEL WITH GAS LINE HAD RUSTED THROUGH. *AK *YH REFERENCED IN RQ03-004

CONSUMER HAD FRONT BRAKE PADS REPLACED AND FRONT BRAKE ROTORS MACHINED, 4 MONTHS LATER WHILE DRIVING, BRAKES FAILED, DEALER STATES BRAKE LINES TOTOALLY RUSTED OUT LEAVING THE VEHICLE WITH NO BRAKING CAPACITY. *SLC REFERENCED IN RQ03-004

WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER WENT TO APPLY BRAKES TO STOP AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND WAS INFORMED BRAKE LINES HAD CORRODED AND NEEDED REPLACING.*AK. CONSUMER ASLO HAD THE FRONT BRAKES REPLACED.*SLC REFERENCED IN RQ03-004

WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER WENT TO APPLY BRAKES TO STOP AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND WAS INFORMED BRAKE LINES HAD CORRODED AND NEEDED REPLACING.*AK. CONSUMER ASLO HAD THE FRONT BRAKES REPLACED.*SLC REFERENCED IN RQ03-004

DURING INSPECTION, A REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THAT BRAKE LINE HAD BEEN RUBBING AGAINST CHASSIS, CAUSING BRAKE LINE TO RUPTURE. *AK CONSUMER WAS INFORMED OF A RECALL REGARDING THIS, HOWEVER IT IS FOR THE LIMOUSINE MODEL ONLY. *JB REFERENCED IN RQ03-004

WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 10 AND 15 MPH ON WET PAVEMENT AND MAKING A TURN, VEHICLE MADE A "CLUNKING" NOISE, AND ABS SYSTEM LOCKED UP, CAUSING VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE RIGHT AND GO OFF THE ROAD. THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THIS INCIDENT, AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. DEALERSHIP EXAMINED VEHICLE, AND STATED THAT ABS SYSTEM HAD NO PROBLEMS, AND THIS WAS CONSIDERED TO BE NORMAL OPERATION. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS. *AK THE WINDSHIELD GASKET IS SPLITTING ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE GLASS, THE FRONT DOOR WONT OPEN AT TIMES WITH THE REMOTE, THE FRONT EDGE OF THE VINYL TOP IS COMING LOOSE. NLM

TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKES. *AK

AN EXTREMELY STRONG MILDEW ODOR IS COMING FROM THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT, CAUSING PASSENGERS TO BECOME ILL. DEALER STATES ODOR IS DUE TO COIL WHICH IS TOO TIGHT AROUND AIR CONDITIONER, PREVENTING WATER TO ESCAPE, AND CAUSING MILDEW ODOR. *AK EMERGENCY BRAKE SHOES WERE REPLACED. BRAKES SQUEAL, DEALER HAS REPLACED FRONT BRAKE PADS, RESURFACED ROTORS, LUBED CALIPER SLIDES, REPLACED REAR BRAKE PADS, MACHINED REAR ROTORS, HOWEVER BRAKES STILL SQUEAL. BOTH REAR WHEELS WERE COVERED WITH GEAR LUBE. DRIVERS SHOULDER BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT AT TIMES, DEALER REPLACED SEAT BELT. NOISE AND THIMPING FELT IN STEERING WHEN MAKING TURNS, DEALER LUBED STOPS. LEFT FRONT WINDOW INOPERABLE, DEALER REPLACED WINDOW REGULATER. FRONT ROOF WELT LOOSE AND BROKEN, DEALER REPLACED. FRONT DOOR PULL TRIM MISSING. BLEND DOORS INOPERABLE, WILL NOT BLOW AIR THROUGH DEFROST VENT. ASH TRAY WILL NOT CLOSE. AC/HEATER EMITS A MUSTY/MOLDY ODOR, THE ODOR NOT ONLY PERMEATES THE PASSENGER, BUT IS ALSO IN THE TRUNK,THERE IS NO CONDENSATION BEING RELEASED BY THE AC, MANY THINGS ALONG WITH THE MOISTURE PURGE MODULE HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS, SYSTEM HAS BEEN SANITIZED SEVERAL TIMES, AC MAX BUTTON DOES NOT WORK. MOTOR GOES ON 45 MINUTES AFTER VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF, THIS BLOWS THROUGH THE FRONT DEFROSTER AND STEAMS UP THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. DOOR HANDLE IS INOPERABLE. VINYL TRIM AT TOP OF CONSOLE IS LOOSE. ENGINE STALLED AT STOPS WHEN COLD, DEALER REPLACED MAF AND FUEL PUMP. *SLC

WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE. BRAKE LINES ARE ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER. *AK REFERENCED IN RQ03-004

WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE. BRAKE LINES ARE ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER. *AK REFERENCED IN RQ03-004

WARPED ROTORS CAUSE VEHICLE TO PULSATE AND SHUDDER WHENEVER THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED UNDER LOAD, FROM HIGHER SPEEDS AND DOWN HILLS. NLM

HEAVY BRAKE PULSATION REQUIRED 5 COMPLETE BRAKE JOBS IN 30000 MI, PULSATION DEVELOPS WITHIN 3000 MI AFTER EACH REPAIR. APPEALS TO PRESIDENT LINC-MERCURY EITHER GO UNANSWERED OR BRUSHED OFF WITH "THAT'S NORMAL" FOR LINCOLNS, THE PULSATIONS CAUSE ME EVEN TO HESTITATE TO APPLY THE BRAKES, SO IT IS VERY DANGEROUS.

BRAKES PAD MAKE NOISE, THE ROTOR CAUSE THE VIBRATION. YH

BRAKES PAD MAKE NOISE, THE ROTOR CAUSE THE VIBRATION. YH

LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE, DROPPING VEHICLE TO THE GROUND, AND CONSUMER LOST POWER STEERING. ALSO, WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES, BRAKES FAILED DUE TO A BROKEN BRAKE LINE. *AK CONSUMER STATED CARBURETOR IS STUCK CAUSING ENGINE TO RACE AT HIGH RPM, INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED CAUSING ENGINE DAMAGE. *JB

STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION DURING HARD BRAKING. THREE DIFFERENT DEALERS HAVE ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR A TOTAL OF 4 TIMES: INCLUDING TURNING ROTORS, REPLACING ALL ROTORS AND ALL PADS. *AK

STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION DURING HARD BRAKING. THREE DIFFERENT DEALERS HAVE ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR A TOTAL OF 4 TIMES: INCLUDING TURNING ROTORS, REPLACING ALL ROTORS AND ALL PADS. *AK

BRAKES SQUEAL. MJS

ANTILOCK BRAKES MAKES MINOR NOISE. YH

ABS SYSTEM FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE TO SPIN OUT AND TIRE BLOWOUT, LOSS OF CONTROL RESULTING IN ACCIDENT ( NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAGS DURING COLLISION AND SEAT BELTS DID NOT RESTRAINT PROPERLY), INJURIES DUE TO DEFECTS. YH

THE BRAKING SYSTEM HAS GIVEN PROBLEMS FOR APPROXIMATELY THE LAST 1000 MILES OR SO. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR 3 TIMES, AND HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE SERVICE PERSONNEL THAT I HAVE TO STAND ON THE PEDAL TO STOP. WHEN THE BRAKES ARE USED FOR A WHILE THEY TEND TO NOT STOP THE CAR, BUT RATHER LET THE CAR GLIDE TO A STOP, AND THUS MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO KNOW HOW MUCH DISTANCE TO LEAVE BETWEEN MYSELF AND OTHER VEHICLES, AND PEDESTRIANS. I HAVE COME CLOSE ON AT LEAST 5 OCCASSIONS TO EITHER HITTING OTHER CARS OR PEDESTRIANS. THE SERVICE PERSONNEL FIRST SAID THEY REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS, AND THAT THE ROTORS WERE WARPED. I THEN TOOK IT IN AGAIN, AND THEY REPLACED AN ABS SENSOR, NEXT TIME THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT, AND THUS UNPREDICTABLE, AND POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING. THE SERVICE TECHNICIANS FIND PROBLEMS PART OF THE TIME, AND AT OTHERS THEY DON'T. THE PEDAL WILL PUSH COMPLETELY UPWARD AT TIMES, AND IN ESSENCE THE VEHICLE COASTS TO A STOP, AND IS DANGEROUS.

WHEN APPLYING THE ABS BRAKES THE PEDAL GOES 1 INCH TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER CANNOT IDENTIFY ANY PROBLEM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES BADLY. THIS CONDITION IS WORSE WHEN IT IS RAINING. THE DEALER NOT ABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

BRAKES FAIL CONTINUALLY.

WHEN CONSUMER IS DRIVING AT ANY SPEED BELOW 45MPH THERE IS A HIGH PITCH SQUEALING SOUND COMING FROM BRAKES WHENEVER APPLIED. IF DRIFTING BACKWARDS, TAPPING BRAKES VERY LIGHTLY THE NOISE STARTS, AND SOMETIMES IT WON'T. CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM SINCE DAY OF PURCHASE. CALLED DEALER AND THEY LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE , BUT NO REPAIRS.

VEHICLE SHAKES AND SHIMMIES. DEALER REPLACED ALL FOUR SHOCK ABSORBERS AND CONTROL ARMS/POWER STEERING HOSES AND FRONT BRAKE ROTORS.

BRAKE ROTORS FAILED, CAUSING UNEVEN BRAKING WITH VIBRATION.