1989 LINCOLN TOWN CAR

5 recalls — 50 complaints

96V071000 Apr 25, 1996
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
7,900,000 vehicles affected
90V133000 Jul 27, 1990
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
TIRE PLACARD MAY CONTAIN INCORRECT GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATINGS AND TIRE INFORMATION.
Remedy: INSTALL REVISED TIRE PLACARDS.
158 vehicles affected
90V134000 Jul 27, 1990
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATINGS AND TIRE INFORMATION MAY BE INCORRECT ON LABELS.
Remedy: INSTALL REVISED CERTIFICATION LABELS.
158 vehicles affected
90V093000 May 9, 1990
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIMOUSINES BUILT BY EMPIRE COACH. VEHICLE ALTERERS LABEL MAY BE MISSING OR INCOMPLETE.
Remedy: ADD COMPLIANCE LABEL.
544 vehicles affected
90V050000 Mar 6, 1990
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
SAFETY BELTS (TYPE 1 LAP BELTS) FOR REAR FACING SEATS WERE NOT INSTALLED.
Remedy: INSTALL SAFETY BELTS FOR REAR FACING SEATS.
223 vehicles affected
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION Jul 26, 2011
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 CONSUMER LEARNED A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR THE PROBLEM, BUT THE PREVIOUS OWNERS WERE NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WHEN THEY SOLD THE VEHICLE TO THE CONSUMERS BROTHER-IN-LAW. *JB
EXTERIOR LIGHTING Apr 2, 2010
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 BULB INSTEAD OF REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 500,800.
SUSPENSION:REAR Jul 13, 2004
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH REAR SUSPENSION FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE REAR END DROPPED AT LEAST ONE FOOT TO THE GROUND. *AK
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION Jun 8, 2004
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 CONSUMER HAD TO PAY TO HAVE THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THIS FAILURE IS A FACTORY DEFECT. THE TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT THEY WERE REPLACING THE PLASTIC CAPS WITH BRASS CLIPS. THE CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE COST TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. *NM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING Oct 24, 2003
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 CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM MAY HAVE BEEN THE WIRING HARNESS. *JB *NLM
Fire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH Jul 3, 2002
CONSUMER STATES THAT IT IS HARD TO START UP VEHICLE DUE TO THE IGNITION SWITCH. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.*JB
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR Jun 25, 2002
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
Crash 1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR Jun 18, 2002
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
Crash 2 injured
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT May 29, 2002
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
Fire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE May 21, 2002
POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE RESULTED IN FIRE UNDER THE HOOD (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). NLM
Fire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION May 14, 2002
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 OUT INTO PIECES, NOW THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH HAS BEEN REPLACED THE AIR CONDITIONER WORKS WHEN IT HAD QUIT A COUPLE WEEKS PRIOR, CONSUMER IS NOW AWARE OF RECALL 96V071 AND FEELS THIS RECALL WAS THE CAUSE OF THESE PROBLEMS. *SLC
SEAT BELTS May 14, 2002
CONSUMER STATES THERE WAS NO TETHER FOR CHILD CAR SEAT. *TT
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS Feb 28, 2002
REAR DRIVER SIDE AND FRONT PASSENGER WINDOWS FAILED. *TT
SEAT BELTS Feb 28, 2002
CONSUMER STATES THERE WAS NO TETHER FOR CHILD CAR SEAT. *TT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION Oct 2, 2001
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 OUT INTO PIECES, NOW THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH HAS BEEN REPLACED THE AIR CONDITIONER WORKS WHEN IT HAD QUIT A COUPLE WEEKS PRIOR, CONSUMER IS NOW AWARE OF RECALL 96V071 AND FEELS THIS RECALL WAS THE CAUSE OF THESE PROBLEMS. *SLC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD Aug 28, 2001
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Fire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION Aug 16, 2001
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 THAT WOULDN'T BE THE PROBLEM. ENROUTE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR EITHER THE 3D OR 4TH TIME AND TOTALLED THE AUTOMOBILE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO KEEP IT FROM STALLING. MY FAULT BUT I SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN FIGHTING THE CAR AND GOING TO THE DEALER IN THE FIRST PLACE. MY FATHER HAS A 1985 CONTINENTAL WITH ONLY 30K MILES. SAME PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION MODULE WHICH HE JUST REPLACED. JUST HEARD THAT FORD KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM THE WHOLE TIME. OF COURSE I CAN'T PROVE NOW THE MODULE WAS BAD SINCE THE CAR WAS TOTALLED GOING BACK TO THE DEALER. I JUST WANTED TO ADD MY 2 CENTS.*AK
Crash
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY Mar 1, 2001
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 LITERALLY SAVED MY LIFE, I RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP ON FEB. 8, 2001. AFTER A SERVICE MAN CHECKED BOTH FRONT SEAT BELTS HE STATED THEY WERE BOTH MALFUNCTIONING. I SPOKE TO A PHIL LOWE WHO TOLD ME HE'D CONTACT ME LATER IN THE DAY. THAT AFTERNOON MR.LOWE CALLED ME AND SIMPLY STATED "THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO FOR ME." THEREFORE, BECAUSE I WAS LIED TO TEN YEARS EARLIER WHEN I WAS TOLD THE BELTS WERE FINE, I'VE BEEN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WITHOUT THE BENEFIT OF A SEAT BELT EVEN THOUGH I FAITHFULLY "BUCKLED UP."*AK
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES Feb 26, 2001
VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATES AND WILL NOT STOP UNTIL IS TURNED OFF.*AK
POWER TRAIN Jan 23, 2001
THE ODOMETER MILES ARE NOT ACCURATE, IT IS READING MORE MILEAGE THAN WHAT THE CONSUMER IS PUTTING ON THE VEHICLE. *SLC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP Jan 12, 2001
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
Crash 2 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Jan 12, 2001
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
Crash 2 injured
TIRES:SIDEWALL Nov 14, 2000
SIDEWALL OF FIRESTONE (215/70R15) TIRE BLEWOUT WHILE DRIVNG, CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT. NLM *TS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION Oct 12, 2000
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
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP Aug 21, 2000
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.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Aug 21, 2000
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.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Jun 23, 2000
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 FOR MY CAR. WAS A RECALL EVER ISSUED? OTHER LINCOLN OWNERS I SPOKE WITH SEEMED TO THINK SO? NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR Apr 11, 2000
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK
Fire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH Feb 17, 2000
VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE NEAR STEERING WHEEL, UNDER THE DASH DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. DEALER HAS VEHICLE. *AK *ML
Fire
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Aug 25, 1999
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 $1,000. FOR THIS REPAIR AND THERE WAS IMPROVEMENT FOR THREE OR FOUR MONTHS, THEN THE PROBLEM REOCCURRED AND CONTINUES TODAY.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR Jul 30, 1999
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
Fire
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Jun 9, 1999
WHILE DRIVING CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED UNEXPECTEDLY, CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION AND VIN#. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE Apr 29, 1999
AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR ABOUT AN HOUR, ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. MANUFDCTURER NOTIFIED. *AK
Fire
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Feb 17, 1999
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
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Jan 21, 1999
TRANSMISSION FAILED, CAUSING HESITATION AND NEAR STALLING.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH Jan 13, 1999
ELECTRICAL: IGNITION SWITCH RECALL#96V071000. HAVING SAME PROBLEM, BUT THIS CAR IS NOT IN THE RECALL. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH Nov 27, 1998
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. DEALER/MFR WAS NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. *AK
Fire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH Oct 14, 1998
IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE RESULTING IN VEHICLE FIRE.
Fire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING Oct 6, 1998
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. *AK
Fire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING Aug 5, 1998
ENGINE FIRE.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE Mar 23, 1998
SEAT BELT SHOULDER HARNESS ON BOTH FRONT SEATS FAILED.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE Mar 23, 1998
SEAT BELTS WOULD NOT UNLOCK.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR Mar 20, 1998
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
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Oct 9, 1997
GAS PEDAL STUCK WHEN DRIVER WAS LEAVING GARAGE, THE VEHICLE WENT THROUGH THE GARAGE AND INTO NEIGHBORS YARD, CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION Sep 23, 1997
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
Fire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH Aug 21, 1997
RECALL REPAIR ON IGNITION SWITCH FAILED, CAUSING SMOKE AND SPARKS.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH Aug 21, 1997
RECALL REPAIRS ON IGNITION SWITCH NOT PERFORMED DUE TO A PROBLEM WITH DEALERSHIP.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR Aug 12, 1997
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 REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. *AK *SLC
Fire
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Jun 27, 1997
SUDDEN ACCELERATION. (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Jun 27, 1997
ELECTRICAL FIRE.
Fire