1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR

This has happened to me 3 times in the past 3 months. While driving interstate highway at night and traveling 65 to 70 miles per hr., without any warning or symptoms, the headlights turn off. They then turn on and off a few times and then seem to correct themselves and stay on. This happens on trips after 1 hour or more. Has never occurred on shorter trips under 1 hour. Very dangerous and scary when it is so dark you can't see to pull over off the highway and also worried about vehicles approaching from behind not being able to see you in time. I replaced the headlight switch last week thinking that was the problem, but it happened again last night on my trip back from N.Y.

The contact owns a 1997 Lincoln Town Car. The contact stated while driving at 40 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the front passenger side of the vehicle. The vehicle that crashed into the contact was driving at approximately 55 MPH. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries reported. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The contact had a second accident, and the air bags did not deploy during that incident. The dealer stated that the air bags could not be replaced because the vehicle was an older model, and the VIN was not under a recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 154,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE STEERING ABILITY BECAME LOOSE AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING AT 30 MPH, STEAM EMITTED FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED HOWEVER, THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN AFTER MARKET INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS REPLACED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED BY THE DEALER HOWEVER, THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE REPAIRED THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY WITH AFTERMARKET PARTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT WORK. BULBS OK. REPLACING THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH FIXED PROBLEM.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, IT TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WAS PREMATURE RUST AND CORROSION ON THE BRAKE LINES CAUSING THEM TO FRACTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 98I001000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000. UPDATED 12/10/15*LJ *CN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING AN UNKNOWN RATE OF SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON FURTHER INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE PLASTIC PIECE ASSOCIATED WITH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FRACTURED. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE TEMPERATURE READER AND ADDITIONAL COMPONENTS MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V638000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

MY 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR SIGNATURE SERIES CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED IN THE GARAGE. THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR APPROXIMATELY 48 HOURS PRIOR TO THE FIRE. ABOUT 02:00 HRS ON THE MORNING OF THE 29TH DECEMBER 2014 I WAS WAKENED BY A LOUD POPPING SOUND. WHEN I INVESTIGATED I FOUND MY GARAGE TOTALLY ENGULFED BY FIRE. IT TOOK THE FIRE DEPARTMENT OVER TWO HOURS TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE; FOR IT HAD SPREAD TO THE OTHER VEHICLE PARKED IN THE GARAGE - 2013 JEEP MOAB AND TO ALL OF THE TOOLS AND MATERIALS STORED IN THE GARAGE. THE FIRE MARSHALL AND THE ARSON INVESTIGATOR STATED THAT THE IGNITION POINT FOR THE FIRE WAS UNDER THE HOOD IN THE LINCOLN, ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND CLOSE TO THE FIRE WALL. IT RESULTED IN THE TOTAL LOSS OF BOTH CARS, THE GARAGE STRUCTURE AND ALL CONTENTS OF SAID STRUCTURE. *TR

BALL JOINT SEPARATED FROM CONTROL ARM CAUSING CONTROL ARM TO DROP TO THE GROUND. THE SAME AS YOUR RECALL98V322000 BUT CALLING LINCOLN THEY SAID THAT MY CAR WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. EVEN THOUGH IT DID EXACTLY WHAT THE RECALL SAID. *TR

I WAS TRAVELING AT 9:30 PM WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT FOR ABOUT 45 SECONDS AND THEN CAME BACK ON. TRAVELED ABOUT A MILE, WHEN THEY WENT OUT AGAIN, CAN ON, THEN STARTED RAPIDLY FLASHING. I PULLED OVER AND IT ABOUT A MINUTE BEFORE THEY RETURNED TO NORMAL. THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES THAT NIGHT BEFORE I ARRIVED HOME. THESE HEADLIGHT PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED FIVE TIMES SINCE THE FIRST OCCURRENCE. I RARELY DRIVE AT NIGHT. ..UPDATED 06/26/14 *BF

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE IN ADDITION TO THE BRAKE PEDAL FEELING ABNORMALLY LOOSE. THE CONTACT LATER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE LINE WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

BEGINNING ON A COLD MORNING THE STEERING FELT OFF, LIKE IT NEEDED MORE EFFORT TO TURN AT TIMES. THE STEERING ALSO FAILED TO RETURN TO CENTER ON ITS OWN, INDICATING A POSSIBLE SEIZED UP UNIVERSAL JOINT IN THE STEERING SHAFT. I REMOVED THE STEERING SHAFT AND FOUND THE UNIVERSAL JOINT SEIZED AND VERY DIFFICULT TO MOVE WHICH CAUSED MY DIFFICULT STEERING. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS SAME ISSUE ON NEWER TOWN CARS, WHY DOES THIS NOT COVER MINE? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT ENGINE COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT ENGINE COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM THE INTAKE MANIFOLD, WHICH WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL WERE INOPERATIVE. A LOCAL MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE HORN WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL WERE INOPERATIVE. A LOCAL MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE HORN WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

SON WAS OPERATING THE VEHICLE. AS HE MADE A LEFT TURN, HE HEARD A LOUD CLUNKING SOUND AND THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE CRASHED TO THE GROUND. HAD THE CAR TOWED HOME AND SUBSEQUENTLY TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP THE NEXT DAY. WAS TOLD THAT THE LOWER RIGHT BALL JOINT HAD FAILED, SUBSEQUENTLY SNAPPING THE STABILIZER LINK. THIS HAPPENED IN AUGUST 2010. NOVEMBER 15, 2011, I WAS DRIVING HOME. STOPPED TO AIR UP MY RIGHT REAR TIRE. UPON RE-ENTERING THE VEHICLE AND BACKING OUT, THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE FELL TO THE GROUND. AGAIN, THE RIGHT FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED. THIS TIME, I HAD TO ALSO REPLACE THE RIGHT FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM, RIGHT FRONT STABILIZER LINK, RIGHT FRONT SHOCK AND RIGHT FRONT BALL JOINT. THERE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE 1997 LINCOLN TOWNCAR'S FRONT END. WHEN THE MECHANIC WENT TO INSTALL THE RIGHT LOWER BALL JOINT (WHICH IS A PRESSED FIT) THE BALL JOINT WENT RIGHT IN BY HAND, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS FAULTY. I NOW HAVE A RATTLING SOUND COMING FROM THE LEFT FRONT SIDE. I'M REALLY SCARED TO DRIVE THIS CAR. *KB

SON WAS OPERATING THE VEHICLE. AS HE MADE A LEFT TURN, HE HEARD A LOUD CLUNKING SOUND AND THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE CRASHED TO THE GROUND. HAD THE CAR TOWED HOME AND SUBSEQUENTLY TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP THE NEXT DAY. WAS TOLD THAT THE LOWER RIGHT BALL JOINT HAD FAILED, SUBSEQUENTLY SNAPPING THE STABILIZER LINK. THIS HAPPENED IN AUGUST 2010. NOVEMBER 15, 2011, I WAS DRIVING HOME. STOPPED TO AIR UP MY RIGHT REAR TIRE. UPON RE-ENTERING THE VEHICLE AND BACKING OUT, THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE FELL TO THE GROUND. AGAIN, THE RIGHT FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED. THIS TIME, I HAD TO ALSO REPLACE THE RIGHT FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM, RIGHT FRONT STABILIZER LINK, RIGHT FRONT SHOCK AND RIGHT FRONT BALL JOINT. THERE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE 1997 LINCOLN TOWNCAR'S FRONT END. WHEN THE MECHANIC WENT TO INSTALL THE RIGHT LOWER BALL JOINT (WHICH IS A PRESSED FIT) THE BALL JOINT WENT RIGHT IN BY HAND, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS FAULTY. I NOW HAVE A RATTLING SOUND COMING FROM THE LEFT FRONT SIDE. I'M REALLY SCARED TO DRIVE THIS CAR. *KB

THE OIL PAN RUSTED THROUGH AND CAUSED ALL THE OIL TO LEAK OUT ONTO THE GROUND. THE CRUISE CONTROL COMPUTER KEEPS CAUSING THE CAR TO TAKE OFF OR NOT EVEN WORK AT ALL WHEN U SET IT, WHEN THE CAR TAKES OFF AFTER SETTING IT THE GAS PEDDLE GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND IT WILL NOT DEACTIVATE UNLESS YOU SHUT THE CAR OFF WHILE DRIVING. *TR

THE OIL PAN RUSTED THROUGH AND CAUSED ALL THE OIL TO LEAK OUT ONTO THE GROUND. THE CRUISE CONTROL COMPUTER KEEPS CAUSING THE CAR TO TAKE OFF OR NOT EVEN WORK AT ALL WHEN U SET IT, WHEN THE CAR TAKES OFF AFTER SETTING IT THE GAS PEDDLE GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND IT WILL NOT DEACTIVATE UNLESS YOU SHUT THE CAR OFF WHILE DRIVING. *TR

THE CAR WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY UNATTENDED WITH NO KEY IN THE IGNITION WHEN THE FIRE STARTED. IT HAD BEEN DRIVEN ABOUT 3 HOURS BEFORE WITH NO PROBLEMS. THE FIRE INSPECTOR SAID THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD ON THE LEFT SIDE BUT HE WAS UNABLE TO SAY EXACTLY WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE. AFTER CHECKING ON LINE IT WAS DISCOVERED THE CAR WAS ON A RECALL LIST FOR THE SPEED CONTROL SWITCH WHICH IS LOCATED ON THE LEFT SIDE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO MISFIRE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE MANIFOLD WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. ALSO, ON A SEPARATE OCCASION THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM FRACTURED AND COLLAPSED ONTO THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 137,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO MISFIRE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE MANIFOLD WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. ALSO, ON A SEPARATE OCCASION THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM FRACTURED AND COLLAPSED ONTO THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 137,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE DEALER OF THE FAILURE WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 77,000.

OUR 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR THAT WAS PART OF THE DEACTIVATION SWITCH RECALL BEGAN HONKING AS THE ALARM TRIGGERED ON THE EVENING OF AUGUST 24, 2010 IN OUR GARAGE. AFTER CLEARING THE ALARM SEVERAL TIMES, I INVESTIGATED THE BATTERY VOLTAGE AND ALL WAS WELL. THE ALARM TRIGGERED AGAIN AND I CLEARED IT. AS I CLOSED THE HOOD SMOKE BEGAN TO ESCAPE NEAR THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE CORNER OF THE HOOD. I OPENED THE HOOD AS THE SMOKE SLOWED DOWN. THE CONNECTOR TO THE DEACTIVATION SWITCH WAS VERY WARM AND THE SWITCH HAD BRAKE FLUID ON IT. THE RECALL INSTALLED 20 AMP FUSE HAD NOT OPENED. UPON INVESTIGATION I FOUND THAT THE FUSE IN THE RECALL INSTALLED HARNESS WAS IN THE CIRCUIT BETWEEN THE SWITCH AND THE CRUISE CONTROL INSTEAD OF BETWEEN THE BATTERY AND THE SWITCH. HENCE THE FUSE PROVIDED NO PROTECTION AGAINST THE POTENTIAL FIRE. THANKFULLY I WAS STANDING THERE WHEN IT HAPPENED AND COULD DISCONNECT THE CABLE FROM THE SWITCH. OTHERWISE WE WERE AT RISK OF FIRE THAT COULD HAVE SPREAD TO OUR HOUSE. *TR

1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. 120,000 MILES. SEAT BELT DOES NOT STAY BUCKLED. AND COMES UNDONE WITH SLIGHTEST OF MOVEMENT. *TR

I WAS DRIVING AS USUAL AND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED OR HAD BEEN CRACKING OVER TIME. THE ENGINE MADE A PING NOISE AND THE COOLANT WAS LEAKING DOWN INTO THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IMMEDIATELY. THE MANIFOLD, THERMOSTAT, AND GASKETS HAD TO BE REPAIRED. THE COST FOR THIS REPAIR WAS OVER $1,200.00. *TR

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

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING AT 2 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD SOUND. SECONDS LATER, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY FELL TO THE GROUND. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE BALL JOINT HAD SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. A FEW WEEKS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE MADE A CREAKING SOUND WHENEVER OPERATED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS INFORMED THAT RECALL 98V322000 (SUSPENSION: FRONT: CONTROL ARM: LOWER BALL JOINT) DID NOT INCLUDE HIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 175,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE VEHICLE HAS MICHELIN XW4 TIRES, SIZE 225/60/R16. WHILE EXAMINING HIS VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES WERE DRY ROTTED. THE TIRES WERE TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT ALL OF THEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 33,000.

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

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. WHEN THE HEATER UNIT MODE SELECTOR WAS ACTIVATED, THERE WAS NO POWER RESPONSE. IN ADDITION, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE PANIC ALARM SYSTEM SOUNDED WHEN THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WAS OPENED. THE ALARM WAS TURNED OFF WITH ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURES OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE COST OF THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES HAVE NOT YET BEEN DETERMINED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 48,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHENEVER THE CONTACT DRIVES WITH THE HIGH BEAMS ACTIVATED, THE LIGHTS FLICKER ON AND OFF CONTINUOUSLY UNTIL THEY ARE TURNED OFF. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000. UPDATED 11/19/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED A SWITCH WAS REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. UPDATED 11/19/08. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHENEVER THE CONTACT DRIVES WITH THE HIGH BEAMS ACTIVATED, THE LIGHTS FLICKER ON AND OFF CONTINUOUSLY UNTIL THEY ARE TURNED OFF. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000. UPDATED 11/19/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED A SWITCH WAS REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. UPDATED 11/19/08. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND A LARGE AMOUNT OF WHITE SMOKE EXPELLED FROM THE EXHAUST. THE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND INSPECTED UNDER THE HOOD. HE NOTICED THAT THE COOLANT WAS EXTREMELY LOW AND ALLOWED THE ENGINE TO COOL COMPLETELY. HE THEN ADDED WATER TO THE RADIATOR RESERVOIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND HE STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,000. UPDATED 10-29-08 *BF UPDATED 10/30/08. *JB

1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR- CRUISE CONTROL DEFECT CAUSING ENGINE FIRES. AFTER FIRST HEARING OF THE RECALL I TOOK MY LINCOLN TO SUBURBAN FORD OF WATERFORD,MI. I WAS TOLD THEY HAD NOT YET RECEIVED THE REPLACEMENT PARTS YET, 2 WEEKS LATER I AGAIN WENT BACK AND WAS TOLD THE VERY SAME THING. I WAITED ANOTHER 2 WEEKS, WENT BACK TO SUBURBAN FORD AND WAS TOLD THIS TIME THAT THE REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR THE RECALL WERE BEING RECALLED AND I WOULD AGAIN HAVE TO COME BACK. I FEEL "THIS FORD DEALER JUST DOES NOT WANT TO COMPLY WITH THE RECALL. IT HAS NOW BEEN ABOUT 9 MONTHS SINCE THE FIRST VISIT AND STILL MY CAR HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. CAN YOU HELP? *TR

APPROXIMATELY 1 YEAR AGO I RECEIVED A LETTER PERTAINING TO THE RECALL OF MY LINCOLN # CONCERNING THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH ( SCDS) UPON RECEIVING THE LETTER I IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED COOPER FORD IN CLINTON S.C TO SCHEDULE THE REPAIR, I WAS TOLD BY KATIE , A SERVICE MANAGER "THEY WOULD PUT ME ON THE LIST" THIS WAS THE LAST QUARTER OF LAST YEAR OCT NOV TIME FRAME. UPON NOT HEARING ANYTHING FROM THE DEALERSHIP IN MAR 08 I CALLED AGAIN, A SERVICE MANAGER BRIAN, TOLD ME I WAS STILL ON THE LIST. I HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED BY THE DEALERSHIP SINCE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE VEHICLE HAS MICHELIN WEATHERWISE II TIRES, SIZE P215/70R15 (NA). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED AN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE IN THE TIRES, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SWERVE. HE PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND CALLED AAA. THE TIRE WAS CHANGED AND THE CONTACT DROVE TO A TIRE SHOP TO GET NEW VALVE STEMS. THIS WAS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE OF THIS FAILURE. THE FIRST TIME WAS IN APRIL OF 2007. THE VIN, FAILURE MILEAGE, AND DOT NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE VEHICLE HAS PEP BOYS FUTURA SCRAMBLER A/P TIRES, SIZE 215/75/R15. THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE IS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06T023000 (TIRES:TREAD/BELT). PEP BOYS WILL NOT REPLACE THE TIRE AS STATED IN THE RECALL. THEY STATED THAT ALL DEFECTIVE TIRES HAVE BEEN RECALLED AND NOTHING COULD BE DONE TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,024.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD SUDDENLY CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE MECHANIC AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NORMAL FOR VEHICLES THAT EXCEEDED 100,000 MILES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE MANIFOLD, BUT THEY BELIEVED THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED YEARS AGO. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 108,387 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,950. UPDATED 05/27/08 *BF

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD SUDDENLY CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE MECHANIC AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NORMAL FOR VEHICLES THAT EXCEEDED 100,000 MILES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE MANIFOLD, BUT THEY BELIEVED THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED YEARS AGO. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 108,387 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,950. UPDATED 05/27/08 *BF

1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR WITH SPEED CONTROL RECALL. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DEALER FAILED TO MENTION THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS FOR THE REPAIR AND HE LEFT THE VEHICLE THERE ALL DAY. WHEN HE CAME TO PICK IT THEY INFORMED HIM ABOUT THE PARTS. *KB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A FORD RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL IN AUGUST OF 2007. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT DISCONNECTED BECAUSE HE WAS NOT INFORMED OF THAT OPTION. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE FORD RECALL PARTS WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL JUNE OF 2008. THE CONTACT FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 114,791.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. UPON LEAVING THE DEALER, SHE ATTEMPTED TO ACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. SHE RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL MOTOR BURNED OUT AND A NEW ONE WAS NEEDED AT THE COST OF $300. INITIALLY, THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD PAY HALF; HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 72,014.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL RECALL NOTICE STATED THAT PARTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE NECESSARY REPAIRS TO YOUR VEHICLE. ON 3/14/08 AND 3/17/08 THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THE PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE. THE DEALER DID NOT DISCONNECT THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL SWITCH. THERE ARE NO FAILURES AT THIS TIME. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,000. RK UPDATED04/03/08. *LJ

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A FORD RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL IN AUGUST OF 2007. HE IMMEDIATELY SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE AND DID NOT ADVISE THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE COMPONENT DISCONNECTED. HE RECEIVED A SECOND NOTICE IN FEBRUARY OF 2008 STATING THAT THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. THE NOTICE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD CATCH FIRE WHILE IDLING. THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE UNTIL MARCH OF 2008. HE IS CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE RECALL REPAIRED. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE POWERTRAIN AND RECALL NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE IN AUGUST OF 2007 FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. THE DEALER DISCONNECTED THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL SWITCH. IN MARCH OF 2008, HE RECEIVED A LETTER STATING THAT THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. WHEN HE TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE ONLY COMING IN FIVE AT A TIME PER WEEK, AND THE VEHICLES WOULD BE SERVICED ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE BASIS. HE WAS INFORMED TO CALL EACH MONDAY MORNING TO FIND OUT IF THEY HAVE THE PARTS. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE RECALL NUMBER AND PURCHASE DATE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NOT HAVING THE CRUISE CONTROL FEATURE IS CAUSING HIS GAS MILEAGE TO REDUCE. THE FEATURE WAS DISCONNECTED AS A RESULT OF THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL RECALL. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000. UPDATED 03/26/08. *LJ