The Lincoln Town Car is a full-size, rear-wheel-drive V8 sedan, sold for decades and widely used as a limousine and livery car. This guide covers the 1990 to 2011 model years. The early 1990s cars draw many fire complaints, the 1996 and 1997 draw engine complaints, and the last few years draw very few complaints.
This guide ranks each Town Car model year using NHTSA complaints and recalls and our years to avoid methodology. In short: avoid the 1990, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997 and 2003, and look for a 2008 to 2011 car if you can.
Related: Mercury Grand Marquis years to avoid, Cadillac DTS years to avoid, Lincoln MKZ years to avoid.
How we rated the best and worst Lincoln Town Car years
We put the most weight on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, and every count in this guide comes from NHTSA’s complaint and recall records.
Several Town Car recalls cover only limousine conversions, fleet cars or aftermarket replacement parts, so a high recall count does not always apply to a regular Town Car. The older cars have also had far more time to collect complaints than the newer ones.
Every Lincoln Town Car model year ranked
| Model year | Verdict | NHTSA complaints | NHTSA recalls | Most-reported components |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Avoid | 209 | 4 | Electrical system, engine, latches/locks/linkages |
| 1991 | Caution | 155 | 5 | Service brakes, engine, vehicle speed control |
| 1992 | Avoid | 249 | 4 | Electrical system, engine, vehicle speed control |
| 1993 | Avoid | 176 | 4 | Electrical system, vehicle speed control, service brakes |
| 1994 | Caution | 155 | 5 | Engine, service brakes, vehicle speed control |
| 1995 | Caution | 165 | 9 | Service brakes, suspension, electrical system |
| 1996 | Avoid | 259 | 10 | Engine, vehicle speed control, service brakes |
| 1997 | Avoid | 314 | 8 | Engine, suspension, service brakes |
| 1998 | Caution | 154 | 8 | Engine, service brakes, suspension |
| 1999 | Caution | 148 | 6 | Air bags, suspension, visibility |
| 2000 | Caution | 108 | 9 | Electrical system, air bags, engine |
| 2001 | Caution | 161 | 6 | Air bags, vehicle speed control, visibility |
| 2002 | Good | 65 | 1 | Air bags, vehicle speed control, service brakes |
| 2003 | Avoid | 201 | 1 | Suspension, power train, vehicle speed control |
| 2004 | Good | 83 | 0 | Vehicle speed control, steering, structure |
| 2005 | Caution | 119 | 3 | Vehicle speed control, service brakes, air bags |
| 2006 | Caution | 143 | 2 | Air bags, seat belts, vehicle speed control |
| 2007 | Good | 84 | 3 | Vehicle speed control, steering, service brakes |
| 2008 | Good | 20 | 3 | Service brakes, vehicle speed control, electrical system |
| 2009 | Best | 5 | 3 | Engine, vehicle speed control, air bags |
| 2010 | Best | 13 | 3 | Steering, electrical system, seats |
| 2011 | Best | 6 | 3 | Steering, air bags, seat belts |
Most common Lincoln Town Car problems
These are the problems that show up most in NHTSA complaints and recall campaigns.
1. Fires (1990 to 1998)
The 1990 has 64 complaints that report a fire, the 1992 has 93 and the 1993 has 56. Many describe a fire under the hood, and some started while the car was parked. Campaign 99V124 covers certain 1992 and 1993 cars, and campaign 07V336 covers certain 1992 to 1998 cars, where the speed control deactivation switch can short or leak and overheat, which could cause an underhood fire.
2. Cracked intake manifolds (1996 and 1997)
Engine is the most-reported component overall, with 461 complaints, and the 1996 and 1997 have 90 and 92 of them. Most describe the plastic intake manifold cracking and leaking coolant, which can make the engine overheat. There is no Town Car recall for the intake manifold in NHTSA data.
3. Sudden acceleration and surging
Vehicle speed control has 425 complaints across nearly every model year, with the most on the 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997 and 2005. Owners describe the car surging or accelerating when coming to a stop or with a foot on the brake.
4. Airbag and restraint warnings (1999 to 2002 and 2005 to 2006)
The 2001 has 54 airbag complaints and the 2006 has 58. Several 2001 complaints describe an airbag deploying with no crash, and campaigns 00V270 and 00V412 cover certain 2001 cars with restraint control module problems. Many 2006 complaints describe the airbag and seat belt warning light staying on, often traced to the driver’s seat belt tensioner. There is no Town Car recall for the 2006 warning light in NHTSA data.
5. Brakes, steering and suspension
Service brakes have 427 complaints, the most on the 1995, 1991 and 1997. Campaigns 94V129 and 94V152 cover certain 1994 cars with brake pedal and rear brake hardware that could cause a loss of braking. Campaign 13V385 covers certain 2005 to 2011 cars registered or sold in states named in the recall, where the lower steering shaft bearing can separate, and campaign 14V704 covers certain 2005 to 2011 cars where an incorrectly serviced steering shaft could separate. Campaign 07V270 covers certain 2007 cars with a front wheel hub that may fracture.
Which Lincoln Town Car years to avoid
Avoid: 1990, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997 and 2003
The 1990, 1992 and 1993 have the most fire complaints, and the 1990 to 1992 also have hood latch recalls (95V091, 91V147 and 95V151) for a hood that could open while driving. The 1997 has 314 complaints and the 1996 has 259, the most of any year, led by intake manifold failures. The 2003 has 201 complaints, many about rear axle bearings and campaign 04V328, which covers certain 2003 fleet cars where overloaded wheel bearings could lead to an axle shaft fracture.
Caution: 1991, 1994, 1995, 1998 to 2001, 2005 and 2006
These years each have more than 100 complaints. The 1995 has the most brake complaints, the 1999 to 2001 draw airbag complaints, and the 2005 and 2006 draw surging and restraint warning complaints.
What is the best Lincoln Town Car year
The 2009 to 2011 are the best Town Car years in NHTSA data, with 5, 13 and 6 complaints. Their 3 recalls are the two steering shaft campaigns and one that covers only some limousines. The 2008 is also a good choice, with 20 complaints.
Lincoln Town Car pre-purchase checklist
- Run the VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm every open recall is complete, including the steering shaft recalls on a 2005 to 2011 car.
- Ask whether the car was a livery or limousine car, and check its service records.
- On a 1996 to 2001 car, check the intake manifold for coolant leaks or a replacement record.
- Check that the airbag and seat belt warning light goes off after start-up.
- On a test drive, watch for surging when you brake or come to a stop.
- Have a mechanic inspect the brakes, steering and suspension before you buy.
Better alternatives to consider
If you want a large, comfortable sedan, these models are worth comparing. Check the years to avoid for each one before you shop.
Is the Lincoln Town Car reliable
The Town Car has a mixed NHTSA record. The early 1990s cars have many fire complaints, and the 1996 and 1997 have many engine complaints. The last Town Cars, from 2008 to 2011, have very few complaints, and they are the best buys if you find one in good condition.
Frequently asked questions
What years did Lincoln make the Town Car?
The Town Car was sold until the 2011 model year. This guide covers the 1990 to 2011 model years.
What is the most common problem with the Lincoln Town Car?
Engine problems are the most-reported component in NHTSA complaints, with 461, led by cracked intake manifolds on the 1996 and 1997.
What gas mileage does the Lincoln Town Car get?
The Town Car is rated at 17 to 20 mpg combined, depending on the year. See fueleconomy.gov for each version.
Which Lincoln Town Car years should you avoid?
Avoid the 1990, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997 and 2003 Town Car. They have the most NHTSA complaints. The 2009 to 2011 are the best years.