Model year record

1990 Lincoln Town CAR

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 267 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V322000

Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint

Component
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
175,000
Reported to NHTSA
1998-12-16
Owners notified
1999-01-18

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN 1996-1999 FORD CROWN VICTORIA POLICE, FLEET, NATURAL GAS, AND 1996-1999 LINCOLN TOWN CAR LIMOUSINE VEHICLES THAT WERE PRODUCED WITH A LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CONTAINING A ONE PIECE BEARING; AND 1990-1996 FORD CROWN VICTORIA POLICE, FLEET, AND NGV VEHICLES AND 1990-1996 LINCOLN TOWN CAR LIMOUSINE VEHICLES THAT HAVE BEEN SERVICED WITH EITHER A BALL JOINT CONTAINING THE ONE-PIECE BEARING OR A FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM CONTAINING A BALL JOINT WITH A ONE-PIECE BEARING. THE ONE-PIECE BEARING WITHIN THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CAN WEAKEN SLOWLY DURING USE AND EVENTUALLY CRACK. THIS COULD RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE BALL AND CAP OF THE JOINT, ALLOWING THE CONTROL ARM TO DROP TO THE GROUND.

Safety risk

IF THIS OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING, REDUCED STEERING CONTROL COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS (2).

Recall campaignNHTSA 95V091000

Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch

Component
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
142,800
Reported to NHTSA
1995-05-16
Owners notified
1995-08-11

Defect description

CORROSION OF THE HOOD LATCH STRIKER PLATE CAUSES DETACHMENT OF THE PLATE FROM THE HOOD ASSEMBLY RESULTING IN AN UNEXPECTED OPENING OF THE HOOD WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION CAN REDUCE THE DRIVER'S VIEW OF THE ROAD INCREASING THE POTENTIAL OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HOOD INNER PANEL REINFORCEMENT AND A NEW, GALVANIZED HOOD LATCH STRIKER PLATE.

Recall campaignNHTSA 90V134000

Equipment: other: labels

Component
Equipment: other: labels
Manufacturer
LIMOUSINE WERKS, INC.
Vehicles affected
158
Reported to NHTSA
1990-07-27
Owners notified
1990-12-05

Defect description

GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATINGS AND TIRE INFORMATION MAY BE INCORRECT ON LABELS.

Safety risk

VEHICLES WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH 49 CFR PART 567.

Manufacturer remedy

INSTALL REVISED CERTIFICATION LABELS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 90V133000

Equipment: other: labels

Component
Equipment: other: labels
Manufacturer
LIMOUSINE WERKS, INC.
Vehicles affected
158
Reported to NHTSA
1990-07-27
Owners notified
1990-12-05

Defect description

TIRE PLACARD MAY CONTAIN INCORRECT GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATINGS AND TIRE INFORMATION.

Safety risk

LIMOUSINES WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 110 AND CONSUMERMIGHT UNKNOWINGLY OVERLOAD THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF PLACARD MISINFORMATION.

Manufacturer remedy

INSTALL REVISED TIRE PLACARDS.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline24
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch20160,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood18101,000 mi
Vehicle speed control15
Air bags: frontal11
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator11118,000 mi
Unknown or other11
Electrical system: ignition: switch10
Electrical system: wiring8
Electrical system740,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine798,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components6
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash5
Electrical system: ignition4
Electrical system: starter assembly4
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery4
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly4
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip4
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar4
Structure: frame and members4
Suspension: rear4
Visibility: power window devices and controls4
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor4
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery3
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist3
Steering: hydraulic power assist system3
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly3
Structure: body3
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer3
Electrical system: ignition: module2
Fuel system, gasoline2
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system2
Power train: automatic transmission2
Seats2
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)2
Structure: body: hood2
Structure: body: trunk lid2
Suspension: rear: springs: air suspension system2
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system2
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module1
Electrical system: horn1
Electrical system: starter assembly: solenoid1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1
Equipment: electrical1
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift1
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch1
Exterior lighting: headlights1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump1
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1
Interior lighting1
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1100,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock1
Parking brake: driveline: hydraulic: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Power train1
Power train: axle assembly1
Seats: front assembly: power adjust1
Seats: front assembly: recliner1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1101,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum1
Structure: body: door1
Structure: body: hood: hinge and attachments1
Suspension: front: control arm: upper arm1
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint1
Suspension: rear: springs: leaf spring assembly1
Tires1
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1
Visibility: glass, side/rear1
Visibility: windshield1

The 1989 model has 3 times as many complaints as this one. The 1991 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.