Model year record

1990 Lincoln Town CAR

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

Lincoln Town CAR, 1990–1997 generation
Pictured: the 1990–1997 generation. Cutlass, CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

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 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.

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.

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.

Other Lincoln Town CAR model years

All Lincoln Town CAR recalls by year

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.