Known Recalls

Model year record

1998 Lincoln Town CAR

7 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 194 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 07V336000

Vehicle speed control

Component
Vehicle speed control
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
3,600,000
Reported to NHTSA
2007-08-03
Owners notified
2007-08-13

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Safety risk

THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V356000

Tires

Component
Tires
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
10,000
Reported to NHTSA
2000-12-12
Owners notified
2001-01-10

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN LIMOUSINES STRETCHED OVER 60 INCHES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 109, "NEW PNEUMATIC TIRES," AND NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS."

Safety risk

THE VEHICLE WEIGHT COULD EXCEED THE MAXIMUM LOAD RATING FOR THE TIRE, INCREASING THE RISK OF PREMATURE TIRE WEAR OR BLOWOUT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE ALL 5 TIRES (INCLUDING THE SPARE TIRE) WITH MICHELIN TIRES (225/70R16 107T REINFORCED WHITE SIDEWALL) WITH A SUFFICIENTLY HIGHER LOAD RATING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 10, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-248-0186.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V200000

Equipment: mechanical: integrated jack/leveler/stabilizer

Component
Equipment: mechanical: integrated jack/leveler/stabilizer
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
875,000
Reported to NHTSA
2000-07-18
Owners notified
2000-08-03

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES HAVE JACKING INSTRUCTIONS WHICH, IF FOLLOWED, COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE OPERATOR TO PLACE THE JACK ON A FRAME WELD WHEN ATTEMPTING TO RAISE A REAR WHEEL. IF THE VEHICLE IS JACKED UP WITH THE JACK PLACED ON THE FRAME WELD AND IF THE VEHICLE IS FREE TO ROLL (WHEELS NOT BLOCKED OR CHOCKED), THE JACK COULD YIELD AND THE VEHICLE MAY DROP SUDDENLY.

Safety risk

IF THIS OCCURS AND ANY PORTION OF THE OPERATOR'S BODY IS UNDER THE VEHICLE, THE POTENTIAL FOR PERSONAL INJURY EXISTS.

Manufacturer remedy

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A REVISED JACK INSTRUCTION AND STOWAGE CARD AND JACK WARNING LABEL, AS WELL AS A SUPPLEMENT TO THE OWNER GUIDE.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V157001

Seat belts: front: anchorage

Component
Seat belts: front: anchorage
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
1,167
Reported to NHTSA
2000-06-12
Owners notified
2000-09-28

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES USING AFTERMARKET DRIVER'S SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE SOLD BY FORD PARTS DEPARTMENTS FROM JANUARY 1, THROUGH JUNE 13, 2000. THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THE EQUIPMENT INVOLVED IS SERVICE STOCK SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES, MODEL NOS. H 9977, H 9979, T 9063, AND T 9217, BUILT BY TRW VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEMS, INC. (TRW) MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 1, 1998 THROUGH MAY 21, 2000. SOME OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED AS SERVICE REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT ON THE VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THE RECALL.

Safety risk

IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, THESE SEAT BELTS MAY NOT RESTRAIN AN OCCUPANT INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES AND REPLACE THE SERVICE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE INSTALLED IN THESE VEHICLES FROM JANUARY 1 THROUGH JUNE 13, 2000.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V157002

Seat belts: front: anchorage

Component
Seat belts: front: anchorage
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
1,129
Reported to NHTSA
2000-06-12
Owners notified
2000-09-28

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES USING AFTERMARKET FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE SOLD BY FORD PARTS DEPARTMENTS FROM JANUARY 1, THROUGH JUNE 13, 2000. THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THE EQUIPMENT INVOLVED IS SERVICE STOCK SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES, MODEL NOS. H 9977, H 9979, T 9063, AND T 9217, BUILT BY TRW VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEMS, INC. (TRW) MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 1, 1998 THROUGH MAY 21, 2000. SOME OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED AS SERVICE REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT ON THE VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THE RECALL.

Safety risk

IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, THESE SEAT BELTS MAY NOT RESTRAIN AN OCCUPANT INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES AND REPLACE THE SERVICE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE INSTALLED IN THESE VEHICLES FROM JANUARY 1 THROUGH JUNE 13, 2000.

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 98V028000

Exterior lighting: headlights

Component
Exterior lighting: headlights
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
571,800
Reported to NHTSA
1998-02-10
Owners notified
1998-03-23

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TEXT AND/OR GRAPHICS FOR THE VEHICLE HEADLAMP AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES ARE NOT SUFFICIENTLY CLEAR. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Safety risk

IF THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES ARE REPLACED, CUSTOMERS MAY BE CONFUSED BY THE AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES CAUSING THE HEADLAMPS TO BE IMPROPERLY AIMED.

Manufacturer remedy

OWNER GUIDES CONTAINING REVISED AIMING INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE MAILED TO OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling973,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights984,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline856,087 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip828,500 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint775,000 mi
Structure: body6117,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine589,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe5133,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)5—
Fuel system, gasoline477,000 mi
Steering4150,000 mi
Structure489,000 mi
Suspension: front4—
Unknown or other430,000 mi
Vehicle speed control472,534 mi
Electrical system3150,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition3—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system387,986 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic330,920 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor323,000 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly345,000 mi
Suspension3110,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer3—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator248,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood2—
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers2—
Engine2125,734 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner2—
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.2—
Exterior lighting2—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap2—
Power train2150,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission244,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc2—
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)266,545 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system2—
Structure: body: door2—
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments2—
Suspension: front: control arm284,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint2139,871 mi
Suspension: front: shock absorber2—
Tires233,555 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal2—
Visibility2—
Visibility: power window devices and controls244,000 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior2—
Visibility: windshield2—
Air bags: frontal1—
Electrical system: horn1—
Electrical system: wiring1—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys173,000 mi
Equipment148,000 mi
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights: switch1130,000 mi
Exterior lighting: tail lights1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch1130,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump116,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hatchback/liftgate: lock1—
Power train: axle assembly114,388 mi
Power train: driveline: driveshaft1—
Seat belts190,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: power adjust1—
Seats: front assembly: recliner1—
Service brakes, air: antilock1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist1—
Steering: linkages1139,871 mi
Steering: linkages: arm: idler and attachment182,000 mi
Structure: body: bumpers148,000 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1—
Tires: tread/belt1—
Vehicle speed control: cruise control170,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system152,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor162,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core1—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor1—
Wheels1—
Wheels: rim190,000 mi

The 1997 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1999 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.