Model year record

1999 Lincoln Town CAR

5 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 203 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

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).

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Air bags14101,525 mi
Suspension10109,228 mi
Steering990,000 mi
Air bags: side/window874,045 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip83,000 mi
Air bags: frontal74,000 mi
Electrical system755,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint676,000 mi
Unknown or other6157,812 mi
Visibility: windshield6
Structure: body: door5
Engine4109,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling483,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system4180,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission470,000 mi
Structure439,750 mi
Structure: body450,000 mi
Tires435,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring374,045 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe3100,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor370,000 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly360,500 mi
Suspension: front3100,000 mi
Visibility/wiper3147,335 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior3
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system292,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine2150,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner2
Equipment: electrical253,000 mi
Power train2
Seats2
Service brakes253,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic26,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum2
Structure: body: trunk lid2
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint260,500 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control270,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: linkages2
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core2105,824 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly2
Wheels294,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition1
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash174,045 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor1100,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1
Exterior lighting1170,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump157,000 mi
Interior lighting1
Power train: axle assembly1
Seat belts1
Seats: front assembly: head restraint1
Service brakes, air: disc: caliper1
Service brakes, hydraulic: brake fluid low warning: lamp148,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages1
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1
Steering: linkages: arm: idler and attachment170,000 mi
Structure: body: roof and pillars1
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm127,000 mi
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar1
Suspension: rear1
Tires: tread/belt16,100 mi
Vehicle speed control1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element1
Visibility: glass, side/rear139,750 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls183,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring1
Wheels: rim1110,000 mi

The 1998 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2000 model has about 1.5 times as many 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.