Known Recalls

Model year record

2000 Lincoln Town CAR

8 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 147 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 01V258000

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor

Component
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
1,083,000
Reported to NHTSA
2001-08-08
Owners notified
2001-08-20

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND LIGHT AND MEDIUM DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. A SWITCH LOCATED IN THE PLASTIC COVER OF THE WIPER MOTOR GEAR CASE COULD MALFUNCTION AND OVERHEAT, POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN LOSS OF INTERMITTENT WIPER FUNCTION, LOSS OF WIPER PARK FUNCTION, COMPLETE LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION, OR IGNITION OF THE PLASTIC COVER MATERIAL. SWITCH MALFUNCTION IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR WHEN THE INTERMITTENT SETTING OF THE WIPERS IS BEING USED, OR WHEN SNOW OR ICE OBSTRUCTS THE BLADES FROM RETURNING TO THE "PARKED" POSITION AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT AT THE FOLLOWING ASSEMBLY PLANTS: ATLANTA PLANT FROM 2/11/00 THROUGH 7/31/00; CHICAGO PLANT FROM 2/14/00 THROUGH 8/4/00; KANSAS CITY PLANT FROM 2/26/00 TO 9/4/00; KENTUCKY TRUCK PLANT FROM 2/18/00 TO 8/31/00; MICHIGAN TRUCK PLANT FROM 2/23/00 THROUGH 8/3/00; NORFOLK PLANT FROM 2/21/00 THROUGH 7/27/00; WAYNE STAMPING AND ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 2/25/00 THROUGH 8/15/00; AND WIXOM PLANT FROM 2/15/00 THROUGH 8/8/00.

Safety risk

LOSS OF VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DATE CODE ON THE WIPER MOTOR. MOTORS BUILT WITH THE SUSPECT TIME FRAME WILL HAVE THE WIPER MOTOR GEAR CASE COVER REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 20, 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 1-866-436-7332.

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 00V364000

Seat belts: front

Component
Seat belts: front
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
34
Reported to NHTSA
2000-11-13
Owners notified
2000-11-13

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH MEDIUM GRAPHITE SEAT BELTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." AN INCORRECT FRONT CENTER SEAT BELT AND RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED.

Safety risk

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.

Manufacturer remedy

ALL SUSPECT VEHICLES HAVE HAD THE SEAT BELTS INSPECTED OR REPLACED BY FORD.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V368000

Seat belts: rear/other

Component
Seat belts: rear/other
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
170
Reported to NHTSA
2000-11-09
Owners notified
2000-11-27

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH MIDNIGHT BLACK OR MEDIUM PARCHMENT SEAT BELTS MANUFACTURED ON JULY 31, 2000, FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." AN INCORRECT DRIVER'S SIDE REAR SEAT BELT AND RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED.

Safety risk

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SEAT BELTS AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED SEAT BELT AND RETRACTOR ASSEMBLIES.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V228001

Seat belts

Component
Seat belts
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
144,435
Reported to NHTSA
2000-08-18
Owners notified
2000-10-26

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES. THE BUCKLE BASE OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND THEREFORE DO NOT PASS THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENT OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."

Safety risk

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DATE CODE ON CERTAIN SEAT BELT BUCKLES OF YOUR VEHICLE AND REPLACE ALL SEAT BELT BUCKLES THAT FALL WITHIN THE SUSPECT DATE CODE RANGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 26, 2000. 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 1-800-392-3673.

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.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system880,000 mi
Air bags730,000 mi
Air bags: frontal6—
Engine and engine cooling6115,000 mi
Vehicle speed control649,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip5—
Steering5128,700 mi
Unknown or other5—
Suspension: front4—
Electrical system: wiring355,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood366,300 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine355,097 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline3—
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift355,378 mi
Service brakes3258 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic330,000 mi
Structure: body: door3—
Suspension3200,000 mi
Tires323,400 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module220,000 mi
Air bags: side/window273,000 mi
Electrical system: horn225,000 mi
Engine270,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.225,000 mi
Equipment: other: owners/service/other manual2—
Exterior lighting: brake lights2—
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch2—
Seat belts2151,485 mi
Suspension: front: springs: air suspension system2—
Vehicle speed control: cruise control255,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls2—
Visibility: windshield2—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer278,000 mi
Wheels2258 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module1—
Electrical system: ignition: switch1—
Electrical system: starter assembly: solenoid178,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1—
Electronic stability control (ESC)1138,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1—
Exterior lighting1—
Exterior lighting: headlights1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit154,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly185,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system1210,000 mi
Interior lighting1—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch125,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission155,097 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage1—
Seat belts: rear/other1—
Seats: front assembly: head restraint1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads145,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1—
Steering: linkages1—
Structure: body165,000 mi
Structure: frame and members1—
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint1153,000 mi
Traction control system1140,851 mi
Vehicle speed control: linkages1—
Visibility120,000 mi
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer: motor172,000 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor1—
Wheels: rim130,000 mi

The 1999 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2001 model has about half 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.