Known Recalls

Model year record

2001 Lincoln Town CAR

5 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 207 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 01V227001

Seat belts: front: buckle assembly

Component
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
1,400,000
Reported to NHTSA
2001-07-16
Owners notified
2001-07-25

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND MINIVANS. EQUIPPED WITH SEAT BELTS SUPPLIED BY TRW. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE DRIVER'S AND/OR FRONT PASSENGER'S OUTBOARD SEAT BELT BUCKLE MAY NOT FULLY LATCH. FORD CROWN VICTORIA BUILT AT ST. THOMAS ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 4/17/00 - 5/29/01 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS BUILT AT ST. THOMAS ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 4/17/00 - 5/29/01. LINCOLN TOWN CARS BUILT AT WIXOM ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 3/27/00 - 5/30/01. LINCOLN NAVIGATORS BUILT AT MICHIGAN TRUCK PLANT FROM 4/11/00 - 5/31/01. FORD WINDSTARS BUILT AT OAKVILLE ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 3/23/00 - 5/30/01. FORD RANGERS BUILT AT TWIN CITIES PLANT FROM 3/28/00 - 5/30/01, AND ALSO AT THE EDISON PLANT FROM 3/13/00 - 5/25/01. FORD F-150 TRUCK BUILT AT NORFOLK PLANT FROM 4/18/00 - 5/25/00; AT ONTARIO PLANT FROM 5/10/00 - 5/28/01; AT KANSAS CITY PLANT FROM 9/11/99 - 5/25/01; AND AT CUAUTITLAN PLANT FROM 5/16/00 - 6/9/01. FORD SUPER DUTY F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS BUILT AT KENTUCKY PLANT FROM 4/17/00 - 5/27/01; AND AT CUAUTITLAN PLANT FROM 5/16/00 - 6/19/01. FORD EXCURSIONS BUILT AT KENTUCKY PLANT FROM 4/17/00 - 10/2/00. FORD EXPEDITIONS BUILT AT MICHIGAN TRUCK PLANT FROM 4/11/00 - 5/31/01.

Safety risk

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM MAY NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE OCCUPANT PROTECTION, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT OUTBOARD SEAT BELT BUCKLES AND IF THE BUCKLE FAILS THE INSPECTION PROCESS, IT WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 25, 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 00V412000

Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive

Component
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
16,000
Reported to NHTSA
2000-12-06
Owners notified
2000-12-21

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS AND PASSENGER VEHICLES. A RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE (RCM) OR A SIDE OR FRONT CRASH SENSOR MAY HAVE BEEN ASSEMBLED WITH ONE OR MORE OF THE SCREWS THAT MOUNT THE CIRCUIT BOARD IN THE HOUSING MISSING. IF SOME OR ALL OF THE SCREWS ARE MISSING, THE PERFORMANCE OF THE OCCUPANT RESTRAINS COULD BE AFFECTED.

Safety risk

IN SOME CASES, LESS THAN THE INTENDED LEVEL OF PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE RCM AND CRASH SENSORS AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THEM.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V270000

Air bags

Component
Air bags
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
18,500
Reported to NHTSA
2000-09-13
Owners notified
2000-09-14

Defect description

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, LIMOUSINES, AND MINI VANS WERE BUILT WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE (RCM). IN SOME CASES, THE RCM DOES NOT RECOGNIZE CERTAIN SYSTEM FAULTS THAT COULD RESULT IN AN AIR BAG OR SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONER UNEXPECTEDLY ACTIVATING DURING THE SELF-TEST SEQUENCE AT VEHICLE START-UP.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RCM IN THESE VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 14, 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.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Air bags2489,000 mi
Vehicle speed control2032,000 mi
Air bags: side/window1776,000 mi
Air bags: frontal1362,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip789,000 mi
Steering7140,000 mi
Seats629,000 mi
Unknown or other668,000 mi
Visibility680,000 mi
Engine5177,800 mi
Engine and engine cooling56,707 mi
Suspension5131,500 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor565,980 mi
Electrical system456,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal4—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline3—
Service brakes, hydraulic310,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages3—
Structure: body3100,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt392,180 mi
Visibility/wiper3102,020 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module2102,068 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner289,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system2146,999 mi
Power train2177,800 mi
Power train: automatic transmission2—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly251,100 mi
Structure2123,000 mi
Suspension: front238,000 mi
Suspension: rear226,000 mi
Visibility: windshield2—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer289,000 mi
Wheels259,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel189,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition1—
Electrical system: ignition: switch1—
Electrical system: wiring145,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood148,190 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system195,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1—
Equipment1—
Exterior lighting1155,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery135,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump152,132 mi
Interior lighting116,700 mi
Latches/locks/linkages170,000 mi
Power train: driveline138,000 mi
Seat belts1—
Seats: front assembly: power adjust126,000 mi
Steering: electric power assist system150,915 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump150,915 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly183,000 mi
Structure: body: trunk lid1—
Suspension: front: control arm: upper arm185,000 mi
Suspension: rear: springs: air suspension system1—
Tires1—
Tires: valve1—
Vehicle speed control: cruise control1—
Vehicle speed control: linkages1—
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer: switch/wiring1—
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs1—

The 2000 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 2002 model has 3 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.