Lincoln Town Car Complaints (1997)

314 consumer complaints on file.

#10126313September 16, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DT: CONSUMER STATES THAT THREE YEARS AGO THE ENGINE STARTED SMOKING, WITH NO WARNING. THEY HAD THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WERE TOLD THE ENGINE HAD BLOWN. THEY HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT THE COMPANY THAT PROVIDED THE WARRANTY WOULDN'T COVER IT. THE COMPANY DID EVENTUALLY FIX THE PROBLEM. ON JUNE 20, 2005 THE VEHICLE STARTED JERKING AND THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER ON I-10 AT WHICH POINT THE VEHICLE DIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY WERE TOLD THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. DEALERSHIP SAID THEY HEARD A LOT OF NOISE IN THE ENGINE AND TO BREAK IT DOWN IT WOULD COST MORE THAN REPLACING IT. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THE FIRST PROBLEM WAS THE MANIFOLD.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10132707August 13, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CAR BEGAN TO SHOW STEAM UNDER HOOD. TEMPERATURE INDICATOR WAS MAXIMUM. AFTER CHECKING UNDER THE HOOD,THE ANTI-FREEZE OVER-FLOW WAS EMPTY. I FILLED WITH WATER AND CONTINUED HOME. I CALLED MY MECHANIC AND HE SENT A WRECKER TO TOW THE CAR. AFTER INSPECTION, HE NOTIFIED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD SPLIT. HE INDICATED THERE MIGHT BE A RECALL ON THE MANIFOLD AS THE REPLACEMENT WAS METAL INSTEAD OF PLASTIC. I CALLED THE DEALER AND HE SAID NO RECALL. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10129932July 25, 2005
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
FAILURE OF CRUISE CONTROL TO KICK DOWN AFTER REACHING DESIRED SPEED AND TO KICK BACK IN WHEN GOING BELOW DESIRED SPEED. ALSO IF CRUISE CONTROL IS NOT TURNED OFF BEFORE TURNING ENGINE OFF IT WILL CONTINUE TO DRAW CURRENT AND RUN BATTERY DOWN. THIS HAS NOT CAUSED ANY ACCIDENTS YET BUT HAS CAUSED TWO CLOSE CALLS. I STOPPED USING THE CRUISE CONTROL UNTIL IT IS FIXED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10126552June 24, 2005
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
REPORTED ON TV SHOW, 60 MINUTES ON 19 JUNE 2005 THAT THERE IS A DEFECTIVE SWITCH ON THE CRUISE CONTROL OF CERTAIN VEHICLES, INCLUDING MY 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR THAT CAUSES SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION TO IGNITE A VEHICLE FIRE EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS NOT IN OPERATION. THE NEXT DAY I REPORTED THIS TO MY LOCAL DEALER, WILLIAMSBURG FORD-LINCOLN-MERCURY, AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD REPLACE THE SWITCH ONLY WITH THE SAME KIND IN SPITE OF THE FACT THAT THE TV SHOW STATED THAT A SUBSITUTE SWITCH IS AVAIALBLE, BECAUSE THERE IS NO RECALL. I OFFERED TO PAY FOR A DIFFERENT SWITCH.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10122430May 29, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
MANIFOLD DEVELOPED A ENGINE COOLENT CRACK. REPAIR WAS $1150. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER FOR REPAIR. MANIFOLD WAS REPLACED. MANIFOLD IS MADE FROM PLASTIC. INTERNET RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THIS IS VERY COMMON DEFECT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10121135May 17, 2005
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
DT: A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THE SAME TYPE OF VEHICLE THE CONSUMER OWNS, HOWEVER HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD AND THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED AND SPUN AROUND. WHEN THE CONSUMER EXITED THE VEHICLE, HE DISCOVERED THE BALL JOINT PUNCTURED THE TIRE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER SAID HIS CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED HIS VEHICLE HAD THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS STATED IN THE RECALL # 98V322000. *JB.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10116978April 27, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A BRAKE LINE PROBLEM. THERE IS INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE LINE AND THE UNDERBODY FRONT FLOOR PAN ASSEMBLY. THIS HAS CAUSED EXCESSIVE WEAR TO THE BRAKE LNE RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND AND INCREASING THE BRAKING DISTANCE. *AK *BF *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10115895March 25, 2005
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE, SUSPENSION
DRIVER NOTICED THAT BOTH FRONTAL SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT BACK. WHILE DRIVING DRIVER NOTICED FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. DRIVER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK UPDATED 12-12-07. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, COOLANT LEAKED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE HAD A DEFECTIVE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE BALL JOINTS WERE DEFECTIVE AND ONE OF THEM HAD ALREADY FAILED. UPDATED *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10114591March 24, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
*DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON I-680 IN OMAHA. BELOW FREEZING TEMPS. *INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED...RESULTING IN SPRYING COOLENT ON WINDSHILDS OF VEHICALS *BEHIND ME AND A LARGE CLOUD OF STEAM. RESULTING IN PANIC BRAKING AND CLOSE CALLS. *TAKEN TO DEALER FOR PART REPLACEMENT. *RECALLS FOR THIS SAME PART ARE ON THE FORD CROWN VICTORIA'S AND LIMO'S INCLUDING LINCOLN LIMO. NOT ON LINCOLN SEDANS OR THE MERCURY WITH SAME PROBLEM. * I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT THIS DID NOT HAPPEN JUST 2 WEEK PRIOR, WHERE I HAD MY FAMILY IN THE CAR TRAVELING IN S. DAKOTA AT -25 DEGREE TEMPS LATE IN THE EVENING.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10113991March 12, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I HAVE 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR, 4.6L. THE PLASTIC INTAKE CRACKED, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT AND SHUTDOWN. TOWED THE VEHICLE COSTS 180.00. ENGINE IS CLATTERING AND MOISTURE COMING FROM THE TAILPIPE. POSSIBLE CRACKED CYCLINDERS HEADS AT MININUMUM. COST TO REPLACE IS $2000 T0 2500. TOTAL ENGINE MAY BE AS MUCH AS $5,000. FROM WHAT I CAN DETERMINE THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THIS ENGINE. FORD ISSUED A NOTIFICATION TO DEALERS (97M91). I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED DURING THE WARRATY PERIOD OR SINCE. FORD SHOULD HAVE RECALLED THIS PART. AS AN ENGINEER MY SELF I WOULD HAVE NEVER PURCHASED SUCH AN EXPENSIVE VEHICLE WITH SUCH A POOR DESIGN. PLASTIC AND HEAT DON'T GO TOGETHER. I HAVE SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND THERE ARE HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSAND OF SUCH CASES.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10111895February 21, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DURING START-UP YESTERDAY MORNING, THE ENGINE MADE A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND AND THERE WAS STEAM COMING OUT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE TAIL PIPE. SUSPECTING A BLOWN HEAD GASKET, I REMOVED THE PLUGS ON THE RIGHT BANK AND FOUND THE SPARK PLUG IN THE #1 CYLINDER WET WITH COOLANT. I SUSPECT THAT THERE WAS A LEAK THAT FILLED THE CYLINDER WITH COOLANT AND CREATED A HYDRAULIC LOCK THAT BENT A CONNECTING ROD, THEREBY CAUSING THE KNOCKING SOUND. ON INVESTIGATING THIS SITUATION THIS MORNING, I FOUND THAT FORD HAS ISSUED THREE RECALLS (97M91, 99M01 & 01M02) REGARDING THIS SITUATION BUT ONLY COVERS VEHICLES IN FLEET APPLICATIONS. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW BEFORE I TEAR THE ENGINE DOWN WHETHER THIS SHOULD BE COVERED BY FORD WARRANTY. I HAVE CONTACTED THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE AND THEY SAY THAT THEY WILL NOT COVER IT BUT I CANNOT GET THEM ONE OF THEIR SUPERVISORS TO RETURN MY CALLS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10110422February 12, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
COOLANT LEAKAGE, THEN PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD BROKE, CAUSING ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. HAD MANIFOLD REPLACED BY REPAIR SHOP WHO NOTIFIED ME THAT FORD RECALLED THE MANIFOLDS FOR GOV. AND CORPORATE VEHICLES, BUT NOT CONSUMER VEHICLES, AND RELEASE A SERVICE BULLETIN ADVISING OF PROBLEM TO DEALERS AND TO REPLACE WITH NEW ALUMINUM MANIFOLD THAT WON'T CRACK, A $1,100 REPAIR! IF FORD ADMITS THE DEFECT, WHY ARE THEY ALLOWED TO GET AWAY WITH FIXING ONLY THE CARS OF THE GOVERNMENT AND CORPORATIONS. WHAT ABOUT THE CONSUMER'S RIGHTS? I AM THINKING OF FILING A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT TO GET OUR RIGHTS BACK. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10111284February 10, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
WHILE DRIVING 55-60 MPH VEHICLE LOST COOLANT. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE INTAKE MANFOLD CRACKED, CAUSING LOSS OF COOLANT. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10107642January 20, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
COOLANT LEAKAGE, THEN PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD BROKE, CAUSING ENGINE TO STALL. HAD MANIFOLD REPLACED BY REPAIR SHOP WHO NOTIFIED ME THAT FORD RECALLED THE MANIFOLDS FOR GOV. AND CORPORATE VEHICLES, BUT NOT CONSUMER VEHICLES, AND RELEASE A SERVICE BULLETIN ADVISING OF PROBLEM TO DEALERS AND TO REPLACE WITH NEW ALUMINUM MANIFOLD THAT WON'T CRACK, A $700 REPAIR! IF FORD ADMITS THE DEFECT, WHY ARE THEY ALLOWED TO GET AWAY WITH FIXING ONLY THE CARS OF THE GOVERNMENT AND CORPORATIONS. WHAT ABOUT THE CONSUMER'S RIGHTS? *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10107200January 11, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID
THE VEHICLE WAS PULLING OUT OF THE GARAGE WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN ALL THE BRAKE FLUID SPILLED, CAUSING THE BRAKES NOT OPERATE. TAKEN TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10105823January 5, 2005
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
ERRATIC STEERING AND NOISE AT THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT END. APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT AT LESS THAN 15MPH THE BALL JOINT FELL OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY FIESTA FORD LINCOLN MERCURY IN INDIO CA.AT MY EXPENSE BY REPLACING THE LOWER COTROL ARMAND SHOCK ABSORBER. A WEEK AGO THE SAME NOISE DEVELOPED ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND THE CAR WAS SENT TO FRESNO LINCOLN MERCURY FOR REPAIR YESTERDAY. I WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THE LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARM NEEDS REPLACING. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10097167November 15, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE IT SOUNDED AS IF A ROD WAS BEING THROWN. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND THEY TRIED STARTING THE VEHICLE AGAIN, BUT THE SAME THING OCCURRED. THE MECHANIC TOLD THE CONSUMER TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. SUDDENLY THE OIL PRESSURE DROPPED. *JB THE ENGINE SPUN THE BEARING AND THERE WAS A RATTLE IN THE ENGINE AREA. *SC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10098211November 3, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
WHILE ON I-84 IN WATERBURY,CT LARGE AMOUNTS OF SMOKE WERE EMITTING FROM REAR OF VEHICLE. STOPPED AND RAISED HOOD TO FIND ANTI-FREEZE COVERING ENGINE. HAD MY 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR TOWED TO FORD/LINCOLN/MERCURY REPAIR SHOP. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD CRACKED AND THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURANCE. PRIVATE PASSENGER VEHICLES ARE NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL, HOWEVER COMMERCIAL VEHICLES ARE COVERED. OTHER FORD MO CO VEHICLES ARE ALSO HAVING SAME PROBLEM. CALLED CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED AND TO PROCEED WITH THE $1100 REPAIR AND SAVE THIS BILL IN THE EVENT OF A FUTURE RECALL WHICH WILL ENTITLE A REFUND. ($750 PARTS,LABOR $350 PLUS TAXES). CAR IS CURRENTLY IN REPAIR SHOP.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10094488October 29, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT ONE OF THE CONNECTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED ON EACH WHEEL AND ONE ON THE MASTER CYLINDER.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10097959October 28, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
1997 LINCLON TOWN CAR REAR BRAKE LINE FAILURE DUE TO CORROSION. VEHICLE IS NOW IN REPAIR SHOP.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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