Lincoln Town Car Complaints (1997)

314 consumer complaints on file.

#10362817October 28, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE DEALER OF THE FAILURE WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 77,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10351880August 26, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
OUR 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR THAT WAS PART OF THE DEACTIVATION SWITCH RECALL BEGAN HONKING AS THE ALARM TRIGGERED ON THE EVENING OF AUGUST 24, 2010 IN OUR GARAGE. AFTER CLEARING THE ALARM SEVERAL TIMES, I INVESTIGATED THE BATTERY VOLTAGE AND ALL WAS WELL. THE ALARM TRIGGERED AGAIN AND I CLEARED IT. AS I CLOSED THE HOOD SMOKE BEGAN TO ESCAPE NEAR THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE CORNER OF THE HOOD. I OPENED THE HOOD AS THE SMOKE SLOWED DOWN. THE CONNECTOR TO THE DEACTIVATION SWITCH WAS VERY WARM AND THE SWITCH HAD BRAKE FLUID ON IT. THE RECALL INSTALLED 20 AMP FUSE HAD NOT OPENED. UPON INVESTIGATION I FOUND THAT THE FUSE IN THE RECALL INSTALLED HARNESS WAS IN THE CIRCUIT BETWEEN THE SWITCH AND THE CRUISE CONTROL INSTEAD OF BETWEEN THE BATTERY AND THE SWITCH. HENCE THE FUSE PROVIDED NO PROTECTION AGAINST THE POTENTIAL FIRE. THANKFULLY I WAS STANDING THERE WHEN IT HAPPENED AND COULD DISCONNECT THE CABLE FROM THE SWITCH. OTHERWISE WE WERE AT RISK OF FIRE THAT COULD HAVE SPREAD TO OUR HOUSE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10350784August 20, 2010
SEAT BELTS
1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. 120,000 MILES. SEAT BELT DOES NOT STAY BUCKLED. AND COMES UNDONE WITH SLIGHTEST OF MOVEMENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10348082August 9, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING AS USUAL AND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED OR HAD BEEN CRACKING OVER TIME. THE ENGINE MADE A PING NOISE AND THE COOLANT WAS LEAKING DOWN INTO THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IMMEDIATELY. THE MANIFOLD, THERMOSTAT, AND GASKETS HAD TO BE REPAIRED. THE COST FOR THIS REPAIR WAS OVER $1,200.00. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10343582July 16, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
FORD LINCOLN -- TOWN CAR, YEAR MODEL 1997. BRAKE LINE (TUBING) BETWEEN POINT OF DISTRIBUTION FROM MASTER CYLINDER/BOOSTER TO REAR AXLE. ALSO BRAKE LINE BETWEEN REAR WHEELS (FASTENED TO OUTSIDE OF REAR AXLE HOUSING). THIS BRAKE LINE TUBING IS OF INFERIOR METAL COMPOSITION PRONE TO RUSTING IN NORTHERN CLIMATES WHERE WINTER SALT IS SPREAD ON ROAD SURFACES. CASE IN POINT: WHEN THE CAR WAS PARKED ON THE PARKING LOT, EVERYTHING WAS FINE. WHEN CAR WAS RESTARTED AFTER A SHORT DURATION OF BEING PARKED, UPON PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, ALL BRAKE FLUID SQUIRTED ONTO PAVEMENT. ROOT CAUSE: THE CORRODED BRAKE LINE BURST SOMEWHERE, APPROXIMATELY, UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT ON THE ROADSIDE (BOTTOM SIDE) OF THE FLOOR BOARD. THIS NECESSITATES THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE BRAKE LINE TUBING STRETCH (AS PER DESIGN) IN EXCESS OF $1,200, PARTS AND LABOR INCLUDED. THIS BURST OF FLUID COULD HAVE OCCURRED ANYWHERE. SINCE THE INCIDENT OCCURRED AT A TIME AND A PLACE FROM WHERE IT WAS POSSIBLE TO DRIVE THE CAR A SHORT DISTANCE TO ITS HOME PARKING POSITION USING ONLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, WHERE NEEDED, AT A SPEED OF NO HIGHER THAN 10 -15 MPH. A PRIVATE RESEARCH INDICATED THAT THIS PROBLEM IS SOMEWHAT 'COMMON.' SUBSEQUENT INQUIRIES AT DEALERSHIPS VERIFIED THE FACT THAT THERE IS A GOODLY NUMBER OF BRAKE LINE REPLACEMENTS. LABOR TIME EXPENDED IS ABOUT A FULL DAY (A FULL SHIFT). TO THE WRITER OF THIS NOTE IT IS NOT KNOWN HOW MANY SERIOUS ACCIDENTS MIGHT HAVE BEEN ALREADY CAUSED BY THIS INFERIOR QUALITY BRAKE LINE. A SHORT LENGTH OF THE SUBJECT BRAKE LINE COVERED WITH A PLASTIC COATING -- WHEN UNCOVERED TO EXPOSE THE METAL TUBING -- SHOWED THAT TUBING AS IF BRAND NEW, UNAFFECTED BY THE ROAD SALT. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM, AND IT MERITS A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION INCLUDING A RECALL. THE WRITER OF THIS NOTE IS NOT AWARE OF ANY LATER MODELS HAVING THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEM. THAT IS UP TO THE INVESTIGATORS TO FIND OUT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10334952June 7, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR MULTIPLE BRAKE LINE FAILURES. 2002,2005,2006,2007,2010. DUE TO EXTERNAL RUST. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10327893April 28, 2010
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING AT 2 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD SOUND. SECONDS LATER, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY FELL TO THE GROUND. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE BALL JOINT HAD SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. A FEW WEEKS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE MADE A CREAKING SOUND WHENEVER OPERATED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS INFORMED THAT RECALL 98V322000 (SUSPENSION: FRONT: CONTROL ARM: LOWER BALL JOINT) DID NOT INCLUDE HIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 175,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10280336August 13, 2009
TIRES, TIRES:SIDEWALL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE VEHICLE HAS MICHELIN XW4 TIRES, SIZE 225/60/R16. WHILE EXAMINING HIS VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES WERE DRY ROTTED. THE TIRES WERE TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT ALL OF THEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 33,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10273078June 8, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
LIFE THREATENING COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID BECAUSE OF BRAKE LINE RUPTURES (BOTH SYSTEMS) WHILE APPLYING BRAKES ABRUPTLY TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. BRAKE LINE FAILURE WAS DUE TO USE OF CHEAP UNCOATED STEEL BRAKE LINES THAT WEAKENED OVER THE YEARS DUE TO RUST. FORTUNATELY, THIS BRAKE FAILURE OCCURRED AT 25MPH, JUST MOMENTS AFTER I APPLIED NORMAL BRAKING FROM 65MPH TO PROCEED THROUGH A TOLL BOOTH. IF THIS COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE BRAKING FOR THE TOLL BOOTH MOST LIKELY THIS BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN SEVERE INJURY AND/OR DEATH. THESE INFERIOR UNCOATED BRAKE LINES SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN ALLOWED TO BE INSTALLED IN THIS VITAL SAFETY SYSTEM (BRAKES) IN THE FIRST PLACE . AND NOW ...THEY SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPLACED WITH SUPERIOR BRAKE LINES UNDER A MANUFACTURER RECALL PROGRAM TO PREVENT FUTURE SEVERE COLLISIONS AND LOSS OF LIFE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10260569March 3, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. WHEN THE HEATER UNIT MODE SELECTOR WAS ACTIVATED, THERE WAS NO POWER RESPONSE. IN ADDITION, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE PANIC ALARM SYSTEM SOUNDED WHEN THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WAS OPENED. THE ALARM WAS TURNED OFF WITH ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURES OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE COST OF THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES HAVE NOT YET BEEN DETERMINED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 48,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10246398October 22, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHENEVER THE CONTACT DRIVES WITH THE HIGH BEAMS ACTIVATED, THE LIGHTS FLICKER ON AND OFF CONTINUOUSLY UNTIL THEY ARE TURNED OFF. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000. UPDATED 11/19/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED A SWITCH WAS REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. UPDATED 11/19/08. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10244941October 9, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND A LARGE AMOUNT OF WHITE SMOKE EXPELLED FROM THE EXHAUST. THE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND INSPECTED UNDER THE HOOD. HE NOTICED THAT THE COOLANT WAS EXTREMELY LOW AND ALLOWED THE ENGINE TO COOL COMPLETELY. HE THEN ADDED WATER TO THE RADIATOR RESERVOIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND HE STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,000. UPDATED 10-29-08 *BF UPDATED 10/30/08. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10241642September 9, 2008
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL
1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR- CRUISE CONTROL DEFECT CAUSING ENGINE FIRES. AFTER FIRST HEARING OF THE RECALL I TOOK MY LINCOLN TO SUBURBAN FORD OF WATERFORD,MI. I WAS TOLD THEY HAD NOT YET RECEIVED THE REPLACEMENT PARTS YET, 2 WEEKS LATER I AGAIN WENT BACK AND WAS TOLD THE VERY SAME THING. I WAITED ANOTHER 2 WEEKS, WENT BACK TO SUBURBAN FORD AND WAS TOLD THIS TIME THAT THE REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR THE RECALL WERE BEING RECALLED AND I WOULD AGAIN HAVE TO COME BACK. I FEEL "THIS FORD DEALER JUST DOES NOT WANT TO COMPLY WITH THE RECALL. IT HAS NOW BEEN ABOUT 9 MONTHS SINCE THE FIRST VISIT AND STILL MY CAR HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. CAN YOU HELP? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10241218September 7, 2008
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
APPROXIMATELY 1 YEAR AGO I RECEIVED A LETTER PERTAINING TO THE RECALL OF MY LINCOLN # CONCERNING THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH ( SCDS) UPON RECEIVING THE LETTER I IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED COOPER FORD IN CLINTON S.C TO SCHEDULE THE REPAIR, I WAS TOLD BY KATIE , A SERVICE MANAGER "THEY WOULD PUT ME ON THE LIST" THIS WAS THE LAST QUARTER OF LAST YEAR OCT NOV TIME FRAME. UPON NOT HEARING ANYTHING FROM THE DEALERSHIP IN MAR 08 I CALLED AGAIN, A SERVICE MANAGER BRIAN, TOLD ME I WAS STILL ON THE LIST. I HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED BY THE DEALERSHIP SINCE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10231573June 19, 2008
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS, TIRES:VALVE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE VEHICLE HAS MICHELIN WEATHERWISE II TIRES, SIZE P215/70R15 (NA). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED AN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE IN THE TIRES, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SWERVE. HE PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND CALLED AAA. THE TIRE WAS CHANGED AND THE CONTACT DROVE TO A TIRE SHOP TO GET NEW VALVE STEMS. THIS WAS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE OF THIS FAILURE. THE FIRST TIME WAS IN APRIL OF 2007. THE VIN, FAILURE MILEAGE, AND DOT NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10229917June 4, 2008
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE VEHICLE HAS PEP BOYS FUTURA SCRAMBLER A/P TIRES, SIZE 215/75/R15. THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE IS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06T023000 (TIRES:TREAD/BELT). PEP BOYS WILL NOT REPLACE THE TIRE AS STATED IN THE RECALL. THEY STATED THAT ALL DEFECTIVE TIRES HAVE BEEN RECALLED AND NOTHING COULD BE DONE TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,024.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10225462April 23, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD SUDDENLY CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE MECHANIC AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NORMAL FOR VEHICLES THAT EXCEEDED 100,000 MILES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE MANIFOLD, BUT THEY BELIEVED THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED YEARS AGO. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 108,387 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,950. UPDATED 05/27/08 *BF
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10223942April 4, 2008
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR WITH SPEED CONTROL RECALL. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DEALER FAILED TO MENTION THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS FOR THE REPAIR AND HE LEFT THE VEHICLE THERE ALL DAY. WHEN HE CAME TO PICK IT THEY INFORMED HIM ABOUT THE PARTS. *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10222887March 31, 2008
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A FORD RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL IN AUGUST OF 2007. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT DISCONNECTED BECAUSE HE WAS NOT INFORMED OF THAT OPTION. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE FORD RECALL PARTS WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL JUNE OF 2008. THE CONTACT FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 114,791.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10221959March 21, 2008
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. UPON LEAVING THE DEALER, SHE ATTEMPTED TO ACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. SHE RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL MOTOR BURNED OUT AND A NEW ONE WAS NEEDED AT THE COST OF $300. INITIALLY, THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD PAY HALF; HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 72,014.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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