1998 LINCOLN TOWN CAR — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
194
Owner Complaints
8
Recalls
31
Service Bulletins
2
Investigations
Overview of the 1998 LINCOLN TOWN CAR
The 1998 LINCOLN TOWN CAR has received a total of 194 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 8 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with STEERING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, TIRES. 31 technical service bulletins have been issued by Ford Motor Company for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Engine And Engine Cooling (9 complaints), Exterior Lightingheadlights (9 complaints), and Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline (8 complaints).
Recalls for the 1998 LINCOLN TOWN CAR
NHTSA has recorded 8 recalls for the 1998 LINCOLN TOWN CAR, potentially affecting up to 5,235,863 vehicles.
Recall 15E082000 — STEERING
| 1,767 vehicles affected
Defect: Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain model Dorman Steering Shafts, part number 425-359, Solutions Steering Shafts, part number 7-0359, and OE Solutions Steering Shafts, part number 425-359, manufactured April 17, 2014, to September 28, 2015. These aftermarket replacement steering shafts are sold for use in 1995-2002 Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Car vehicles. These steering...
Consequence: If the shafts separate during vehicle operation, a loss of steering control would result, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Dorman will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering shaft, free of charge. The recall began on October 28, 2015. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492, option 5.
View full details →Recall 07V336000 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
| 3,600,000 vehicles affected
Defect: ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON...
View full details →Recall 00V356000 — TIRES
| 10,000 vehicles affected
Defect: 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."
Consequence: THE VEHICLE WEIGHT COULD EXCEED THE MAXIMUM LOAD RATING FOR THE TIRE, INCREASING THE RISK OF PREMATURE TIRE WEAR OR BLOWOUT.
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...
View full details →Recall 00V157001 — SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
| 1,167 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, THESE SEAT BELTS MAY NOT RESTRAIN AN OCCUPANT INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
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.
View full details →Recall 00V157002 — SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
| 1,129 vehicles affected
Defect: 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,...
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, THESE SEAT BELTS MAY NOT RESTRAIN AN OCCUPANT INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
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.
View full details →Recall 00V200000 — EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:INTEGRATED JACK/LEVELER/STABILIZER
| 875,000 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS AND ANY PORTION OF THE OPERATOR'S BODY IS UNDER THE VEHICLE, THE POTENTIAL FOR PERSONAL INJURY EXISTS.
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.
View full details →Recall 98V322000 — SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
| 175,000 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING, REDUCED STEERING CONTROL COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS (2).
View full details →Recall 98V028000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
| 571,800 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TEXT AND/OR GRAPHICS FOR THE VEHICLE HEADLAMP AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES ARE NOT SUFFICIENTLY CLEAR. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Consequence: IF THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES ARE REPLACED, CUSTOMERS MAY BE CONFUSED BY THE AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES CAUSING THE HEADLAMPS TO BE IMPROPERLY AIMED.
Remedy: OWNER GUIDES CONTAINING REVISED AIMING INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE MAILED TO OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1998 LINCOLN TOWN CAR
194 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1998 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
all body frame has rust.
MAKES LOUD POPPING NOISE WHEN THE WHEEL IS TURNED TO THE EXTREME RIGHT OR LEFT WHETHER THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN OR STANDING STILL. OCCASIONALLY, THE IGNITION WON'T TURN ON AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED, CLOSING THE ENTIRE SYSTEM.
MAKES LOUD POPPING NOISE WHEN THE WHEEL IS TURNED TO THE EXTREME RIGHT OR LEFT WHETHER THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN OR STANDING STILL. OCCASIONALLY, THE IGNITION WON'T TURN ON AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED, CLOSING THE ENTIRE SYSTEM.
Safety Rating for the 1998 LINCOLN TOWN CAR
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1998 LINCOLN TOWN CAR in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1998 LINCOLN TOWN CAR
Ford Motor Company has issued 31 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 1998 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
99B09 — STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
OWNER NOTIFICATION PROGRAM 99B09 SUPPLEMENT #2 FOR CERTAIN COMMERCIAL VEHICLE FRAME SERVICE. *TT
99247 — VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FACTORY MOONROOFS AND BUILT THROUGH 9/20/1999 MAY EXPERIENCE A BOOMING NOISE WHILE DRIVING WITH THE MOONROOF OPEN. *TT
7307 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
A CONDITION MAY EXIST OF A SQUEAL / SQUEAK FROM THE FRONT BRAKES. *TT
13382 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A SQUEAL / SQUEAK FROM THE FRONT BRAKES DURING LIGHT BRAKE APPLICATIONS. *TT
996748 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT THE FOLLOWING CONCERNS IMMEDIATELY AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE: THE SPEEDOMETER WILL NOT DISPLAY VEHICLE SPEED, THE ODOMETER DISPLAY IS ALL DASHES, THE MESSAGE CENTER DISPLAY FOR DISTANCE TO EMPTY OR AVERAGE SPEED IS ALL DASHES, THE OVERDRIVE CANCEL DISPLAY FLASHES, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT IS 'ON',...
996799 — EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
CONCERNS WITH VEHICLES BUILT FROM JOB #1 THROUGH 4/1/1999 EXHIBITING POOR A/C PERFORMANCE AND / OR A POP / CLICK NOISE IN MAS A/C. *TT
12816 — EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
CONCERNS WITH HOT AIR FROM SIDE DEMISTER DUCTS. *TT
12704 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
SUBJECT REGARDING ALL VEHICLES REQUIRES A PARAMETER RESET TO BE PERFORMED ON THE PASSIVE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM MODULE (PATS / VIC / HEC) WHEN THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) IS REPLACED. *TT
12579 — VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
INFORMATION REGARDING DRIVERS DOOR MODULES (DDM) INCORRECTLY REPLACED WHEN DIAGNOSING PASSIVE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM (PATS) / BATTERY RELATED NO START CONDITIONS. *TT
12557 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT VARIOUS CLUSTER CONCERNS SUCH AS ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK TRACTION ASSIST LAMP, SPEEDOMETER READS O; DIGITAL ODOMETER READS ALL DASHES; MESSAGE CENTER DISPLAY FOR DTE / GTE READS FOR LOSS OF SPEED SINGLE TO THE HEC, PCM AND SPEED CONTROL. *TT
Showing 10 of 31 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 1998 LINCOLN TOWN CAR
NHTSA has opened 2 investigations into potential safety defects in the 1998 LINCOLN TOWN CAR.
Investigation EA99010 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES Closed
Opened:
FUEL SPIT BACK DURING REFUELING
Investigation PE98052 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES Closed
Opened:
FUEL SPIT BACK DURING REFUELING
Other Model Years of the LINCOLN TOWN CAR
- 1993 LINCOLN TOWN CAR — 226 complaints
- 1994 LINCOLN TOWN CAR — 212 complaints
- 1995 LINCOLN TOWN CAR — 241 complaints
- 1996 LINCOLN TOWN CAR — 316 complaints
- 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR — 395 complaints
- 1998 LINCOLN TOWN CAR (current)
- 1999 LINCOLN TOWN CAR — 203 complaints
- 2000 LINCOLN TOWN CAR — 147 complaints
- 2001 LINCOLN TOWN CAR — 207 complaints
- 2002 LINCOLN TOWN CAR — 70 complaints
- 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR — 242 complaints
Other LINCOLN Models
- LINCOLN CONTINENTAL — 2,542 total complaints
- LINCOLN MKZ — 1,957 total complaints
- LINCOLN NAVIGATOR — 1,711 total complaints
- LINCOLN MKX — 1,702 total complaints
- LINCOLN LS — 1,366 total complaints
- LINCOLN MARK VIII — 984 total complaints
- LINCOLN AVIATOR — 650 total complaints
- LINCOLN MKC — 644 total complaints