no report yet
Electrical system: ignition
Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
1988 Lincoln Town CARProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 99 owner complaints about the 1988 Lincoln Town CAR, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 5 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 23, 2017. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1988 Lincoln Town CAR has problems
99 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
39Electrical system26 crash/fire/injury
17Vehicle speed control6 crash/fire/injury
9Power train1 crash/fire/injury
7Fuel system, gasoline
7Engine and engine cooling3 crash/fire/injury
7Seat belts1 crash/fire/injury
5Tires
4Structure
3Visibility
159 other systems4 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 39 | 26 |
| Vehicle speed control | 17 | 6 |
| Power train | 9 | 1 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 7 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 7 | 3 |
| Seat belts | 7 | 1 |
| Tires | 5 | 0 |
| Structure | 4 | 1 |
| Visibility | 3 | 1 |
| 9 other systems | 15 | 4 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
5 recalls
1988 Lincoln Town CAR recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
no report yet
Front: anchorage
Risk. LACK OF RESTRAINTS COULD CONTRIBUTE TO OTHERWISE PREVENTABLE INJURY AND WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 209 AND 210.
no report yet
Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk. COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A…
Show 1 more recall
no report yet
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system
Risk. BENT FUEL RAIL COULD CAUSE A FUEL LEAK, WHICH INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE FIRE.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Lincoln.
Best & worst years
1988 vs. every other Town CAR year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Town CAR median. How we score
'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
2 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 1988 Lincoln Town CAR, and the recalls they led to.
- SUDDEN ACCELERATIONNo recall
- FUEL FILLER PIPE SPURTINGNo recall
In owners' words
What Town CAR owners report
Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
SEAT BELTS WON'T RETRACT. IGNITION SWITCH IS FAULTY AND SHORTING OUT RADIO AND OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. WANTING TO PREVENT FIRE FROM HAPPENING, BY TAKING CARE OF THIS NOW.
THE IGNITION SWITCH GIVES SPARKS AND COULD IGNITE THE CAR. FORD ADMITS OTHER 1988 LINCOLN TOWN CARS HAVE A IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM AND REPLACES THEM. THEY HAVE NOT INCLUDED MY VIN ON THE DEFECT AND REPLACEMENT LIST; HOWEVER, IT IS DEFECTIVE AND COULD IGNITE A FIRE AT ANY TIME. *TR
THE RELAY THAT HOOKS TO THE BATTERY STARTER] BROKE. THIS CAUSED VEHICLE TO ACCLELERATE IN FULL THROTTLE. CONSUMER CAME TO A COMPLETED STOP, BUT HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY TO STOP THE ENGINE FROM RUNNING, ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. RELAY # 1E9TZ-11450B.*AK
Own a 1988 Town CAR?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.