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1990 Lincoln Town CARProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 209 owner complaints about the 1990 Lincoln Town CAR, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.

34
CarFlaw IndexUse caution2.0× the Town CAR median · #2 of 26 years by complaints
Safety recalls4Free fix at dealersOwner complaints20997 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage89kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 22, 2006. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1990 Lincoln Town CAR has problems

209 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system6342
Engine and engine cooling3120
Latches/locks/linkages213
Service brakes, hydraulic174
Vehicle speed control169
Visibility131
Structure120
Steering110
Air bags97
10 other systems3910

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

4 recalls

1990 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

Control arm: lower ball joint

Recall 98V-322 · Dec 16, 1998 · 175,000 vehicles

Risk. IF THIS OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING, REDUCED STEERING CONTROL COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Hood: latch

Recall 95V-091 · May 16, 1995 · 142,800 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN REDUCE THE DRIVER'S VIEW OF THE ROAD INCREASING THE POTENTIAL OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Other: labels

Recall 90V-133 · Jul 27, 1990 · 158 vehicles

Risk. LIMOUSINES WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 110 AND CONSUMERMIGHT UNKNOWINGLY OVERLOAD THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF PLACARD MISINFORMATION.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

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

1990 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
NHTSA crash tests

1990 Lincoln Town CAR safety ratings

1990 Lincoln Town Car 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1990 Lincoln Town CAR, and the recalls they led to.

  1. HOOD LATCH FAILUREEA91021 · closed Mar 16, 1992
    Led to recall 91V-147
  2. HOOD LATCH FAILUREPE91018 · closed Mar 29, 1991
    No recall
In owners' words

What Town CAR owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE HOOD WAS RAISED. SMOKE AND FLAMES WERE SPOTTED COMING FROM THE PLUG ON THE ALTERNATOR. THE BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED AND THE PLUG REMOVED.…
Complaint 10150925 · Feb 22, 2006 · 118,000 miles
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED:ON 5-19-04 HIS 1990 LINCOLN TOWN CAR BURNED WHILE IT WAS PARKED. WITHIN A HALF OF AN HOUR THE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THERE WERE 3 DIFFERENT INVESTIGATIONS DONE;. AN ELECTRICAL AND AND ENGINEERING INVESTIGATION, AND ONE DONE BY THE TAMPA FIRE DEPARTMENT AND FOUND NO…
Complaint 10127122 · Jun 30, 2005 · 76,000 miles
DT: CONSUMER HAD A 1990 LINCOLN TOWN CAR WHICH CAUGHT ON FIRE. WHEN CONSUMER CAME HOME HE PARKED THE VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE, WENT INSIDE AND ATE, THEN A NEIGHBOR POUNDED AT DOOR TO LET HIM KNOW HIS HOUSE WAS ON FIRE. THE POLICE, FIRE DEPARTMENT, FIRE MARSHAL AND INSURANCE ADJUSTERS CAME OUT AND…
Complaint 10125859 · Jun 20, 2005 · 40,000 miles

Own a 1990 Town CAR?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.