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1998 Lincoln Town CARProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 154 owner complaints about the 1998 Lincoln Town CAR, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 7 safety recalls.

52
CarFlaw IndexSolid year9% below the Town CAR median · #14 of 26 years by complaints
Safety recalls7Free fix at dealersOwner complaints15417 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage90kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 30, 2023. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1998 Lincoln Town CAR has problems

154 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
Engine and engine cooling323
Suspension191
Service brakes, hydraulic192
Visibility160
Electrical system153
Structure140
Steering130
Exterior lighting120
Power train111
11 other systems324

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

7 recalls

1998 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

Tires

Recall 00V-356 · Dec 12, 2000 · 10,000 vehicles

Risk. THE VEHICLE WEIGHT COULD EXCEED THE MAXIMUM LOAD RATING FOR THE TIRE, INCREASING THE RISK OF PREMATURE TIRE WEAR OR BLOWOUT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Mechanical: integrated jack/leveler/stabilizer

Recall 00V-200 · Jul 18, 2000 · 875,000 vehicles

Risk. IF THIS OCCURS AND ANY PORTION OF THE OPERATOR'S BODY IS UNDER THE VEHICLE, THE POTENTIAL FOR PERSONAL INJURY EXISTS.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Front: anchorage

Recall 00V-157 · Jun 12, 2000 · 1,167 vehicles

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, THESE SEAT BELTS MAY NOT RESTRAIN AN OCCUPANT INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 3 more recalls
–no report yet

Front: anchorage

Recall 00V-157 · Jun 12, 2000 · 1,129 vehicles

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, THESE SEAT BELTS MAY NOT RESTRAIN AN OCCUPANT INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–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

Exterior lighting: headlights

Recall 98V-028 · Feb 10, 1998 · 571,800 vehicles

Risk. IF THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES ARE REPLACED, CUSTOMERS MAY BE CONFUSED BY THE AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES CAUSING THE HEADLAMPS TO BE…

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.

Mileage at failure

When do engine and engine cooling problems start?

90kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 23 engine and engine cooling complaints. 61% were reported before 100,000 miles.

Only 38% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
1under 30k miles14under 100k miles9100k miles or more
Best & worst years

1998 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
5 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1998 Lincoln Town CAR, and the recalls they led to.

  1. FUEL-FED FIRESDP02007 · closed Dec 4, 2002
    No recall
  2. SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEADDP05005 · closed Jan 4, 2006
    No recall
  3. FUEL SPIT BACK DURING REFUELINGEA99010 · closed May 4, 1999
    No recall
  4. FUEL SPIT BACK DURING REFUELINGPE98052 · closed Apr 9, 1999
    No recall
  5. POST REAR END COLLISION FIRESSQ01014 · closed Oct 3, 2002
    Led to recall 02I003000
In owners' words

What Town CAR owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVER HEAT.ONCE IT GOT HOT, THE POWER OF CAR IS,WAS LOST. AFTER HAPPENING A FEW TIMES,I FOUND A VERY SMALL [PIN SIZE] HOLE IN THE THERMASTATE RECIEVING UNIT.THIS IS A PART OF THE MANIFOLD IT SELF. ALL ATTEMPS TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM HAS FAILED.! TRYING TO FIX THIS PROVED…
Complaint 10521255 · Jun 23, 2013 · 137,352 miles
FAILURE OF THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD SYSTEM. LOSS OF COOLANT, ENGINE OVERHEATED, LOSS OF POWER AND CONTROL IN HEAVY TRAFFIC PRESENTED A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. ENGINE INTAKE MANIFOLD SYSTEM IS A DESIGN FLAW AND SUBJECT OF AN EARLIER RECALL BY MANUFACTURER.
Complaint 10376028 · Jan 9, 2011 · 73,000 miles
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH THE VEHICLE OVER HEATED AND THE MANIFOLD CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE FAILURE. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS ADVISED THAT HE HAD TO PAY FOR…
Complaint 10366853 · Nov 19, 2010 · 90,000 miles

Own a 1998 Town CAR?

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