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Model year record

1992 Lincoln Town Car recalls & problems

The 1992 Lincoln Town Car has 4 safety recalls and 249 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (83 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls
Complaints249filed by owners
Crashes · fires11 · 93reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths14 · 1reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Vehicle speed controlAug 3, 2007

Vehicle speed control

Recall 07V3360003,600,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem
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.
Risk
THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Fix
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 AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
Electrical systemMay 19, 1999

Electrical system

Recall 99V124000262,695 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH CAN DEVELOP A RESISTIVE SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT THAT COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE. A FIRE IS POSSIBLE BOTH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING AND WHEN THE VEHICLE ENGINE IS OFF. ALSO, THE SHORT COULD DISABLE THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM OR CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHT FUSE TO OPEN.
Risk
A FIRE CAN ORIGINATE IN THE LEFT FRONT UNDERHOOD AREA.
Fix
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH AND CONNECTOR SHELL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 20, 1999.
SuspensionDec 16, 1998

Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint

Recall 98V322000175,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem
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 THE ONE-PIECE BEARING OR A FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM CONTAINING A BALL JOINT WITH A ONE-PIECE BEARING. THE ONE-PIECE BEARING WITHIN THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CAN WEAKEN SLOWLY DURING USE AND EVENTUALLY CRACK. THIS COULD RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE BALL AND CAP OF THE JOINT, ALLOWING THE CONTROL ARM TO DROP TO THE GROUND.
Risk
IF THIS OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING, REDUCED STEERING CONTROL COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS (2).
Latches/locks/linkagesAug 7, 1995

Hood › Latch

Recall 95V15100073,837 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem
THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH MAY NOT ENGAGE WHEN THE HOOD IS CLOSED.
Risk
IN THE EVENT THE PRIMARY HOOD LATCH RELEASES OR IS NOT PROPERLY LATCHED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, THE HOOD COULD FLY UP OBSTRUCTING THE OPERATOR'S VISION, AND INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Fix
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLY.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1992 Lincoln Town Car 4-DR.

OverallNot Rated
Frontal crashNot Rated
Side crashNot Rated
RolloverNot Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Town Car

20mpg combined
City / highway17 / 24 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

4.6 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

Town Car

18mpg combined
City / highway15 / 22 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

4.6 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
Electrical systemWiring › Front underhood; Wiring83057373,000 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline; Engine500281—
Vehicle speed controlCruise control; Linkages392122100,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Disc › Rotor36331—
VisibilityWindshield wiper/washer › Motor; Windshield14010—
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Park/neutral start interlock switch14010—
SeatsFront assembly › Recliner12103—
SuspensionRear; Front12010—
Air bagsFrontal; Frontal › Sensor/control module10203—
Fuel system, gasolineDelivery › Fuel pump; Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings8130—
EquipmentAppliance › Air conditioner; Electrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc.7000—
Latches/locks/linkagesHood › Latch; Doors › Latch6100—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations