Model year record

1993 Lincoln Town Car recalls & problems

The 1993 Lincoln Town Car has 4 safety recalls and 176 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (44 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls

Complaints176filed by owners

Crashes · fires13 · 56reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths14 · 0reported 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).

Service brakes, hydraulicJul 11, 1995

Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 95V133000692 vehicles

Problem: IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE REAR BRAKE LINE AT THE POINT AT WHICH THE EXTENDED BRAKE LINE FIRST BENDS AND EXTENDS OVER THE LEFT REAR WHEEL AREA OF THE FRAME. IF NOT INSTALLED WITH SUFFICIENT CLEARANCE, CHAFING OF THE BRAKE LINE CAN OCCUR IN AN AREA ADJACENT TO THE REAR FLOOR PAN.
Risk: THE REAR BRAKE LINE CAN LEAK OR RUPTURE RESULTING IN REDUCED BRAKING CAPABILITY, LOSS OF REAR BRAKES, AND/OR LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID RESERVES IN THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE LINE FOR PROPER INSTALLATION AND/OR DAMAGE AND REPLACE AS NECESSARY. ALSO A PROTECTIVE BOOT OR SLEEVE OVER THE BRAKE LINE WILL BE INSTALLED.

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

1993 Lincoln Town Car 4-DR.

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not 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

19mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.6 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/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 area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Electrical systemWiring › Front underhood; Ignition	44	0	29	1	96,000 mi
Vehicle speed controlCruise control; Linkages	37	2	15	1	113,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	26	3	3	2	105,587 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Torque converter	21	1	0	0	—
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline; Engine	20	0	10	0	—
Air bagsFrontal; Side/window	13	10	0	12	—
SteeringLinkages › Tie rod assembly; Steering wheel/handle bar	12	0	0	1	—
SuspensionRear › Springs › Air suspension system; Front › Springs › Air suspension system	12	0	0	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineDelivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings; Delivery › Fuel pump	7	0	3	0	—
VisibilityRearview mirrors/devices › Interior; Windshield wiper/washer › Switch/wiring	5	0	0	0	—
SeatsFront assembly › Head restraint; Front assembly › Power adjust	4	0	1	2	—
Unknown or other	4	0	2	0	—

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

Recent owner complaints

Service brakes
I WAS WORKING ON DOING MAINTENANCE ON MY CAR. NEXT THING I KNOW, THERE'S A FIRE. I GOT IT OUT QUICKLY ENOUGH WITH THE ORIGINAL EXTINGUISHER. THE SPEED CONTROL HARNESS, WHICH HAD A RECALL AT ONE POINT, IS BURNED AND A BRAKE LINE BUSTED. 9F924 IS THE NUMBER FOR THE PART. I DO NOT KNOW FOR CERTAIN IF THIS WAS EVER REPLACED. BUT IT MUST HAVE BEEN HOT ENOUGH TO CATCH BRAKE FLUID ON FIRE
Aug 23, 2019 · 83,000 miles
Power train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, IT BEGAN TO MAKE A JERKING MOTION AND ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE FAILURES RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Jul 15, 2014 · 100,000 miles
Electrical systemFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT OBSERVED SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE DASHBOARD AND THE FUSE BOX. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Nov 25, 2014 · 100,000 miles
Unknown or otherFire
THE CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN LIKE EVERY OTHER DAY.THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED IN MY DRIVE WAY FOR ABOUT 3 TO 4 HOURS.I WAS INSIDE MY HOUSE WHEN I HEARD SOMEONE HONKING OUTSIDE.WHEN I LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW THE CAR WAS SMOKING FROM UNDER THE HOOD.I GOT MY PHONE AND CALLED 911.BY TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SHOWED UP THE CAR WAS ALREADY IN FLAMES. *KB
Jun 30, 2011 · 139,000 miles
Electrical systemFire
I PURCHASED A USED 1993 LINCOLN TOWN CAR ON DEC 17. ON DECEMBER 19 THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN THE GARAGE. IT HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN SINCE PURCHASE OR STARED. FIRE CAUSED SEVERE DAMAGE TO GARAGE. COMPLETELY BURNED THE CAR. FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND THE INVESTIGATOR STATED IT WAS SPEED CONTROL , SINCE I JUST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE I WAS UNAWARE OF THE RECALL. *TR
Dec 19, 2010 · 160,000 miles
Exterior lightingFire
BRAKE LIGHTS WENT OUT SO WE REPLACED THE BULBS TO NO AVAIL. REPLACED THE FUSE AND FIXED THE BRAKE LIGHTS. DROVE CAR TO WORK AND BACK THURSDAY 1/28/10. PARKED CAR IN DRIVEWAY AT 7PM. AWOKEN AT 3AM TO CAR ENGINE COMPLETELY IN FLAMES. RESEARCHED AND FOUND A RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID #: 99V124000. DAMAGE TO SURROUNDING HOUSES AND NEARBY CAR. *TR
Jan 29, 2010
Electrical system
DASH CONTROL MODULE THAT CONTROLS VEHICLE SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER CAUSES ALL THE DIGITAL DASH THE FLASH LIKE STROBE LIGHTS. DRIVER CAN DETERMINE SPEED OF VEHICLE AND ODOMETER RECORDS INTERMITTENTLY. D CAR ALSO HAS A SMELL OG BURNING WIRES OR PLASTIC. *TR
Jan 25, 2010 · 60,000 miles
Vehicle speed controlFire
MY 1993 LINCOLN TOWN CAR CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED UP. THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED OUTSIDE FOR SEVERAL HOURS BEFORE HE FIRE STARTED. THE FORD COMPANY CLAIMED (BASED ONLY ON PICTURES THAT I SENT THEM) THAT THERE WAS TOO MUCH FIRE DAMAGE TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE FIRE WAS A RESULT OF A DEFECTIVE PART WHICH HAD A RECALL.. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT'S REPORT, WHICH I ALSO PROVIDED TO FORD, STATES THAT THE FIRE APPEARED TO BE AN UNDER THE HOOD ELECTRICAL FIRE. I RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM FORD THAT THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH WAS BEING RECALLED. THE RECALL NOTICE STATES THAT FORD CANNOT BE CONFIDENT THAT OVER MANY YEARS IN SERVICE, THE TYPE OF SCDS INSTALLED ON MY VEHICLE WILL NOT LEAK, POSING THE RISK…
Sep 23, 2007 · 115,000 miles

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

SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH FIRESClosed
BASED ON THE LOW RATE OF FIRE INCIDENTS (2.5 INCIDENTS PER 100,000 VEHICLES SOLD) WHERE FAILURE OF THE SCDS IS INVOLVED AND THE AGE OF THE VEHICLES ? 7 TO 11 YEARS ? A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
EA02025 · opened Sep 6, 2002 · closed Jun 30, 2004
FUEL-FED FIRESClosed
THE FARS DATA SHOWS THAT THE RISK OF FIRE FROM IMPACT IN ALL DIRECTIONS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS THE SAME AS ALL OTHER SEDANS.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE NOT OVER REPRESENTED WITH RESPECT TO THE RISK OF FIRE IN REAL-WORLD HIGH-ENERGY CRASHES.A FURTHER DISCUSSION OF ISSUES RELATED TO POST CRASH FIRES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS SET OUT IN THE CLOSING REPORT FOR SQ 01-014 AND THAT REPORT IS IN THE DOCKET FOR THIS PETITION.AFTER REVIEWING THE PETITION AND ITS SUPPORTING MATERIALS, AS WELL AS INFORMATION FURNISHED BY FORD AND GM, AND INFORMATION WITHIN THE AGENCY'S POSSESSION FROM PREVIOUS INVESTIGATIONS AND OTHER RELATED ACTIONS,NHTSA HAS CONCLUDED THAT FUTHER INVESTIGATION CONCERNING POST-CRASH FIRES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS NOT LIKELY TO LEAD TO A DECISION THAT THE VEHICLES CONTAIN A SAFETY DEFECT.
DP02007 · opened Aug 22, 2002 · closed Dec 4, 2002
POST REAR END COLLISION FIRESClosedLed to recall 02I003000
There is no summary currently available
SQ01014 · opened Nov 27, 2001 · closed Oct 3, 2002
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESClosedLed to recall 99V124000
RQ01002 · opened Sep 20, 2001 · closed Sep 6, 2002
UNDER HOOD FIRESClosedLed to recall 99V124000
ALLEGED THAT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE IN THE AREA OF THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL WELL AND THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER
EA99006 · opened Mar 11, 1999 · closed May 19, 1999
UNDER HOOD FIRESClosed
ALLEGED ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE IN THE AREA OF THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL WELL AND THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINER.
PE98055 · opened Oct 27, 1998 · closed Mar 11, 1999
HOOD FLY-UP WHILE DRIVINGClosed
There is no summary currently available
PE93086 · opened Oct 1, 1993 · closed Feb 28, 1994