Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 1 of 15 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Electrical System. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Tires. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports7 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
15 reports
152,000 miles · Jun 13, 2024
Engine
The contact owns a 1984 Lincoln Town Car. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact was able to pull the vehicle to the side of the roadway. The contact stated that the vehicle was able to be restarted. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was…
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The contact owns a 1984 Lincoln Town Car. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact was able to pull the vehicle to the side of the roadway. The contact stated that the vehicle was able to be restarted. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or local dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 152,000.
NHTSA ODI #11594141
Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2001
Electrical System
ENGINE STALLING WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #897108
Mileage unknown · Mar 11, 2001
Tires
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A FLAT IN WHICH THE RUBBER PEELED FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE TIRE, CONSUMER WAS ADVISED BY MANUFACTURER TO TAKE TIRES BACK TO RETAILER, CONSUMER WAS THEN ADVISED THAT THE PROBLEM RESULTED IN A DEFECT IN THE TIRE WALL, CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN THE RUBBER CAME OFF OF TIRE IT DENTED THE MO…
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WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A FLAT IN WHICH THE RUBBER PEELED FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE TIRE, CONSUMER WAS ADVISED BY MANUFACTURER TO TAKE TIRES BACK TO RETAILER, CONSUMER WAS THEN ADVISED THAT THE PROBLEM RESULTED IN A DEFECT IN THE TIRE WALL, CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN THE RUBBER CAME OFF OF TIRE IT DENTED THE MOUNDINGS ON VEHICLE (ROYAL SEAL TIRES). *JB
NHTSA ODI #560281
Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 1998
SteeringFire
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 25 MPH, WHEN SMELLED SMOKE AND LOOKED UP AND SAW HEAVY SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE BRAKE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON.CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT PROBLEM. DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #828274
Mileage unknown · Sep 3, 1997
Tires
THE TIRES MANUFACTURED BY COOPER TIRE, SOLD UNDER NAME OF DEAN. (P 215/70R15) HAD BLOW OUTS, THE RIGHT FRONT AND LEFT FRONT TIRES BLEW OUT WITHIN A MILE APART.
NHTSA ODI #521693
Mileage unknown · Sep 16, 1996
Electrical System
DURING VEHICLE OPERATION SMOKE WAS NOTICED COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. AS A RESULT THE IGNITION SWITCH HAD TO BE REPLACED.*AK CONSUMER REPLACED SWITCH. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #802438
Mileage unknown · Jun 3, 1996
Electrical SystemFire
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM UNDER THE DASH AND UNDER THE HOOD. ELECTRICAL RELATED. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #985178
Mileage unknown · May 14, 1996
Electrical SystemFire
DRIVING VEHICLE, SHUT OFF, PULLED VEHICLE OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD, SMOKE COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN, DRIVER & DAUGHTER GOT OUT, FLAMES ENGULFED VEHICLE . *AK
NHTSA ODI #984434
Mileage unknown · May 9, 1996
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline
IGNITION SWITCH GETS OVERHEATED FROM REPEATED USE WHEN CAR STALLS.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIMOUSINES BUILT BY EMPIRE COACH. VEHICLE ALTERERS LABEL MAY BE MISSING OR INCOMPLETE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH PART 567.
Remedy: ADD COMPLIANCE LABEL.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
PE89039 · Parking Brake Failure
Opened Feb 9, 1989 · Closed Jun 13, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Parking Brake
SUMMARY:THE SPRING UNDER INVESTIGATION CAUSES THE LATCHING PAWL TOENGAGE THE TEETH OF THE RATCHET WHEREBY THE PARKING BRAKE IS RETAINEDIN THE APPLIED POSITION.IF THE SPRING FAILS, THE PEDAL FOLLOWS THEOPERATORS FOOT BACK UP INTO THE RELEASED POSITION.FORD STATES THAT IT ISSUED THE BULLETIN IN ORDER TO INFORM DEALERSTHAT THE SPRING WAS NEWLY AVAILABLE AS A SEPARATE PART.PREVIOUSLY,IT WAS NECESSARY TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE PARKING BRAKE CONTROL ASSEMBLY INORDER TO OBTAIN A NEW SPRING.SINCE THE FAILURE OF THE SPRING WILL NOT CAUSE THE PARKING BRAKE TOSUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY RELEASE AND SINCE THERE IS ADEQUATE WARNINGOF THE FAILURE, NO SAFETY DEFECT TREND WAS FOUND.===
1984 Lincoln Town Car Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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