IllustrationI OWN 2 1992 LINCOLN TOWN CARS. IN THE FIRST WEEK OF OCT.,2007, THE BRAKES ON BOTH CARS FAILED. THE BRAKE LINES UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT AREA RUSTED THROUGH. MY NEW LINCOLN HAS A CERAMIC COATING. THE LINES ARE BADLY RUSTED ALL ALONG THE EXPOSED AREA UNDER THE MIDDLE OF THE CAR. *TR
1992 Lincoln Town Car
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Town Car years
Owner complaints for the 1992 Lincoln Town Car are substantially higher than the model-year median of 86.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Town Car years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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: 29 of 249 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 73 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 48 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 39 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
11 crash reports93 fire reports11 injury reports
What owners actually said
249 reportsTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN SEPTEMBER OF 2007 FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. AT THAT TIME, SHE DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE SWITCH DEACTIVATED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND THE WIRING HARNESS WAS DESTROYED. THE DEALER STAT…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN SEPTEMBER OF 2007 FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. AT THAT TIME, SHE DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE SWITCH DEACTIVATED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND THE WIRING HARNESS WAS DESTROYED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ONLY THING THEY COULD DO WAS DEACTIVATE THE SWITCH. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000. UPDATED 11/15/07
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 25-45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING. FIFTEEN MINUTES AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED, IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED, THE VEHICLE PORT WAS DAMAGED, AND THE SIDING ON THE CONTACT'S HOME MELTED. PICTURES ARE AVAILABLE OF HER HOME AND THE VEHICLE P…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 25-45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING. FIFTEEN MINUTES AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED, IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED, THE VEHICLE PORT WAS DAMAGED, AND THE SIDING ON THE CONTACT'S HOME MELTED. PICTURES ARE AVAILABLE OF HER HOME AND THE VEHICLE PORT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BEFORE SHE WAS ABLE TO TAKE PICTURES. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE PURCHASE DATE AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 140,000.
1992 LINCOLN TOWN CAR RECALL WAS RECEIVED AFTER THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS ALREADY DESTROYED . CUSTOMER STATES THAT SHE BELIEVES THAT FORD SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE BECAUSE THEY ARE THE REASON HER CAR BURNED UP. *KB
PARKED CAR. ATTEMPTED TO START CAR AND THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS LIT AS NORMAL, BUT THE STARTER DID NOT START. AFTER MANY ATTEMPTS CAR MOTOR TURNED OVER BUT BECAUSE I LET OFF STARTING TOO SOON CAR DID NOT START AND PROBLEM RESUMED. BATTERY GOOD. STARTER GOOD. FUSES GOOD. IGNITION SWITCH GOOD. THIS IS THE SECOND 1992 TOWN CAR IN WHIC…
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PARKED CAR. ATTEMPTED TO START CAR AND THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS LIT AS NORMAL, BUT THE STARTER DID NOT START. AFTER MANY ATTEMPTS CAR MOTOR TURNED OVER BUT BECAUSE I LET OFF STARTING TOO SOON CAR DID NOT START AND PROBLEM RESUMED. BATTERY GOOD. STARTER GOOD. FUSES GOOD. IGNITION SWITCH GOOD. THIS IS THE SECOND 1992 TOWN CAR IN WHICH THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED. BOTH CARS HAVE OVER 100,000 MILES. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THERE WERE TWO LOUD BANGS. THE CONTACT LOOKED INTO THE DRIVEWAY, AND SAW THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FLAMES WERE LOCATED ON THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE BURNED COMPLETELY, AND THE HEAT FROM THE FIRE BURNED THE SIDE OF A RECREATIONAL VEHICLE WHICH WAS P…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THERE WERE TWO LOUD BANGS. THE CONTACT LOOKED INTO THE DRIVEWAY, AND SAW THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FLAMES WERE LOCATED ON THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE BURNED COMPLETELY, AND THE HEAT FROM THE FIRE BURNED THE SIDE OF A RECREATIONAL VEHICLE WHICH WAS PARKED ALONGSIDE THE FIRST VEHICLE. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT AND A FIRE REPORT PROCESSED AT THE SCENE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS A STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS ON NHTSA RECALL # 99V124000 WHICH PERTAINS TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
SMOKE! SMELL OF BURNING! MODULE FOR FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SHORTED OUT. AIR BAG LIGHT ON AND BEEPER BEEPING. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60MPH WITHOUT WARNING THE HOOD FLEW UP AND HIT THE WINDSHIELD. AS A RESULT OF THE WINDSHIELD FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS SAFELY STOPPED AND THE HOOD WAS TIED DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHO DETERMINED THE METAL AROUND THE HOOD LATCH STRIKER PLATE FASTENERS HAD…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60MPH WITHOUT WARNING THE HOOD FLEW UP AND HIT THE WINDSHIELD. AS A RESULT OF THE WINDSHIELD FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS SAFELY STOPPED AND THE HOOD WAS TIED DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHO DETERMINED THE METAL AROUND THE HOOD LATCH STRIKER PLATE FASTENERS HAD CORRODED. THEREFORE, CAUSING THEM TO PULL THROUGH THE METAL HOOD. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 05V091000, REGARDING THE HOOD LATCH. THE MODEL YEAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. UPDATED 06/12/06. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 60MPH THE HOOD LATCH BROKE CAUSING THE HOOD TO FLY UP. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 95V151000, REGARDING THE HOOD LATCH. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. *NM
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE NOT STOPPING THE VEHICLE. THIS OCCURED WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEEDS OF 20 MPH OF LESS ON 9-04-05. SHE REPORTED THIS BEING THE FIRST TIME SHE HAD A BRAKE PROBLEM. A MONTH AGO THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON SO THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE…
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DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE NOT STOPPING THE VEHICLE. THIS OCCURED WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEEDS OF 20 MPH OF LESS ON 9-04-05. SHE REPORTED THIS BEING THE FIRST TIME SHE HAD A BRAKE PROBLEM. A MONTH AGO THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON SO THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. SHE DID NOT HEAR ANY KIND OF NOISE WHEN SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES. SHE THEN TOOK VEHICLE TO A SERVICE DEALER AND THEY TOLD HER TO CALL NHTSA VEHICLE SAFETY HOT LINE. *AK *MR
Official recalls
407V336000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Aug 3, 2007
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy: 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.
99V124000 · Electrical System
May 19, 1999
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A FIRE CAN ORIGINATE IN THE LEFT FRONT UNDERHOOD AREA.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH AND CONNECTOR SHELL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 20, 1999.
98V322000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint
Dec 16, 1998
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING, REDUCED STEERING CONTROL COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS (2).
95V151000 · Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch
Aug 7, 1995
THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH MAY NOT ENGAGE WHEN THE HOOD IS CLOSED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLY.
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
7EA02025 · Speed Control Deactivation Switch Fires
Opened Sep 6, 2002 · Closed Jun 30, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
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.
DP02007 · FUEL-FED Fires
Opened Aug 22, 2002 · Closed Dec 4, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
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.
SQ01014 · Post Rear End Collision Fires
Opened Nov 27, 2001 · Closed Oct 3, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage
There is no summary currently available
RQ01002 · Engine Compartment Fires
Opened Sep 20, 2001 · Closed Sep 6, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
No summary supplied.
EA99006 · Under Hood Fires
Opened Mar 11, 1999 · Closed May 19, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
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
PE98055 · Under Hood Fires
Opened Oct 27, 1998 · Closed Mar 11, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
ALLEGED ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE IN THE AREA OF THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL WELL AND THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINER.
PE93086 · Hood FLY-UP While Driving
Opened Oct 1, 1993 · Closed Feb 28, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available