IllustrationPOSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE RESULTED IN FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE. NLM
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 reportsWINDSHIELD WIPERS PARK IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION, IN THE LINE OF VISION OF DRIVER. DEALER SAID THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH WIPER MOTORS,SO MOTOR DESIGN WAS CHANGED.NEW MOTOR REQUIRES A RETRO-FIT WIRE HARNESS TO INSTALL NEW MOTOR. I HAVE PERSONALLY SEEN IN BROOKHAVEN,MS DOZENS OF FORD MTR CO VEHICLES (TOWN CARS, CONTINENTALS, TAURUSES,…
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WINDSHIELD WIPERS PARK IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION, IN THE LINE OF VISION OF DRIVER. DEALER SAID THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH WIPER MOTORS,SO MOTOR DESIGN WAS CHANGED.NEW MOTOR REQUIRES A RETRO-FIT WIRE HARNESS TO INSTALL NEW MOTOR. I HAVE PERSONALLY SEEN IN BROOKHAVEN,MS DOZENS OF FORD MTR CO VEHICLES (TOWN CARS, CONTINENTALS, TAURUSES, GRAND MARQUIS,CROWN VICTORIAS, AND MERCURY SABLES) WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.THESE VEHICLES RANGE IN THE 1991-1997 RANGE. IT IS HARD FOR ME TO IMMAGINE THAT A WIPER MOTOR PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN REPORTED, PRIOR TO MY COMPLAINT. I AM AT A LOSS BECAUSE I HAVE JUST RECENTLY BECOME FAMILLIAR WITH A ACTUAL PLACE THAT DEFECTS LIKE THESE CAN BE REPORTED BY JOE CONSUMER. *AK
THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE IN RESIDENTIAL GARAGE AND WAS DAMAGED DUE TO ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT AT THE ENGINE AREA. YH
CONSUMER BELIEVES RECALLED SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH CAUSED VEHICLE FIRE WHICH TOTALED THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE 99V-124. NLM REFERENCED IN EA02-025
CAUSES BRAKE FAILURE AT ALL SPEEDS AND BURNING SMELL
I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THIS PART 3 TIMES AND TAKE IT OFF TO GET MOISTURE OUT OFF IT , HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT MY CAR IS THE ONLY ONE THAT DOES THIS BUT I DON' T THINK SO. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK
HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH MOISTURE IN SUSPENSION PUMP HAVE HAD TO REPLACE IT 5 TIMES, HAS THERE BEEN ANY COMPLAINTS OTHER THAN MINE. *AK
AFTER PARKING VEHICLE IN DRIVEWAY, 15 MINUTES LATER, VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE DUE TO POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE. ALSO,THE DRIVEWAY AND THE HOUSE WERE DAMAGED DUE TO THE FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT PUT FIRE OUT. MAMUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK THE CONSUMER FOUND WHERE THERE WAS A RECALL (99V124) REGARDING THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATI…
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AFTER PARKING VEHICLE IN DRIVEWAY, 15 MINUTES LATER, VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE DUE TO POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE. ALSO,THE DRIVEWAY AND THE HOUSE WERE DAMAGED DUE TO THE FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT PUT FIRE OUT. MAMUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK THE CONSUMER FOUND WHERE THERE WAS A RECALL (99V124) REGARDING THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH, THE RECALL STATES THAT THE SWITCH COULD SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT AND RESULT IN A FIRE. *SLC REFERENCED IN RQ01-002
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, TRAVELLING AT 65MPH ALL OF SUDDEN & WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE SHUT OFF. HAD TO WAIT FOR FIVE TO TEN MINUTES IN ORDER FOR VEHICLE TO START BACK UP. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK
DEFECTIVE DESIGN OF THE OIL PAN CAUSED IT TO RUST THROUGH, RESULTING IN AN OIL LEAK WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED A FIRE. COMMON PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
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