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: 32 of 176 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 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
13 crash reports56 fire reports10 injury reports
What owners actually said
176 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 4, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
STEEL BRAKE / FUEL LINE ASSEMBLY FAILURE. HEAVILY ROTTED DUE TO POSITIONING ON FRAME RAIL, TRAPPS DIRT/ MOISTURE OR COULD JUST BE INFIRIOR QUALITY MATTERIALS. MANUFACTURER SAID THEY HAD NOT DOCUMENTED ANY PROBLEMS. THE DEALER SAID IT WASN'T COMMON BUT KNEW THE REPAIR LABOR AND PARTS PRICE OFF TOP OF HEAD. OTHER LINES IN OTHER LO…
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STEEL BRAKE / FUEL LINE ASSEMBLY FAILURE. HEAVILY ROTTED DUE TO POSITIONING ON FRAME RAIL, TRAPPS DIRT/ MOISTURE OR COULD JUST BE INFIRIOR QUALITY MATTERIALS. MANUFACTURER SAID THEY HAD NOT DOCUMENTED ANY PROBLEMS. THE DEALER SAID IT WASN'T COMMON BUT KNEW THE REPAIR LABOR AND PARTS PRICE OFF TOP OF HEAD. OTHER LINES IN OTHER LOCATIONS ON VEHICLE APPEARED OK. I HAVE OTHER VEHICLE MUCH OLDER THAN THIS ONE AND ORIGINAL LINES ARE IN GOOD SHAPE. IV'E NEVER SEEN BRAKE LINE FAILURE, WHICH OCCOURS SUDDENLY RESULTING IN BRAKE FAILURE, IN A VEHILE ONLY 8 YEARS OLD. DETERIORATION IS EXTENSIVE. WOULD IT REALLY DRIVE THE COST OF A NEW VEHICLE UP THAT MUCH NOT TO MANDATE STAINLESS STEEL BRAKE LINES AS MANY MANUFACTURERS ARE PROVIDING STAINLESS EXHAUST SYSTEMS? THANK YOU FOR THIS WEB SITE FRANK MARKUT
NHTSA ODI #749821
Mileage unknown · Jul 6, 2001
Electrical SystemFire
CAR WAS PARKED APPROX 5 HOURS SELF IGNITED AT MAIN WIRING HARNESS. SMOKE AND FLAMES WERE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WE PUT FIRE OUT AND DISCONNECTED BATTERY AS WIRES WERE STILL SMOKING. INSURANCE COMPANY WAS CALLED AND APPRAISER CAME OUT BUT WILL NOT COVER AS WAS A CAUSE/DEFECT NOT COMPLETELY BURNED. *AK REFERENCED IN RQ01-002
NHTSA ODI #747985
Mileage unknown · Jun 7, 2001
Steering
VERY NOISY AND SLOPPY STEERING CONTROL - POSSIBLE STEERING SYSTEM FAILURE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #746575
Mileage unknown · Jun 7, 2001
Power Train
TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE - 70 MPH - TRANSMISSION AUTOMATICALLY STARTED DOWNSHIFTING ALMOST CAUSING MULTIPLE ACCIDENTS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #746573
Mileage unknown · May 29, 2001
Vehicle Speed Control
CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO DISENGAGE WHEN BRAKES APPLIED-LOCKED THROTTLE AT HALF WAY-WAS ABLE TO STOP WITHOUT ACCIDENT-SPEED CONTROL CABLE WAS HOLDING THROTTLE OPEN-HAD TO DISCONNECT SPEED CONTROL CABLE FROM LINKAGE.
NHTSA ODI #746042
Mileage unknown · Apr 18, 2001
Interior Lighting
DASHLIGHTS ARE TURNED UP AS BRIGHT AS IT GOES, BUT CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO SEE HOW FAST HE IS DRIVING. DEALER STATED ALL 1993 MODELS ARE LIKE THAT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #886236
Mileage unknown · Apr 17, 2001
Air BagsCrash
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL LEFT SIDE COLLISION AT 32-35 MPH IN WHICH DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. HOWEVER, PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID DEPLOY. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #886135
Mileage unknown · Mar 23, 2001
Electrical System
WOULD BE DRIVING VEHICLE WHEN DASHBOARD WOULD GET HOT. INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WOULD COME ON. TWO OF BUTTONS HAD MELTED. HAVE TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP, AND WAS INFORMED BY THE MECHANIC READ OUT FROM DIAGNOSTIC INDICATED THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. WOULD NEED TO REPLACE WIRING. THIS PROBLEM ONLY HAPPEN WHEN DRIVING.*AK
NHTSA ODI #884011
Mileage unknown · Mar 21, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ON 3 OCCASIONS WHILE APPLYING BRAKES PEDAL WILL FAIL AND GO TO FLOOR, CAUSING NO BRAKE POWER. ALSO, ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT WILL COME ON. CONSUMER MUST REAPPLY BRAKES IN ORDER TO STOP VEHICLE. DEALER STATED TO CONSUMER THAT IF LIGHT WAS NOT ON WHEN VEHICLE WA BROUGHT TO DEALER , THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE. VEHI…
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ON 3 OCCASIONS WHILE APPLYING BRAKES PEDAL WILL FAIL AND GO TO FLOOR, CAUSING NO BRAKE POWER. ALSO, ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT WILL COME ON. CONSUMER MUST REAPPLY BRAKES IN ORDER TO STOP VEHICLE. DEALER STATED TO CONSUMER THAT IF LIGHT WAS NOT ON WHEN VEHICLE WA BROUGHT TO DEALER , THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE. VEHICLE HAS A COMPUTER THAT ERASED MEMORY AFTER IT WAS TURNED OFF. THEREFORE, CONSUMER WILL HAVE TO DRIVE VEHICLE DIRECTLY TO DEALER WHEN ABS LIGHT WAS TURNED ON. HAD DEALER INSPECT VEHICLE IMMEDIATLEY.*AK
NHTSA ODI #883687
Mileage unknown · Feb 28, 2001
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspension
WHILE TRAVELING IN COLD WEATHER 15-20 MINUTES CONSUMER NOTICED ABS INDICATOR LIGHT WOULD FLASH ON. WHEN VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF OR COOLING DOWN INDICATOR LIGHT WOULD CUT OFF. *AK THE VEHICLE OCCASIONALY MAKES A RUMBLE NOISE ONCE A DAY. *YH
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.
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.
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).
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
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
7
EA02025 · 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
1993 Lincoln Town Car Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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