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2005 Lincoln Town Car

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Lincoln Town Car do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 86.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

97 reports with mileage · 22 unknown

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.

  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

17 crash reports2 fire reports9 injury reports

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

34 reports
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44,000 miles · Sep 17, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED FOLLOWED BY A DELAYED RESPONSE. ADDITIONALLY, ON A SEPARATE OCCASION WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED INTO NEU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED FOLLOWED BY A DELAYED RESPONSE. ADDITIONALLY, ON A SEPARATE OCCASION WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AS IT RESUMED NORMALLY. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE DIAGNOSED FOR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED SIGNIFICANT CONCERN OF THE SAFETY DEFECT WITH THE ACCELERATION AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 44,000.

NHTSA ODI #10356118

Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 2010
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

ON JUNE 5, 2008 I WAS IN LINE ON A HILL TO GET INTO A CAR WASH & ACCELERATED INTO THE CAR ON LINE IN FRONT OF ME. I DID FILE A POLICE REPORT AT THAT TIME. I THOUGHT MY FOOT SLIPPED OFF THE BRAKE & THAT IT COULD HAVE BEEN MY FAULT. HOWEVER,ON APRIL 8, 2010 I WAS WAITING IN LINE AT THE SAME CAR WASH IN EXACTLY THE SAME SPOT.I TAPP…

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ON JUNE 5, 2008 I WAS IN LINE ON A HILL TO GET INTO A CAR WASH & ACCELERATED INTO THE CAR ON LINE IN FRONT OF ME. I DID FILE A POLICE REPORT AT THAT TIME. I THOUGHT MY FOOT SLIPPED OFF THE BRAKE & THAT IT COULD HAVE BEEN MY FAULT. HOWEVER,ON APRIL 8, 2010 I WAS WAITING IN LINE AT THE SAME CAR WASH IN EXACTLY THE SAME SPOT.I TAPPED THE ACCELERATOR SLIGHTLY TO MOVE UP IN LINE AND MY CAR LURCHED FORWARD OUT OF CONTROL. DESPITE PRESSING HARD ON THE BRAKE PEDAL MY CAR STILL ACCELERATED INTO THE CAR IN LINE IN FRONT OF ME. I DID NOT FILE A POLICE REPORT ON APRIL 8, 2010. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10324853

82,000 miles · Nov 18, 2009
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 LINCOLN TOWN-CAR. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DECELERATE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT INTENTION. EVEN AFTER REPEATED BRAKE APPLICATION THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. CONSEQUENTLY SHE CRASHED INTO A GRASS EMBANKMENT. SHE WAS HOSPITALIZED BECAUSE HER BACK HAD BROKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 LINCOLN TOWN-CAR. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DECELERATE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT INTENTION. EVEN AFTER REPEATED BRAKE APPLICATION THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. CONSEQUENTLY SHE CRASHED INTO A GRASS EMBANKMENT. SHE WAS HOSPITALIZED BECAUSE HER BACK HAD BROKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER, BUT THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES 82,000. UPDATED 01/20/10 *BF THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE PROBLEM WAS THE THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR OR THROTTLE BOX OR BOTH. THE CONSUMER STATED HE SLOWED DOWN FOR A STOP. UPDATED 01/22/10.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10292823

3,440 miles · Aug 21, 2008
Electrical SystemPower TrainStructure

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. INTERMITTENTLY, THE VEHICLE SURGED WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER APPROXIMATELY 9 TIMES, AND 6 FOR THE SURGING PROBLEM. BUT THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,440. UPDATED 09/24/08. *LJ THE DEALER …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. INTERMITTENTLY, THE VEHICLE SURGED WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER APPROXIMATELY 9 TIMES, AND 6 FOR THE SURGING PROBLEM. BUT THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,440. UPDATED 09/24/08. *LJ THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THERE WAS A MAJOR DEFECT WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR. THE TRUNK LID WOULD NOT STAY UP. THE HORN WAS NOT WORKING. UPDATED 10/01/08. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10239168

33,710 miles · Feb 26, 2008
Vehicle Speed Control

AFTER A RECALL NOTICE FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY, THE CRUISE CONTROL ON MY 2005 LINCOLN TOWN CAR WAS DISCONNECTED AT THE DEALERSHIP, ARROW FORD OF ABILENE, TEXAS, BECAUSE OF A FIRE HAZARD. SIX MONTHS LATER I AM STILL WAITING FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS TO BE DELIVERED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10219214

23,934 miles · Sep 17, 2007
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE RPM AND THEN STOPPED. A FEW DAYS LATER, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AGAIN ON ITS OWN WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 1-15 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AS HARD AS POSSIBLE AND STEERING THE VEHICLE AROUND TRA…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE RPM AND THEN STOPPED. A FEW DAYS LATER, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AGAIN ON ITS OWN WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 1-15 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AS HARD AS POSSIBLE AND STEERING THE VEHICLE AROUND TRAFFIC WHEN SHE STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE AND STRUCK A PARKED VEHICLE. THE ENTIRE FRONT END WAS DAMAGED, INCLUDING THE RADIATOR, BATTERY, ENGINE BLOCK, AND WINDSHIELD, HOWEVER, THE FRONT END OF THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS THE MOST AFFECTED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES OF THE CAR AND REPORTS FROM WITNESSES. SHE SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER LEFT ANKLE, LEFT WRIST, LEFT KNEE, IN ADDITION TO HEMATOMA. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,934 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 23,934. OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT 12/12/07 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10203206

97 miles · Apr 6, 2006
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed ControlCrash

I TOOK DELIVERY OF MY NEW TOWN CAR AND ON THE SHORT DRIVE HOME, I REAR ENDED A CAR STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. I SAW THE LIGHT WAS RED AND BEGAN BY STOP NORMALLY AND THEN REALIZED THAT THE CAR WAS NOT STOPPING. I PRESSED HARDER ON THE BRAKES AND THE ENGINE REVVED FASTER, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES WOULD GRAB AND RELEASE AND THEN I S…

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I TOOK DELIVERY OF MY NEW TOWN CAR AND ON THE SHORT DRIVE HOME, I REAR ENDED A CAR STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. I SAW THE LIGHT WAS RED AND BEGAN BY STOP NORMALLY AND THEN REALIZED THAT THE CAR WAS NOT STOPPING. I PRESSED HARDER ON THE BRAKES AND THE ENGINE REVVED FASTER, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES WOULD GRAB AND RELEASE AND THEN I STRUCK THE STOPPED CAR. THE IMPACT DID NOT SET OFF THE AIR BAGS BUT DID CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO THE BUMPERS OF BOTH CARS. I THOUGHT PERHAPS THE ACCELERATOR HAD STUCK AND TOOK MY CAR IN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. APPARENTLY MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AND THE ACCELERATOR WHEN I TRIED TO STOP. A FRIEND WHO HAS THE SAME MODEL TOWN CAR AS I HAVE SAID THAT THIS HAPPENED TO HIM 4 TIMES WHEN HIS CAR WAS NEW. MY SON'S WIFE HAS A 2004 EXPEDITION AND HE SAYS THAT HE HATES TO DRIVE IT BECAUSE THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR ARE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. ANOTHER FRIEND EXPRESSED THE SAME CONCERN. MY NEPHEW HAS A 2005 FORD DIESEL PICKUP AND I AM TOLD THAT HE WAS BACKING UP TO A DOCK AND HIT THE ACCELERATOR ALONG WITH THE BRAKE AND SLAMMED INTO THE DOCK BREAKING HIS TAIL LIGHT. THIS VEHICLE AND THE OTHERS I HAVE MENTIONED HAVE PEDALS THAT ADJUST IN AND OUT TOGETHER AND IN ALL POSITIONS THE HEIGHT IS THE SAME ON BOTH, AFTER THE SLACK IS TAKEN UP ON THE BRAKE. I HAD A 1997 TOWN CAR AND THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR IS ALMOST TWICE AS WIDE ON THE '97 I REPORTED THIS TO FORD AND I DO NOT LIKE THEIR RESPONSE. I WILL QUOTE ONE SENTENCE THAT SUMS UP THE SHORT LETTER - - "WE SUGGEST THAT YOU FOLLOW THE DIRECTION OF YOUR INSURANCE CARRIER, WHICH HAS THE RIGHT TO FILE A SUBROGATION CLAIM AGAINST FORD MOTOR COMPANY IF IT CHOOSES TO PURSUE THE MATTER". I SINCERELY HOPE THAT SOMETHING CAN BE DONE TO FORCE FORD TO CORRECT THIS ENGINEERING ERROR. *JB *TR

NHTSA ODI #10154688

1,450 miles · Mar 11, 2006
Vehicle Speed Control

I HAVE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION ON MY 2005 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES. THE CAR'S COMPUTER WAS EXAMINED BY 2 LINCOLN DEALERS AND NO ERRORS WARE FOUND. JUST YESTERDAY, I WAS DRIVING AND HAD MY FOOT OFF BOTH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE BRAKE AS I WAS COASTING IN TRAFFIC WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY…

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I HAVE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION ON MY 2005 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES. THE CAR'S COMPUTER WAS EXAMINED BY 2 LINCOLN DEALERS AND NO ERRORS WARE FOUND. JUST YESTERDAY, I WAS DRIVING AND HAD MY FOOT OFF BOTH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE BRAKE AS I WAS COASTING IN TRAFFIC WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND I HAD TO PRESS ON THE BRAKE TO STOP THIS. I THEN TOOK THE CAR IMMEDIATELY TO MY LINCOLN DEALER WHO COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG AGAIN. DO YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION ON PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL OR ANY OTHER PART SUCH AS CRUISE CONTROL, ETC., THAT COULD CAUSE THIS PROBLEM AND HAS THIS PROBLEM BEEN REPORTED TO YOU BY OTHERS? I MET ANOTHER 2005 LINCOLN TOWN CAR OWNER WHO SAID HE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND I ALSO FOUND AN ARTICLE ON THE INTERNET BY A 3RD 2005 LINCOLN TOWN CAR OWNER WITH THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM WHO ALSO SAID THE HIS DEALER TOLD HIM THAT THE CAR'S COMPUTER SHOWED NO ERRORS SO THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO ABOUT THE PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10152488

4,000 miles · Jan 31, 2006
Vehicle Speed Control

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED, INTERMITTENTLY, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES IN DRIVE OR PARK. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK, THE BRAKE PEDAL MUST BE DEPRESSED. THIS CAUSES THE TIRES TO SQUEAL AND THE IGNITION MUST BE TURNED OFF. THE DEALERSHIP IS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM; NO CODES HAVE BEEN STORED ON THE COMPUTER OR BLACK BOX.

NHTSA ODI #10149108

18,200 miles · Dec 28, 2005
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED BRAKES FAILED AND VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD INTERMITTENTLY. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR THE MOTOR REVVED, AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP BUT IT KEPT LURCHING FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. HOWEVER, THE DEALER …

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED BRAKES FAILED AND VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD INTERMITTENTLY. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR THE MOTOR REVVED, AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP BUT IT KEPT LURCHING FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. HOWEVER, THE DEALER SUGGESTED THAT THE CONTACT INSTALL A DATA RECORDER IN THE VEHICLE TO RECORD THESE INSTANCES. THE CONTACT DECLINED, AND NO REPAIRS WERE MADE.*AK UPDATED 1/19/2006 - NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH INDICATING THERE WAS A PROBLEM. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10146216

Official recalls

3

14V704000 · Steering:rack And Pinion:pinion Shaft

Nov 5, 2014

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Ford Crown Victoria, 2005-2011 Mercury Grand Marquis vehicles manufactured March 23, 2004, to August 30, 2011, and 2005-2011 Lincoln Town Car vehicles manufactured March 8, 2004, to August 30, 2011, and on which the upper intermediate shaft was serviced during the course of safety recall 13V-385. The prior repairs may not have been correctly performed.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Improper servicing of the upper intermediate shaft could cause the shaft to separate, which can then result in a loss of steering control, and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify the owners of vehicles whose repair records reflect that the upper intermediate steering shaft was repaired during the course of the prior recall 13V-385. Dealers will inspect and replace the upper immediate shaft if necessary free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S25.

13V385000 · Steering

Aug 29, 2013

Ford is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Ford Crown Victoria (including Crown Victoria Police Interceptors), Mercury Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Car vehicles. The affected vehicles are currently registered or were originally sold in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Severe corrosion can seize the lower intermediate shaft which may cause the upper intermediate shaft to collapse and the steering column lower bearing to separate.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the lower bearing separates, the vehicle may experience a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners and dealers will replace the lower intermediate shaft, free of charge. The upper intermediate shaft and steering column lower bearing will be inspected to identify any damage that may have occurred as a result of lower intermediate shaft corrosion, and repaired or replaced as necessary. If the steering column lower bearing has separated, a retainer clip will be installed. The recall began on October 23, 2013. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall number is 13S08.

05V518000 · Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery:cables

Nov 9, 2005

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BATTERY CABLE INCLUDES A FUSIBLE LINK THAT MAY CONTACT AND SUBSEQUENTLY CHAFE ON A #2 CROSS MEMBER ATTACHING BOLT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN HEAT DAMAGE AND COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUSIBLE LINK AND POSITION IT AWAY FROM THE CROSS MEMBER BOLT. IF THE FUSIBLE LINK HAS ALREADY CHAFED AND COPPER WIRES HAVE BEEN EXPOSED, THE FUSIBLE LINK WILL BE REPLACED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 18, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673, OR LINCOLN/MERCURY AT 1-800-521-4140.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.