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2008 Lincoln Town Car

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Fewer warning signs than most model years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Lincoln Town Car are lower than the model-year median of 86.5.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
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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: 16 of 20 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.

  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

7 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

5 reports
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72,000 miles · Aug 28, 2017
Service BrakesVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL A COUPLE OF TIMES AND REGAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR TIMES. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL A COUPLE OF TIMES AND REGAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR TIMES. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 72,000. UPDATED 10/26/17*LJ *JS

NHTSA ODI #11020170

61,000 miles · Aug 12, 2013
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK TO STOP THE ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP AND CRASHED THROUGH A BARRIER. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED DURING THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CON…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK TO STOP THE ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP AND CRASHED THROUGH A BARRIER. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED DURING THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10534872

6,500 miles · Nov 9, 2010
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AT A SLOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE AND REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE ACC…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AT A SLOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE AND REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WERE TOO CLOSE WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THE SAME FAILURE WITH THE 2004 LINCOLN TOWNCAR HE PREVIOUSLY OWNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP BUT THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO ASSIGNED HIM A CASE NUMBER AND STATED THAT SOMEONE WOULD CONTACT HIM. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 8,300. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 6,500. UPDATED 1/19/2010 *CN THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE PROBLEM COULD BE CORRECTED BY USING AN AFTERMARKET PEDAL. UPDATED 03/25/11

NHTSA ODI #10365088

25,500 miles · May 12, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

I HAVE A 2008 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. I WAS COMING UP TO AN INTERSECTION AT ABOUT 10 MPH TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN AND WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE THE ENGINE REALLY REVVED UP AND I HAD TO REALLY STOMP ON THE BRAKE (ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOORBOARD) TO STOP THE CAR. THE ENGINE THEN SLOWED DOWN. IF I HAD BEEN DOING 75 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE I…

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I HAVE A 2008 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. I WAS COMING UP TO AN INTERSECTION AT ABOUT 10 MPH TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN AND WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE THE ENGINE REALLY REVVED UP AND I HAD TO REALLY STOMP ON THE BRAKE (ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOORBOARD) TO STOP THE CAR. THE ENGINE THEN SLOWED DOWN. IF I HAD BEEN DOING 75 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STOP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10330094

4,200 miles · May 6, 2010
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

WE HAD A SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF OUR CAR. WE WERE TRAVELING WEST ON THE NEW YORK STATE THRUWAY (I-90) TOWARDS NIAGARA FALLS. AS WE EXITED INTO A REST AREA, SUDDENLY THE ENGINE RACED AS IF THE GAS PEDAL WERE FLOORED. THE DRIVER PRESSED ON THE BRAKE VERY VERY HARD, AND THE CAR ALMOST STOPPED, MOVING FORWARD SLOWLY. T…

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WE HAD A SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF OUR CAR. WE WERE TRAVELING WEST ON THE NEW YORK STATE THRUWAY (I-90) TOWARDS NIAGARA FALLS. AS WE EXITED INTO A REST AREA, SUDDENLY THE ENGINE RACED AS IF THE GAS PEDAL WERE FLOORED. THE DRIVER PRESSED ON THE BRAKE VERY VERY HARD, AND THE CAR ALMOST STOPPED, MOVING FORWARD SLOWLY. THE DRIVER THEN SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL, AND THE ENGINE SLOWEDAND WE STOPPED--ABOUT 50 FEET BEYOND WHERE THE SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION STARTED. WE TURNED THE ENGINE OFF, AND EXAMINED THE FLOORMAT--IT WAS NOT IN A POSITION TO PRESS THE GAS PEDAL. WE CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD, AND DID NOT FIND ANYTHING THAT SEEMED RELATED TO CAUSING THE SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. WE LATER CHECKED IF THE DRIVER COULD PRESS THE GAS AND BRAKE PEDALS AT THE SAME TIME, BUT ON OUR CAR THEY ARE SO FAR APART THAT THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE. WE THINK IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THIS OCCURRENCE WAS DUE TO INADEQUATE SHIELDING, AND INADEQUATE PROGRAMMING, OF THE GAS PEDAL COMPUTER WHICH SENDS SIGNALS TO THE ACCELERATION SYSTEM. AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT, WE HAD A GPS, CELL PHONES, AND GAME MACHINES IN OPERATION, AND THE REST AREA WE WERE PULLING INTO HAD WIFI. THUS, THE ACCELERATION SYSTEM COMPUTER WAS RECEIVING MANY SIGNALS FROM "NOISE." IF THEY CAME IN A CERTAIN SEQUENCE, IT WOULD CAUSE AN SUA, UNLESS THE CAR HAD ADEQUATE CODING TO PREVENT THAT OCCURRENCE. THE FIX FOR THIS WOULD BE TO EITHER HARD WIRE THE GAS PEDAL, OR TO PUT ADEQUATE PROGRAMMING TO PREVENT STRAY SIGNALS FROM BEING ACCEPTED. WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE ONE OF THESE FIXES IMPLEMENTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10329225

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.

10V638000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/header/muffler/tail Pipe

Dec 9, 2010

EXECUTIVE COACH IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 LINCOLN TOWN CAR LIMOUSINES. THE FUEL RAIL SHIELD WAS LEFT OFF DURING MANUFACTURING. IN A FRONTAL IMPACT THE ENGINE COULD POTENTIALLY BEND OR RUPTURE FUEL LINES IF THE REPLACEMENT SHIELD IS NOT IN PLACE, CAUSING THOSE LINES TO LEAK FUEL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: EXECUTIVE COACH WILL SUPPLY KITS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS TO HAVE VEHICLES REPAIRED AT A FACILITY OF THE OWNER'S CHOICE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 1, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT EXECUTIVE COACH AT 888-322-9272.

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.