MYRModel Year Report

1988 Lincoln Town CAR

▲ Better than typical
1988 Lincoln Town CAR
RENDERED 2026-09-17T03:04:59.289Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Lincoln Town CAR Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1988 highlighted. 1980: 1 complaints 1980 1981: 1 complaints 1982: 2 complaints 1983: 4 complaints 1984: 15 complaints 1984 1985: 21 complaints 1986: 50 complaints 1987: 32 complaints 1988: 99 complaints 1988 1989: 90 complaints 1990: 209 complaints 1991: 157 complaints 1992: 249 complaints 1992 1993: 178 complaints 1994: 159 complaints 1995: 166 complaints 1996: 259 complaints 1996 1997: 314 complaints 1998: 154 complaints 1999: 148 complaints 2000: 108 complaints 2000 2001: 161 complaints 2002: 65 complaints 2003: 201 complaints 2004: 83 complaints 2004 2005: 119 complaints 2006: 143 complaints 2007: 84 complaints 2008: 20 complaints 2008 2009: 5 complaints 2010: 13 complaints 2011: 6 complaints 2011
1988: 99 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19801
19811
19822
19834
198415
198521
198650
198732
198899
198990
1990209
1991157
1992249
1993178
1994159
1995166
1996259
1997314
1998154
1999148
2000108
2001161
200265
2003201
200483
2005119
2006143
200784
200820
20095
201013
20116

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 40%

40% of complaints: electrical system — 40 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing switch and ignition.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

THE IGNITION SWITCH GIVES SPARKS AND COULD IGNITE THE CAR. FORD ADMITS OTHER 1988 LINCOLN TOWN CARS HAVE A IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM AND REPLACES THEM.

NHTSA ODI report, 20141028

Also filed under ENGINE

IGNITION SWITCH FAILED CAUSING A SMALL FIRE UNDER THE DASHBOARD. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20030610

IGNITION SWITCH SHORTED OUT, CAUSING STEERING COLUMN FIRE. *SKD

NHTSA ODI report, 19950302

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 17%

17% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 17 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing accelerator pedal and linkages.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

THE LINCOLN TOWN CAR WAS PARKED OUTSIDE A RENTAL HOME AND CAUGHT FIRE. *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20091123

CONSUMER STOPPED AT DRIVE THRU WINDOW STOP AND CAR ACCELERATED CAUSING AN ACCIDENT CAR WAS TOTALED . TT WINDSHIELD BROKE IN ACCIDENT. *SLC

NHTSA ODI report, 19951117

POWER TRAIN 9%

9% of complaints: power train — 9 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY FAILS WHEN IN OVERDRIVE. THIS FAILURE OCCURS ON THE HIGHWAY AT HIGH SPEED AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE CAR GOES OUT OF CONTROL. *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20141028

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 7%

7% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 7 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

FIRE
SEAT BELTS 7%

7% of complaints: seat belts — 7 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing buckle assembly and rear/other.

CRASH INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19870808 — fuel system, gasoline

FUEL RAILS MAY BE BENT SO THAT NO. 5 INJECTOR CUPS ARE OUT OF DESIGN POSITION.

Remedy: REPLACE FUEL RAIL ASSEMBLIES AS NECESSARY.

Campaign 87V131000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19871012 — fuel system, gasoline

SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.

Remedy: INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.

Campaign 87V139000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19890314 — PE (closed 19890712)

FUEL FILLER PIPE SPURTING

R 19910222 — seat belts

SAFETY BELTS (TYPE 1 LAP BELTS) FOR REAR FACING SEATS WERE NOT INSTALLED.

Remedy: INSTALL SAFETY BELTS FOR REAR FACING SEATS.

Campaign 90V050000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19910604 — equipment

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIMOUSINES BUILT BY EMPIRE COACH. VEHICLE ALTERERS LABEL MAY BE MISSING OR INCOMPLETE.

Remedy: ADD COMPLIANCE LABEL.

Campaign 90V093000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19960607 — electrical system

THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.

Campaign 96V071000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19990729 — DP (closed 20000406)

SUDDEN ACCELERATION

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1988 Lincoln Town CAR — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (40 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (17 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (9 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 87V131000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 87V139000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 90V050000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 90V093000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 96V071000 (electrical system) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1987 ▲ 1986 ▲ 2002

WORST YEARS

■ 1997 ◆ 1992 ◆ 1996

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1988 Lincoln Town CAR reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1988 Lincoln Town CAR is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1988 Lincoln Town CAR?

The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 40% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1988 Lincoln Town CAR have?

5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.