MYRModel Year Report

1990 Lincoln Town CAR

◆ Worse than typical
1990 Lincoln Town CAR
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had 30% to 100% more 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
209
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 1990

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Electrical system

33% of complaints

Complaints per year

1980: 1 complaint 1980 1981: 1 complaint 1982: 2 complaints 1983: 4 complaints 1984: 15 complaints 1984 1985: 21 complaints 1986: 50 complaints 1987: 32 complaints 1988: 99 complaints 1989: 90 complaints 1990: 209 complaints 1990 209 1991: 157 complaints 1992: 249 complaints 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
1980: 1 complaint 1980 1981: 1 complaint 1982: 2 complaints 1982 1983: 4 complaints 1984: 15 complaints 1984 1985: 21 complaints 1986: 50 complaints 1986 1987: 32 complaints 1988: 99 complaints 1988 1989: 90 complaints 1990: 209 complaints 1990 209 1991: 157 complaints 1992: 249 complaints 1992 1993: 178 complaints 1994: 159 complaints 1994 1995: 166 complaints 1996: 259 complaints 1996 1997: 314 complaints 1998: 154 complaints 1998 1999: 148 complaints 2000: 108 complaints 2000 2001: 161 complaints 2002: 65 complaints 2002 2003: 201 complaints 2004: 83 complaints 2004 2005: 119 complaints 2006: 143 complaints 2006 2007: 84 complaints 2008: 20 complaints 2008 2009: 5 complaints 2010: 13 complaints 2010 2011: 6 complaints
1980: 1 complaint 1980 1981: 1 complaint 1982: 2 complaints 1982 1983: 4 complaints 1984: 15 complaints 1984 1985: 21 complaints 1986: 50 complaints 1986 1987: 32 complaints 1988: 99 complaints 1988 1989: 90 complaints 1990: 209 complaints 1990 209 1991: 157 complaints 1992: 249 complaints 1992 1993: 178 complaints 1994: 159 complaints 1994 1995: 166 complaints 1996: 259 complaints 1996 1997: 314 complaints 1998: 154 complaints 1998 1999: 148 complaints 2000: 108 complaints 2000 2001: 161 complaints 2002: 65 complaints 2002 2003: 201 complaints 2004: 83 complaints 2004 2005: 119 complaints 2006: 143 complaints 2006 2007: 84 complaints 2008: 20 complaints 2008 2009: 5 complaints 2010: 13 complaints 2010 2011: 6 complaints

1990: 209 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

33% · 70 reports

Most commonly citing front underhood and alternator/generator/regulator.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

On May 9TH my car engine burst in to flames while parked and off.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-05-23

Engine compartment fire, unknown origin. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-05-23

Engine and engine cooling

15% · 31 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

FIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Consumer stated that the vehicle was driven approximately 1/2 hour, and then parked. 1 and 1/2 hours later the vehicle caught on fire. The fire was in engine compartment and burned complete drivers side of the engine.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-09-05

Latches/locks/linkages

10% · 21 reports

Most commonly citing latch and lock.

CRASHINJURY

Service brakes

10% · 20 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHFIRE

Vehicle speed control

8% · 16 reports

Most commonly citing accelerator pedal.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Accelerator pedal stuck, causing an accident. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-02-21

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    1990Complaint volume 209 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    1990-11-27Preliminary evaluationClosed 1991-03-29 Hood latch failure
  3. R
    1990-12-05Equipment90V133000 Tire placard may contain incorrect gross vehicle weight ratings and tire information.

    Remedy: Install revised tire placards.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    1990-12-05Equipment90V134000 Gross vehicle weight ratings and tire information may be incorrect on labels.

    Remedy: Install revised certification labels.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    1991-03-29Engineering analysisClosed 1992-03-16 Hood latch failure
  6. R
    1995-08-11Latches/locks/linkages95V091000 Corrosion of the hood latch striker plate causes detachment of the plate from the hood assembly resulting in an unexpected opening of the hood while the vehicle is being driven.

    Remedy: Dealers will install a new hood inner panel reinforcement and a new, galvanized hood latch striker plate.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    1999-01-18Suspension98V322000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the lower control arm ball joints (2).

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1990 Lincoln Town CAR — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 70 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 31 reports on file for this year.
  • Latches/locks/linkages: 21 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 90V133000 · Equipment
  • Recall 90V134000 · Equipment
  • Recall 95V091000 · Latches/locks/linkages
  • Recall 98V322000 · Suspension
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1990 Lincoln Town CAR reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1990 Lincoln Town CAR is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1990 Lincoln Town CAR?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 33% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1990 Lincoln Town CAR have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.