1994 Lincoln Town CAR

● Typical for this model
1994 Lincoln Town CAR
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:57:13.672Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of 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.

Complaints
159
Recalls
5

Campaigns on file for 1994

Investigations
4

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

18% 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 1988 1989: 90 complaints 1990: 209 complaints 1991: 157 complaints 1992: 249 complaints 1993: 178 complaints 1994: 159 complaints 1994 159 1995: 166 complaints 1996: 259 complaints 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 1991: 157 complaints 1992: 249 complaints 1992 1993: 178 complaints 1994: 159 complaints 1994 159 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 1991: 157 complaints 1992: 249 complaints 1992 1993: 178 complaints 1994: 159 complaints 1994 159 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

1994: 159 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.

Service brakes

18% · 28 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 1994 Lincoln Town CAR. While the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed an odor of burning rubber and plastic. The vehicle became engulfed with smoke and flames. The contact extinguished the fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 2016-05-25

Engine and engine cooling

16% · 26 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The engine compartment caught fire on the drivers side. The fire started while parked with the key out of the ignition. The fire spreaded to the house.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-10-30

While parked, the vehicle caught fire and burned to the ground. *jb referenced in EA02-025

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-04-28

Consumer states vehicle had been sitting for about 24 hours when vehicle caught fire, flames were coming from the hood. Vehicle was a total loss. Nlm referenced in…

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-10-02

Vehicle speed control

14% · 22 reports

Most commonly citing cruise control and linkages.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

1994 Lincoln Town CAR, regarding a potential underhood fire risk. Consumer stated vehicle caught fire. Updated 06/26/12 *bf the consumer sent supplied the recall notice. Recall# 07V336000.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-06-25

Electrical system

13% · 20 reports

Most commonly citing front underhood and wiring.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

The car had a recall I didnt know about. It states the car may catch fire due to faulty part. I drove the vehicle home after work and parked it around 9:30 PM.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-01-21

Also filed under Engine and forward collision avoidance

Power train

11% · 17 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and seal.

CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

5 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. R
    1994-08-19Service brakes, hydraulic94V129000 The brake pedal push rod retainer (Hairpin clip) may be missing or not properly installed on the service brake pedal. This can cause disengagement of the brake pushrod and loss of braking ability.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the retainer.

  2. R
    1994-09-09Service brakes, hydraulic94V152000 The nuts and bolts that attach the rear brake adaptor to the axle housing flange can loosen and eventually separate. If one or more of the nuts come off the bolts, damage to the parking brake…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if needed, install new bolts. If any of the fasteners are disconnected, the parking brake and ABS components will be inspected and serviced.

  3. R
    1995-08-08Service brakes, hydraulic95V133000 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…

    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.

  4. 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).

  5. I
    2001-09-20Recall queryClosed 2002-09-06 Engine compartment fires
  6. I
    2001-11-27SQClosed 2002-10-03 Post rear end collision fires
  7. I
    2002-08-22Defect petitionClosed 2002-12-04 Fuel-fed fires
  8. I
    2002-09-06Engineering analysisClosed 2004-06-30 Speed control deactivation switch fires
  9. R
    2007-08-13Vehicle speed control07V336000 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…

    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…

Buy-smart checklist

1994 Lincoln Town CAR — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 28 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 26 reports on file for this year.
  • Vehicle speed control: 22 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 94V129000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 94V152000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 95V133000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 98V322000 · Suspension
  • Recall 07V336000 · Vehicle speed control

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1994 Lincoln Town CAR reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1994 Lincoln Town CAR is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1994 Lincoln Town CAR?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 18% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1994 Lincoln Town CAR have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.