MYRModel Year Report

1997 Lincoln Town CAR

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1997 Lincoln Town CAR
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints 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.

How is this computed?

Complaints
314
Recalls
8

Campaigns on file for 1997

Investigations
7

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Engine and engine cooling

30% 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 1992 1993: 178 complaints 1994: 159 complaints 1995: 166 complaints 1996: 259 complaints 1997: 314 complaints 1997 314 1998: 154 complaints 1999: 148 complaints 2000: 108 complaints 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 1995: 166 complaints 1996: 259 complaints 1997: 314 complaints 1997 314 1998: 154 complaints 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 1995: 166 complaints 1996: 259 complaints 1997: 314 complaints 1997 314 1998: 154 complaints 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

1997: 314 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.

Engine and engine cooling

30% · 93 reports

Most commonly citing manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe and engine.

FIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

*driving in heavy traffic on i-680 in omaha. Below freezing temps. *intake manifold failed...resulting in sprying coolent on windshilds of vehicals *behind me and a large cloud of steam. Resulting in panic braking and close calls.

NHTSA ODI report, 2005-03-24

Suspension

18% · 58 reports

Most commonly citing lower ball joint and front.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

Ball joint separated from control arm causing control arm to drop to the ground. The same as your RECALL98V322000 but calling Lincoln they said that my car was not part of the recall. Even though it did exactly what the recall said.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-08-20

Service brakes

15% · 48 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURY

Vehicle speed control

14% · 44 reports

Most commonly citing cruise control.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Steering

7% · 22 reports

Most commonly citing anti-theft device and column.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

While driving 45 MPH the vehicle swerved to the left without warning . The consumer could not control the vehicle and the vehicle went through a guard rail. The vehicle flipped over three times down an embankment.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-07-01

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Lincoln Town CAR. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the steering ability became loose and the contact lost control.

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-05-22

Safety timeline

8 recalls · 7 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. ▮
    1997Complaint volume 314 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    1998-05-01Service brakes, hydraulic98I001000 This is not a safety recall in accordance with federal regulation 573. However, it is deemed a safety improvement campaign by the agency. Ford is initiating an owner notification program for…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the brake lines for wear, install two new tube bundle clips, and check the brake lines for proper clearances. If the brake lines are worn, the damaged section of the brake line…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. 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 →

  4. R
    2000-09-28Seat belts00V157002 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles using aftermarket front passenger side seat belt assemblies that were sold by Ford parts departments from January 1, through June 13, 2000. These seat belt…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect these vehicles and replace the service seat belt assemblies that were installed in these vehicles from January 1 through June 13, 2000.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2000-09-28Seat belts00V157001 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles using aftermarket driver's seat belt assemblies that were sold by Ford parts departments from January 1, through June 13, 2000. These seat belt assemblies…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect these vehicles and replace the service seat belt assemblies that were installed in these vehicles from January 1 through June 13, 2000.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2001-10-05Air bags01V318000 Equipment description: passenger vehicles that have had the driver's air bag module replaced after April 5, 2000. The replacement driver's air bag module inflator may have insufficient welds that…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the driver's air bag module. Owner notification began October 5, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. I
    2001-11-27SQClosed 2002-10-03 Post rear end collision fires
  8. I
    2002-08-22Defect petitionClosed 2002-12-04 Fuel-fed fires
  9. I
    2002-09-06Engineering analysisClosed 2004-06-30 Speed control deactivation switch fires
  10. I
    2003-01-03Recall queryClosed 2003-06-03 Ball joint separation
  11. I
    2003-03-11Recall queryClosed 2003-07-25 Rear brake line failure
  12. I
    2003-07-25Engineering analysisClosed 2005-04-11 Rear brake line failure
  13. I
    2005-09-22Defect petitionClosed 2006-01-04 Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
  14. 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  15. R
    2015-10-28Steering15E082000 Dorman Products, Inc.

    Remedy: Dorman will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering shaft, free of charge. The recall began on October 28, 2015. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492, option 5.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  16. R
    Date not on fileAir bags96V231000 Two bolts that attach the driver air bag to the steering wheel were not installed during vehicle assembly.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the vehicles and install any bolts that are missing.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1997 Lincoln Town CAR — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine and engine cooling: 93 reports on file for this year.
  • Suspension: 58 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 48 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 96V231000 · Air bags
  • Recall 98I001000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 98V322000 · Suspension
  • Recall 00V157002 · Seat belts
  • Recall 00V157001 · Seat belts
  • Recall 01V318000 · Air bags
  • Recall 07V336000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 15E082000 · Steering
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1997 Lincoln Town CAR reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Lincoln Town CAR is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Lincoln Town CAR?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 30% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1997 Lincoln Town CAR have?
8 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.