1998 Lincoln Town CAR
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 PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 1 |
| 1981 | 1 |
| 1982 | 2 |
| 1983 | 4 |
| 1984 | 15 |
| 1985 | 21 |
| 1986 | 50 |
| 1987 | 32 |
| 1988 | 99 |
| 1989 | 89 |
| 1990 | 209 |
| 1991 | 155 |
| 1992 | 249 |
| 1993 | 176 |
| 1994 | 155 |
| 1995 | 165 |
| 1996 | 259 |
| 1997 | 314 |
| 1998 | 154 |
| 1999 | 148 |
| 2000 | 108 |
| 2001 | 161 |
| 2002 | 65 |
| 2003 | 201 |
| 2004 | 83 |
| 2005 | 119 |
| 2006 | 143 |
| 2007 | 84 |
| 2008 | 20 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2010 | 13 |
| 2011 | 6 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
6% of complaints: exterior lighting — 9 distinct reports on file.
6% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 9 distinct reports on file.
FIRE5% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 8 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY5% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 8 distinct reports on file.
5% of complaints: suspension — 7 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE BALL JOINT SNAPPED. THIS CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO GO INTO A DITCH, WHICH AVOIDED A SEVERE COLLISION. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP, WHO DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK *JB
NHTSA ODI report, 20040129
SAFETY TIMELINE
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TEXT AND/OR GRAPHICS FOR THE VEHICLE HEADLAMP AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES ARE NOT SUFFICIENTLY CLEAR. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIR
Remedy: OWNER GUIDES CONTAINING REVISED AIMING INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE MAILED TO OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES.
Campaign 98V028000 — check if this car was fixed
FUEL SPIT BACK DURING REFUELING
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 CONTAIN
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS (2).
Campaign 98V322000 — check if this car was fixed
FUEL SPIT BACK DURING REFUELING
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES HAVE JACKING INSTRUCTIONS WHICH, IF FOLLOWED, COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE OPERATOR TO PLACE THE JACK ON A FRAME WELD WHEN ATTEMPTING TO RAISE A RE
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A REVISED JACK INSTRUCTION AND STOWAGE CARD AND JACK WARNING LABEL, AS WELL AS A SUPPLEMENT TO THE OWNER GUIDE.
Campaign 00V200000 — check if this car was fixed
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 A
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.
Campaign 00V157002 — check if this car was fixed
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 FA
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.
Campaign 00V157001 — check if this car was fixed
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN LIMOUSINES STRETCHED OVER 60 INCHES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 109, "NEW PNEUMATIC TIRES," AND NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS."
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE ALL 5 TIRES (INCLUDING THE SPARE TIRE) WITH MICHELIN TIRES (225/70R16 107T REINFORCED WHITE SIDEWALL) WITH A SUFFICIENTLY HIGHER LOAD RATING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 10,
Campaign 00V356000 — check if this car was fixed
POST REAR END COLLISION FIRES
FUEL-FED FIRES
SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD
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, S
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 DEACTIVATION
Campaign 07V336000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 15E082000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1998 Lincoln Town CAR — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for exterior lighting issues (9 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (9 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (8 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 98V028000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 98V322000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 00V200000 (equipment) has been completed.
- Verify recall 00V157002 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 00V157001 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 00V356000 (tires) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07V336000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15E082000 (steering) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1998 Lincoln Town CAR reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Lincoln Town CAR is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Lincoln Town CAR?
The most-reported component is exterior lighting:headlights, accounting for 6% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1998 Lincoln Town CAR have?
8 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.