1999 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
9% of complaints: air bags — 14 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1999 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH IN HEAVY RAIN, THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED AND CRASHED WITH A FLAT BED TOW TRUCK. NONE OF THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180920
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG ERRONEOUSLY DEPLOYED AS SOON AS THE CONTACT INSERTED THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION.
NHTSA ODI report, 20130311
THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT, DRIVER'S SIDE IMPACT AND PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING AN ACCIDENT. THE ONLY AIR BAG THAT DEPLOYED WAS THE PASSENGER'S SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG. *NM (LAWYER, DAVID DUHIGG ON BEHALF OF CONSUMER)*JB
NHTSA ODI report, 20050210
7% of complaints: suspension — 10 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
2 OCCASIONS WHERE BALL JOINT SNAPPED AND VEHICLE WAS MOVING AND FELL TO GROUND .WHILE MY CHILD WAS INSIDE .
NHTSA ODI report, 20130704
See attached document for complaint.
NHTSA ODI report, 20240930
6% of complaints: steering — 9 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIREShow complaint excerpts
2 OCCASIONS WHERE BALL JOINT SNAPPED AND VEHICLE WAS MOVING AND FELL TO GROUND .WHILE MY CHILD WAS INSIDE .
NHTSA ODI report, 20130704
5% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 8 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURY5% of complaints: air bags — 8 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
WE WERE HIT BY TWO VEHICLES BROADSIDE /PASSENGER DOOR THE FRONT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED BUT THE SIDE AIRBAGS DID NOT RESPOND. *JB
NHTSA ODI report, 20051105
SAFETY TIMELINE
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
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
INADVERTENT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD
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
1999 Lincoln Town CAR — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (14 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for suspension issues (10 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for steering issues (9 reports on file for this year).
- 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 15E082000 (steering) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1999 Lincoln Town CAR reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1999 Lincoln Town CAR is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1999 Lincoln Town CAR?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 9% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1999 Lincoln Town CAR have?
6 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.