MYRModel Year Report

2003 Lincoln Town CAR

◆ Worse than typical
2003 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
201
Recalls
1

Campaigns on file for 2003

Investigations
4

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Suspension

41% 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 1996 1997: 314 complaints 1998: 154 complaints 1999: 148 complaints 2000: 108 complaints 2001: 161 complaints 2002: 65 complaints 2003: 201 complaints 2003 201 2004: 83 complaints 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 1996 1997: 314 complaints 1998: 154 complaints 1998 1999: 148 complaints 2000: 108 complaints 2000 2001: 161 complaints 2002: 65 complaints 2003: 201 complaints 2003 201 2004: 83 complaints 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 1996 1997: 314 complaints 1998: 154 complaints 1998 1999: 148 complaints 2000: 108 complaints 2000 2001: 161 complaints 2002: 65 complaints 2003: 201 complaints 2003 201 2004: 83 complaints 2005: 119 complaints 2006: 143 complaints 2006 2007: 84 complaints 2008: 20 complaints 2008 2009: 5 complaints 2010: 13 complaints 2010 2011: 6 complaints

2003: 201 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.

Suspension

41% · 83 reports

Most commonly citing rear and wheel bearing.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owned a 2003 Lincoln Town CAR. While driving at approximately 40 MPH, the axle fractured causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle. As a result, the contact crashed into a concrete divider. The air bags failed to deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2015-06-18

Also filed under Air bags

[xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (Foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-04-29

Power train

14% · 29 reports

Most commonly citing driveline and axle shaft.

Show complaint excerpts

Assisting a friend with this. The left rear axle has broken and damaged the brakes and ABS sensor. He had driven the vehicle to work and parked it.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-11-26

Also filed under Service brakes

Vehicle speed control

9% · 18 reports

Most commonly citing cruise control and accelerator pedal.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

While driving normally, the accelerator stuck open causing the car to gain an excess amount of speed in traffic. The car would not turn off and the breaks would not hold it or slow it down.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-09-25

The vehicle suddenly accelerated without warning while idling, which resulted in the vehicle hitting a wall, consumer was injured.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-02-19

Steering

8% · 16 reports

Most commonly citing electric power assist system and column.

Service brakes

6% · 13 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH

Safety timeline

1 recall · 4 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. ▮
    2003Complaint volume 201 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    2003-03-14Preliminary evaluationClosed 2003-08-22 Inadvertent side air bag deployment
  3. I
    2003-08-22Engineering analysisClosed 2004-08-12 Inadvertent side air bag deployment
  4. I
    2004-01-22Preliminary evaluationClosed 2004-07-08 Rear axle fracture
  5. R
    2004-07-15Suspension04V328000 Certain police, commercial, and passenger vehicles sold to fleets typically input higher loads into the vehicle chassis overloading the wheel bearings and axles.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear wheel bearings, seals,and axle shafts. The recall began on July 15, 2004. Owners should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    2005-09-22Defect petitionClosed 2006-01-04 Spark plug ejection from cylinder head

Buy-smart checklist

2003 Lincoln Town CAR — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Suspension: 83 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 29 reports on file for this year.
  • Vehicle speed control: 18 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 04V328000 · Suspension
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2003 Lincoln Town CAR reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Lincoln Town CAR is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Lincoln Town CAR?
The most-reported component is suspension, accounting for 41% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2003 Lincoln Town CAR have?
1 recall on file for this model year.

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