1990 Lincoln Town Car: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 209 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (30% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Dec 1998
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 209 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Dt*: the contact stated while stopped at a red light, smoke was seen coming from underneath the hood. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and the hood was raised. Smoke and flames were spotted coming from the plug on the alternator. The battery was disconnected and the plug removed. The fire smothered and the vehicle was driven to an independent repair shop. The vehicle is currently under going inspection and repair.”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2006
“Dt: the consumer stated:on 5-19-04 his 1990 lincoln town car burned while it was parked. Within a half of an hour the car was engulfed in flames. There were 3 different investigations done;. An electrical and and engineering investigation, and one done by the tampa fire department and found no exact fault. . He said there were a total of 3 other cars totaled, and 4 others damaged during the fire. The hood melted away. The car had only 76,000 miles on it and had been well maintained. He did submit maintenance reports to the insurance company, and was not liable for the fire.*ak”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2004
“Dt: consumer had a 1990 lincoln town car which caught on fire. When consumer came home he parked the vehicle in the garage, went inside and ate, then a neighbor pounded at door to let him know his house was on fire. The police, fire department, fire marshal and insurance adjusters came out and couldn't find the reason the vehicle caught on fire. Vehicle burned with such intensity that pieces left were charred and nothing remained. A few firemen were taken to the hospital due to the fire. *ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2004
Show 7 more owner reports
“Consumer parked the vehicle in the garage and it caught on fire, and in minutes was engulfed in flames. Consumer contacted the fire department. The vehicle burned completely. The fire department noted that the fire started under the hood. *ak......... Consume rclaimed fire appeared to be due to mechanical failure in car , possibly brakes. *ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2004
“Vehicle stalls without warning on hot days while driving.and when driven on hot days and is parked will not start again , unless it cools down. Replaced the ignition module , which I was told was under investigation in california. *ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2003
“On february 1, 2003, kimberly love was driving a 1990 lincoln town car with faye love(passenger). While driving east on interstate 26 in columbia, sc at 60 miles per hour, the hood flew up, shattering the windshield. The hood was bent and the front window shattered. The latch is broken also. The driver and passenger were shaken but able to pull to safety. *jb”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Feb 2003
“Consumer stated that the vehicle was driven approximately 1/2 hour, and then parked. 1 and 1/2 hours later the vehicle caught on fire. The fire was in engine compartment and burned complete drivers side of the engine. The vehicle is totaled, possibly engine related. *yh”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 2002
“While driving 60 mph hood flew up which immediately disfigured/ dented, and struck the roof. Once the hood bent back, it struck the windshield, shattering it. Owner had to pull over, and tie hood down before driving vehicle to dealership right after that. Please describe details. *ak”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Jul 2002
“Light on the dashboard doesn't appear at day, but at night there is light. Dashboard is digital. This has been a problem since purchase date of the vehicle. *ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2002
“Vehicle was going 40-45mph in the dark and rain, and vehicle was involved in a frontal collision. Upon impact, air bags did not deploy. Vehicle was totaled. Consumer sustained spinal injuries. Dealer was notified.*ak photos attached. *tt”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2001
When filing, owners marked a crash in 22 of these complaints and injuries in 14 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
CORROSION OF THE HOOD LATCH STRIKER PLATE CAUSES DETACHMENT OF THE PLATE FROM THE HOOD ASSEMBLY RESULTING IN AN UNEXPECTED OPENING OF THE HOOD WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HOOD INNER PANEL REINFORCEMENT AND A NEW, GALVANIZED HOOD LATCH STRIKER PLATE.
TIRE PLACARD MAY CONTAIN INCORRECT GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATINGS AND TIRE INFORMATION.
Remedy: INSTALL REVISED TIRE PLACARDS.
GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATINGS AND TIRE INFORMATION MAY BE INCORRECT ON LABELS.
Remedy: INSTALL REVISED CERTIFICATION LABELS.
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 CONTAINING A ONE PIECE BEARING; AND 1990-1996 FORD CROWN VICTORIA POLICE, FLEET, AND NGV VEHICLES AND 1990-1996 LINCOLN TOWN CAR LIMOUSINE VEHICLES THAT HAVE BEEN SERVICED WITH EITHER A BALL JOINT CONTAINING THE ONE-PIECE BEARING OR A FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM CONTAINING A BALL JOINT WITH A ONE-PIECE BEARING. THE ONE-PIECE BEARING WITHIN THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CAN WEAKEN SLOWLY DURING USE AND EVENTUALLY CRACK. THIS COULD RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE BALL AND CAP OF THE JOINT, ALLOWING THE CONTROL ARM TO DROP TO THE GROUND.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS (2).
How other years compare
Check your exact Town Car by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1990 Lincoln Town Car reliable?
NHTSA has 209 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1990 Lincoln Town Car. The most complained-about area is electrical system (30% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1990 Lincoln Town Car problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 100,000 miles or less.
Does the 1990 Lincoln Town Car have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.