1992 Lincoln Town Car: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 249 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (26% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Aug 2007
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 249 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1992 lincoln town car. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was 75,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 1992 lincoln town car with a set of goodyear arriviva 2 tires, line size p205/75 r15. The contact stated that the tires were ordered from the manufacturer and after receiving the tires, the contact noticed wrinkles on the side wall. He then returned all of the tires to the manufacturer and the manufacturer agreed to replace the tires. The contact stated that if he had not identified the wrinkles, the tires could have failed or blown while driving. The failure mileage was 90,000.”Owner report · Tires · May 2011
“Driving at about 25 mph turning onto an entrance ramp to the highway my car suddenly accelerated to speeds surpassing 85 and I could not make it stop. I tried stomping on the brakes and it first slowed the car but the acceleration overpowered them, I had to throw my car in neutral and turn it off completely to make my car stop. *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jan 2010
Show 7 more owner reports
“Lincoln, town car,1992, manual says to turn off air suspension before jacking automobile. Not when tire go flat . When tire is flat for 30+ minutes. The air suspension pump continues to pump till it destroys the rear suspension. There by lowering the automobiles rear end to a dangerous level.( 2"). Can cripple automobile with potholes & speed-bumps & some steering circumstances . Which can lead to more serious damage and danger to driver, passengers & pedestrians. Switch should be located on dashboard or glove box and noted !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Nov 2009
“Our 1992 lincoln town car caught on fire inside our shop. The car was off with the keys removed from the ignition. Fire started in the engine compartment. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 1992 lincoln town car. The contact received a recall notice in september of 2007 for the vehicle speed cruise control switch. At that time, she did not take the vehicle to the dealer to have the switch deactivated or repaired. The vehicle caught fire and the wiring harness was destroyed. The dealer stated that the only thing they could do was deactivate the switch. The recall number was unavailable. The current and failure mileages were 100,000. Updated 11/15/07”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Oct 2007
“Tl*the contact owns a 1992 lincoln town car. While driving between 25-45 mph, the vehicle began smoking. Fifteen minutes after the vehicle had been parked, it caught fire. The vehicle was destroyed, the vehicle port was damaged, and the siding on the contact's home melted. Pictures are available of her home and the vehicle port. The vehicle was towed before she was able to take pictures. A fire report was filed. The contact received a safety recall notice for NHTSA campaign id number 07v336000 (vehicle speed control). The purchase date and powertrain were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 140,000.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Oct 2007
“I own 2 1992 lincoln town cars. In the first week of oct.,2007, the brakes on both cars failed. The brake lines under the drivers seat area rusted through. My new lincoln has a ceramic coating. The lines are badly rusted all along the exposed area under the middle of the car. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Oct 2007
“I have not receive a notice about vehicle part of safety recall 99s15 nor 05s28 since removed 09/25/07 by hollywood ford, 4531 hollywood blvd, los angeles, ca. 90027(323) 663-9999. *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Sep 2007
“Tl*the contact owns a 1992 lincoln town car. The contact received a safety recall notice in september of 2007 for the vehicle speed control. In january of 2008, the dealer stated that they did not know when the part would be available. There had been no failure to date. The purchase date and recall number were unknown. The current mileage was 126,000.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Sep 2007
When filing, owners marked a crash in 11 of these complaints and injuries in 14 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH CAN DEVELOP A RESISTIVE SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT THAT COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE. A FIRE IS POSSIBLE BOTH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING AND WHEN THE VEHICLE ENGINE IS OFF. ALSO, THE SHORT COULD DISABLE THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM OR CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHT FUSE TO OPEN.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH AND CONNECTOR SHELL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 20, 1999.
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).
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, SMOKE, OR BURN.
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 SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH MAY NOT ENGAGE WHEN THE HOOD IS CLOSED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLY.
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 1992 Lincoln Town Car reliable?
NHTSA has 249 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1992 Lincoln Town Car. The most complained-about area is electrical system (26% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1992 Lincoln Town Car problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 100,000 miles or less.
Does the 1992 Lincoln Town Car have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electrical system. 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.