1999 Lincoln Town Car: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 148 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (19% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2015
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 148 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Front driver seatbelt does not lock. Unknown when or why this occurred. All other seatbelts in car still functioning. Not repaired yet. Would this be covered under any type of federal warranty?”Owner report · Seat Belts · Apr 2023
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 lincoln town car. The contact stated that while making a left turn, the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the front driver's side wheel. The contact stated that the wheel detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the driver's and passenger's side front upper control arms and ball joints were replaced. The contact called lamarque ford located at 3101 williams blvd suite f, kenner, la 70065, (504) 443-2500, and made the dealer aware of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of failure. The failure mileage was 54,000.*dt *as”Owner report · Suspension · Jun 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 lincoln town car. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware of noticed liquid dripping from the air vents. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic for diagnosis and repair. The diagnosis was a failure with the intake manifold. The dealer was not contacted and the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“I was driving down a public street not even going the speed limit and I came to the stop light my car acted like it didn't wanna go I got it to a parking spot and it burst to a ball of flames I had no previous symptoms and the car was driving fine it had just gotten to halfway mark on my heat gauge. I think it may have been the plastic intake manifold melted maybe? Any ways thought I would report that this is actually a very dangerous thing it almost burnt me alive going down the road and then almost burnt a business down and I'm hoping to get some sort of compensation because no one told me till just now. If I could get some info on who to call at ford that'd be great”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Apr 2019
“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. The police department was present, but a report was not filed. The contact and a passenger were transported to the hospital by ambulance, treated, and released. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot and later deemed destroyed by the insurance company. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 183,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2018
“The steering in my car is very loose. The car turns at the slightest shift of the steering wheel. It's difficult to control on the interstate.”Owner report · Steering · Aug 2018
“This is the 2nd town car that has a hole rusted in the fuel tank fill tube it's not showing no recall but I feel it's a fire hazard and afraid to drive”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Apr 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 lincoln town car. While driving 10 mph, the ball joints on the vehicle became undone. In addition, the a frame detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 175,000.”Owner report · Suspension · Oct 2016
“1999 lincoln town car. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle air conditioner system malfunction and repair cost issues. *smd the consumer stated when she turned on the air condition, it was blowing out hot air. The consumer was informed the vehicle needed a condenser. *jb”Owner report · Equipment · Aug 2016
“Takata recall: steering wheel has smoked before lightly, interior lights have stayed on,steering wheel has done a 360 turn,corrosion on the side panel and panel(chrome) has fallen off. I'm not sure how late a recall time frame is but my car happens to be very old now so I'm wondering if this is the case I have pictures from what the car looked like and up to now also my car is now at 366.'- miles so this may not even be something to be turned in, this state has also done so much damage from the potholes..”Owner report · Structure · Jan 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 18 of these complaints and injuries in 14 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain model Dorman Steering Shafts, part number 425-359, Solutions Steering Shafts, part number 7-0359, and OE Solutions Steering Shafts, part number 425-359, manufactured April 17, 2014, to September 28, 2015. These aftermarket replacement steering shafts are sold for use in 1995-2002 Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Car vehicles. These steering shafts may separate during operation if the integral fastener is loose or missing and if the interfacing vehicle shaft is compressed in length.
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.
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 FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THE EQUIPMENT INVOLVED IS SERVICE STOCK SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES, MODEL NOS. H 9977, H 9979, T 9063, AND T 9217, BUILT BY TRW VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEMS, INC. (TRW) MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 1, 1998 THROUGH MAY 21, 2000. SOME OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED AS SERVICE REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT ON THE VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THE RECALL.
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.
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 ASSEMBLIES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THE EQUIPMENT INVOLVED IS SERVICE STOCK SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES, MODEL NOS. H 9977, H 9979, T 9063, AND T 9217, BUILT BY TRW VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEMS, INC. (TRW) MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 1, 1998 THROUGH MAY 21, 2000. SOME OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED AS SERVICE REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT ON THE VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THE RECALL.
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.
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 REAR WHEEL. IF THE VEHICLE IS JACKED UP WITH THE JACK PLACED ON THE FRAME WELD AND IF THE VEHICLE IS FREE TO ROLL (WHEELS NOT BLOCKED OR CHOCKED), THE JACK COULD YIELD AND THE VEHICLE MAY DROP SUDDENLY.
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.
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, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-248-0186.
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 1999 Lincoln Town Car reliable?
NHTSA has 148 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 1999 Lincoln Town Car. The most complained-about area is air bags (19% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1999 Lincoln Town Car problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 100,000 miles or less.
Does the 1999 Lincoln Town Car have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning steering. 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.