2008 Lincoln Town Car: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 20 owner complaints on record; most reports concern vehicle speed control; the 2009 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Nov 2014
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 20 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 lincoln town car. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, without warning, the vehicle independently swayed to the right. The contact regained control of the steering wheel. The vehicle was not repaired nor diagnosed. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 13v385000 (steering) as a possible solution to the failure however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 157,000.”Owner report · Steering · Mar 2021
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 lincoln town car. The contact stated that the check air suspension and tire fault warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the passenger and driver side air bags and all four tire sensors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 486,713.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2019
“I was slowly backing out of my short driveway my foot only on the brake pedal when suddenly car accelerates and hit parked car across at resulting in accident. Two weeks before this I was driving on road about 15 mph and saw car ahead of me had stopped I put foot on brake started slowing when car accelerated hard tapped brake and car stopped. I didn't press throttle.”Owner report · Power Train · Feb 2017
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 lincoln town car. While driving at any speed and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle accelerated. The contact depressed the brake pedal a couple of times and regained control of the vehicle. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The failure recurred four times. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000. Updated 10/26/17*lj *js”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Oct 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 lincoln town car. While driving various speeds, the front driver side door independently locked and unlocked. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 46,800.”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Jun 2016
“2008 lincoln town car. Consumer writes in regards to factory's non-removal of plastic sheeting (used to prevent dust in fan compartment) shredded/blocked defroster vents, fan, blend door, and heater causing noises and system malfunction. *smd *tr”Owner report · Structure · May 2015
“2008 lincoln town car. Consumer requests reimbursement for repairs and parts on car because it was under warranty. *ta the consumer stated the check engine light illuminated, a mechanic informed the consumer the issue was related to the catalytic converter . Also, the fuel tank had to replaced. *jb”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Feb 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 lincoln town car. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to respond when the brake pedal was depressed and the engine revved. On another occasion, the brakes failed to respond and the emergency brake had to be applied in order to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 43,200.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jul 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 lincoln town car. While driving at 40 mph and making a right turn, the steering wheel seized without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the steering shaft fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 63,478.”Owner report · Steering · Apr 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 lincoln town car. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 13v385000 (steering) and stated that the part was unavailable to perform the repair on the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The contact had not experienced a failure.”Owner report · Steering · Nov 2013
When filing, owners marked a crash in 7 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Ford Crown Victoria, 2005-2011 Mercury Grand Marquis vehicles manufactured March 23, 2004, to August 30, 2011, and 2005-2011 Lincoln Town Car vehicles manufactured March 8, 2004, to August 30, 2011, and on which the upper intermediate shaft was serviced during the course of safety recall 13V-385. The prior repairs may not have been correctly performed.
Remedy: Ford will notify the owners of vehicles whose repair records reflect that the upper intermediate steering shaft was repaired during the course of the prior recall 13V-385. Dealers will inspect and replace the upper immediate shaft if necessary free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S25.
EXECUTIVE COACH IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 LINCOLN TOWN CAR LIMOUSINES. THE FUEL RAIL SHIELD WAS LEFT OFF DURING MANUFACTURING. IN A FRONTAL IMPACT THE ENGINE COULD POTENTIALLY BEND OR RUPTURE FUEL LINES IF THE REPLACEMENT SHIELD IS NOT IN PLACE, CAUSING THOSE LINES TO LEAK FUEL.
Remedy: EXECUTIVE COACH WILL SUPPLY KITS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS TO HAVE VEHICLES REPAIRED AT A FACILITY OF THE OWNER'S CHOICE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 1, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT EXECUTIVE COACH AT 888-322-9272.
Ford is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Ford Crown Victoria (including Crown Victoria Police Interceptors), Mercury Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Car vehicles. The affected vehicles are currently registered or were originally sold in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Severe corrosion can seize the lower intermediate shaft which may cause the upper intermediate shaft to collapse and the steering column lower bearing to separate.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners and dealers will replace the lower intermediate shaft, free of charge. The upper intermediate shaft and steering column lower bearing will be inspected to identify any damage that may have occurred as a result of lower intermediate shaft corrosion, and repaired or replaced as necessary. If the steering column lower bearing has separated, a retainer clip will be installed. The recall began on October 23, 2013. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall number is 13S08.
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 2008 Lincoln Town Car reliable?
NHTSA has 20 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2008 Lincoln Town Car. The most complained-about area is vehicle speed control.
Does the 2008 Lincoln Town Car have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning steering:rack and pinion:pinion shaft. 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.