1988 Lincoln Town Car
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Lincoln › Town Car › 1988
These records cover every 1988 Lincoln Town Car. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
5 recalls name the 1988 Lincoln Town Car. Newest first.
The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This condition could cause overheating, smoke, and possibly fire in the steering column area of the vehicle.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the ignition switch.
Vehicle description: limousines built by empire coach. vehicle alterers label may be missing or incomplete.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Vehicles do not comply with part 567.
Remedy
Add compliance label.
Safety belts (type 1 lap belts) for rear facing seats were not installed.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Lack of restraints could contribute to otherwise preventable injury and would not comply with fmvss 209 and 210.
Remedy
Install safety belts for rear facing seats.
Spring lock fuel line coupling may not be properly engaged.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Coupling could disengage due to fuel pressure,vibration, and engine movements; this would cause loss of fuel which, inpresence of an ignition source, creates a fire risk.
Remedy
Install retainer clips over the couplings to prevent coupling separation and fuel leakage.
Fuel rails may be bent so that no. 5 injector cups are out of design position.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Bent fuel rail could cause a fuel leak, which inpresence of an ignition source could result in an engine fire.
Remedy
Replace fuel rail assemblies as necessary.
Owner complaints
99 complaints8 involved a crash31 involved a fire10 injuries3 deaths
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Electrical system · Engine · Seat belts
Seat belts won't retract. ignition switch IS faulty and shorting out radio and other electrical components. wanting to prevent fire from happening, by taking care of this now.
- Power train
The transmission suddenly fails when in overdrive. this failure occurs on the highway at high speed and could cause an accident because the car goes out of control. *tr
- Electrical system · Engine
The ignition switch gives sparks and could ignite the car. Ford admits other 1988 lincoln town cars have a ignition switch problem and replaces them. They have not included my vin on the defect and replacement list; however, it IS defective and could ignite a fire at any time. *tr
- Power train › Automatic transmission · Vehicle speed control
Tl*the contact owns a 1988 lincoln towncar. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 mph, the clip from the throttle body fractured and accelerated the vehicle to 80 mph. The contact was able to stop the vehicle by removing the key from the ignition. The vehicle was towed to a dealer…
Tl*the contact owns a 1988 lincoln towncar. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 mph, the clip from the throttle body fractured and accelerated the vehicle to 80 mph. The contact was able to stop the vehicle by removing the key from the ignition. The vehicle was towed to a dealer who informed the contact that he needed to replace the throttle body clip. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000. the transmission selector cable had to replaced. Updated 04/25/11
- Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint
1988 lincoln towncar. Consumer states business sold faulty car parts related to a safety defect *tgw the consumer was advised by his local mechanic that the original upper ball joints had a torn boot and he could no longer grease it. The mechanic also suggested replacing the lower ball joints as…
1988 lincoln towncar. Consumer states business sold faulty car parts related to a safety defect *tgw the consumer was advised by his local mechanic that the original upper ball joints had a torn boot and he could no longer grease it. The mechanic also suggested replacing the lower ball joints as well. The consumer then ordered lower and upper ball joints from an establishment and had his local mechanic install them. on march 5, 2010, as the consumer stopped at an intersection, he heard a loud noise at which time the right front lower ball joint failed and the right front wheel jammed back into the fender well. The company replaced the ball joint, but would not take responsibility for the other expenses the consumer incurred. *Jb
- Vehicle speed control
The lincoln town car was parked outside a rental home and caught fire. *Tr
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Dt*: the contact stated that while driving 45 mph, the vehicle slipped out of gear, accompanied by a smell of hot oil. the vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and then taken to a private mechanic shop where the shop was unable to determine the cause of the problem.
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Noticed a strong odor of gasoline. I checked under the car and noticed a steady drip of gasoline from somewhere right below the car underneat the driver's side sear, dripping off the frame of the car in that area.
- Equipment › Electrical · Fuel system, gasoline · Visibility › Power window devices and controls
Fuel system: electric relay to fuel pump failed 6/21/02--car had to be towed for repair power windows: driver's side window motor failed. Was replaced in fall 2000 by dealer in seattle: "olympic lincoln mercury." presently, same motor failing again. Also, rear passenger window gears have…
Fuel system: electric relay to fuel pump failed 6/21/02--car had to be towed for repair power windows: driver's side window motor failed. Was replaced in fall 2000 by dealer in seattle: "olympic lincoln mercury." presently, same motor failing again. Also, rear passenger window gears have stripped out--window must be manually pulled up if mistakenly opened sudden stalling (april 2002 to present): had to find on internet that "distributor module" was overheating and causing car to stall (all power lost: no steering, one push on brakes--i was endangered) notice from ford, thought they know that this was happening and fatalities had been reported. (There was a service bulletin to repair shops about it, but not to consumers.) I was stranded 3 times, having to abandon the car, then have it towed twice for repairs. New "module" seemed to have resolved issue--read on. Oct 15, 2002: car quit suddenly, at idle, when stopped in turn lane, waiting to turn across dangerous highway. Would not start--had to be towed. Nov 27/02: electrical issues nightly draining 1 week old battery. Car has been gone over by electrical specialist, another repair shop, also the local ford agency--"no codes," but problem persists. Car dead again today after returning from repair shop yesterday. what to do? What to do? Car has 115,000 miles and has been excellently maintained. Excellently!
- Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
While applying the accelerator pedal went down to the floor. driver was able to control the vehicle. *Ak
- Electrical system › 12v/24v/48v battery · Vehicle speed control
The relay that hooks to the battery starter] broke. This caused vehicle to acclelerate in full throttle. consumer came to a completed stop, but had to disconnect the battery to stop the engine from running, although the vehicle was turned off. Relay # 1e9tz-11450b.*ak
- Electrical system › Ignition · Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash
Ignition switch failed causing a small fire under the dashboard. Dealer notified. *Ak
- Tires › Tread/belt
Durlon vertex p21570r15 replacement. while driving tread completely separated. tire stayed inflated.*ak two of the tires separated completely. they were manufactured by bridgestone-firestone. *jg
- Tires › Tread/belt
Tire tread separation. *Ak
- Structure › Body
While driving 65-70mph heard noise on roof, when looked out of mirror cloth roof blew off vehicle without warning. *Ak *tt. Consumer stated the entire underlying fiber glass shell flew off as well.*jb
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Driver's seatbelt buckle opened while driving. Consumer has not been able to get buckle to latch since then. *ak
- Tires › Tread/belt
Goodyear aquatred tires experience rumbling, one dealer stated the tires are experiencing tread separation. *slc
- Electrical system › Ignition
Vehicle cuts off a low speed will not start until it sits for a while, this has happen mult. Times, it has been in the shop a number of times , can not find the cause several new parts have been put on, to no avail. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition
I would be traveling down the highway at 60with my family and my car would shut off. I would then pull to the side and let it sit for 20 minutes and then it would restart until it happens again ''very dangerous''. *Ak
- Tires › Sidewall
This IS my second report on these tires. see odi number 731196 for failure report on both front tires. this report IS on the rear right tire. the right rear tire failed catastrophically at 60mph while I was driving on a smooth dry pavement. the outer side wall failed completely. digital…
This IS my second report on these tires. see odi number 731196 for failure report on both front tires. this report IS on the rear right tire. the right rear tire failed catastrophically at 60mph while I was driving on a smooth dry pavement. the outer side wall failed completely. digital photos of the failed tire are available. the following additional information was located on the inside or blackwall side of the tires: 85288 in raised letters and 8h2298 in a recessed box with rounded corners. if you have any questions or require additional information, please write, call or email. best regards from the sunshine state. S/S p.j. Stager (dot number: CC60 tiresize: p215/70r15)
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
I understand that there was a recall on my vehicle for a faulty ignition switch. I just found out yesterday about it. I was never notified in reference to the recall. It wasn't until the switch shorted out my radio which I can not replace until the switch IS replaced. The ford company said that the…
I understand that there was a recall on my vehicle for a faulty ignition switch. I just found out yesterday about it. I was never notified in reference to the recall. It wasn't until the switch shorted out my radio which I can not replace until the switch IS replaced. The ford company said that the recall was complete. I don't know how it can be complete when my car was never done. I have a faulty ignition switch that IS supplying shorts through my wiring harness that connects to the radio. I have checked it by testing the power to the wiring harness (ignition/accessory) and sometimes it has power and then sometimes it doesn't. I have never heard of a recall the IS completed when mine was never done. what can I do since it was the ignition switch that caused the burned out radio and almost a fire in my vehicle?*ak
- Electrical system › Ignition
Vehicle will stall suddendly when the engine gets hot. vehicle will restart, but it has stalled leaving consumer in dangerous situation. *Ak the distributor mounted tfhv module IS too close to the hot engine. This causes the vehicle to stall. *yh
- Tires › Tread/belt
The two front tires failed after approximately 23,000 miles of wear. the left front was worn through one set of steel belts for approximately 1/5 of the tire circumference. the left front was worn through the tread for approimately 1/5 of the tire circumeference. both areas of abnormal wear…
The two front tires failed after approximately 23,000 miles of wear. the left front was worn through one set of steel belts for approximately 1/5 of the tire circumference. the left front was worn through the tread for approimately 1/5 of the tire circumeference. both areas of abnormal wear were on the right side of the tires when looking forward from the drivers seat. digital photos are available fo the failed tires. the tires were balanced and the front end was realigned when the tires were installed. the vehicle IS maintained in a good state of repair and IS not subject to abuse. the failed tires were replaced on a pro-rated basis at the pint of purchase. the front end was also relaigned. unfortunately, I was not provided with any quantitative information on this front end alignment so can only conclude that no unusual or abnormal conditions existed. the orignal symptom was an increasing level of vehicle vibration primarily when decelerating through 30 mph. the following addtional information was located on the inside or blackwall side of the tires: 85288 in raised numbers and 8h2298 in a recessed box with rounded corners. if you have any questions or require addtional information or copies of the photos of the failed tires, please contact me. best regards from the sunshine stae. S/S p>j> stager. *ak( dot number: CC60 tire size: p215/70r15 )
- Power train › Automatic transmission · Vehicle speed control
Throttle valve control cable grommet made out of plastic broke, causing transmission to fail. Manufacture also produces a metal grommet that would last longer.*ak
- Vehicle speed control › Linkages
While parked in driveway vehicle rapidly surged backwards, and then suddenly accelerated into the garage door. cause unknown. *Ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Sudden acceleration
The subject vehicles' cruise control IS energized whenever the ignition IS turned on.it IS alleged that a sudden acceleration event may occur as a result.
- Fuel filler pipe spurting
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Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 6092191Some cars equipped with factory installed moonroof may exhibit a booming or buffeting noise while traveling at speeds greater than 40 mph when the moonroof IS open.
- 6090087Information on identifying non-approved / alternate refrigerants which could cause safety, and performance concerns if installed in ford a/c systems.
- 6089681Subject on a wire harness terminal repair kit available for repairing electrical wiring harnesses.
- 3020103Unknown
- 636080Transfer service tips for the front wiper motor mount bracket and depressed park output arm.
- 623988Information regarding transmission fluid usage charts. *Slc
- 623944Some vehicles may exhibit heater core leaks. *Slc
- 616522Subject regarding contamination from prior transmission concerns or excess wear may be trapped in the transmission fluid cooling system.
- 613234Information regarding tsb 98-5a-12 (transaxle/transmission/transfer case-vehicles towed behind recreational vehicles-recommended guidelines) does not list towing information for certain model vehicles. *Mjs
- 612203Information regarding the new transmission cooler flusher- service tip. *Mjs
- 609598Some vehicles equipped with factory installed moonroof may exhibit a booming or buffeting noise while traveling at speeds greater than 40 mph when the moonroof IS open.
- 608431Information on the new flush and fill tool available through rotunda.
- 601343A new silicone gasket and sealant.
- 601312Information on a buzzing or rattle noise from the exhaust system.
- 601269Announcing the ford oem air conditioning retrofit kit availability.
- 601012The use of petroleum-based grease as a lubricant in servicing disc brakes IS no longer acceptable.
- 51945Fluid- transmission fluid usage charts.
- 50997Transaxle - torque converter replacement guidelines and torque converter/transaxle cooling system cleaning procedures - service tip.
- 50940Windshield and interior glass - fog/film.
- 50908Torque converter - leak test procedure - service tip.
- 50905Wiring - electrical diode identification and service replacements.
- 46478The use of petroleum-based grease as a lubricant in servicing disc brakes IS no longer acceptable because it may be incompatible with the rubber material used in the disc brake system. If petroleum-based grease IS used to lubricate any part of the disc brake system, it could cause rubber parts to swell if lubricant contacts the rubber material.
- 41025A revised service windshield wiper motor IS now available.
- 39900Roughness concern during brake application.
- 39717Wiper motor replacement - upgraded service kits.
- 39237Revised wiper motor.
- 39222New torque-to-yield cylinder head bolt kit.
Every Lincoln Town Car model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.