1991 Lincoln Town Car
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Lincoln › Town Car › 1991
These records cover every 1991 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 1991 Lincoln Town Car. Newest first.
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…
Risk and remedy
Risk
If this occurs while the vehicle IS moving, reduced steering control could occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the lower control arm ball joints (2).
The secondary hood latch may not engage when the hood IS closed.
Risk and remedy
Risk
In the event the primary hood latch releases or IS not properly latched when the vehicle IS in motion, the hood could fly up obstructing the operator's vision, and increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the hood latch assembly.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This condition can reduce the driver's view of the road increasing the potential of a vehicle accident.
Remedy
Dealers will install a new hood inner panel reinforcement and a new, galvanized hood latch striker plate.
The secondary hood latch may not engage when the hood IS closed.
Risk and remedy
Risk
In the event the primary hood latch releases when thevehicle IS in motion, the hood could fly up, obstructing the operator's vision,and increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.
Remedy
Install a new hood latching assembly.
Distorted fuel lines in engine compartment may contact the steering column universal joint and cause damage to the fuel line.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Fuel leakage could occur from the damaged fluid line and,in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Remedy
Reposition fuel line to prevent contact with universal joint; if fuel lines are already damaged, repair or replace fuel lines.
Owner complaints
155 complaints20 involved a crash15 involved a fire14 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Seat belts
Drivers seat belt buckle inop....will not hold the belt in th e locked position, therefore, seat belt enabled in case of accident.
- Latches/locks/linkages › Hood › Latch
Tl*the contact owns a 1991 lincoln town car. The contact stated that while driving at 65 mph, the contact heard a loud noise and discovered that the hood latch fractured. As a result, the windshield cracked from the force of the hood and a bungee cord was used in order to keep the hood secured. The…
Tl*the contact owns a 1991 lincoln town car. The contact stated that while driving at 65 mph, the contact heard a loud noise and discovered that the hood latch fractured. As a result, the windshield cracked from the force of the hood and a bungee cord was used in order to keep the hood secured. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that nhtsa campaign number: 95v151000 (latches/locks/linkages) was previously performed. The failure mileage was 174,600.
- Service brakes
TL* the contact owns a 1991 lincoln town car. The contact stated that due to a brake failure, the vehicle caught on fire. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 66,682.
- Engine
TL* the contact owns a 1991 lincoln town car. The contact stated that while driving various speeds, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and the contact crashed. There were no injuries. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 27,000. The vin was unknown.
- Engine and engine cooling
While driving eastbound us interstate 40 in oklahoma city,ok my 1991 lincoln towncar caught on fire and stopped running, after I pulled off the highway and put the fire out, the car would not start back up. The fire was coming from the engine area, looking as if it was underneath the car somewhere. *Tr
- Tires
While traveling at approx. 35 miles per hour on a local bridge, my right rear tire blew out. I drove a distance of several yards to the end of the bridge where I was able to pull to the shoulder and stop. When a very kind police officer tried to remove the damaged tire, he had to stop because the…
While traveling at approx. 35 miles per hour on a local bridge, my right rear tire blew out. I drove a distance of several yards to the end of the bridge where I was able to pull to the shoulder and stop. When a very kind police officer tried to remove the damaged tire, he had to stop because the tire had separated like a recapped tire and wound the torn part around the brake lines and axle. The damages and service charges are estimated to be more than six hundred dollars. Initially, the service repairman at the tire store (where all of the tires were purchased and mounted) indicated that all four tires needed to be replaced because they showed signs of "dry-rot." a short time later, another worker said only the damaged tire needed to be replaced. There seems to be some problems with michelin tires sold within the last few years. *tr
- Latches/locks/linkages › Hood › Latch
Driving on expressway @ 55 mph ( windy with 30 mph gusts ) hood opened and folded up over the roof both hood latches were still locked to the strike plate from hood luckily was able to pull over to the emergency lane replaced hood and struts with used ones ( from a 1993 / safer? ) still have old hood and plate available. *jb
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Dt: the contact stated 1991 lincoln town car had only 17,000 miles on it. On 8-25-05 he felt like his brakes were low. He went to have them inspected and the car passed the inspection, but he had the brakes changed anyway. He smelled the brakes burning that day as he was driving home from the…
Dt: the contact stated 1991 lincoln town car had only 17,000 miles on it. On 8-25-05 he felt like his brakes were low. He went to have them inspected and the car passed the inspection, but he had the brakes changed anyway. He smelled the brakes burning that day as he was driving home from the garage. He parked the car in the garage ,and did not drive the car until about a month later when he smelled what he thought was the brakes burning again. When he got in to driveway, he saw fire under the wheels. He put the fire out with a fire extinguisher. Had he not had the fire extinguisher the car would have blown up. The garage that fixed the brakes said the caliper hung up and that was why the fire happened. Also, the consumer thought this may be a defect in the design of the brakes that would cause the car to catch on fire or did not fix the brakes properly. He called ford, and they told him that without a warranty they did not know what they could do, and then they told him they would submit his complaint to the engineering department. The contact was not sure if the car had ABS brakes because the car was a 1991 model. He thought it did but was not sure. He was the original owner of the car. *Ak
- Electrical system › Wiring
Dt: 1991 ford lincoln town car. while driving the car turned on the air conditioning and about 15 to 20 minutes later saw fire coming out from underneath the hood, surrounding the right front wheel. pulled off the road, by that time the car had a large fire. the consumer put the fire out by…
Dt: 1991 ford lincoln town car. while driving the car turned on the air conditioning and about 15 to 20 minutes later saw fire coming out from underneath the hood, surrounding the right front wheel. pulled off the road, by that time the car had a large fire. the consumer put the fire out by throwing water on it. After looking at the car saw that all the wires were melted around where the wheel was, and also there was a melted rubber. a friend inspected the car. he cut a wire that let the consumer drive the car home. Where it was parked. there was a short circuit in the wiring system. the car has not been repaired. *Ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control
I have had problems with getting this car (1991 lincoln town car) through inspection over the last 3 years, due to smoking because of emissions problems. the car had less than 100,000 miles on it when this problem started, and now has approximately 119,000 miles on it. this year, I have made 4…
I have had problems with getting this car (1991 lincoln town car) through inspection over the last 3 years, due to smoking because of emissions problems. the car had less than 100,000 miles on it when this problem started, and now has approximately 119,000 miles on it. this year, I have made 4 attempts to get the car to pass the inspection, however it has failed due to the same problem each time. I have taken the car to mechanics, and have been told that this IS a manufacturers' defect with these particular cars. they state that the valve seals get hard because of a factory defect and need to be replaced. hardened valve seals allow oil to by-pass the valve seals and cause the cars to smoke. I feel that the manufacturer should replace the valve seals in my car, and correct this problem. I would like to keep this car, if you can please stop the smoking, it IS a good car! thank you very much.
- Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
While turning left vehicle was rear ended. upon impact driver and passenger seats broke. both driver and passenger sustained minor injuries. vehicle was towed to a garage. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling
While driving 65 mph vehicle stalled. this caused loss of steering and brakes. consumer found in the nhtsa web 28 complaints on the same problem. *ak
- Unknown or other
Paint IS peeling from car in various areas including hood, roof, door panels, and trunk lid.
- Tires
While driving, the tire blew out. *jb
- Tires
While driving, tire experienced a blowout, consumer lost partial control of the vehicle, hit a curb, damaged another tire and both rims, consumer was informed to go to the local goodyear dealer and have them to ship the damaged tires in order to be reimbursed, the claim was subsequently denied because goodyear stated they only received one of the damaged tires.(goodyear regatta p21570r15 tires)*jb
- Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
Consumer states that the window regulators have been replaced all three regulators the two in the front and the left back one. Contacted dealer
- Air bags · Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner · Exterior lighting › Hazard flashing warning lights › Unit · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components · Structure › Body › Door · Visibility › Windshield
Windows would not roll down, dealer replaced bad regulators.. *Yh
- Air bags › Frontal · Seat belts › Front › Webbing
A vehicle pulled directly in fornt of consumers vehicle, consumer was unable to stop in time and collided with vehicle, in which the shoulder belt did not restrain him, but the lap belt did, consumer suffered injuries.*jb
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Consumer found a constant leak under vehicle. Took vehicle in for repair, and dealer found out that fuel line was corroded/ rusted and needed to be replaced, as well as the brake line. This caused the car to to fail to start, after repairs were finished the problem with starting the car was remedied. *jg *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition
Car would not start on numerous attempts, battery fine, new starter. when started by repairman from under hood, car immediately started moving down the street in reverse with no driver, nearly hitting telephone pole. somehow slipped into reverse on its own, yet key could be removed with each previous attempt to start it. *Ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline · Service brakes, air › Antilock
Check engine light IS on and off all the time, I bought the car last year around october 2001, the owner told me he took the car to the dealers several times and nothing they told him nothing was wrong with the car, I bought the car from that person and about 4 months later there IS water inside…
Check engine light IS on and off all the time, I bought the car last year around october 2001, the owner told me he took the car to the dealers several times and nothing they told him nothing was wrong with the car, I bought the car from that person and about 4 months later there IS water inside the motor, it was running perfectly fine. about the brakes, there IS a wierd noise, it's not squeaking, but when you're at a stop sign and you let go of the break a little there IS an unusual noise. I had the car repaired in october for the hood latch recall, most of the places were really bad about helping me with the recall, they told me that the car was too old. I finally got it fixed, but can the other places actually reject my car for being to old? I need to know if there are other recalls on my vehicle, I took it to the dealers and they said that the other recalls don't apply to my car. IS that correct?
- Vehicle speed control
Consumer shifted vehicle into park from drive, when it suddenly acclerated to a high speed, consumer pressed the brake pedal, however vehicle would not stop, vehicle crashed into a bank, both the driver and passenger sustained injuries, the driver sustained facial injuries due to the deployment of the air bag. *slc
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
Whenever it was raining and windshield wipers were turned off, they would remain in an upright position. When turning windshield wipers back on, they would go down.*ak
- Seats
A piece of the frame on drivers side seat that holds seat up broke. if consumer was to accelerate hard back of seat would not hold. consumer feels this IS unsafe. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Mechanic said he did not know why they cracked...and that he had never seen all four crack at once....
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Hood latch failure
There is no summary currently available
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
- 622660This information IS a supplement to the wiper system service information provided in the workshop manuals. This service information IS intended as an aid to assist in diagnosis and repair of erratic wiper system conditions.
- 619424Subject regarding engine oil recommendations for use in 2001 vehicles - sae 5W-20 motor oil.
- 618546Subject regarding climate control - eatc - blower motor control service tips.
- 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.
- 606460Experiencing a whine / buzz type noise in the speakers of the entertainment radio or two-way radio on vehicles with an in-tank electric fuel pump.
- 606420Ford motor company now recommends sae 5W-30 viscosity grade for servicing any ford gasoline-powered vehicle regardless of model year.
- 603724Mass air flow (maf)- sensor contamination- service tip.
- 601343A new silicone gasket and sealant.
- 601341Experiencing a whining / buzzing noise in the speakers of the entertainment radio or two-way radio.
- 601312Information on a buzzing or rattle noise from the exhaust system.
- 601269Announcing the ford oem air conditioning retrofit kit availability.
- 601238Information on a new transmission fluid usage chart.
- 601012The use of petroleum-based grease as a lubricant in servicing disc brakes IS no longer acceptable.
- 601004Some vehicles may cycle when brakes are applied on rough roads or on an incline while making a sharp turn.
- 51987Fuel economy- customer expectations versus vehicle usage.
- 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.
- 42087Vehicles may have a disconnect of the ignition control module (icm) connector or moisture buildup within the connector.
- 39904Revised oil pan gasket.
- 39900Roughness concern during brake application.
- 39155Revised water pump pulley.
- 39119Erratic distance-to-empty and fuel gauge readings.
- 37922Corrosion between the tamper sensor and the ignition switch casting may cause false activation of the anti-theft alarm system.
Every Lincoln Town Car model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.