Total Complaints
123 filings
LINCOLN TOWN CAR · model year
1988 LINCOLN TOWN CAR
123 NHTSA complaints, 9 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1988LINCOLNTOWN CAR carries 123 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 9 crashes, 38 fires, 11 injuries, and 3 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1988 TOWN CAR is electrical system:ignition:switch with 22 filings, followed by vehicle speed control (14) and power train:automatic transmission (9). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 1988 TOWN CAR. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
123
Complaints
9
Crashes
38
Fires
11
Injuries
3
Deaths
Crashes Reported
9 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH | 22 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 14 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 9 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 6 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD | 5 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY | 4 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 4 |
| TIRES:TREAD/BELT | 4 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR | 3 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 3 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH | 3 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 3 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY | 2 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY | 2 |
Recent Complaints
20170723ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
Mileage: 115,000
20170723ENGINE
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.
Mileage: 115,000
20170723SEAT 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.
Mileage: 115,000
20141028FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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
Mileage: 60,000
20141028FireENGINE
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
Mileage: 60,000
20141028CrashPOWER 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
Mileage: 45,000
20101213POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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
Mileage: 85,000
20101213VEHICLE 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 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
Mileage: 85,000
20100622SUSPENSION: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 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
20091123FireVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE LINCOLN TOWN CAR WAS PARKED OUTSIDE A RENTAL HOME AND CAUGHT FIRE. *TR
20060707POWER 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.
Mileage: 117,000
20050619FUEL 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.
Mileage: 145,700
20040422VISIBILITY: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 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
20040422FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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
20040422EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
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
20040407VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
WHILE APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. *AK
20030620ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
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
Mileage: 112,000
20030620VEHICLE 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
Mileage: 112,000
20030610FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
IGNITION SWITCH FAILED CAUSING A SMALL FIRE UNDER THE DASHBOARD. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Mileage: 160,000
20030610FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
IGNITION SWITCH FAILED CAUSING A SMALL FIRE UNDER THE DASHBOARD. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Mileage: 160,000
Compare 1988LINCOLNTOWN CAR to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1988 LINCOLN TOWN CAR have?▼
The 1988 LINCOLN TOWN CAR has 123 NHTSA complaints, 9 crashes, 38 fires, 11 injuries, and 3 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1988 LINCOLN TOWN CAR?▼
The most-complained component for the 1988 LINCOLN TOWN CAR is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH with 22 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL and POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.
Is the 1988 LINCOLN TOWN CAR safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.