LINCOLN TOWN CAR · model year

1990 LINCOLN TOWN CAR

267 NHTSA complaints, 30 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1990LINCOLNTOWN CAR carries 267 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 30 crashes, 75 fires, 16 injuries, and 0 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 1990 TOWN CAR is engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline with 24 filings, followed by latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch (20) and electrical system:wiring:front underhood (18). 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 1990 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.

267
Complaints
30
Crashes
75
Fires
16
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

267 filings

Crashes Reported

30 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE24
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH20
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD18
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL15
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL11
UNKNOWN OR OTHER11
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR11
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH10
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING8
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE7
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM7
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS6
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH5
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY4
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS4

Recent Complaints

20060222FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE HOOD WAS RAISED. SMOKE AND FLAMES WERE SPOTTED COMING FROM THE PLUG ON THE ALTERNATOR. THE BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED AND THE PLUG REMOVED. THE FIRE SMOTHERED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY UNDER GOING INSPECTION AND REPAIR.

Mileage: 118,000

20050630FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED:ON 5-19-04 HIS 1990 LINCOLN TOWN CAR BURNED WHILE IT WAS PARKED. WITHIN A HALF OF AN HOUR THE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THERE WERE 3 DIFFERENT INVESTIGATIONS DONE;. AN ELECTRICAL AND AND ENGINEERING INVESTIGATION, AND ONE DONE BY THE TAMPA FIRE DEPARTMENT AND FOUND NO EXACT FAULT. . HE SAID THERE WERE A TOTAL OF 3 OTHER CARS TOTALED, AND 4 OTHERS DAMAGED DURING THE FIRE. THE HOOD MELTED AWAY. THE CAR HAD ONLY 76,000 MILES ON IT AND HAD BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. HE DID SUBMIT MAINTENANCE REPORTS TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY, AND WAS NOT LIABLE FOR THE FIRE.*AK

Mileage: 76,000

20050620FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DT: CONSUMER HAD A 1990 LINCOLN TOWN CAR WHICH CAUGHT ON FIRE. WHEN CONSUMER CAME HOME HE PARKED THE VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE, WENT INSIDE AND ATE, THEN A NEIGHBOR POUNDED AT DOOR TO LET HIM KNOW HIS HOUSE WAS ON FIRE. THE POLICE, FIRE DEPARTMENT, FIRE MARSHAL AND INSURANCE ADJUSTERS CAME OUT AND COULDN'T FIND THE REASON THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. VEHICLE BURNED WITH SUCH INTENSITY THAT PIECES LEFT WERE CHARRED AND NOTHING REMAINED. A FEW FIREMEN WERE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL DUE TO THE FIRE. *AK

Mileage: 40,000

20050214LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

CONSUMER REPORTED THAT ALL FOUR DOORS CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE. ONE OF THE VEHICLE WINDOWS HAD TO BE LEFT OPEN TO GAIN ENTRANCE INTO THE VEHICLE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMERTHAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL. *AK

Mileage: 100,000

20041216FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

CONSUMER PARKED THE VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE, AND IN MINUTES WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE BURNED COMPLETELY. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT NOTED THAT THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. *AK......... CONSUME RCLAIMED FIRE APPEARED TO BE DUE TO MECHANICAL FAILURE IN CAR , POSSIBLY BRAKES. *AK

Mileage: 101,000

20041216FireSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

CONSUMER PARKED THE VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE, AND IN MINUTES WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE BURNED COMPLETELY. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT NOTED THAT THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. *AK......... CONSUME RCLAIMED FIRE APPEARED TO BE DUE TO MECHANICAL FAILURE IN CAR , POSSIBLY BRAKES. *AK

Mileage: 101,000

20030719STRUCTURE:BODY

THIS CAR IS ABOUT A PIECE OF JUNK. PAINT IS ALMOST GONE, 3 OF 4 POWER WINDOWS DONT WORK, WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR HAS QUIT TWICE, REAR SUSPENSION FAILED, RADIO NON-FUNCTIONAL, MESSAGE CENTER SAYS THAT IT IS -76 DEGREES AT MOST TIMES WITH 400 MILES UNTIL EMPTY (NOT TRUE). *AK

20030719VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

THIS CAR IS ABOUT A PIECE OF JUNK. PAINT IS ALMOST GONE, 3 OF 4 POWER WINDOWS DONT WORK, WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR HAS QUIT TWICE, REAR SUSPENSION FAILED, RADIO NON-FUNCTIONAL, MESSAGE CENTER SAYS THAT IT IS -76 DEGREES AT MOST TIMES WITH 400 MILES UNTIL EMPTY (NOT TRUE). *AK

20030719ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THIS CAR IS ABOUT A PIECE OF JUNK. PAINT IS ALMOST GONE, 3 OF 4 POWER WINDOWS DONT WORK, WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR HAS QUIT TWICE, REAR SUSPENSION FAILED, RADIO NON-FUNCTIONAL, MESSAGE CENTER SAYS THAT IT IS -76 DEGREES AT MOST TIMES WITH 400 MILES UNTIL EMPTY (NOT TRUE). *AK

20030719SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM

THIS CAR IS ABOUT A PIECE OF JUNK. PAINT IS ALMOST GONE, 3 OF 4 POWER WINDOWS DONT WORK, WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR HAS QUIT TWICE, REAR SUSPENSION FAILED, RADIO NON-FUNCTIONAL, MESSAGE CENTER SAYS THAT IT IS -76 DEGREES AT MOST TIMES WITH 400 MILES UNTIL EMPTY (NOT TRUE). *AK

20030719EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

THIS CAR IS ABOUT A PIECE OF JUNK. PAINT IS ALMOST GONE, 3 OF 4 POWER WINDOWS DONT WORK, WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR HAS QUIT TWICE, REAR SUSPENSION FAILED, RADIO NON-FUNCTIONAL, MESSAGE CENTER SAYS THAT IT IS -76 DEGREES AT MOST TIMES WITH 400 MILES UNTIL EMPTY (NOT TRUE). *AK

20030705ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING ON HOT DAYS WHILE DRIVING.AND WHEN DRIVEN ON HOT DAYS AND IS PARKED WILL NOT START AGAIN , UNLESS IT COOLS DOWN. REPLACED THE IGNITION MODULE , WHICH I WAS TOLD WAS UNDER INVESTIGATION IN CALIFORNIA. *AK

20030523FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ON MAY 9TH MY CAR ENGINE BURST IN TO FLAMES WHILE PARKED AND OFF.

20030523FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

ON MAY 9TH MY CAR ENGINE BURST IN TO FLAMES WHILE PARKED AND OFF.

20030430ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

STALLING ON INTERSTATE AND CITY DRIVING WHEN TEMPERATURE GETS VERY HOT. LOSING THE POWER IN BRAKES AND THE ABILITY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE'S STEERING. THE CAR CAN BE STARTED AGAIN WHEN IT HAS COOLED DOWN. THIS PROBLEM IS VERY DANGEROUS. *AK *NLM **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS*734325

Mileage: 98,000

20030202LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

ON FEBRUARY 1, 2003, KIMBERLY LOVE WAS DRIVING A 1990 LINCOLN TOWN CAR WITH FAYE LOVE(PASSENGER). WHILE DRIVING EAST ON INTERSTATE 26 IN COLUMBIA, SC AT 60 MILES PER HOUR, THE HOOD FLEW UP, SHATTERING THE WINDSHIELD. THE HOOD WAS BENT AND THE FRONT WINDOW SHATTERED. THE LATCH IS BROKEN ALSO. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE SHAKEN BUT ABLE TO PULL TO SAFETY. *JB

Mileage: 160,000

20020905FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 1/2 HOUR, AND THEN PARKED. 1 AND 1/2 HOURS LATER THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND BURNED COMPLETE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE IS TOTALED, POSSIBLY ENGINE RELATED. *YH

20020903LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH HOOD FLEW UP WHICH IMMEDIATELY DISFIGURED/ DENTED, AND STRUCK THE ROOF. ONCE THE HOOD BENT BACK, IT STRUCK THE WINDSHIELD, SHATTERING IT. OWNER HAD TO PULL OVER, AND TIE HOOD DOWN BEFORE DRIVING VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP RIGHT AFTER THAT. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

20020828LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH HOOD SUDDENLY FLEW OPEN. MECHANIC INDICATED LATCH PLATE WAS CORRODED.*AK

20020722ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

STALLING ON INTERSTATE AND CITY DRIVING WHEN TEMP GETS VERY HOT, LOSING THE POWER IN BRAKES AND THE ABILITY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE'S STEERING. THE CAR CAN BE STARTED AGAIN WHEN IT HAS COOLED DOWN. THIS PROBLEM IS VERY DANGEROUS.*AK

Compare 1990LINCOLNTOWN CAR to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1990 LINCOLN TOWN CAR have?
The 1990 LINCOLN TOWN CAR has 267 NHTSA complaints, 30 crashes, 75 fires, 16 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1990 LINCOLN TOWN CAR?
The most-complained component for the 1990 LINCOLN TOWN CAR is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE with 24 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD.
Is the 1990 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.