Total Complaints
212 filings
LINCOLN TOWN CAR · model year
212 NHTSA complaints, 21 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1994LINCOLNTOWN CAR carries 212 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 21 crashes, 30 fires, 28 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 1994 TOWN CAR is vehicle speed control with 16 filings, followed by power train:automatic transmission (13) and seats (13). 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 1994 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.
Total Complaints
212 filings
Crashes Reported
21 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 16 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 13 |
| SEATS | 13 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 10 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 8 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 7 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 7 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 6 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT | 6 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING | 5 |
| TIRES:TREAD/BELT | 5 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD | 5 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL | 5 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 4 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS | 4 |
The car had a recall I didnt know about. It states the car may catch fire due to faulty part. I drove the vehicle home after work and parked it around 9:30 PM. The next morning a neighbor woke me up banging on my front door that my car was on fire. This was at 7 AM. The fire originated in the area close to the master cylinder like the recall states. Vehicle was a total loss. Not only that but it damaged the car it was parked behind.
The car had a recall I didnt know about. It states the car may catch fire due to faulty part. I drove the vehicle home after work and parked it around 9:30 PM. The next morning a neighbor woke me up banging on my front door that my car was on fire. This was at 7 AM. The fire originated in the area close to the master cylinder like the recall states. Vehicle was a total loss. Not only that but it damaged the car it was parked behind.
The car had a recall I didnt know about. It states the car may catch fire due to faulty part. I drove the vehicle home after work and parked it around 9:30 PM. The next morning a neighbor woke me up banging on my front door that my car was on fire. This was at 7 AM. The fire originated in the area close to the master cylinder like the recall states. Vehicle was a total loss. Not only that but it damaged the car it was parked behind.
The contact owns a 1994 Lincoln Town Car equipped with Goodyear Tires, Tire line: Assurance Comfortred Tread Touring, Tire size: 215/70/R15 DOT: PJ343912 and PJ340214. The contact stated that all four tires were showing signs of cracked sidewalls and treads. The contact stated that the failure was discovered while cleaning the tires. The contact stated that the tires were purchased new from Walmart on 10/31/2014. The tires were not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer for diagnosis or repairs. The manufacturer Goodyear was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the tires were too old as there was a 6-year warranty on cracking. There was no assistance offered. The tire failure mileage was unknown. The approximate vehicle mileage was 200,000.
Mileage: 200,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ODOR OF BURNING RUBBER AND PLASTIC. THE VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED WITH SMOKE AND FLAMES. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BURNED BODY ON THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE WAS ABOVE THE MASTER CYLINDER. NO REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT FOUND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V017000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL); HOWEVER, THE CONTACT HAD NEVER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF THE RECALL AND THE VEHICLE HAD NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Mileage: 130,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, HE WAS MADE AWARE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND REMAINED IN THE CONTACT'S DRIVE WAY, WHICH WAS ADVISED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE FIRE STARTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BUT THE DIRECT ORIGINA OF THE FIRE WAS UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.
Mileage: 190,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKES WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND PUMP IT REPEATEDLY. ADDITIONALLY, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC STATED THERE WAS A REAR BRAKE SEAL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. *TR
Mileage: 200,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKES WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND PUMP IT REPEATEDLY. ADDITIONALLY, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC STATED THERE WAS A REAR BRAKE SEAL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. *TR
Mileage: 200,000
1994 LINCOLN TOWN CAR, REGARDING A POTENTIAL UNDERHOOD FIRE RISK. CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. UPDATED 06/26/12 *BF THE CONSUMER SENT SUPPLIED THE RECALL NOTICE. RECALL# 07V336000. *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE SPEED CONTROL SWITCH, WHICH CAUSED HIS VEHICLE TO CATCH FIRE. THE SWITCH WAS NEVER REPLACED BECAUSE THE CONTACT NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. AFTER THE FIRE, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE SWITCH WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND UNOCCUPIED AT THE TIME OF THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES AND FILED A REPORT. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
Mileage: 180,000
1994 LINCOLN TOWN CAR THE LOWER BALL JOINT ON THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE OF THE CAR SUDDENLY BROKE IN HALF ALLOWING THE LOWER CONTROL ARM OF THE CAR TO FALL TO THE GROUND. FORTUNATELY, I WAS JUST PARKING WHEN IT HAPPENED. THEIR WAS NO WARNING OF A PROBLEM WITH THE BALL JOINT. THE CAR DROVE FINE. I UNDERSTAND THAT A RECALL EXISTS FOR THIS PROBLEM (98S37), BUT ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, MY CAR IS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL. OBVIOUSLY, IT SHOULD BE. *TR
Mileage: 244,857
1994 LINCOLN TOWN CAR THE LOWER BALL JOINT ON THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE OF THE CAR SUDDENLY BROKE IN HALF ALLOWING THE LOWER CONTROL ARM OF THE CAR TO FALL TO THE GROUND. FORTUNATELY, I WAS JUST PARKING WHEN IT HAPPENED. THEIR WAS NO WARNING OF A PROBLEM WITH THE BALL JOINT. THE CAR DROVE FINE. I UNDERSTAND THAT A RECALL EXISTS FOR THIS PROBLEM (98S37), BUT ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, MY CAR IS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL. OBVIOUSLY, IT SHOULD BE. *TR
Mileage: 244,857
MY ELDERLY PARENTS WERE DRIVING IN A STRAIGHT LINE AT LOW SPEED WHEN THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT FAILED. THE CONTROL ARM DROPPED, DUG INTO THE PAVEMENT AND RENDERED THE CAR OUT OF CONTROL. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS INJURED. IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO JACK UP THE CAR, SLIDE A DOLLY UNDER IT, TOW IT HOME, ETC. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THIS EXACT PROBLEM. A RECALL ADDRESSING THIS SERIOUS LIFE THREATENING DEFECT HAS BEEN ISSUED ON VEHICLES OF THE SAME MODEL, YEAR AND CONSTRUCTION; BUT, NOT ALL VIN WERE COVERED IN THE RECALL. AS OF THIS DATE NO WORK HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. *TR
THE LEFT FRONT AND RIGHT REAR DRIVER SEAT MOUNTING BRACKETS BROKE. *TR
Mileage: 120,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED AT HIS HOME. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE FIRE WAS DUE TO VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL FAILURE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES OF THE FAILED COMPONENT. HIS INSURANCE COMPANY WILL NOT ASSUME ANY LIABILITY FOR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). HE IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 123,000. UPDATED 07/22/08 *BF UPDATED 07/22/08 *JB
Mileage: 123,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT SERVICED FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, SHE ATTEMPTED TO USE THE CRUISE CONTROL, BUT IT DID NOT WORK. THE CONTACT RETURNED TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH INSPECTED AND WAS INFORMED THAT A CHARGE WOULD APPLY TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 80,000.
Mileage: 80,000
1994 LINCOLN TOWN CAR WITH A RECALL. CONSUMER STATES THAT HE HAS CALLED THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND KEEPS GETTING AN ANSWERING MACHINE AND NO ONE WILL RETURN HIS CALL. HE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. *KB
1994 LINCOLN TOWN CAR MOTOR CAUGHT FIRE. CONSUMER STATES THAT HER MOTOR CAUGHT ON FIRE. SHE SAYS THAT FORD DOES NOT CARE. SHE WOULD LIKE FORD TO GIVE HER $500.00 FOR A NEW MOTOR. *KB THE FIRE MAY HAVE BEEN DUE TO A FAULTY SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. *JB
1994 LINCOLN TOWN CAR MOTOR CAUGHT FIRE. CONSUMER STATES THAT HER MOTOR CAUGHT ON FIRE. SHE SAYS THAT FORD DOES NOT CARE. SHE WOULD LIKE FORD TO GIVE HER $500.00 FOR A NEW MOTOR. *KB THE FIRE MAY HAVE BEEN DUE TO A FAULTY SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. *JB
1999 FORD EXPLORER AND 1994 LINCOLN TOWN CAR WITH SPEED CONTROL RECALL. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS DISCONNECTED BACK IN OCTOBER OF 2007. DEALER TOLD HIM THAT FORD HAS NOT SENT THE REPLACEMENT PARTS YET. *KB
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.