LINCOLN TOWN CAR · model year

1998 LINCOLN TOWN CAR

194 NHTSA complaints, 7 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1998LINCOLNTOWN CAR carries 194 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 7 crashes, 8 fires, 3 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 1998 TOWN CAR is exterior lighting:headlights with 9 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling (9) and engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline (8). 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 1998 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.

194
Complaints
7
Crashes
8
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

194 filings

Crashes Reported

7 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS9
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING9
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE8
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP8
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT7
STRUCTURE:BODY6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE5
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE5
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE4
UNKNOWN OR OTHER4
SUSPENSION:FRONT4
STEERING4
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL4
STRUCTURE4

Recent Complaints

20230830ENGINE

all body frame has rust.

20230830STRUCTURE:BODY

all body frame has rust.

20230830STEERING

all body frame has rust.

20180409ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MAKES LOUD POPPING NOISE WHEN THE WHEEL IS TURNED TO THE EXTREME RIGHT OR LEFT WHETHER THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN OR STANDING STILL. OCCASIONALLY, THE IGNITION WON'T TURN ON AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED, CLOSING THE ENTIRE SYSTEM.

Mileage: 150,000

20180409POWER TRAIN

MAKES LOUD POPPING NOISE WHEN THE WHEEL IS TURNED TO THE EXTREME RIGHT OR LEFT WHETHER THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN OR STANDING STILL. OCCASIONALLY, THE IGNITION WON'T TURN ON AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED, CLOSING THE ENTIRE SYSTEM.

Mileage: 150,000

20180409STEERING

MAKES LOUD POPPING NOISE WHEN THE WHEEL IS TURNED TO THE EXTREME RIGHT OR LEFT WHETHER THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN OR STANDING STILL. OCCASIONALLY, THE IGNITION WON'T TURN ON AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED, CLOSING THE ENTIRE SYSTEM.

Mileage: 150,000

20131115FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE CRUISE CONTROL MODULE STOPPED WORKING ON MY VEHICLE AND NOW I'M TOLD IT CAN'T BE REPLACED. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE RADIO & A/C STOPPED WORKING. THIS CRUISE CONTROL MODULE HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF IT'S ABILITY TO SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUST THE CAR IN FLAMES AS IT DID ON MY 1996 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHY DOESN'T THE GOVERNMENT ENFORCE THE RECALL LAWS? *TR

Mileage: 72,534

20131115FireVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THE CRUISE CONTROL MODULE STOPPED WORKING ON MY VEHICLE AND NOW I'M TOLD IT CAN'T BE REPLACED. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE RADIO & A/C STOPPED WORKING. THIS CRUISE CONTROL MODULE HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF IT'S ABILITY TO SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUST THE CAR IN FLAMES AS IT DID ON MY 1996 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHY DOESN'T THE GOVERNMENT ENFORCE THE RECALL LAWS? *TR

Mileage: 72,534

20130623ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVER HEAT.ONCE IT GOT HOT, THE POWER OF CAR IS,WAS LOST. AFTER HAPPENING A FEW TIMES,I FOUND A VERY SMALL [PIN SIZE] HOLE IN THE THERMASTATE RECIEVING UNIT.THIS IS A PART OF THE MANIFOLD IT SELF. ALL ATTEMPS TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM HAS FAILED.! TRYING TO FIX THIS PROVED IMPOSSIBLE.THIS PART IS IN FACT MADE OF SOME TYPE OF PLASTIC.AS IT HEATS UP THE PLASTIC EXSPANDS, AND RE-OPENS THE HOLE,WHICH HAS NOW BECOME A CRACK. ALL EFFORDS TO FIND A SEALENT TO STOP THE LEAK,HAS FAILED. TO HAVE THIS CRACK REPAIRED MEANS THAT THE ENTIRE TOP OF THE MOTOR [MANIFOLD] MUST BE RE-PLACED. FORD RE-PLACED THE TERMASTATE HOUSING UNIT IN 2000-2001, WITH AN ALUMINUM PIECE,PROBLEM SOLVED.THERE ARE NO RE-CALLS,NOR EVEN A NOTIFICATION,SENT OUT, TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. I FEEL STORNLY THAT THIS IS IN FACT A KNOWN PROBLEM,WHICH FORD WAS AWARE OF,BUT DECIDED THAT IT DID NOT HAPPEN ENOUGH TO FIX IT.PLEASE NOTE::WHEN THE CAR OVRT HEATS IT SHUTS OFF THE POWER TO THE ENGINE!!! THIS COULD POTIENTIA

Mileage: 137,352

20130601ENGINE

I HAVE A 1998 LINCOLN TOWN CAR WITH LOW MILES (125,000). THE CHEAP PLASTIC THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD IS MADE OUT OF HAS CRACKED WERE THE HEATER HOSE CONNECTS IN THE BACK CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO NOT BE DRIVE-ABLE DUE TO OVERHEATING. *TR

Mileage: 125,734

20130425SUSPENSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE COMPLETING A TURN, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE CONTROL ARM FAILED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 98V322000 (SUSPENSION: LOWER BALL JOINT), BUT THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000. *TR

Mileage: 110,000

20120222ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY JUMP START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS THEN INFORMED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT RAIN WOULD LEAK IN THROUGH THE WINDOWS DURING RAINY WEATHER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF EITHER FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Mileage: 150,000

20120222STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY JUMP START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS THEN INFORMED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT RAIN WOULD LEAK IN THROUGH THE WINDOWS DURING RAINY WEATHER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF EITHER FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Mileage: 150,000

20111110FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

THE FUEL FILLER WILL NOT ACCEPT GASOLINE AT A NORMAL RATE. EVEN AT MINIMUM SPEED IT WILL SHUT OFF AND/OR SPIT FUEL BACK. HAVE USED DIFFERENT PUMPS, DIFFERENT STATIONS, DIFFERENT POSITIONS HAPPENS ALMOST 100% OF THE TIME. ALSO MAJOR WATER LEAKAGE AROUND WINDSHIELD ON PASSENGER SIDE OF CAR. *TR

20111110VISIBILITY

THE FUEL FILLER WILL NOT ACCEPT GASOLINE AT A NORMAL RATE. EVEN AT MINIMUM SPEED IT WILL SHUT OFF AND/OR SPIT FUEL BACK. HAVE USED DIFFERENT PUMPS, DIFFERENT STATIONS, DIFFERENT POSITIONS HAPPENS ALMOST 100% OF THE TIME. ALSO MAJOR WATER LEAKAGE AROUND WINDSHIELD ON PASSENGER SIDE OF CAR. *TR

20110109ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

FAILURE OF THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD SYSTEM. LOSS OF COOLANT, ENGINE OVERHEATED, LOSS OF POWER AND CONTROL IN HEAVY TRAFFIC PRESENTED A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. ENGINE INTAKE MANIFOLD SYSTEM IS A DESIGN FLAW AND SUBJECT OF AN EARLIER RECALL BY MANUFACTURER.

Mileage: 73,000

20101119FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH THE VEHICLE OVER HEATED AND THE MANIFOLD CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE FAILURE. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS ADVISED THAT HE HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. HE REFERENCED AN UNKNOWN MANUFACTURER'S RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED IN 2007. THE VEHICLE HAD CONTINUED TO OVERHEAT SINCE HE PURCHASED IT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 90,000.

Mileage: 90,000

20091130FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

FUEL SPITS BACK OUT OF FUEL FILLER OPENING. MUST TURN FUEL NOZZLE TO 45 DEGREES TO FILL TANK. *TR

Mileage: 77,000

20090514WHEELS:RIM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COATING ON THE RIMS WAS WEARING DOWN AND PREVENT AIR FROM REMAINING IN THE TIRES. AS A RESULT, SHE MUST CONSTANTLY PLACE AIR IN THE TIRES. THE TIRE DEALER STATED THAT THE RIMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE HEAD LAMPS HAVE TO BE REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME BECAUSE THEY HOLD CONDENSATION, WHICH SHORTS OUT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. LASTLY, THE SEAT BELTS STICK AND ARE DIFFICULT TO USE PROPERLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,000.

Mileage: 90,000

20090514EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COATING ON THE RIMS WAS WEARING DOWN AND PREVENT AIR FROM REMAINING IN THE TIRES. AS A RESULT, SHE MUST CONSTANTLY PLACE AIR IN THE TIRES. THE TIRE DEALER STATED THAT THE RIMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE HEAD LAMPS HAVE TO BE REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME BECAUSE THEY HOLD CONDENSATION, WHICH SHORTS OUT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. LASTLY, THE SEAT BELTS STICK AND ARE DIFFICULT TO USE PROPERLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,000.

Mileage: 90,000

Compare 1998LINCOLNTOWN CAR to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1998 LINCOLN TOWN CAR have?
The 1998 LINCOLN TOWN CAR has 194 NHTSA complaints, 7 crashes, 8 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1998 LINCOLN TOWN CAR?
The most-complained component for the 1998 LINCOLN TOWN CAR is EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS with 9 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE.
Is the 1998 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.