LINCOLN TOWN CAR · model year

2002 LINCOLN TOWN CAR

70 NHTSA complaints, 17 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2002LINCOLNTOWN CAR carries 70 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 17 crashes, 1 fire, 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 2002 TOWN CAR is air bags with 8 filings, followed by air bags:frontal (7) and vehicle speed control (7). 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. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 2002 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.

70
Complaints
17
Crashes
1
Fires
16
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

70 filings

Crashes Reported

17 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS8
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL7
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL7
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW6
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES4
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL4
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER2
SUSPENSION:REAR2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC2
STEERING2
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1

Recalls (1)

15E08200006/10/2015

STEERING

Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain model Dorman Steering Shafts, part number 425-359, Solutions Steering Shafts, part number 7-0359, and OE Solutions Steering Shafts, part number 425-359, manufactured April 17, 2014, to September 28, 2015. These aftermarket replacement steering sha

Recent Complaints

20190114AIR BAGS

ON 01/12/2019 I WAS TRAVELING STRAIGHT DOWN A LEVEL COUNTRY ROAD WITH 1 PASSENGER IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AT ABOUT 45 MPH WHEN FOR NO REASON THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. AFTER REGAINING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WE PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TOOK A FEW MINUTES TO CALM DOWN AND FIGURE OUT WHAT JUST HAPPENED AND CLEAR ALL THE SMOKE FROM THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE FROM THE AIR BAG. MY FRIEND IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS SORE BUT NOT INJURED AND BOTH OUR EARS WERE RINGING. IT SOUNDED LIKE A GUN FIRED IN THE CAR. I CALL LINCOLN CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOT ANY RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE AND DUE TO ITS AGE THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE TO GET IT REPAIRED. THE SIDE OF THE PASSENGER SEAT IS ALL TORE APART.

Mileage: 140,000

20180509SERVICE BRAKES

TAKATA RECALL I'VE CHANGE THE BRAKE SWITCH ON MY CAR OVER FOUR TIMES AND IT WENT OUT AGAIN. MT CAR WILL NOT CHAGE GIER WHEN THIS HAPPENS. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL WITH THIS PROBLEM. THIS HAPPENS AFTER THE VEHICLE IS PARK.

Mileage: 76,000

20180119ENGINE

INTAKE MANFIOLD

Mileage: 123,000

20160607AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL ? MY WIFE AND FRIEND DRIVING 30 MPH IN NO TRAFFIC, AND THE DRIVERS SEAT AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO IMPACT TO THE VEHICLE. SHE SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE A GUN SHOT AND THE YELLOW BAG CAME OUT OF THE DRIVERS SEAT. DRIVING STRAIGHT AHEAD ON A COUNTRY ROAD.

Mileage: 117,750

20141110AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 159,000. UPDATED 12/30/14*LJ UPDATED 05/27/2015 *JS

Mileage: 159,000

20121114CrashSTEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY BECAME LOOSE AS THE VEHICLE BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE ALSO WENT AIRBORNE, ROLLED OVER AND SPUN THREE TIMES BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WAS FRACTURED AND THE REAR WINDSHIELD BECAME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THREE OCCUPANTS AND A PET DOG WERE SEVERELY INJURED AND WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND WAS INSPECTED FOR THE CAUSE OF THE STEERING OR AIR BAG FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000. UPDATED 08/06/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY HERNDON AND ASSOCIATES EGINEERING FIRM. THE REPORT WAS SENT TO FORD, WHICH FORD DISSMISSED IN FOUR (4) DAYS. UPDATED 08/5/2013 *JS

Mileage: 129,000

20121114CrashAIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY BECAME LOOSE AS THE VEHICLE BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE ALSO WENT AIRBORNE, ROLLED OVER AND SPUN THREE TIMES BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WAS FRACTURED AND THE REAR WINDSHIELD BECAME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THREE OCCUPANTS AND A PET DOG WERE SEVERELY INJURED AND WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND WAS INSPECTED FOR THE CAUSE OF THE STEERING OR AIR BAG FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000. UPDATED 08/06/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY HERNDON AND ASSOCIATES EGINEERING FIRM. THE REPORT WAS SENT TO FORD, WHICH FORD DISSMISSED IN FOUR (4) DAYS. UPDATED 08/5/2013 *JS

Mileage: 129,000

20101115ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN JERKING EXCESSIVELY AND EXHIBITING LOUD, ABNORMAL NOISES FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT ONE OF THE CYLINDERS MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO RUN ON SEVEN CYLINDERS INSTEAD OF EIGHT. HE ALSO DISCOVERED THAT COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO THEN REPLACED THE MANIFOLD AND THE PLUG WIRE FOR THE CYLINDER. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING REIMBURSEMENT AND THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IF THE VEHICLE WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, IT COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY LED TO A CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

Mileage: 98,000

20100203CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

AFTER HEARING C. THE RECENT SUDDEN ACCELERATION WITH TOYOTA VEHICLES, I AM PROMPTED TO WRITE YOU AGAIN REGARDING THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION WITH MY 2002 LINCOLN TOWNCAR. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE UP MY DRIVEWAY, AND PARK IN MY GARAGE, TRAVELING C. 5 MPH, THE CAR SUDDENLY SOUNDED AS IF WERE REVVING AND LURCHED FORWARD. THE AGENT SENT FROM MY INSURANCE COMPANY, RECORDED 35 FEET OF SKID MARKS. BRAKES DID NOT WORK AND MY VEHICLE AND I CRASHED INTO MY DEN. I DID REPORT THIS INCIDENT TO FORD AND TO YOU AT THE TIME. MY COUSIN, IN ILLINOIS, HAD THE SAME MAKE AND YEAR AUTOMOBILE, AND HAD THE INCIDENT OCCUR THREE TIMES. IT IS A FRIGHTENING OCCURRENCE AND ONE FEELS TOTALLY HELPLESS. WHAT CAN BE DONE TO ELIMINATE THIS FROM OUR DRIVING EXPERIENCE? *TR

20100127LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

2002 LINCOLN TOWNCAR CAR HAS AUTO LOCK FEATURE LOCKING ALL DOORS WHEN MOVING FORWARD. AFTER STOPPING THOSE IN THE FRONT SEAT CAN EXIT BY USING DOOR HANDLE. THOSE IN REAR SEAT MUST FIRST USE THE UNLOCK PLUNGER. IN EVENT OF ACCIDENT IF REAR PASSENGERS DO NOT KNOW THIS THEY ARE TRAPPED IN CAR. *CW

Mileage: 6,000

20100122FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHILE SITTING IN A DRIVE THRU MY 2002 LINCOLN TOWNCAR CAUGHT A BLAZE UNDER THE HOOD. *TR

Mileage: 100,000

20090804SEAT BELTS

THE DRIVER SIDE SAFETY BELT ON MY 2002 LINCOLN TOWN CAR NO LONGER LATCHES AND APPEARS TO BE LOCKED PREVENTING THE SEAT BELT FROM BEING CONNECTED/LATCHED. THE DASH BOARD SEAT BELT INDICATOR (NORMALLY LIT UP WHEN A SEAT BELT IS NOT ATTACHED) DOES NOT LIGHT UP. THIS PROBLEM STARTED ONLY A COUPLE WEEKS AGO AND CONTINUES. THIS CAR HAVE LESS THAN 48,000 MILES AND IS USED TO DRIVE TO WORK AND BACK. BECAUSE I AM UNABLE TO LATCH MY DRIVER SEAT BELT THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN AND I WANTED TO REPORT IT TO YOUR AGENCY. AS OF THIS WRITING I HAVE NOT HAD A FORD SERVICE REP LOOK AT THIS, BUT INTEND TO SHORTLY. BECAUSE I HAVE NOT YET TAKEN MY CAR INTO A FORD SERVICE CENTER FOR EXAMINATION I AM UNABLE TO REPORT WHAT WAS DONE TO CORRECT THIS FAILURE OR PARTS NEEDED/REPLACED. *TR

Mileage: 47,950

20090604CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

RE 2002 LINCOLN TC CARTIER L. THE MOST USELESS AND DANGEROUS ACCESSORY ON THIS AUTO IS THE ADJUSTABLE BRAKE & ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THERE DOESN'T APPEAR THAT THERE IS ANY WAY ONE MAY ADJUST EITHER/OR AS THEY ADJUST SIMULTANEOUSLY. RECENTLY THIS "ACCESSORY" COST ME $1000.00. MY WIFE WAS STOPPED, WAITING ON THE LIGHT TO CHANGE AND HAD HER FOOT PARTIALLY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND WHEN SHE PUSH ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, SHE ALSO PUSHED ON THE ACCELERATOR CAUSING HER TO REAR-END THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER. ONCE THE BRAKE PADS WEAR, THE BRAKE PEDAL AND ACCELERATOR IS AT THE SAME LEVEL. THIS IS NO JOKE. THIS HAS HAPPEN TO ME TWICE, FORTUNATELY IN BOTH INSTANCES THERE WERE NO PEOPLE OR VEHICLE (S) IN FRONT OF ME.- ( NO EXCUSES, JUST FACTS). I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE (REPORTED TO YOU)? THANK YOU. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE. EZRA RACHAL. *TR

Mileage: 56,000

20090505AIR BAGS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A POTHOLE AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE PASSENGER SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 154,000. UPDATED 5/27/09 *CN

Mileage: 153,000

20090208ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS APPLIED FOR A LONG TRAFFIC LIGHT STOP, I COULD SMELL BURNING PLASTIC. AFTER SEVERAL WEEKS OF THIS MY CAR WOULD NOT COME OUT OF PARK. FOUND THE HARNESS PLUG TO THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MELTED. I AM CURIOUS AS TO WHY THE FUSE DIDN'T BLOW ?. I REPLACED THE PLUG WITH NEW CONNECTORS AND A FEW WEEKS LATER THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING - WIRES ARE MELTED AND THE FUSE IS NOT TRIPPED.

Mileage: 99,000

20081023SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHENEVER THE CONTACT DEPRESSES THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS DEPRESSED INSTEAD. THIS CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO UNEXPECTEDLY SPEED UP. THE FAILURE RECENTLY OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH. HE HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT THEY STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE DEALER ADVISED HIM TO BE MORE CAREFUL WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE MAY BE BECAUSE AN ADJUSTABLE BRAKE PEDAL WAS INSTALLED IN HIS VEHICLE. HE BELIEVES THAT THERE SHOULD BE SOME SORT OF REPAIR OR SOLUTION TO THIS FAILURE. THE CONTACT FEELS UNSAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE BECAUSE HE COULD MISTAKENLY DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND CAUSE A CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 11/07/08. *LJ UPDATED 11/07/08. *JB

Mileage: 30,000

20071029CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. SHE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE UNTIL ONE MINUTE LATER. THE MECHANIC AND DEALER WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 49,000.

Mileage: 49,000

20070313AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

TRAVELING AT 65 OR 70 MPH ON A CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY LAST SUMMER, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED (CAUSING PAIN, BRUISING, ETC. BUT NOTHING APPARENTLY PERMANENT - NO PERSONAL INJURY CLAIM HAS EVER BEEN CONTEMPLATED). IT WAS SHOCKING IN THAT THERE WAS NO CRASH OF ANY KIND. THE PASSENGER THOUGHT THE BAG DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. THE DRIVER, NOT BEING CERTAIN, HAD THE IMPRESSION THAT SOME OBJECT (E.G., A SMALL PIECE OF TIRE RUBBER) WAS KICKED UP AGAINST THE CAR FROM THE ROADWAY. THERE ARE NO SIGNS OF ANY IMPACT WITH ANYTHING. THE BAG TORE PART OF THE LEATHER SEAT (BEYOND THE SEAM). THIS OCCURRED NEAR THE 5 YEAR POINT RE: WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER, FORD MOTOR COMPANY, SEEMED RESPONSIVE AT FIRST AND ASKED THAT WE TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER. I DID SO, AND WAS INFORMED BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT FORD INFORMED THEM IT WAS REFERRED TO THEIR LEGAL DEPARTMENT AND, THUS, THEY COULD NOT EVEN LOOK AT, LET ALONE REPAIR IT. THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT TOOK SEVERAL WEEKS TO ULTIMATELY S

20070311AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

ON THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 2007, MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING MY LINCOLN TOWN CAR APPROXIMATELY 55 MILES PER HOUR. FOR NO APPARENT REASON, THE PASSENGER RIGHT SIDE AIRBAG INFLATED. ALSO CAUSING INJURIES TO MY DAUGHTER, INJURIES INCLUDES A BRUISED EAR DRUM AND AN ASTHMA ATTACK. *JB

20070222SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

2/20/2007. CONTACT REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER. *MC THE MASTER CYLINDER HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE, ONCE AT 1090 MILES AND AGAIN AT 1529 MILES. *NM

Mileage: 1,529

Compare 2002LINCOLNTOWN CAR to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2002 LINCOLN TOWN CAR have?
The 2002 LINCOLN TOWN CAR has 70 NHTSA complaints, 17 crashes, 1 fires, 16 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2002 LINCOLN TOWN CAR?
Yes, the 2002 LINCOLN TOWN CAR has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is STEERING. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 LINCOLN TOWN CAR?
The most-complained component for the 2002 LINCOLN TOWN CAR is AIR BAGS with 8 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS:FRONTAL and VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL.
Is the 2002 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.