Total Complaints
99 filings
LINCOLN TOWN CAR · model year
99 NHTSA complaints, 22 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2004LINCOLNTOWN CAR carries 99 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 22 crashes, 3 fires, 6 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 2004 TOWN CAR is vehicle speed control with 16 filings, followed by steering (14) and electrical system (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.
NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 2004 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
99 filings
Crashes Reported
22 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 16 |
| STEERING | 14 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 7 |
| WHEELS | 6 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 6 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 5 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 4 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 3 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 3 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL | 2 |
| AIR BAGS | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 2 |
| STRUCTURE | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES | 2 |
| TIRES | 2 |
My car has the same lcm control module issues as cars from the same years ad models, but when I enter my VIN it is not showing. +4 PO#3 1998-2000 Lincoln Town Car Lighting Control Module YW1T ... Yes, a recall exists for a 2003-2005 model year Ford/Lincoln Town Car lighting control module (LCM) failure that can cause a loss of headlights. The recall, #15S39, involves dealers installing a bypass module kit to fix the problem for free. The issue stems from a cracked solder joint inside the LCM that can lead to intermittent or complete headlight failure, increasing crash risk at night. The lcm is under the dash near the pedals. It causes loud vibrating noise for a long time and causes a parasitic drain to my battery almost daily especially when it's cool outside. The relay under the hood vibrates as well
My car has the same lcm control module issues as cars from the same years ad models, but when I enter my VIN it is not showing. +4 PO#3 1998-2000 Lincoln Town Car Lighting Control Module YW1T ... Yes, a recall exists for a 2003-2005 model year Ford/Lincoln Town Car lighting control module (LCM) failure that can cause a loss of headlights. The recall, #15S39, involves dealers installing a bypass module kit to fix the problem for free. The issue stems from a cracked solder joint inside the LCM that can lead to intermittent or complete headlight failure, increasing crash risk at night. The lcm is under the dash near the pedals. It causes loud vibrating noise for a long time and causes a parasitic drain to my battery almost daily especially when it's cool outside. The relay under the hood vibrates as well
Bought a 2004 Linc Tow as a gift to my grandson. Drove it a couple of times and had no issues. After it had sat for about 2-3 weeks, I drove it to town to let it run after sitting. On my way home I was turning on to the road for home and the steering suddenly caught, I was in the middle of a turn and pulled steering wheel to straighten the car when it released. I almost hit the car next to me. I have an appointment on October 14th to have it checked out. I understand that this is a problem that has occurred often in other years and was fixed, so why not the 2004. This car only has 92,500 miles on it. I can't risk my grandson getting into an accident.
The steering is binding really bad. Noticed it yesterday while taking hubby to docs. Much worse today. Unable to pull into parking spaces, did not dare to try to pull up to pumps. Cornering was a challenge in either direction. We do not have any Ford garages in this area. Think this is a major issue that may go with Lincolns. had 2 other ones with similar issues. It is not too bad if rolling along, but almost impossible when going slow.
VEHICLE WAS PARKED OUTSIDE DURING RAIN SHOWERS AND WATER ACCUMULATED INSIDE THE REAR PASSENGER FOOT AREA 1ST AND OVERFLOWED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER'S FOOT AREA.
Mileage: 166,890
MY STEERING IS HARD TO TURN. VERY STIFF. BOUGHT IT USED AND I SEE THEY REPAIRED THE UPPER AND LOWER POWER STEERING SHAFT., ALL OTHER MODELS WERE BEING RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM. WHY NOT THIS YEAR? IT ONLY HAS 65,500 MILES
Mileage: 65,500
I HAVE ONLY 20,118 ORIGINAL MILES ON MY 2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR ULTIMATE. THE STEERING COLUMN UNDER THE HOOD IS TERRIBLY RUSTED. THE CORROSION LOOKS SCARY. I WANTED TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THEM TELL ME IF I NEEDED TO REPLACE IT! NOW, I WASN'T LOOKING FOR FORD TO PAY FOR ANYTHING BUT GET THIS - THEY WANT ME TO PAY THEM A $100 DIAGNOSTIC FEE JUST TO TELL ME IF I NEED TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN! THE 2005 TOWN CAR IS BEING RECALLED FOR THE SAME THING YET FORD IS PAYING FOR THIS. WHAT RECOURSE DO I HAVE. I SEE NOW WHY THEY WANT TO CHARGE FOR THIS INSPECTION BECAUSE THEY KNOW THESE CARS WELL AND ARE AWARE OF THE CORROSION ISSUE WITH THEIR STEERING COMPONENTS. NOW THE I LOOK AT THE TOE-IN TOE-OUT POSITION OF THE FRONT WHEELS ONE WHEEL IS POINTING STRAIGHT AHEAD AND THE OTHER IS TURNED SLIGHTLY AWAY FROM STRAIGHT. IT ISN'T CAUSING ANY PROBLEMS BUT I WANT THIS INSPECTED SO I CAN REPLACE THE PARTS IF NEEDED BUT I'LL BE DOUBLE-DAMNED IF I GIVE THE MORONS $100 JUST TO TELL ME IF I NEED
Mileage: 20,118
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE BATTERY DRAINED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE LIGHT CONTROL MODULE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 64,000.
Mileage: 64,000
OPERATOR EXPERIENCED STUCK SPEED CONTROL BUTTON AND ACCELERATED COULDN�T STOP THE SPEED ACCELERATION WITH STEERING WHEEL SO OPERATOR HIT BREAKS. LOUD BANG SOUND FOLLOWED BY DRASTIC REDUCED SPEEDS. COULD CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL. RESULTED IN SPEEDING TICKET DURING FAILURE SPEEDS ALMOST UP TO 100MPH DURING EMERGENCY EVENT MODE.
Mileage: 173,000
OPERATOR EXPERIENCED STUCK SPEED CONTROL BUTTON AND ACCELERATED COULDN'T STOP THE SPEED ACCELERATION WITH STEERING WHEEL SO OPERATOR HIT BREAKS. LOUD BANG SOUND FOLLOWED BY DRASTIC REDUCED SPEEDS. COULD CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL.
Mileage: 173,000
WHEN LIGHTING IS SWITCHED ON FROM THE DASHBOARD SWITCH OR FROM AUTO LAMP FEATURE, ALL LIGHTS COME ON EXCEPT THE HEADLIGHTS.. NO HI OR LO BEAM. THE HIGH BEAMS WILL WORK FROM THE "FLASH TO PASS" FEATURE WITH THE TURN SIGNAL STALK. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED SUDDENLY. FORTUNATELY JUST BEFORE I ENTERED THE HIGHWAY THIS SEEMS PRECISELY THE LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE PROBLEM THAT FORD COVERS FOR THE CROWN VIC AND MARQUIS VEHICLES UNDER RECALL 15S39. THE TOWN CAR IS THE SAME PANTHER PLATFORM AS THE "COVERED" VEHICLES, AND CERTAINLY WITHIN THE SAME YEAR RANGE AS COVERED IN THE RECALL. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. MINE IS A "HARD" FAILURE.. NOT INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE HAS NO HEADLIGHTS AT THIS MOMENT. I VISITED THE LOCAL FORD DEALER TODAY AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE TOWN CAR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER FORD 15S39.
Mileage: 204,000
LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE SAME PART NUMBER AS FORD RECALL FOR MARQUIS OF SAME YEAR, WHY ISN'T TOWN CARS INCLUDED FROM SAME PERIOD. POSSIBLE LINK TO LEFT INFORMATION DISPLAY IN DASH HAS BEGUN FLICKERING, NUMBERS PHASE OUT AND EVENTUALLY AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME, ENTIRE DISPLAY DISAPPEARS LOSING SPEED, ODOMETER, WARNING LIGHTS, EVERYTHING ON THAT SIDE OF THE DISPLAY PANEL. RIGHT DISPLAY PANEL HAS DISPLAYED SIMILAR FLICKERING WHEN LEFT SIDE COMPLETELY GOES OUT.
Mileage: 220,000
LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE SAME PART NUMBER AS FORD RECALL FOR MARQUIS OF SAME YEAR, WHY ISN'T TOWN CARS INCLUDED FROM SAME PERIOD. POSSIBLE LINK TO LEFT INFORMATION DISPLAY IN DASH HAS BEGUN FLICKERING, NUMBERS PHASE OUT AND EVENTUALLY AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME, ENTIRE DISPLAY DISAPPEARS LOSING SPEED, ODOMETER, WARNING LIGHTS, EVERYTHING ON THAT SIDE OF THE DISPLAY PANEL. RIGHT DISPLAY PANEL HAS DISPLAYED SIMILAR FLICKERING WHEN LEFT SIDE COMPLETELY GOES OUT.
Mileage: 220,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL WERE EXTREMELY CLOSE TO ONE ANOTHER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
3 OF 4 INTERIOR DOOR LATCHES BROKE IN NORMAL USE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE AND THE PART IS INTEGRAL TO THE DOOR PANEL. FORD DEALER SAYS THE PARTS ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE AND FORD HAS PROVIDED NO OTHER MEANS OF REPAIR. EXITING THE VEHICLE MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE IN AN EMERGENCY AND MAY POSE A SERIOUS THREAT TO LIFE & SAFETY.
Mileage: 88,000
I CAME FROM WORK AT AROUND 0600 AM ON 9/4/15 IN MY 2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR AND PARK IT IN MY APARTMENT. AT AROUND 0330 OF THE SAME DAY I DECIDED TO GO PICK MY CHILD FROM SCHOOL . WHENT I STATRTED MY CAR AND PUT IT IN REVERSE TRYNG TO BACK UP FROM THE PARKING LOT, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 60 ML/HR TO HIT TOW CARS PARK IN THE PARKING LOT AND DRAGGING ONE OF THE TO A TREE WHICH FINALLY STOPPED THE CAR. IF THAT TREE DID NOT STOP THE CAR THE DAMAGE WOULD HAVE BEEN WORSE BECAUSE ALL MY EFFORTS TO STOP THE CAR FAILED. THE CAR WAS JUST UNCONTROLLABLE WITH UNPRECEDENTED SPEED . IT WAS AS IF THE CAR HAD A MIND OF IT SELF. I WAS JUST LUCKY BECAUSE MY WIFE AND KIDS WERE IN ANOTHER CAR VERY CLOSE TO THE CAR THAT WAS DRAGGED. IF THEY HAVE CAME OUT OF THE CAR , THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN DRAGGED TOO. THANK GOD THEIR IS NO FATALITIES. I HAVE DIVEN ALL TYPES OF VEHICLE ,INCLUDING TRACTOR TRAILER OVER THE ROAD AND DOMESTIC AND HAVE NEVER SEEN SUCH PHENOMENON.
I CAME FROM WORK AT AROUND 0600 AM ON 9/4/15 IN MY 2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR AND PARK IT IN MY APARTMENT. AT AROUND 0330 OF THE SAME DAY I DECIDED TO GO PICK MY CHILD FROM SCHOOL . WHENT I STATRTED MY CAR AND PUT IT IN REVERSE TRYNG TO BACK UP FROM THE PARKING LOT, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 60 ML/HR TO HIT TOW CARS PARK IN THE PARKING LOT AND DRAGGING ONE OF THE TO A TREE WHICH FINALLY STOPPED THE CAR. IF THAT TREE DID NOT STOP THE CAR THE DAMAGE WOULD HAVE BEEN WORSE BECAUSE ALL MY EFFORTS TO STOP THE CAR FAILED. THE CAR WAS JUST UNCONTROLLABLE WITH UNPRECEDENTED SPEED . IT WAS AS IF THE CAR HAD A MIND OF IT SELF. I WAS JUST LUCKY BECAUSE MY WIFE AND KIDS WERE IN ANOTHER CAR VERY CLOSE TO THE CAR THAT WAS DRAGGED. IF THEY HAVE CAME OUT OF THE CAR , THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN DRAGGED TOO. THANK GOD THEIR IS NO FATALITIES. I HAVE DIVEN ALL TYPES OF VEHICLE ,INCLUDING TRACTOR TRAILER OVER THE ROAD AND DOMESTIC AND HAVE NEVER SEEN SUCH PHENOMENON.
2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR CARTIER. RIDING DOWN ROAD 35 MPH ACCELERATING. WINDOWS WERE ALL UP, SUNROOF CLOSED. NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS PRIOR. WIFE TOUCHED SUNROOF BUTTON TO OPEN SUNROOF WHILE WINDOWS STILL CLOSED, AND BAM! THE SUNROOF EXPLODED; LUCKILY DID NOT SHATTER ONTO US BUT CRACKED IN LARGE PIECES. SCARED US BOTH BUT I KEPT CONTROL OF THE CAR UNTIL COULD PULL OVER. NO CARS IN THE AREA AROUND US. NOT AWARE OF ANY DEBRIS. A WINDSHILED REPLACEMENT COMPANY TOLD US THERE IS A HIGH INCIDENCE OF SUNROOFS EXPLODING FOR NO REASON. MY THOUGHTS ARE THAT THE SUDDEN PULLING BACK OF THE SUNROOF COVER CAUSED A BIG DIFFERENCE IN AIR PRESSURE CAUSING THE SUNROOF GLASS TO BREAK. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM NEEDING ATTN. USUALLLY I HAVE MY WINDOWS OPENED SLIGHTLY BEFORE OPENING SUNROOF..NO PRIOR PROBLEMS. ON THAT DAY, MY WIFE WAS HAPPY AS WE LEFT A BUSINESS AND OPENED THE SUNROOF BEFORE THE WINDOWS..AND THEN BAM! NEVER EXPECTED SOMETHING LIKE THIS ON A LINCOLN TOWN CAR. BUT, THE AUTO GLASS CO SAID
Mileage: 256,000
DRIVING SLOWLY ON A SUBURBAN STREET AT TWILIGHT THE HEADLIGHTS AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS WENT OUT. THE SAME THING OCCURRED A THREE TIMES WEEK LATER ON THE INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH ABOUT 10 P.M. THE AUTOMATIC DELAYED HEADLIGHT OFF SETTING NO LONGER FUNCTIONS. THE LIGHTS CAN BE TURNED ON IN THE MANUAL POSITION.APPARENTLY, THE LIGHT CONTROL MODULE HAS FAULTY RELAYS WHICH FAIL SUDDENLY DURING THE COURSE OF NORMAL USE.
Mileage: 105,000
DRIVING SLOWLY ON A SUBURBAN STREET AT TWILIGHT THE HEADLIGHTS AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS WENT OUT. THE SAME THING OCCURRED A THREE TIMES WEEK LATER ON THE INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH ABOUT 10 P.M. THE AUTOMATIC DELAYED HEADLIGHT OFF SETTING NO LONGER FUNCTIONS. THE LIGHTS CAN BE TURNED ON IN THE MANUAL POSITION.APPARENTLY, THE LIGHT CONTROL MODULE HAS FAULTY RELAYS WHICH FAIL SUDDENLY DURING THE COURSE OF NORMAL USE.
Mileage: 105,000
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.