2003 Lincoln Town Car Complaint Log

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. HE CALLED THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC REMOVED THE REAR WHEELS AND DISCOVERED THAT THE WHEEL BEARING HAD DISINTEGRATED AND BOTH REAR AXLES WERE SEVERELY COMPROMISED, TO THE POINT THAT AT LEAST ONE OF THEM WOULD HAVE COMPLETELY FAILED WITHIN THE NEXT 1,000 MILES. THE MECHANIC REPLACED BOTH AXLES AND THE WHEEL BEARING. THROUGH RESEARCH, HE DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V328000, PE04010 NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE04010 (COMPONENT: SUSPENSION:REAR). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, ALTHOUGH THE CONTACT FEELS THAT IT SHOULD BE INCLUDED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 69,000. UPDATED 8/28/09 *CN UPDATED09/03/09.*JB

2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING MOLD SPORES IN LINCOLN VEHICLES *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE UNLOADING THE VEHICLE, THE RIGHT REAR FLOOR BOARD HAD STANDING DIRTY WATER. THEN CONSUMER THEN NOTICED THE CARPET WAS WET. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE PROBLEM WAS THE AC UNIT. THE DEALER CLEANED THE AC DRAIN AND SAID A GALLON OF WATER CAME OUT OF THE FLOOR PAN. THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO THE DEALER, AND THEY FOUND THE FRONT FLOOR PAD WAS SOAKED AND WATER WAS RUNNING FROM THE AC UNDER THE PAD AND POOLING IN THE RIGHT REAR FLOOR. THE DEALER STATED THEY WOULD HAVE TO PULL THE DASH IN ORDER TO GET TO THE AC UNIT AND IT WOULD TAKE APPROXIMATELY 10 HOURS AT A COST OF $99 PER HOUR. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE METAL PIECE THAT SECURES THE STEERING COLUMN CAME APART. THIS PART WAS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR ALLOWING THE COLUMN TO ROTATE IN A CIRCULAR MOTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE AND THE METAL PIECE WAS REPLACED. THE REPAIRS DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. HE THEN PURCHASED PARTS AND MODIFIED THE STEERING COLUMN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWNCAR CARTIER. THE REAR AXLES SUDDENLY BECAME WORN AND THERE WERE NO UNUSUAL NOISE INDICATORS THAT WERE UNFAMILIAR TO HIM. A MECHANIC ADVISED HIM THAT THE BEARINGS AND AXLES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HE ALSO STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V328000 COMPONENT: SUSPENSION:REAR IS RELATED TO THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, HIS VEHICLE DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 41,000. UPDATED 05/08/09 *BF UPDATED 05/12/09.*JB THE REAR AXLES SHAFTS AND SEALS WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 06/09/09.*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, A LOUD ROARING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS FOR THE SAME FAILURE AND EACH TIME THE REAR AXLE BEARING AND AXLE WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V328000 (SUSPENSION: REAR); HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A LEAK BEHIND THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V328000 (SUSPENSION:REAR). THE CONTACT FEELS THAT LINCOLN SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 87,907. UPDATED 04/17/09. *LJ UPDATED 04/21/09.*JB

PURCHASED 4 MICHELIN TIRES TOTAL 2@43,092&2@46,208MILES, NOW HAVE 58,275 MILES ALL (4) FOUR TIRES ARE SEPARATING AT THE WHITE WALL ADJACENT TO THE RIM,THATS 15,183 MILES DISCOUNT TIRE RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT AT A COST OF $336.00. THIS APPEARS TO BE A DEFECT IN WORKMANSHIP. WHAT IS TO PREVENT THE TIRE FROM COMING APART COMPLETELY. I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN AT HIGH SPEED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, SHE HEARD A NOISE UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TWO REAR AXLES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 84687.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE FRONT AND REAR BEARING RODS AND AXLE WERE DESTROYED WHEN THE RACK AND PINION FAILED. THE AXLE WAS REPLACED IN OCTOBER 2008 BUT THE DEALER SAID THAT THE PINION BEARINGS WERE WORN OUT. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 04V328000 IS RELATED TO THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, HIS VIN IS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY RISK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,079.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT IS EXPERIENCING FAILURE WITH THE REAR BEARINGS ON HIS VEHICLE AND THERE IS ALSO AN AXLE SHIFT FRACTURE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REGARDING THE FAILURES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THESE FAILURES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 55,000.

VEHICLE HAS WIRING PROBLEM FOR BRAKE LIGHTS,TURN SIGNALS,BULBS & FUSES BLOW IT HAS OCCURRED AT LEAST APPROX EVERY NINE MONTHS TOLD PROBLEM IS ALWAYS BULB OR FUSE HOWEVER THEY MAINLY ALWAYS TAMPER WITH THE WIRING THIS PROBLEM HAS EXISTED SINCE 2003. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT HAS HAD TWO ALTERNATORS INSTALLED IN HER VEHICLE WITHIN THE LAST SIX MONTHS. THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE THE ONE THAT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. WHILE DRIVING 30 AND 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE WILL LOSE POWER AND THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF. IN ADDITION, THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES FAIL. ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATORS FLASH ON AND OFF AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. OCCASIONALLY, THE VEHICLE WILL TAKE A MINUTE BEFORE RESTARTING. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD FIND NO FAILURES. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY $90 PER HOUR FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000. UPDATED 03/09/09. *LJ THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED DUE TO IT OVERCHARGING. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED AS WELL. THE TRUNK WOULD NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. UPDATED 03/10/09. *JB

NOISY REAR END ON MY LINCOLN TOWNCAR (2003). THERE WAS A RECALL BY THE MANUFACTURER TO REPLACE REAR AXELS & BEARINGS ON 2003 TOWNCARS WITH CERTAIN VIN #S (RECALL # 04V328000) MY CAR HAD EXACTLY THE SAME FAILURE AS MENTIONED IN THE RECALL AND I FEEL THAT THE COMPANY SHOULD PAY OR THE REPAIR. I ONLY HAVE 39,840 MILES PON THE CAR. THE PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED BY THE DEALER AND I HAD TO PAY A PORTION OF THE CHARGE. I FEEL THE REPAIR WORK SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE NC UNDER THE RECALL, WHETHER THE VIN WAS ON IT OR NOT, THE FAILURE IS THE SAME. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD HUMMING NOISES COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FIRST TIME HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THEY STATED THAT A TIRE WAS OUT OF ROUND. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MAKE THE HUMMING NOISES AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS POTENTIALLY THE REAR AXLE BEARING. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V328000 (SUSPENSION:REAR). THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,706 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.

I STARTED HEARING A METAL RUBBING NOISE REALIZED THAT IT WAS COMING FROM THE L-REAR WHEEL I REPLACED THE WHEEL BEARING & SEAL FIGURING IT WAS JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS SINCE THIS DOESN'T TYPICALLY HAPPEN IN TODAY'S LATER MODEL VEHICLES.ABOUT TWO WEEKS LATER THE NOISE RETURNED SO I RESEARCHED IT AND DISCOVERED A RECALL NOT NOTICING IT WAS JUST FOR FLEET MODELS. I CALLED FORD AND WAS TOLD IT DIDN'T INCLUDE MY VIN # I DID SOME FURTHER RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT THESE AXLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH A DEFECT CAUSING THE METAL TO BECOME SOFT THEREBY CAUSING THE WHEEL BEARING TO WEAR AN INDENTATION INTO THE METAL RESULTING IN THE WHEEL BEARING HAVING TO MUCH PLAY ON THE AXLE (TO MUCH MOVEMENT). THE END RESULT IS THE BEARING DESTROYS ITSELF AND HOPEFULLY YOU REPLACE IT BEFORE IT BREAKS APART CAUSING THE WHEEL TO POSSIBLY FALL OFF AND DEFINITE DESTRUCTION OF THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL! IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT YOU REPLACE THE BEARING WITH WHATS CALLED A REPAIRING WHICH IS WIDER AND HEAVIER DUTY THAN THE OEM BEARING THEREBY IT COVERS A WIDER PORTION OF THE AXLE AND DOES NOT SIT IN THE SPACE WHERE THE OEM BEARING WORE DOWN THE METAL.AFTER REPLACING IT A SECOND TIME IT LASTED ABOUT 3 YEARS 2011) AND THEN THE SEAL BLEW OUT ON THIS WHEEL WHICH IS THE SAME PROCEDURE AS REPLACING THE BEARING. IN 2013 THE R-REAR BEARING HAD TO BE REPLACED. AS OF FEBRUARY 2015 DUE TO THE L-REAR BEARING MAKING NOISE & LEAKING DIFFERENTIAL FLUID ( I CAN HEAR THE BEARING DESTROYING ITSELF) AND THE R-REAR AXLE LEAKING DIFFERENTIAL FLUID I GOT FED UP PARKED THE CAR AND BOUGHT ANOTHER CAR. IRONICALLY I BOUGHT ANOTHER 2003 TOWN CAR WITH 65,000 MILES IT WAS MANUFACTURED IN 5/2003 UNLIKE THE SUBJECT CAR THAT WAS MANUFACTURED IN 10/2003 I HAVE MY FINGERS CROSSED.FORDS BEEN MAKING CARS FOR 100 YEARS I SHOULD NOT BE HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH AXLES.THIS PROBLEM IS NOT JUST A FLEET VEHICLE PROBLEM, I WANT MY AXLES REPLACED.

MOLD OR MUSTY SMELL COMING FROM ALL VENTS WHEN A/C, HEAT OR FAN IS USED. DEALER STATES THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH ALL 2003 CARS AND UP AND CAN BE ELIMINATED BY SPRAYING LYSOL DIRECTLY INTO VENTS. I TRIED IT AND IT DOESN'T WORK. CLOSE FRIEND JUST GOT RID OF HIS LINCOLN AT A SUBSTANTIAL LOSS BECAUSE PROBLEM WAS NEVER RESOLVED BY LINCOLN. LINCOLN SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM SINCE IT IS MOST CERTAINLY A HEALTH ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE CORRECTED. THE PROBLEM IS COMMON AND DOCUMENTED ALL OVER THE INTERNET BY TROUBLED CONSUMERS. *TT

RECALL# 04V328000 REAR AXLE BEARING FAILURE. CALLED FORD AND THEY BLEW ME OFF SAYING IT DID NOT APPLY TO MY VIN#. AND HUNG UP. THEY COULD NOT EVEN FIND THE RECALL. *TR

HAD POPPING NOISE COMING FROM REAR OF CAR.HAD IT TO THE DEALER THEY SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT HEAR THE NOISE.1/28/08 DRIVING AND HEARD LOUD KNOCKING AND THEN LOTS OF NOISE. HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER SAID REAR WHEEL SEALS BEARINGS HAD FAILED. SAME PROBLEM THAT WAS RECALLED ON OTHER 2003 LINCOLNS. NOT RECALLED ON MINE. COSTS 1053.00 TO FIX. *CN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD RUBBING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE NOISE WAS ESPECIALLY HEARD WHEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. ALL FOUR TIRES WERE REPLACED. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE REPLACEMENT, THE NOISE RECURRED. HE NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT ALTHOUGH HE WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V328000 (SUSPENSION:REAR). THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,000. UPDATED 05/20/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE REAR AXLE AND BEARING WAS NOISY. UPDATED

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. HE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL, WITHOUT A WARNING THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN . HE THEN TRIED TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND THEY DID NOT WORK UNTIL HE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL GEAR. THE VEHICLE DECREASED IN SPEED AND BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM BUT REPROGRAMMED THE PCM. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41598. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42245 UPDATED 3/30/10 *CN UPDATED 08/18/10*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT HAD TO REPLACE THE SPARK PLUGS IN THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE FIRST REPAIR WAS PERFORMED UNDER WARRANTY IN 2004 AT 26,000 MILES. A DIFFERENT FRONT COIL SPRING HAD TO BE REPLACED ON OCTOBER 31, 2007. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND COULD NOT BE REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V322000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT: CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT). THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,350 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,750. UPDATED 01/14/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWNCAR ON WHICH TWO SPARK PLUG COIL FAILURES HAVE BEEN INCURRED TO DATE. THE FIRST ONE WAS ON 6/9/04 WHILE UNDER WARRANTY(20 MONTHS, 26610 MILES) AND THE SECOND WAS ON 10/31/07 AT THE COST OF $320.18 AND WAS STILL UNDER PARTIAL WARRANTY(61 MONTHS, 45350). THE CONSUMER STATED FEELS AS IF THIS IS ENGINEERING DEFECT AND HOPES THAT THE ADDITIONAL SPARK PLUG COILS WILL NOT HAVE TO BE REPAIRED. UPDATED 01/14/08 *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AND HEARD A ROARING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND THEY STATED THAT THE WHEEL BEARINGS, WHEELS, AND AXLE SHAFTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS GIVEN A COPY OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V328000 (SUSPENSION:REAR), WHICH HE TOOK TO THE FORD DEALER, BUT WAS INFORMED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,700 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,600.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL BEARING MAKES A STRANGE NOISE AND THE AXLE IS DAMAGED. HE STATED THAT HE PLACED A NEW SET OF MICHELIN TIRES ON THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER HAS NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE SPEED AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 41,600. UPDATED 01-15-08. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL AXLE BEARING. UPDATED *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR AXLE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V328000 (SUSPENSION:REAR) AND WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE FOR FREE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,500. UPDATED 01/14/08 *BF UPDATED 01/14/08 *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC AND THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS LABELED AS THE REAR AXLE. FORD STATED THAT NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 04V328000 (SUSPENSION:REAR) ONLY APPLIES TO FLEET VEHICLES, HOWEVER, THE CONTACT FEELS THAT HIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 48,077. UPDATED 09/25/07. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A LEAK BEHIND THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO FIRESTONE AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE SEAL FAILED ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. WHILE THE MECHANIC WAS REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE REAR WHEEL BEARING AND STUB AXLE WERE DEFECTIVE, WHICH WAS THE ACTUAL CAUSE OF THE SEAL FAILURE. AS A RESULT, THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL FLUID HAD TO BE REFILLED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE DEALER AND MECHANIC WERE NOT NOTIFIED. IN JANUARY OF 2009, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A CHIRPING NOISE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO FIRESTONE FOR A BRAKE INSPECTION AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE CHANGED. WHEN THE MECHANIC REMOVED THE ROTORS, HE NOTICED THAT THE REAR BALL JOINTS WERE RUBBING AGAINST THE AXLES AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. BOTH OF THE REAR END AXLES AND BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT RELATED TO ANY RECALLS. HE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE CONTACT HAS THE PARTS AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION IN HIS POSSESSION. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,131 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,863. UPDATED 2/5/09 *CN UPDATED 02/10/09. *JB

THE REAR BEARING ON MY 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR FAILED. I WENT TO THE RECALL SITE AND FOUND THAT PROBLEM WAS ON THE LIST FOR THAT MODEL AND YEAR. THE FAILURE RESULTED IN MY HAVING HAVE THE DEALER REPLACE THE BEARING, SEAL AND SHAFT AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL. WHEN I CONTACTED FORD; THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY VIN DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL AND I WAS OBLIGATED TO PAY THE FULL COST OF THOSE REPAIRS. OBVIOUSLY THE RECALL SHOULD HAVE BEEN EXPANDED TO COVER ALL VINS IN THAT MODEL YEAR AS THE DEFECTIVE OEM PARTS WERE THE SAME. *TR

MY LINCOLN TOWN CAR IS IN FOR SERVICE RIGHT NOW. THE SERVICEMAN SAID 2 AXLES, 2 WHEEL BEARINGS AND 2 SEALS HAVE TO BE REPLACED. HE SAID THERE WAS A RECALL ON THESE. I CALLED THE DEALER AND HE SAID IT WAS ONLY FOR LINCOLN TOWN CARS THAT WERE LIMOS. THE SERVICE MAN SAID IT WOULD BE THE SAME THING. THEREFORE THE DEALER WOULD NOT STAND BY IT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT HEARD A WHINING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. SEARS STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE BAD AND THE CONTACT REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES; HOWEVER, THE NOISE CONTINUED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS THE CAUSE OF THE NOISE. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE VEHICLE IS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V328000 (SUSPENSION:REAR). THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,688 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000. UPDATED 03-04-08 *BF UPDATED 03/04/08 *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE REAR AXLES, THE WHEEL BEARINGS, AXLE SEALS, AND BRAKE PADS ALL NEED REPLACING. THE MECHANIC MADE THE REPAIR AND NO OTHER FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 135,300 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,223. UPDATED 07/06/07. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHEN THE KEY WAS PLACED INTO THE IGNITION IT WOULD NOT ENGAGE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT LOCK. THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 73000. *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT HEARD AN UNFAMILIAR NOISE. WHEN THE NOISE GREW LOUDER, HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE REAR SUSPENSION WAS REPAIRED TWICE AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V328000 (SUSPENSION:REAR). THE CONTACT WANTED TO KNOW HOW HE CAN BE REIMBURSED FOR THE TWO REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,915. UPDATED 1/5/09 *CN UPDATED 01/09/09.*JB

RE: 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR CRUISE CONTROL RUNAWAY ISSUE ON 3/16/07 I WAS INVOLVED IN A SINGLE CAR ACCIDENT DURING A SNOWSTORM ON A TWO LANE NARROW ROAD. I HAD PREVIOUSLY DISENGAGED THE OVERDRIVE AND MANUALLY SHIFTED INTO 2ND GEAR AT 20-25 MPH FOR BETTER CONTROL. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY OVER STEERED TO THE RIGHT. TRYING TO CORRECT, IT OVER STEERED TO THE LEFT, SLID SIDEWAYS IN THE DEEP SHOULDER ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR ABOUT 25 FEET. THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL HIT A LARGE OAK TREE, BOUNCED OFF AND THE VEHICLE WENT DOWN A STEEP 70 FOOT DRIVEWAY AND JUMPED A FROZEN PILE OF SNOW. I DID HAVE THE CAR UNDER CONTROL GOING DOWN THE DRIVEWAY. IT WAS A VERY BUSY TEN SECONDS. THE INITIAL ESTIMATE FROM GEICO IS $5100, CLAIM 023442150101027. I CALL THE FORD 800 NUMBER AND DIDN'T GET ANY HELP THERE, WHICH IS NO SURPRISE. I AM WELL AWARE OF MANUFACTURERS NOT ADDRESSING VEHICLE PROBLEMS UNTIL THEY HAVE TO BECAUSE OF MONETARY ISSUES OR LEGAL REQUIREMENTS. I AM A FORMER GM DEALER AND HAVE DRIVEN LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES IN VARIOUS CONDITIONS OF DIRE REPAIR. I ALSO ATTENDED BONDURANT HIGH SPEED DRIVING SCHOOL, HAVE AN EXPIRED SCCA RACING LICENSE AND HOLD AMA EXPERT COMPETITION MOTORCYCLE LICENSE. EVEN THOUGH THIS WAS 35 TO 40 YEARS AGO THE COMPETITION EXPERIENCE TOOK OVER. ONE CAUSE COULD BE THE LOCKING DOG FOR THE STEERING HAS SHORTED THE CRUISE CONTROL RIBBON WIRES AND CAUSED THE PROBLEM. THERE COULD ALSO BE ISSUES WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL CIRCUITRY AND/OR MODULES. SINCE THE ACCIDENT I HAVE HEARD SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT CRUISE ENGAGEMENT PROBLEMS. THERE ALSO MAY BE AN ISSUE WITH THE AUTO TRACTION CONTROL WHICH MIGHT EXPLAIN WHY THE CAR WENT SO VIOLENTLY OUT OF CONTROL. THIS DEVICE IS RATHER USELESS AND IMPEDES DRIVABILITY RATHER THAN HELPS. ON THE DRIVE BACK TO MY HOUSE I HAD TO DISENGAGE IT TO DRIVE UP SMALL HILLS, AND HAVE DONE SO BEFORE IN BAD WEATHER AS THIS TYPE OF TRACTION CONTROL IMPEDES ACCELERATION. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 15-70 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD HUMMING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE REAR BEARINGS AND THE REAR AXLE SHAFTS WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL # 04V328000 (SUSPENSION:REAR). THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 49,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000. UPDATED 02-04-08. *KB UPDATED 02/04/08 *TR

SIDEWALL BLOWOUT AT HIGHWAY SPEED. HAS OCCURRED 2 TIMES. A 3RD TIRE WAS REPLACED PRIOR TO FAILURE. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE BRAKING FROM 30 MPH ON A HIGHWAY EXIT RAMP, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED WITH EXCESSIVE FORCE, WHICH DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE, AND COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE 3 TIMES. AFTER A FEW MINUTES, THE VEHICLE SLOWED, AND THE BRAKE TOOK EFFECT. A POLICE REPORT TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED, BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED. UPDATED 01/18/07. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EVERYTIME SHE ACTIVATED THE CRUISE CONTROL, THE SWITCH BECAME VERY HOT. SHE TRADITIONALLY ACTIVATES THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH. SHE NEVER NOTICED ANY SMOKE OR WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE TECHNICIAN DID NOT INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE IF THE COMPONENT WAS POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,369 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,369.

I RECENTLY PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED ON THE FIRST NIGHT DRIVE THAT WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE 3RD BRAKE LIGHT(THE ONE AT THE TOP OF THE BACK WINDOW GLOWED BRIGHTLY OVER THE INSIDE OF THE WINDOW MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE TO THE REAR. WHEN IT RAINED AND THE BACK WINDOW WAS WET. THE PROBLEM WAS EVEN WORSE. UPON FEELING AROUND THE LIGHT I DISCOVERED 3/4 INCH SPACE BETWEEN THE LIGHT AND THE GLASS THUS LETTING THE LIGHT SPILL OUT. I CALLED THE LOCAL LINCOLN DEALER WHO AFTER EXAMINING IT SAID THEY WERE ALL LIKE THAT AND COULDN'T HELP ME. I CALLED FORD MOTOR CUSTOMER SERVICE AND GOT THE SAME RESPONSE. I HAVE HAD TO PUT DUCT TAPE AROUND IT TO STOP THE LIGHT BUT I KNOW THIS SUMMER WHEN SUN GETS ON IT THE TAPE WILL NOT STICK AND LEAVE GLUE RESIDUE. I CAN RAISE THE CEILING (AND LIGHT ) UP AND DOWN 3/4 OF AN INCH BUT THEY SAY THATS THE WAY THEY WERE BUILT. IT'S DANGEROUS. I HAD A MERCURY BEFORE AND YOU COULDN'T EVEN TELL WHEN THE 3RD LITE WAS ONL.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE REAR AXLES AND BEARING WERE DEFECTIVE, AND THE PARTS WERE REPLACED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 04V328000, REGARDING THE REAR SUSPENSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.*AKI

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD GRINDING NOISE IN THE RIGHT REAR END OF THE PASSENGER SIDE. THERE WAS NO WARNING SIGNALS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT SHOP WHO DETERMINED THAT THE AXLE AND AXLE BEARING HAD FAILED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. UPDATED 12/01/06. 8JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHO DETERMINED THE LEFT AND RIGHT REAR AXEL BEARINGS, SEALS, AND PARKING BRAKE SHOES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE IN THE REAR END. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHO DETERMINED THE REAR AXLES, BEARINGS AND SAFETY PINS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIR KIT WAS ORDERED FROM THE MANUFACTURER AND THE KIT WAS INSTALLED.*AK

MY 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR WAS SLOWING (FOOT OFF GAS, COASTING) DOWN OFF-RAMP FROM FREEWAY BECAUSE THE STOP LIGHT AT THE BOTTOM OF THE OFF-RAMP WAS RED. WHEN I BEGAN TO APPLY THE BRAKES TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD VIOLENTLY AS THE FRONT BRAKES LOCKED COMPLETELY, CAUSING THE CAR TO SLIDE TO A STOP. I COULD NOT MOVE THE CAR FORWARD OR BACKWARD IN GEAR, AND COULD NOT GET IT TO COAST IN NEUTRAL. THE CAR COULD NOT BE MANUALLY PUSHED FROM ITS RESTING SPOT AND I HAD TO HAVE IT WINCHED ONTO A FLATBED TOW TRUCK AND TAKEN TO THE LINCOLN DEALERSHIP. THE REPAIR MANAGER TOLD ME AFTER INVESTIGATION THAT THE LINING INSIDE THE BRAKE LINES LEADING TO THE CALIPERS HAD BEEN SLOWLY FLAKING OFF INTO THE BRAKE FLUID. WHEN SUFFICIENT AMOUNTS HAD COLLECTED IN THE FLUID THEY ACTED LIKE A CHECK-VALVE, ALLOWING FLUID INTO THE CALIPERS TO ACTUATE THE BRAKES BUT WOULD NOT ALLOW THE FLUID TO RETURN AND THE BRAKES COULD NOT RELEASE. THE REPAIR CONSISTED OF REPLACING BOTH FRONT BRAKE LINES AND BOTH CALIPER UNITS, COSTING OVER $600. ONLY MOMENTS BEFORE THE BRAKES LOCKED MY CAR HAD BEEN AT SPEEDS OF 55 - 65 MPH ON THE FREEWAY. HAD I NEEDED TO APPLY THE BREAKS WHILE AT THOSE SPEEDS, THE RESULTS WOULD HAVE BEEN DEVASTATING; MY CAR WOULD HAVE BEEN SLIDING OUT OF CONTROL IN HEAVY FREEWAY TRAFFIC AND LIKELY WOULD HAVE LED TO SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH OF MY FAMILY MEMBERS OR OTHER DRIVERS/PASSENGERS. THE LINCOLN DEALERSHIP SEARCHED FOR RECALL AND/OR SAFETY BULLETINS FROM THE MANUFACTURER AND COULD FIND NONE. I'M INFURIATED BY THIS ~ IT IS AN APPARENT DESIGN AND/OR MANUFACTURING DEFECT, ADMITTEDLY SEEN SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE OVER RECENT YEARS BY THE MECHANICS AT MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP, YET NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO ADDRESS IT. I SUSPECT THAT IT'S NOT A "SEVERE" ENOUGH SITUATION YET BECAUSE THERE HAVE BEEN NO DEATHS REPORTEDLY LINKED TO THE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE I SURVIVED. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, A GROWLING NOISE WAS NOTICED IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THE WHEEL BEARINGS WORE OUT. THIS ALSO CAUSED EXCESSIVE AXLE WEAR. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 04V328000, REGARDING THE REAR SUSPENSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.*AK UPDATED 11/21/2006 -*NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A CONSTANT GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, REGARDLESS OF SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE NOISE WAS CAUSED BY A FAILURE OF THE REAR BEARINGS. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL# 04V328000 WHICH PERTAINED TO THE REAR SUSPENSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. *AK UPDATED 10/31/2006 - *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE COASTED TO A STOP AT A TOLL BOOTH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHO DETERMINED THE REAR BEARING FAILED. THE PROBLEM LED TO AN AXLE SHAFT FRACTURE WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOSE DRIVE FUNCTION. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 04V328000, REGARDING THE SUSPENSION: REAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. *AK

I WAS STOPPED FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT. WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED TO GREEN, I PUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL, VERY LIGHTLY,AND THE CAR ACCELERATED AWAY FROM ME. I LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AND ENDED UP ON THE SIDEWALK, HITTING A BRICK WALL. THE CAR WAS TOTALED OUT BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THIS CAR WAS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR WITH 36,000 MILES. I THEN PURCHASED A 2006 LINCOLN TOWN CAR AND AFTER DRIVING 700 MILES, THE CAR ACCELERATED AGAIN AND I ALMOST HIT A PEDESTRIAN. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE LINCOLN DEALER SERVICE MANAGER. THEY TOOK THE CAR ON A LIFT, CHECKED IT OUT AND TEST DROVE IT AND TOLD ME THAT THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. FORD INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS NO RECALLS ON THIS CAR FOR THAT PROBLEM. I DID NOT TRUST DRIVING THIS CAR ANY LONGER, SO I TRADED IT IN FOR ANOTHER MAKE CAR AND TOOK A VERY LARGE LOSS, RATHER THAN RISK MY LIFE, MY WIFE'S LIFE OR AN INNOCENT PERSON. *NM

1) I NOTICED A SLIGHT VIBRATION AND NOISE. 2) TOOK CAR TO A FORD DEALER WHO IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AS A PINION BEARING, BUT THEY COULDN'T GET TO A REPAIR IMMEDIATELY. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE CLOSEST AAA APPROVED GARAGE. 3) BOTH AXLE SHAFTS AND ALL AXLE BEARINGS HAVE TO BE REPLACED. *NM

SEVERE NOISE IN REAR AXLE ON 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR . TOOK VEHICLE TO SELLING DEALER TO FIX IT, WHO CHARGED HIM $707.63 INCLUDING TAXES TO FIX IT BY REPLACING REAR AXLES AND BEARINGS WITH KIT 3W1Z*4A109*AA. I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE PART OF NHTSA RECALL 04V328000 DATED JUL 6, 2004. FORD RECALL NUMBER 04S16. HOWEVER FORD DENIED WHEN I CALLED THEM AT 800-392-3673 SAYING THE CAR WAS NOT A FLEET SALE AND WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I HAVE REPAIR RECEIPT. *AK

2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR WITH UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION. CONSUMER STATES THAT SHE FOUND A SERVICE BULLETIN WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND SHE WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION. *KB ***NAR*** THE CONSUMER STATED AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF THE UNWANTED ACCELERATION. *JB