2003 Lincoln Town Car Suspension Problems

[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2003 Lincoln Town Car. The contact stated while his son was driving on the highway, the accelerator pedal was slightly released; however, the vehicle stopped instantly. There was no warning light illuminated. The driver was able to drive to his destination safely. The vehicle was towed to the contact's workplace. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The tow truck operator stated that the rear axle was fractured. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 155,000.

The contact owns a 2003 Lincoln Town Car. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V328000 (Suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, vibration sounds were heard coming from the rear of the vehicle. The local dealer, All American Ford of Paramus (375 NJ-17, Paramus, NJ 07652) and Mahwah Ford (55 Franklin Turnpike, Mahwah, NJ 07430) were made aware of the recall however, all three dealers informed the contact that the parts were obsolete. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to several dealers. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000. Consumer stated safety recall for a fracture in the rear axle and bearing states can cause crash still isn’t resolved.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE AXLE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BEARINGS SEIZED, WHICH CAUSED THE AXLE TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V328000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING WENT OUT. MILEAGE OF CAR IS 92,643. THERE WAS A RECALL OF THIS YEAR OF CAR MANUFACTURED FROM THE SAME PLANT, WIXOM, MI, BUT THE PRODUCTION LINE OF RECALL ENDED IN DECEMBER 2002. THIS CAR ROLLED OFF IN FEBRUARY2003. HOWEVER, IT WAS EXACTLY AS THE RECALL STATED AND THERE IS NO WAY THAT THE BAD PARTS WAS NOT PUT ON OTHER VEHICLES OF THE 2003 PRODUCTION VEHICLES. WHEN THE BEARING WENT, IT CHEWED THE AXLE SO IT TOO HAD TO BE REPLACED. IT WENT OUT WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOPPED POSITION. WAS IMMEDIATELY PARKED AND NOT DRIVEN TIL FIXED. MACHANIC AGREES THAT IT WAS BAD PARTS AND KNOWS OF SEVERAL 2003 MODELS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE REAR AIR SUSPENSION WAS ACTIVATED. THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WAS AT A HIGHER HEIGHT AND WOULD NOT LOWER. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE BOUNCED WHILE DRIVING. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE CONTACT CALLED CAPITAL FORD LINCOLN OF WILMINGTON (4222 OLEANDER DR, WILMINGTON, NC 28403 (910) 378-3858) AND RECEIVED SEVERAL RECOMMENDATIONS; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

I HAVE A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR THAT I BOUGHT IN 2005, WHICH WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. OVER THE YEARS, I'VE HAD TO PAY FOR REPLACING THE REAR AXLES AND AXLE BEARINGS THAT WENT BAD. I SAW ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE YESTERDAY THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM THAT RESULTED IN A RECALL OF THIS MAKE/MODEL/YEAR. I NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON THIS PROBLEM, AND HAVE PAID OUT-OF-POCKET FOR THESE REPAIRS TWICE, NOT KNOWING THAT THERE WAS EVER A RECALL. NOW, ALL FORD WILL TELL ME THAT THERE IS NOT CURRENTLY A RECALL ON MY CAR, IGNORING THAT I SHOULD HAVE BEEN SENT A RECALL NOTICE. I BELIEVE THAT FORD SHOULD REPLACE THE REAR AXLES AND BEARINGS, WHICH ARE ONCE AGAIN NEEDING REPLACED. I ALSO BELIEVE THAT FORD SHOULD REIMBURSE ME FOR THE TWO TIMES ALREADY THAT I HAD TO PAY TO HAVE THE AXLES AND BEARINGS REPLACED. THE VIN OF THE CAR IS [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE STATIONARY, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE FRACTURED. THE CONTACT NOTICED OIL COMING FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V328000 (SUSPENSION) AS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,140.

WHILE IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY, THERE WAS A REAR HUMMING NOISE, I ALSO NOTICED LOW GAS MILEAGE. WHILE MAKING A VISUAL INSPECTION, I SMELLED GEAR OIL, OBSERVED GEAR OIL AROUND OUTER RIM , INSIDE ROTOR/ BRAKE CALIPER AREA. (RIGHT REAR WHEEL) SINCE I TRAVEL 40 MILES ROUND TRIP TO WORK ON I-10. AN ACCIDENT COULD OF OCCURRED, HURTING MYSELF AND OTHER PEOPLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED VIOLENTLY. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V328000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE AXLE FRACTURED CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE DIVIDER. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

LETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN MURPHY ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR PRIVATELY OWNED WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE SUSPENSION RECALL ONLY PERTAINED TO COMMERCIAL VEHICLES. *JB

MY 2003 TOWNCAR WAS MAKING A SCRAPING NOISE IN THE REAR AND I BROUGHT IT TO REPAIR SHOP. MECHANIC SUSPECTED REAR BRAKES BUT UPON INSPECTION FOUND BAD BEARINGS AND AXEL SHAFTS AND TOLD ME THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. HE ALSO TOLD ME HE HAD NOT SEEN THIS TYPE OF DAMAGE IN ANY PAST VEHICLES. AND CERTAINLY SHOULD NOT HAPPEN AT 104,000 MILES. DURING ONLINE RESEARCH I FOUND A SAFETY RECALL IN 2004 FOR 2003 TOWNCARS DUE TO REAR AXLES. I WAS TOLD BY FORD THAT THE RECALL DID NOT APPLY TO MY VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, BUT WAS FOR VEHICLES SOLD TO FLEETS. FURTHER RESEARCH FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME DEFECT ON 2003 TOWNCARS THAT WERE ALSO NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I FEEL THAT FORD TOOK CARE OF THEIR COMMERCIAL CUSTOMERS AND LEFT PRIVATE OWNERS EXPOSED TO UNSAFE VEHICLES WITH NO RECOURSE. DUE TO THE NUMBER OF LINCOLN CUSTOMERS WITH THE SAME UNLIKELY PROBLEM FORD SHOULD ADMIT THAT THE RECALL SHOULD AFFECT ALL 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CARS. *TR

NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V328000 FORD RECALL NUMBER IS 04S16 MY CAR STARTED MAKING NOISE IN THE REAR AND WHEN CHECKED THERE WAS SOME OIL LEAKAGE ON THE REAR RIGHT WHEEL. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC, I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS KNOWN PROBLEM IN 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR WITH A RECALL AND WAS ASKED TO CHECK THE MANUFACTURER OR DEALER IF MY CAR IS PART OF SAFETY RECALL. FORD REPRESENTATIVE KEPT SAYING THAT MY CAR IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH MY CAR HAS EXACT ISSUE AS REPORTED VIA NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V328000 / FORD RECALL NUMBER IS 04S16. ALSO, MY CAR WAS MANUFACTURED IN 10/02, IN THE SAME TIME FRAME MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. FOR KNOWN ISSUES DURING MANUFACTURING, I AM EXPOSED TO LIFE THREATENING RISK. WHY IS FORD NOT RECALLING ALL CARS DURING THE TIME FRAME AND ALSO NHTSA IS NOT MAKING FORD ACCOUNTABLE FOR ITS MISTAKE ? I KINDLY REQUEST NHTSA TO REVIEW THIS RECALL AND INCLUDE PERSONAL OWNED VEHICLES TOO IN IT - TO MAKE IT A JUSTIFIED RECALL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. IN, ADDITION, THE CONTACT NOTICED GREASE ON THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BEARING AND THE REAR PASSENGER AXLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, SIX MONTHS AFTER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR DRIVER AXLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, TWO YEARS LATER, THE REAR PASSENGER AXLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE IF THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V328000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS AND AXLE SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED FIVE MONTHS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED A SECOND TIME, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V328000 (SUSPENSION). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE NEAR THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WORSENED OVER TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS, SEALS, AND REAR AXLE SHAFTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V328000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000. UPDATED 8/31/2017*CN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A RUMBLING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE REAR WHEEL BEARING SEALS AND AXLE SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V328000 (SUSPENSION), BUT WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 96,000. *TR

I NOTICED OIL ALL OVER THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE AND AFTER CHECKING, I FOUND THAT IT WAS THE REAR AXLE LEAKING. I WENT ONLINE AND FOUND THAT A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED BECAUSE IT WAS A DEFECT AND SOMETIMES THE WHEEL WOULD EVEN FALL OFF. I CHECKED WITH THE LINCOLN WEB SITE AND MAGICALLY MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED. IT SEEMS A LOT OF PEOPLE "OUTSIDE" OF THE RECALLED VEHICLES ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. PLEASE EXPAND THE RECALL. I HAVE OWNED 17 CARS THROUGH THE YEARS AND HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE. I HAVE NEVER EVEN HEARD OF THIS ISSUE BEFORE! IF AFTER 100 YEARS OF BUILDING CARS FORD CANNOT GET THE WHEELS TO STAY ON, AND DOES NOT THINK THIS IS A PROBLEM, WELL I GUESS THIS IS MY FIRST AND LAST ONE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL GRINDING FROM THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE AXLE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED REPLACING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V328000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.