NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Lincoln Town Car. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
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.
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
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.
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
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 TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT. THIS CAR LOOKS LIKE IT IS BRAND NEW ON THE OUTSIDE, THE INTERIOR'S LEATHER HAS NO CREASES...NO ONE HAS EVEN SAT IN THE REAR COMPARTMENT. IT HAS BEEN WELL CARED FOR TOO. THIS IS WHY I CANNOT BELIEVE THE STEERING COLUMN IS SO FREAKIN RUSTY - IT LOOKS DANGEROUS! I LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING FROM A CAR THAT'S BEEN SITTING IN A JUNK YARD ALL ITS LIFE. NOW I SEE WHY THE LINCOLN CONCIERGE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO HELP WHAT SO EVER. FORD KNOWS ABOUT THIS CORROSION ISSUE.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SUNROOFTS. HAVE NOT YET HAD IT FIXED, WONDERING IF IT'S WORTH USING ANOTHER SUNROOF THAT MIGHT BREAK. MY CAR STILL OPERATES GOOD OTHERWISE.
HEARD A POP AND CRUISE CONTROL LOST SPEED, AND THEN ACCELERATED HIGHER SPEED UNTIL I TURNED OFF SPEED CONTROL. SPEED CONTROL DOES NOT WORK ANY MORE. COST 112.00 TO FIND OUT WHAT PART IS NEEDED. 2. DRIVER SIDE MIRROR HAS STEADILY GETTING WORSE SINCE 2008. THE HEATING ELEMENT HAS DISTORTED MIRROR MAKING IT BRONZE. NEED TO REPLACE BUT FORD DOES NOT HAVE THE MIRROR. GARAGE SUGGESTED I FIND ONE IN A JUNK YARD. *TR
2004 LINCOLN LEAKS ON PASSENGER SIDE UNDER GLOVEBOX AREA, DURING MODERATE TO HARD RAIN, SEEMS TO BE MUCH WORSE WHILE STANDING STILL. PASSENGER CARPET FLOODS AND VEHICLE MUST HAVE 'SHOP VAC' TREATMENT TO GET ALL THE WATER OUT OF THE CAR AND CARPET. LEAVES THE CARPET STAINED AND MUSTY SMELLING. NOW I MUST PUT A LARGE TRASH SACK UNDER THE PASSENGER WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADE SO IF IT RAINS THE CAR WON'T FLOOD. LINCOLN SAYS THEY ARE SORRY BUT DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AS THEY CAN SEE NOTHING WRONG. I SHOWED THEM PICTURES AND LINCOLN WAS UNIMPRESSES. YOU CAN IDENTIFY MY CAR IN THE PARKING LOT WITH BY WATCHING FOR THE TRASHCAN LINER ON THE HOOD. STILL ONGOING PROBLEM. THANKS LINCOLN. *TR
WHILE TRAVELING IN TRAFFIC SOUTHBOUND ON I-95 @ 75 MPH IN PALM BEACH COUNTY THERE WAS A SHIFT OF THE RIGHT REAR TO THE RIGHT. I ADJUSTED TO MAINTAIN CONTROL PRESUMING POSSIBLE HIGH WINDS ON THE ROAD. UPON ACCELERATING THERE WAS NO POWER, THEREFORE I APPLIED BRAKES TO COAST TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK (AUTOMOBILE WAS STILL MOVING UNTIL IT CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP). LOOKING AROUND THE VEHICLE, EVERYTHING SEEMED NORMAL; NO LEAKAGE OF LIQUIDS/FLUIDS, NO SKID MARKS, NO FOREIGN DEBRIS, ETC. WHILE AUTO WAS BEING PUT UPON THE FLAT BED FOR TOW, THERE WAS A CYLINDER-SHAPED PIECE LOCATED ON THE GROUND NEAR THE TOW TRUCK. I NOTICED THE ITEM, BUT DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT AT THE TIME. AFTER THE CAR WAS TOWED TO MY RESIDENCE 40 MILES AWAY FROM THE INCIDENT AND BEFORE BEING RELEASED FROM FLAT BED TOW TRUCK; THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL/TIRE WAS PROJECTING ABOUT 45 DEGREES OUT FROM REAR FENDER WELD. THE CAR HAD TO BE JACKED UP AND THE WHEEL/TIRE HAD TO BE HELD IN PLACE BY HAND AND ROTATED SLOWLY OFF THE RAMP . UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, IT IS NOTICED THAT ONLY THE TOP PORTION OF THE BRAKE CALIPHER ASSEMBLY WAS HOLDING THE WHEEL ALL ALONG. THE JACK HAD TO BE LEFT IN PLACE BECAUSE THE WHEEL/TIRE WAS NOT STABLE. ALSO, GREASE WAS SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE INTERIOR WHEEL; 3 WHEEL BEARINGS SEEMED MISSING, THE AXLE WAS COMPLETELY DISENGAGED (CLEAN-CUT THROUGH) FROM THE PORTION OF THE WHEEL/TIRE ASSEMBLY, INCLUDING THE WHEEL BREAK CYLINDER AND THE OTHER PORTION OF THE AXEL WAS LODGED IN THE AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING UNIT. THE AREA AROUND THE RING SHELVE HAD A RUST-LIKE COLOR (THEREFORE, ASSUMING THAT A HIGH DEGREE OF HEAT WAS A FACTOR IN THE STRUCTURAL/MATERIAL BREAKDOWN), PORTIONS OF THE WHEEL WERE MAGNETIZED WITH METAL SHAVINGS WITHIN GREASE UPON THE WHEEL DRUM HOUSING; BROKEN/CRUSHED BEARINGS PARTS AND THE AXEL COMPLETELY CUT OFF AT THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY AREA. MECHANICS WERE PUZZLED. *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE KNUCKLE WAS RUSTED AND THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 245,000.
PULLING INTO A SPACE IN A PARKING LOT, UPON APPLICATION OF THE FOOT BRAKE, THE CAR EXPERIENCED SUDDEN UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION, JUMPED THE CURB, AND STRUCK A TREE IN FRONT OF THE PARKING SPACE. ACCELERATION STOPPED WHEN THE CAR WAS SHIFTED OUT OF D INTO P. FRONT BUMPER OF THE CAR WAS DAMAGED, AND A WRECKER HAD TO BE CALLED TO PULL THE CAR OVER THE CURB, WHICH WAS PREVENTING BACKING UP THE CAR. FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS INJURED, BUT THIS SUDDEN ACCELERATION IS VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS CAR DESCRIBE. IT WAS LIKE THE CRUISE CONTROL CAME ON AND STARTED TO ACCELERATE THE CAR. *TR
ON JUNE 20 2012 I PURCHASED 4 GOODYEAR VIVA AUTHORITY TIRES 225/70/16.ON APRIL 24 2014 I NOTICED I WAS LOSING AIR ON MY FRONT LEFT TIRE! I WENT TO WALMART# 01698 IN HOOKSETT,N.H.,AND WAS TOLD MY TIRE HAD DRY ROTTED,THE OUTSIDE SIDEWALL LOOKED FINE, THE INSIDE SIDEWALL HOWEVER LOOKED LIKE IT WAS ABOUT TO SPLIT IN TWO,THE MANAGER SAID THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF AN IMPACT AND THE TIRE WAS PRO-RATED. THE MANAGER ALSO INFORMED ME THE OTHER TIRES,ALL BOUGHT ON 6/20/12,SHOWED EVIDENCE OF DRY ROT,BUT SINCE THEY HAD NOT YET FAILED,THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH , THE POWER STEERING ASSIST SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED AND MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOWER INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,300.
2010 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO STEERING LINKAGE SHAFT DUE TO CORROSION RECALL. CONSUMER STATES 2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR WITH SAME ISSUE IS NOT UNDER RECALL. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAD DIFFICULTY TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL DUE TO CORROSION OF THE LINKAGE SHAFT BEING VERY CORRODED. THE COST OF THE REPAIR WAS $ 296.80. IT HAD RUSTED OUT AND MADE THE VEHICLE NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE COMING TO A STOP AT 10 MPH, THEY TRIED TO STEER OUT OF THE WAY OF AN ONCOMING VEHICLE THAT HAD VEERED OUT OF IT'S LANE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STEER AWAY, THE VEHICLE STEERED THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION INTO A DITCH. THE PROBLEM HAD RECURRED TWO TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
STEERING STICKS AND VEHICLE BECOMES HARD TO TURN. WILL WORK NORMALLY THEN WILL STICK BECOMING ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN THEN AS YOU TURN IT WILL STICK THEN RELEASE THEN STICK THEN RELEASE. SERPENTINE BELT IS IN NEW CONDITION. FILLED WITH POWER STEERING FLUID AND NOT LEAKING. BELT IS NOT SLIPPING ON PULLEY WHEN OCCURRING. I AM BRINGING TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR TODAY. MUSCATELLBURNS FORD HAWLEY MN 2184833356. *TR
THE INTERIOR DOOR LOCK WITHIN THE PANEL BROKE OFF ON THE DRIVERS SIDE & THE CLIPS BROKE OFF ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE. PER LINCOLN WE WILL NEED TO REPLACE THE WHOLE PANEL. THEY NO LONGER MAKE THE PANEL NOR CAN WE FIND IT AT ANYWHERE ELSE. LINCOLN OFFERED TWO SITES TO TRY AND LOCATE HOWEVER THEY DO NOT HAVE THIS PART EITHER. THE CAR HASN'T EVEN HIT 10 YEARS FOR US AND LINCOLN OFFERS NO SOLUTION. THE CAR RUNS OK BUT IT'S A BIT EMBARRASSING THAT WE CANNOT OPEN THE DOOR WITHOUT THE PANEL FALLING DOWN. I BELIEVE THIS IS A BAD BUSINESS TRANSACTION FROM THE MANUFACTURER AND HAD WE KNOWN WE WOULD GET THIS TYPE OF SERVICE WE WOULDN'T OF BOUGHT THIS MAKE OF CAR. *TR
OPENING THE DRIVER'S DOOR NORMALLY, THE DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF WITH A PIECE OF THE DOOR PANEL. THE WHOLE DOOR ASSEMBLY USED TO OPEN/CLOSE THE DOOR IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE AND HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED. THE ONLY WAY TO OPEN THE DOOR NOW IS TO ROLL THE WINDOW DOWN AND REACH OUTSIDE TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. THIS IS PARTICULARLY UNSAFE AS IT IS THE DRIVER'S MAIN ESCAPE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED, MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILED AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WAS MISSING TWO LUG NUTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000. *TR
MARCH OF 2013 WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY I NOTICE THE STEERING NOT RESPONDING PROPERLY, I DROVE CAREFULLY TO MY DESTINATION IN FLORIDA AND TOOK CAR TO DEALER WHO STATED IT WAS THE STEERING RACK WHICH I HAD THEM REPLACE, CAR WAS RETURNED AND WHILE IT STILL WAS A BIT HARD TO STEER I FIGURED IT WAS A NEW PART AND HAD TO BREAK IN, BACK HOME IN NEW YORK I CALLED THE DEALER IN FLORIDA WHO STATED THE PART WAS WARRENTIED FOR 12,000 MILES OR ONE YEAR AND I COULD TAKE IT TO ANY FORD DEALER AND IT WOULD BE HONORED, I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER WHERE THEY RAN A DIAGNOSIS AND STATED IT WAS A FROZEN STEERING SHAFT PROBLEM GETTING CAR BACK IT STILL WAS NOT STEERING PROPERLY, SO I WENT BACK YESTERDAY AND THEY HAD 2 SERVICE PEOPLE TEST DRIVE CAR, BOTH ACKNOWLEDGED THE CAR WONDERED AND STEERING DID NOT STRAIGHTENED OUT PROPERLY AFTER TURNING, STARTED TALKING ABOUT OTHER PARTS IT COULD BE, NOW WITH OVER TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS IN COST ALREADY I INSISTED IT THAT SINCE THE CAR WAS FINE AND A PLEASURE TO DRIVE BEFORE THE STEERING RACK WENT BAD THAT IT HAD TO BE THE RACK, THEY SEEMED UNCONCERNED AND STATED THAT IF THEY REPLACED THE RACK UNDER WARRANTY THAT WHEN THEY SENT THIS PART BACK TO FORD AND IF THEIR ENGINEER FOUND IT WAS NOT BAD THEY WOULD GET BILLED FOR THE NEW ONE, SO HERE WE ARE, A CAR THAT STEERS LIKE IT HAS NO POWER STEERING AND A DEALER WHO DON'T SEEM TO CARE, WHAT DO I DO NEXT EXCEPT WRITE TO YOU, *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED WATER LEAKING INTO THE VEHICLE FROM UNDER THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT.THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE FIRE WALL UNDER THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR, CAUSING WATER TO LEAK INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000. *TR
WE WERE ENTERING INTERSTATE 75 IN FLORIDA ON A RAMP AND THE CAR BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. WHEN WE WERE ABLE TO RETURN AND TAKE IT TO AN AUTOMOBILE SHOP, THEY TOLD US THE MULTIPLE U-JOINTS ON THE LOWER STEERING COLUMN WERE RUSTED TO WHERE THEY WOULD NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. WE HAVE A 2010 LINCOLN TOWN CAT THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND THERE WAS A RECALL ON IT. THE 2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR HAS THE SAME STEERING SO WHY WASN'T THERE A RECALL ON IT. WE ARE STILL DRIVING THE 2004, BUT IT WAS AFTER WE SPENT A LARGE AMOUNT OF MONEY ON HAVING IT REPAIRED SO IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. WE WROTE A YEAR AGO ABOUT THE 2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR, BUT RECEIVED AN ANSWER....UPDATED 12/04/14 *BF
INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES DISLODGE FROM DOOR PANEL MECHANISM RENDERING THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE INOPERATIVE. THIS CAN TRAP PEOPLE INSIDE OF CAR. NO WAY TO OPEN DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. HE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 41,000.
THE DOOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE DRIVERS DOOR IS STUCK OUT AND THE DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE OF THE CAR. IF IN AN ACCIDENT, YOU COULD DIE. FORD DEALER TOLD ME TUFF LUCK, THE PART IS DISCONTINUED AND IMPOSSIBLE TO REPAIR. POOR DESIGN, POOR RESPONSE FROM FORD. IF THERE IS A FIRE OR ACCIDENT, YOU CANNOT EXIT THE CAR. FORD NEEDS ORDERS TO RECALL THESE CARS AND FIX THE PROBLEM SO INNOCENT PEOPLE DO NOT SACRIFICE THEIR LIVES FOR FORDS BOTTOM LINE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH , THERE WAS AN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL AND MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO REPLACED TWO STEERING COLUMN SHAFT ASSEMBLIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,847. UPDATED 06/27/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THIS VEHICLE'S MODEL AND MODEL YEAR WERE EXCLUDED FROM THE STEERING RECALL. UPDATED 07/2/2014 *JS
DRIVER'S SIDE INTERIOR DOOR LATCH BROKE AND IS INTEGRAL TO THE DOOR PANEL. FORD DEALER SAYS THE PART IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE AND FORD HAS PROVIDED NO OTHER MEANS OF REPAIR. FORD PROVIDED THE FOLLOWING PART NUMBER: 4W1Z5423943EAA, WHICH IS NOT AVAILABLE. TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, THE WINDOW MUST BE ROLLED DOWN AND THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE USED. THIS IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY RISK IF A QUICK EXIT IS REQUIRED DURING A FIRE, ACCIDENT, OR OTHER EMERGENCY. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH THE ROOF CAME OFF. THE RAG TOP MATERIAL USED ON THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE SEPARATED. AS THE SECOND OWNER OF THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT WAS NOT SURE IF THIS WAS AN AFTER MARKET RAG TOP OR NOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000.
THE FRONT INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES, ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES, BECAME DISLODGED FROM THE INTERNAL DOOR OPENING MECHANISM, CANNOT BE RETURNED TO THE ORIGINAL POSITION, AND DO NOT WORK. THE DOOR CAN ONLY BE OPENED BY ROLLING DOWN THE ELECTRIC WINDOW AND PULLING THE OUTER LATCH. FORD SERVICE CENTERS CAN NO LONGER PROCURE THE PART (THE DOOR TRIM PANEL) TO DO THE REPAIR AS FORD HAS DISCONTINUED MANUFACTURING THEM AND HAS NO MORE IN STOCK. ANOTHER REPORT OF THE SAME PROBLEM EXISTS IN THE NHTSA DATABASE, AND IT APPEARS SIMILAR TO THE PROBLEM THAT LEAD FORD TO RECALL THE 2008 EXPEDITION AND NAVIGATOR. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD, AND THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE 2004 LINCOLN. I HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL FINDING THE PART IN THE AFTERMARKET. IT IS THE ENTIRE TRIM PANEL SOLD AS ONE PIECE. SINCE THE FORD SERVICE CENTER CANNOT REPAIR THE DOOR WITHOUT THE PART, I HAVE RESORTED TO REMOVING THE DOOR PANEL, RESETTING THE HANDLE, AND DRILLING SCREWS THROUGH THE PANEL TO HELP HOLD THE DOOR HANDLE IN PLACE SO THAT IT WILL OPEN THE DOOR AND NOT BECOME DISLODGED FROM THE MECHANISM. BUT THIS HAS FAILED REPEATEDLY, THE ENTIRE PLASTIC HOLDING THE HANDLE IN PLACE HAS BROKEN LOOSE, AND ONLY WORKS NOW WHEN I TREAT THE HANDLE IN A VERY DELICATE AND AWKWARD MANNER. I FEAR THAT DURING A FIRE OR CRASH I OR A PASSENGER WILL NOT BE ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR TO ESCAPE. SINCE THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE, THE FORD SERVICE CENTER CANNOT PERFORM THE REPAIR. HAVING SEEN HOW THE MECHANISM WORKS, I AM NOT COMPLETELY CONFIDENT THAT THE ORIGINAL DESIGN WAS SUFFICIENT TO HOLD THE DOOR HANDLE IN PLACE OVER TIME, AND THAT A REPLACEMENT PART MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25MPH, HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE PASSENGER LOOKED DOWN TO SEE IF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STUCK AND IT WASN'T. THE CONTACT PUT BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE AND ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL, AFTER APPLYING EXTREME PRESSURE TO THE GEAR SHIFT HE WAS FINALLY ABLE TO PUT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DULPICATE THE FAILURE. THE APRROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70000.
2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR PURCHASED NEW FROM DEALER WITH DEFECTIVE WHEEL BEARINGS. WHEN WE PURCHASED THE CAR IT HAD LOUD CABIN NOISE, THE DEALER INFORMED US THAT THE OUTSIDE NOISE WAS CAUSED BY THE REAR WINDOW AND A SPECIALIST WAS BROUGHT IN TWO DAYS LATER TO ALIGN THE WINDOW. CABIN NOISE CONTINUED UNTIL THE BEARINGS GAVE OUT AT 98,709 MILES. AS PER THE WINDOW THAT WAS ALIGN, IT IS NOW THE ONLY WINDOW THAT YOU CAN OPEN BUT NOT CLOSE. *TR
WHEELS CORRODING CAUSING TIRE TO DEFLATE. *TR
2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR, POWER STEERING FAILURE. WHILE DRIVING, DRIVER MAY LOSE CONTROL OF CAR, JUST LIKE DRIVING ON BLACK ICE. WHILE DRIVING MAKING A RIGHT HAND MERGE, STEERING GOT STUCK FOR A FEW SECONDS. AND WHEN DRIVER TRIED TO CORRECT THE CAR WAS GOING ONE WAY WHILE THE DRIVER WAS STEERING ANOTHER. DRIVER LOST CONTROL AND HIT THE WALL TOTALING THE CAR AND PUTTING 5 PEOPLE INTO THE ER. *TR
WE OWNED A 2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WE DROVE THAT CAR THAT EVENING, PARKED IT IN THE GARAGE AT 10:45PM AND WENT TO BED. AT 3:30AM, WE WERE AWOKEN BY POLICE BREAKING OUR DOOR DOWN AND FLAMES WERE SHOOTING OUT OF OUR GARAGE. THE SOURCE OF THE FIRE WAS DETERMINED TO BE FROM THE LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE TOWN CAR HAD NO HOOD AFTER THE FIRE, 2 OTHER VEHICLES WERE ALSO DESTROYED. OUR HOME ALSO CAUGHT ON FIRE AND APPROXIMATELY 100% OF OUR CONTENTS AND 50% OF OUR HOME WAS DESTROYED. LUCKILY, NOONE WAS INJURED.THE TOWN CAR ENGINE WAS BURNT BEYOND RECOGNITION, SO THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE WHICH PART WAS DEFECTIVE, HOWEVER THE INSURANCE CO, (AMERICAN FAMILY INVESTIGATORS) DETERMINED IT HAD DEFINITELY STARTED FROM THE LINCOLN . THEY STATED THAT WE CANNOT PROVE TO FORD WHICH PART IS DEFECTIVE SO IT WAS NOT REPORTED TO FORD. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. OCCUPANTS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SAFELY EXIT THE VEHICLE IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 112,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER HAVING A FLAT TIRE REPAIRED, A FEW DAYS LATER THE TIRE BECAME FLAT AGAIN. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE WHEEL MAY HAVE CORRODED AROUND THE BEAD PART OF THE WHEEL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 56,400. UPDATED 5/2/11 *CN UPDATED 07/01/11
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS DRIVING AT 40 MPH WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT'S FOOT BECAME LODGED BETWEEN THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDAL. HE WAS ABLE TO DISLODGE HIS FOOT BUT WHEN DOING SO, THE BRAKE PEDAL COVER DETACHED FROM THE PEDAL ITSELF. THE DEALER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED FOR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THE DESIGN OF THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDALS WERE FAULTY. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TRADED BECAUSE HE DID NOT FEEL SAFE IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 30,000. UPDATED 10/01/10. *LJ UPDATED 10/04/10
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH INTO A GARAGE, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. HE ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE AND THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY SURGED FORWARD, CRASHING INTO THE FOUNDATION. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MINOR DAMAGES. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING ON A RESPONSE FROM THE INSURANCE COMPANY REGARDING THE DAMAGES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 28,000. UPDATED 11-25-08 *BF UPDATED 11/25/08. *JB
2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR HAD BRAKE FAILURE. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE BRAKES FAILED CAUSING A REAR-END COLLISION. *NJ THE STATE POLICE TOLD THE CONSUMER THE ABS FAILED. *JB
CLAMP FAILURE FOR CONNECTING FUEL HOSES TO INLINE FUEL FILTER. CLAMPS ARE MADE OF PLASTIC AND DETERIORATE WITH TIME AND MILEAGE. RESULT IS PRESSURED FUEL LINE SEPARATING FROM FUEL FILTER AND SPRAYING GASOLINE OVER UNDERSIDE OF CAR, INCLUDING CATALYTIC CONVERTER. VEHICLE WAS 2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR FUEL LINES WERE REPLACED, BUT REPLACEMENTS ALSO HAVE PLASTIC CLAMPS TO SECURE HOSES TO FILTER. *TR