1997 Lincoln Town CAR

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/31/2015· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT WORK. BULBS OK. REPLACING THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH FIXED PROBLEM.

• 12/31/2001· STEERING

  STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY LOOSE. STEERING WHEEL WAS FREE TO TURN IN BOTH DIRECTIONS WITH OUT STOPPING. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY STATED THAT STEERING COLUMN ROD CAME OUT. DEALER REPLACED STEERING PARTS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

• 12/30/2011· SUSPENSION

  SON WAS OPERATING THE VEHICLE. AS HE MADE A LEFT TURN, HE HEARD A LOUD CLUNKING SOUND AND THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE CRASHED TO THE GROUND. HAD THE CAR TOWED HOME AND SUBSEQUENTLY TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP THE NEXT DAY. WAS TOLD THAT THE LOWER RIGHT BALL JOINT HAD FAILED, SUBSEQUENTLY SNAPPING THE STABILIZER LINK. THIS HAPPENED IN AUGUST 2010. NOVEMBER 15, 2011, I WAS DRIVING HOME. STOPPED TO AIR UP MY RIGHT REAR TIRE. UPON RE-ENTERING THE VEHICLE AND BACKING OUT, THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE FELL TO THE GROUND. AGAIN, THE RIGHT FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED. THIS TIME, I HAD TO ALSO REPLACE THE RIGHT FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM, RIGHT FRONT STABILIZER LINK, RIGHT FRONT SHOCK AND RIGHT FRONT BALL JOINT. THERE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE 1997 LINCOLN TOWNCAR'S FRONT END. WHEN THE MECHANIC WENT TO INSTALL THE RIGHT LOWER BALL JOINT (WHICH IS A PRESSED FIT) THE BALL JOINT WENT RIGHT IN BY HAND, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS FAULTY. I NOW HAVE A RATTLING SOUND COMING FROM THE LEFT FRONT SIDE. I'M REALLY SCARED TO DRIVE THIS CAR. *KB

• 12/30/1997· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON.

• 12/30/1996· TIRES

  MICHELIN TIRES CAUSE VEHICLE TO RIDE BUMPY.

• 12/23/1997· SUSPENSION

  VEHICLE DOES NOT HANDLE PROPERLY WHILE DRIVING, UNSTABLE AND POOR DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.

• 12/20/2011· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  THE OIL PAN RUSTED THROUGH AND CAUSED ALL THE OIL TO LEAK OUT ONTO THE GROUND. THE CRUISE CONTROL COMPUTER KEEPS CAUSING THE CAR TO TAKE OFF OR NOT EVEN WORK AT ALL WHEN U SET IT, WHEN THE CAR TAKES OFF AFTER SETTING IT THE GAS PEDDLE GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND IT WILL NOT DEACTIVATE UNLESS YOU SHUT THE CAR OFF WHILE DRIVING. *TR

• 12/20/2007· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE DEACTIVATION SWITCH WAS DISCONNECTED BECAUSE THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS DISPLEASED ABOUT NOT BEING ABLE TO USE THE CRUISE CONTROL FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,000. UPDATED 01/17/08. *LJ UPDATED *JB

• 12/18/2001· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  INTAKE MANIFOLD HAS A 4 INCH CRACK, BEHIND ALTERNATOR.*AK

• 12/17/2001· SUSPENSION

  WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH FRONT/RIGHT OF VEHICLE CRASHED TO THE GROUND UNEXPECTEDLY. AN UNKNOWN COMPONENT OF FRONT SUSPENSION DISCONNECTED FROM VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT EXAMINED THIS VEHICLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.*AK ADDITIONAL NOTE: THE VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED BY THE DEALERSHIP AND IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT THE RIGHT-FRONT BALL JOINT BROKE AND SEPARATED FROM THE CONTROL ARM. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONSUMER HIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 98V322000.

• 12/16/2001· SUSPENSIONCrash

  ON DECEMBER 14, 2001, WHILE PARKING MY CAR WITH MY GRANDDAUGHTER BUCKLED IN HER CAR SEAT IN THE BACK, I SUDDENLY HEARD A LOUD CRASHING SOUND AND FELT THE JOLT OF THE ENTIRE RIGHT SIDE OF MY CAR COLLAPSING. I IMMEDIATELY REMOVED MYSELF AND MY GRANDDAUGHTER FROM THE CAR ONLY TO SEE THAT THE SUSPENSION ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR HAD SIMPLY FALLEN OFF. AS A MECHANIC IN MY YOUNGER YEARS IT WAS VERY OBVIOUS THAT MY GRAND DAUGHTER AND I WOULD HAVE BEEN SEVERELY INJURED-EVEN KILLED- HAD THIS OCCURRED ON THE HIGHWAY. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS AT ALL. IN OVER 50 YEARS AS A SAFE DRIVER AND OPERATING A VARIETY OF TRUCKS AND AUTOMOBILES, I HAVE NEVER BEFORE ENCOUNTERED SUCH A DEFECT WITH SUCH HIGH POTENTIAL FOR LETHALITY. THE DEALER HAS ALREADY INSULTED MY INTELLIGENCE BY TRYING TO MINIMIZE THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SUCH A DEFECT AND SUGGEST THAT I WOULD PAY FOR THE DAMAGE AND FEEL COMFORTABLE EVER DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AGAIN. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THE LINCOLN TOWNCAR TENDS TO BE VERY POPULAR AMONGST OLDER/ELDERLY ADULTS WHO MAY NOT HAVE THE RESOURCES TO CONFRONT ANY ATTEMPTS TO COVERUP/CONCEAL THE MAGNITUDE OF THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE CALL ME ANY TIME FOR ANY FURTHER CLARIFICATIONS. THANK YOU

• 12/16/1997· SUSPENSION

  REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY.

• 12/15/1997· STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  VEHICLE SHAKES AND SHIMMIES. DEALER REPLACED ALL FOUR SHOCK ABSORBERS AND CONTROL ARMS/POWER STEERING HOSES AND FRONT BRAKE ROTORS.

• 12/15/1997· STEERING

  WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED AT ABOUT 60MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO WONDER ALL OVER THE ROAD, IT ALSO DOES THIS IN WINDY CONDITIONS. ON TWO OCCASIONS LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, VEHICLE WENT INTO OTHER LANE. *AK

• 12/13/2007· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  (RECALL 05S28: SPEED CONTROL) CALLED DEALER AFTER NOTIFICATION (AUGUST 2007) WAS TOLD THEIR WAS NO PARTS. WAIT UNTIL DECEMBER 2007. CALLED DEALER12/13/07 NO PARTS AVAILABLE .I WAS REFERRED TO FORDS 800 392 FORD WAS TOLD TO WAIT UNTIL MARCH 2008. THIS IS CRAZY WHY ARE WE LEFT BEHIND. I WAS TOLD THEIR WAS NOT ONE TO BE HAD. PLEASE DO NOT DISREGARD THIS MESSAGE IF THIS IS NOT THE CORRECT PLACE TO REPORT PLEASE SEND LINK OR ADDRESS. I THINK FORD NEEDS TO KEEP ITS PROMISES AS STATED IN THERE NOTICE ALTHOUGH I ORIGINAL THOUGHT THE " PARTS WILL BECOME AVAILABLE IN THE 4TH QUARTER OF 2007" WAS OUTRAGEOUS AS STATED IN THE NOTICE. *TR

• 12/13/2000· STEERING,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED OUT AT LEAST 3-4 TIMES A WEEK. HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP & MECHANIC PLACED VEHICLE ON DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE. NO CODE CAME UP. MECHANIC DID REPLACE FUEL FILTER/ IDLER/ NECK IN FUEL TANK & A CANISTER. BUT, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

• 12/12/2006· SUSPENSION

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 4 MPH UNDER NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD NOISE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINT SEPARATED.

• 12/11/2006· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,INTERIOR LIGHTING

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE AT NIGHT, ALL EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR LIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER TURNING THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH OFF AND ON SEVERAL TIMES, THE EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR LIGHTS RESUMED NORMAL FUNCTION. THE DEALER WAS ALERTED. UPDATED 2/12/2007 - *NM

• 12/07/2005· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  DT: CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED AT LOW SPEEDS AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. HE WAS TOLD BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC IT WAS A MANIFOLD LEAK. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO FREE REMEDY. DUE TO THE EXCESSIVE EXPENSE NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. *AK

• 12/07/1998· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,SERVICE BRAKES, AIR

  THE BRAKING SYSTEM HAS GIVEN PROBLEMS FOR APPROXIMATELY THE LAST 1000 MILES OR SO. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR 3 TIMES, AND HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE SERVICE PERSONNEL THAT I HAVE TO STAND ON THE PEDAL TO STOP. WHEN THE BRAKES ARE USED FOR A WHILE THEY TEND TO NOT STOP THE CAR, BUT RATHER LET THE CAR GLIDE TO A STOP, AND THUS MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO KNOW HOW MUCH DISTANCE TO LEAVE BETWEEN MYSELF AND OTHER VEHICLES, AND PEDESTRIANS. I HAVE COME CLOSE ON AT LEAST 5 OCCASSIONS TO EITHER HITTING OTHER CARS OR PEDESTRIANS. THE SERVICE PERSONNEL FIRST SAID THEY REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS, AND THAT THE ROTORS WERE WARPED. I THEN TOOK IT IN AGAIN, AND THEY REPLACED AN ABS SENSOR, NEXT TIME THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT, AND THUS UNPREDICTABLE, AND POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING. THE SERVICE TECHNICIANS FIND PROBLEMS PART OF THE TIME, AND AT OTHERS THEY DON'T. THE PEDAL WILL PUSH COMPLETELY UPWARD AT TIMES, AND IN ESSENCE THE VEHICLE COASTS TO A STOP, AND IS DANGEROUS.

• 12/06/2006· VISIBILITY

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED NO HEAT WAS PRESENT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO USE THE HEATER. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THE BLEND DOOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

• 12/05/2007· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN 07V336000) IN SEPTEMBER 2007. THE DEALER DISCONNECTED THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE IN THE FOURTH QUARTER. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE A DATE WHEN THE PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE. AS OF DECEMBER 5, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. UPDATED 01-10-08. *KB UPDATED 12/31/07. *JB

• 12/04/2006· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  CONSUMER WAS NOT SENT A RECALL NOTICE FOR HIS VEHICLE . RECALL EXPIRED APRIL 2006. *TS THE CONSUMER WAS INQUIRING ABOUT A RECALL RELATED TO THE ENGINE MANIFOLD. *JB

• 12/04/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED THE VEHICLE STALLED, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, WHO INFORMED THE OWNER THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD FAILED. PLEASE ADD ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *PH

• 12/03/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  FAILURE OF INTAKE MANIFOLD - CRACK IN UPPER FRONT OF MANIFOLD. LOSE OF COOLANT FLUIDS. I CONTACTED LINCOLN CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 800/392-3673 AND WAS TOLD THAT LINCOLN IS WELL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. THEIR RECALL IS FOR COMMERCIAL VEHICLES ONLY - THEY WILL NOT ADDRESS PRIVATE VEHICLES. I WAS TOLD THEY HAVE A STANDARD ANSWER FOR THIS COMMON PROBLEM AND NO ONE IN MANAGEMENT WILL TALK WITH ME CONCERNING IT. I CHECKED ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH TOWN CARS FROM 1995 THROUGH 2001, AS WELL AS CROWN VOCTORIAS AND MERCURY MARQUIS. REPAIR RUNS ABOUT $900.00. LINCOLN HAS REDESIGNED THIS PLASTIC MANIFOLD TO A COMBINATION PLASTIC/METAL ONE WITH THE METAL BEING AT THE POINT OF MOST STRESS. *NLM

• 12/01/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD ON MY 1997 LINCOLN TOWNCAR CRACKED LEAVING MY WIFE AND CHILDREN STRANDED OVER 40 MILES FROM HOME*AK

• 12/01/1997· AIR BAGS

  THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT POPS ON AND STAYS ON WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE. HAS TAKEN TO DEALER 5 TIMES TO HAVE PROBLEM CORRECTED, BUT THEY STILL CAN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. *AK

• 12/01/1997· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,EQUIPMENT

  WHEN TAKING OFF, ENGINE WILL COMPLETELY SHUT OUT, HAS TO RESTART. DEALER RESETTING COMPUTER. *AK CONSUMER STATES ENGINE NOW LUNGES FORWARD WHEN COMING TO A STOP. BAD ODOR COMING FROM AIR CONDITIONER, HAPPENS MORE OFTEN IN HOT WEATHER. *SLC

• 11/29/2006· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR SERVICE. A LETTER WAS RECEIVED BY THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THOSE WHO HAD TO REPLACE THE MANIFOLD IN THEIR VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE REIMBURSEMENT HAD EXPIRED. THE CONTACT NEVER RECEIVED REIMBURSEMENT. UPDATED 12/15/06. *JB

• 11/25/1998· SUSPENSION

  REAR SUSPENSION DOES NOT TURN AS THE FRONT END DOES CAUSING POOR DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND WELL AS POOR STABILITY.

• 11/23/2001· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  A FAILURE/FATIGUE CRACK DEVELOPED IN THE COMPOSITE INTAKE MANIFOLD, CAUSING LOSS OF ENGINE COOLANT, STEAMING/COVERING VEHICLE WINDSHIELD, OBSCURING VISION, ALSO ON WINDSHIELDS OF OTHER FOLLOWING VEHICLES. THIS IS A DEFECT/FAILURE KNOWN TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY, AND A NO CHARGE SERVICE BULLETIN # 01M02 HAS BEEN ISSUED ON CERTIAN OTHER VEHICLES, THE SERVICE PROPGRAM PROVIDES ADDITIONAL COVERAGE FOR THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THIS SHOULD APPLY TO ALL VEHICLES WITH THIS DEFECTIVE PART, NOT JUST SELECTED VEHICLES. THE FAILURE OF THIS PART WHILE OPERATING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS PRESENTS A SAFETY HAZARD TO THE DRIVER AND OTHER FOLLOWING VEHICLES. IT CAN ALSO RESULT IN OVERHEATING & COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. FORD HAS EXTENDED A NO CHARGE COVERAGE ON THIS PART FOR THE SELECTED VEHICLES FOR SEVEN YEARS AND NO MILAGE LIMITATION, AND IS IS ALSO EXTENTED AUTOMATICALLY TO SUBSEQUENT OWNERS. THIS SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO OWNERS OF ALL VEHICLES WOTH THIS DEFECTIVE PART. FORD MOTOR COMPANY COUSTOMER SERVICE HAS REJECTED / DENIED/ REFUSED ANY CALAIM FOR REFUND WHEN CONTACTED BY TELEPHONE. THEY HAVE NOT REPLIED TO TWO REQUEST BY MAIL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER.*AK

• 11/21/2006· TIRES

  MICHELIN TIRE SIDEWALLS AND TREAD WALLS CRACKED. *TS THE TIRES WERE INSPECTED AND THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED THAT MICHELIN EITHER PROVIDE HIM WITH FOUR NEW TIRES OR THE MONEY TO REPLACE THEM. *NM THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THIS WAS A DANGEROUS DEFECT. THE CONSUMER STATED WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED 50% OF THE COST TO REPLACE THE TIRES. UPDATED 11/1/07 *TR

• 11/17/2000· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  PART IS PLASTIC. SIMILAR VEHICLES HAVE BEEN RECALLED. FAILURE OF THIS PART IN TURN CAUSED THE HEADS TO WARP. WE HAVE LOST APPROXIMATELY 2 WEEKS OF REVENUE FROM THIS VEHICLE. *AK

• 11/16/2001· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  DURING INSPECTION, A REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THAT BRAKE LINE HAD BEEN RUBBING AGAINST CHASSIS, CAUSING BRAKE LINE TO RUPTURE. *AK CONSUMER WAS INFORMED OF A RECALL REGARDING THIS, HOWEVER IT IS FOR THE LIMOUSINE MODEL ONLY. *JB REFERENCED IN RQ03-004

• 11/15/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE IT SOUNDED AS IF A ROD WAS BEING THROWN. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND THEY TRIED STARTING THE VEHICLE AGAIN, BUT THE SAME THING OCCURRED. THE MECHANIC TOLD THE CONSUMER TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. SUDDENLY THE OIL PRESSURE DROPPED. *JB THE ENGINE SPUN THE BEARING AND THERE WAS A RATTLE IN THE ENGINE AREA. *SC

• 11/14/2007· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLFire

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD WHILE PARKED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. BOTH THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE CONTACT'S HOME WAS DAMAGED. HE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER APPROXIMATELY 2 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE FIRE. AT THAT TIME, HE CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY PARTS AVAILABLE. THE POWERTRAIN AND RECALL NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 119,000.

• 11/12/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  LINCOLN TOWN CAR 1997 MODEL 4.6L HAS DEFECTIVE AIR INTAKE MANIFOLD THAT IS COVERED IN 1998-2000 MODELS BY WAY OF RECALL. THE 1997 MODEL HAS THE SAME DEFECTIVE PART BUT IS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL. NOT FAIR.

• 11/11/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  THE INTAKE MANIFOLD ON A 97 LINCOLN TOWN CAR WAS ORIGINALLY MADE OF PLASTIC. THIS MANIFOLD HAS CRACKED IN A LARGE NUMBER OF CARS THAT USE THIS MANIFOLD. THESE CARS INCLUDE THE CROWN VICTORIA, THE MUSTANG AND THE TOWN CAR. WHEN PURCHASING A NEW MANIFOLD, IT HAS BEEN REDESIGNED AND A CAST IRON SECTION HAS REPLACED THE FRONT PLASTIC SECTION. KEEP IN MIND THAT THE REST IS STILL PLASTIC. THE MANIFOLD SUPPOSEDLY CRACKS UNDER THE PRESSURE OF THE ALTERNATOR, WHICH IS ATTACHED TO THE FRONT OF THE MANIFOLD. A RECALL WAS ISSUED ONLY FOR FLEET AND POLICE VEHICLES. I BELIEVE THIS IS UNFAIR TO THE CONSUMER. FORD'S ENGINEERS MADE A MISTAKE AND THEY ARE NOT CLAIMING RESPONSIBILITY UNLESS THE VEHICLES ARE PART OF A FLEET. THE COST OF REPLACEMENT OF THE MANIFOLD IS $975. IT'S NOT POCKET CHANGE EVEN FOR A LINCOLN OWNER. AND EVEN IF IT WERE JUST POCKET CHANGE THE OWNER SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR AN ENGINEERING MISTAKE THAT COULD HAVE INJURED SOMEONE. THE CRACK IN THE MANIFOLD CAUSES THE COOLANT TO LEAK OUT OF THE ENGINE, WHICH COULD CAUSE OTHER SERIOUS REPERCUSSIONS. I, ALONG WITH MANY OTHER CONSUMERS, FEEL THAT FORD (LINCOLN) SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS DEFECT.*AK

• 11/10/1997· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  BRAKE ROTORS FAILED, CAUSING UNEVEN BRAKING WITH VIBRATION.

• 11/09/2007· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) IN AUGUST OF 2007. HE HAD THE SWITCH DISCONNECTED AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE IN NOVEMBER. WHEN NOVEMBER ARRIVED, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WOULD BE UNAVAILABLE UNTIL MARCH OF 2008. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

• 11/08/2001· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  CONSUMER STATED THIS VEHICLE ALSO EXPERIENCED STALLING WHILE DRIVING, DEALER COULD NOT REMEDY PROBLEM, CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNS THIS VEHICLE. *JB

• 11/06/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  LINCOLN TOWNCAR 1997- INTAKE MANIFOLD;CROSS OVER MADE OF PLASTIC CRACKED WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE HWY IN GA, CAUSING THE ANTIFREEZE TO LEAK OUT AND ENDANGER THE DRIVER OF STALLING . VEHICLE W/O ANTIFREEZE STARTED TO OVERHEAT WAS CLOSE TO AN EXIT AND GOT OFF INTERSTATE IN TIME. THERE ARE NUMEREOUS CUSTOMERS THAT HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. MANUFACTURER KNEW THAT PLASTIC WAS NOT THE APPROPRIATE MATERIAL FOR A COOLING SYSTEM CROSS-OVER DEVICE IN A VEHICLES ENGINE SUCH AS THE LINCOLN.... THIS IS A HIGH END CAR..... SUCH INFERIOR MATERIALS SHOULD NOT BE USED. FORD SHOULD REPLACE THIS PART AT NO COST TO CONSUMER WHEN IT FAILS..THIS IS A DANGEROUS FLAW.. COULD COST SERIOUS ACCIDENTS AND INJURY WHEN VEHICLE OVERHEATS AND STOPS ON A INTERSTATE HIGH SPEED. CONSUMER SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR MANUFACTURERS POOR JUDGEMENT AND MISTAKES. *AK

• 11/06/2002· STEERING

  THE CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART THE PARKED VEHICLE DUE TO THE LOCKED STEERING COLUMN. THE STEERING COLUMN HAD BEEN EXCESSIVELY DIFFICULT TO UNLOCK. THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED ABOUT BEING STRANDED WHEN THE SITUATION OCCURS. MR THE INCIDENT HAPPENED IN THE SUMMER OF 1998 AS WELL-POSSIBLY THE FIRST INCIDENT. SCC

• 11/03/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  WHILE ON I-84 IN WATERBURY,CT LARGE AMOUNTS OF SMOKE WERE EMITTING FROM REAR OF VEHICLE. STOPPED AND RAISED HOOD TO FIND ANTI-FREEZE COVERING ENGINE. HAD MY 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR TOWED TO FORD/LINCOLN/MERCURY REPAIR SHOP. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD CRACKED AND THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURANCE. PRIVATE PASSENGER VEHICLES ARE NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL, HOWEVER COMMERCIAL VEHICLES ARE COVERED. OTHER FORD MO CO VEHICLES ARE ALSO HAVING SAME PROBLEM. CALLED CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED AND TO PROCEED WITH THE $1100 REPAIR AND SAVE THIS BILL IN THE EVENT OF A FUTURE RECALL WHICH WILL ENTITLE A REFUND. ($750 PARTS,LABOR $350 PLUS TAXES). CAR IS CURRENTLY IN REPAIR SHOP.*AK

• 10/31/2001· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, VEHICLE COMMENCED TO OVERHEAT AND LEAKED COOLANT. TOW TRUCK ARRIVED AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT PROBLEM WAS A CRACKED INTAKE MANIFOLD. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, AND UNWILLING TO ASSIST IN THIS MATTER. *AK *YD

• 10/29/2007· SUSPENSION

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING 3-5 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING SOUND AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE DROPPED. THE LOWER BALL JOINTS HAD FALLEN OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT HAS SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 136,278.

• 10/29/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  ABS BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT ONE OF THE CONNECTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED ON EACH WHEEL AND ONE ON THE MASTER CYLINDER.*AK

• 10/29/1999· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  HEADLIGHT WENT OUT WHEN CONSUMER TRIED TO PUT THE HIGH BEAMS ON CAUSING HIM TO SCRAP VEHICLE ON GUARDRAIL WHEN PULLING OF THE STREET DUE TO POOR VISIBILITY. NLM

• 10/28/2010· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE DEALER OF THE FAILURE WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 77,000.

• 10/28/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  1997 LINCLON TOWN CAR REAR BRAKE LINE FAILURE DUE TO CORROSION. VEHICLE IS NOW IN REPAIR SHOP.*AK