Lincoln Town Car years to avoid
The Lincoln Town Car years to avoid are 1997, 1996, 1992, 1991, 1990, 2003, 1995, 1993, 1994, 2006, 2001, 1999, 1998, 2005 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation. The 1981 is the cleanest year on record.
4,329
Total complaints
50
Recall campaigns
1977–2011
Years covered
14
Years to avoid
Complaints by model year
Town Car years to avoid
| Year | Why | Complaints | vs avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | High complaint rate | 395 | |
| 1996 | High complaint rate | 316 | |
| 1992 | High complaint rate | 312 | |
| 1991 | High complaint rate | 278 | |
| 1990 | High complaint rate | 267 | |
| 2003 | High complaint rate | 242 | |
| 1995 | High complaint rate | 241 | |
| 1993 | High complaint rate | 226 | |
| 1994 | High complaint rate | 212 | |
| 2006 | High complaint rate | 207 | |
| 2001 | High complaint rate | 207 | |
| 1999 | High complaint rate | 203 | |
| 1998 | High complaint rate | 194 | |
| 2005 | High complaint rate | 161 |
Every Town Car year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 11 | 3 | |
| 2010 | 17 | 3 | |
| 2009 | 6 | 3 | |
| 2008 | 31 | 3 | |
| 2007 | 114 | 3 | |
| 2006avoid | 207 | 2 | |
| 2005avoid | 161 | 3 | |
| 2004 | 99 | 0 | |
| 2003avoid | 242 | 1 | |
| 2002 | 71 | 1 | |
| 2001avoid | 207 | 6 | |
| 2000 | 147 | 9 | |
| 1999avoid | 203 | 6 | |
| 1998avoid | 194 | 8 | |
| 1997avoid | 395 | 8 | |
| 1996avoid | 316 | 10 | |
| 1995avoid | 241 | 9 | |
| 1994avoid | 212 | 5 | |
| 1993avoid | 226 | 4 | |
| 1992avoid | 312 | 4 | |
| 1991avoid | 278 | 5 | |
| 1990avoid | 267 | 4 | |
| 1989 | 97 | 5 | |
| 1988 | 123 | 5 | |
| 1987 | 40 | 6 | |
| 1986 | 54 | 4 | |
| 1985 | 24 | 1 | |
| 1984 | 19 | 1 | |
| 1983 | 6 | 3 | |
| 1982 | 4 | 0 | |
| 1981 | 1 | 0 | |
| 1980 | 1 | 0 | |
| 1978 | 1 | 0 | |
| 1977 | 2 | 0 |
Common questions
What are the worst Lincoln Town Car years?
Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the Town Car years to avoid are 1997, 1996, 1992, 1991, 1990, 2003, 1995, 1993, 1994, 2006, 2001, 1999, 1998, 2005. The cleanest year on record is 1981.
What is the best year for the Lincoln Town Car?
By complaint volume, 1981 has the cleanest NHTSA record among Town Car years with enough data to compare.
How many recalls does the Lincoln Town Car have?
Across all model years, the Town Car has 50 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 4,329 consumer complaints on file.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.