Defect
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
1988 Lincoln Town Car problems
Verdict · NHTSA data
A typical year for this model
The 1988 Lincoln Town Car sits mid-pack among Town Car years: 123 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 107, with 5 recalls and 2 closed investigations. Reports tied to this model year include 3 deaths and 11 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.
Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 46 reports (37% of the total).
123
NHTSA complaints
5
Recalls
2
Investigations
9
Crash-involved
38
Fires reported
11
Injuries
3
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
How does 1988 compare to other Town Car years?
What are the most common 1988 Lincoln Town Car problems?
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 46 | 37% | ▲ up |
| Speed Control | 17 | 14% | ▲ up |
| Transmission | 10 | 8% | ▲ up |
| Engine | 10 | 8% | ▲ up |
| Seat Belts | 8 | 7% | ▲ up |
| Fuel System | 7 | 6% | ▲ up |
| Tires & Wheels | 7 | 6% | ▲ up |
| Body & Structure | 4 | 3% | ▲ up |
| Brakes | 3 | 2% | ▲ up |
| Visibility & Wipers | 3 | 2% | ▲ up |
| Steering | 2 | 2% | ▲ up |
| Lighting | 2 | 2% | new |
| Other | 1 | 1% | — flat |
| Suspension | 1 | 1% | new |
| Latches & Locks | 1 | 1% | ▼ down |
| Seats | 1 | 1% | new |
Does the 1988 Lincoln Town Car have recalls?
5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIMOUSINES BUILT BY EMPIRE COACH. VEHICLE ALTERERS LABEL MAY BE MISSING OR INCOMPLETE.
Consequence
VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH PART 567.
Remedy
ADD COMPLIANCE LABEL.
Defect
SAFETY BELTS (TYPE 1 LAP BELTS) FOR REAR FACING SEATS WERE NOT INSTALLED.
Consequence
LACK OF RESTRAINTS COULD CONTRIBUTE TO OTHERWISE PREVENTABLE INJURY AND WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 209 AND 210.
Remedy
INSTALL SAFETY BELTS FOR REAR FACING SEATS.
Defect
SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
Consequence
COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A FIRE RISK.
Remedy
INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.
Defect
FUEL RAILS MAY BE BENT SO THAT NO. 5 INJECTOR CUPS ARE OUT OF DESIGN POSITION.
Consequence
BENT FUEL RAIL COULD CAUSE A FUEL LEAK, WHICH INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE FIRE.
Remedy
REPLACE FUEL RAIL ASSEMBLIES AS NECESSARY.
Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“THE IGNITION SWITCH GIVES SPARKS AND COULD IGNITE THE CAR. FORD ADMITS OTHER 1988 LINCOLN TOWN CARS HAVE A IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM AND REPLACES THEM. THEY HAVE NOT INCLUDED MY VIN ON THE DEFECT AND REPLACEMENT LIST; HOWEVER, IT IS DEFECTIVE AND COULD IGNITE A FIRE AT ANY TIME. *TR”
“AT A RED LIGHT, AS SOON AS FOOT WAS OFF THE BRAKE, CAR ACCELERATED, HIT BRAKES CAR WOULD NOT STOP, LET CAR RUN INTO RAMP TO STOP. PLESAE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK”
“THE IGNITION SWITCH GIVES SPARKS AND COULD IGNITE THE CAR. FORD ADMITS OTHER 1988 LINCOLN TOWN CARS HAVE A IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM AND REPLACES THEM. THEY HAVE NOT INCLUDED MY VIN ON THE DEFECT AND REPLACEMENT LIST; HOWEVER, IT IS DEFECTIVE AND COULD IGNITE A FIRE AT ANY TIME. *TR”
“THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY FAILS WHEN IN OVERDRIVE. THIS FAILURE OCCURS ON THE HIGHWAY AT HIGH SPEED AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE CAR GOES OUT OF CONTROL. *TR”
“SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN DRIVER DURING COLLISION, RESULTING IN THE SEAT BELT CHOKING THE DRIVER/IMPACT WITH STEERING WHEEL/SEAT BACK BROKE.”
1988 Lincoln Town Car — common questions
Is the 1988 Lincoln Town Car reliable?
It is close to typical for the Town Car: 123 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and 2 investigations on file.
What are the most common 1988 Town Car problems?
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (46 complaints), speed control (17 complaints), transmission (10 complaints).
Does the 1988 Lincoln Town Car have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1988 Lincoln Town Car. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
Is the 1988 Lincoln Town Car under NHTSA investigation?
NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.
Which Lincoln Town Car years should you avoid?
Based on 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 record among Town Car years belongs to 1981.
Related
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.