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.
1989 Lincoln Town Car problems
Verdict · NHTSA data
A typical year for this model
The 1989 Lincoln Town Car is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 5 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 97 owner complaints run below the Town Car median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying. Complainants reported 17 injuries in total across these filings.
The trouble concentrates in one system: electrical system issues account for 46% of all reports (45 of 97), far ahead of speed control at 13.
97
NHTSA complaints
5
Recalls
0
Investigations
8
Crash-involved
39
Fires reported
17
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
How does 1989 compare to other Town Car years?
What are the most common 1989 Lincoln Town Car problems?
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 45 | 46% | — flat |
| Speed Control | 13 | 13% | — flat |
| Seat Belts | 12 | 12% | ▲ up |
| Transmission | 6 | 6% | ▼ down |
| Steering | 5 | 5% | ▲ up |
| Engine | 5 | 5% | ▼ down |
| Suspension | 3 | 3% | ▲ up |
| Brakes | 2 | 2% | ▼ down |
| Tires & Wheels | 2 | 2% | ▼ down |
| Lighting | 1 | 1% | ▼ down |
| Visibility & Wipers | 1 | 1% | ▼ down |
| Fuel System | 1 | 1% | ▼ down |
| Other | 1 | 1% | — flat |
Does the 1989 Lincoln Town Car have recalls?
5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
TIRE PLACARD MAY CONTAIN INCORRECT GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATINGS AND TIRE INFORMATION.
Consequence
LIMOUSINES WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 110 AND CONSUMERMIGHT UNKNOWINGLY OVERLOAD THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF PLACARD MISINFORMATION.
Remedy
INSTALL REVISED TIRE PLACARDS.
Defect
GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATINGS AND TIRE INFORMATION MAY BE INCORRECT ON LABELS.
Consequence
VEHICLES WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH 49 CFR PART 567.
Remedy
INSTALL REVISED CERTIFICATION LABELS.
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.
Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR A FEW MINUTES, THE VEHICLE SMELLED LIKE SMOKE. WHEN THE COMSUMER GOT CLOSER TO IT SMOKE WAS COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD; THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SHOP, AND THE MECHANIC SAID THE FIRE STARTED AT THE ALTERNATOR OR THE WIRES OF THE ALTERNATOR. VEHICLE WAS…”
“AFTER TURNING IGNITION AND PUTTING VEHICLE INTO DRIVE VEHICLE TOOK OFF AND HIT A STORE WINDOW. DRIVER APPLIED BRAKES, AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. NO ONE HAS SEEN VEHICLE. *AK”
“VEHICLE HIT A 8-10 INCH HIGH CONCRETE DIVIDER, PASSENGER HIT HEAD ON WINDSHIELD. SEATBELT DID NOT RESTRAIN HER, SHE SUFFERED HEAD LACERATIONS/ NECK AND BACK INJURIES. DRIVER WAS NOT WEARING SEATBELT DUE TO MEDICAL REASON, HIT HEAD ON WINDSHIELD. DAMAGE TO VEHICLE UNKNOWN.*AK JG”
“CONSUMER STATES THAT AFTER HE HEARD A LOUD SOUND AND SAW A SMOKE, FIRE SHOT OUT FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, FIRE DEPARTMENT ARE SUGGESTING THAT THE TAIL SHIFT MALFUNCTION WHICH CAUSED FIRE (OHIO TRAFFIC POLICE REPORT# 10-91-158). *YD ”
1989 Lincoln Town Car — common questions
Is the 1989 Lincoln Town Car reliable?
It is close to typical for the Town Car: 97 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and no investigations on file.
What are the most common 1989 Town Car problems?
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (45 complaints), speed control (13 complaints), seat belts (12 complaints).
Does the 1989 Lincoln Town Car have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1989 Lincoln Town Car. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
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.