1990 Lincoln Town Car problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 267 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.5 times the median Town Car year — the 1990 model ranks #5 of 34 Town Car years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 16 injuries in total across these filings.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 76 reports (28% of the total).

267

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1990 compare to other Town Car years?

Town Car NHTSA complaints by model year, 1990 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Town Car years to avoid →

What are the most common 1990 Lincoln Town Car problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Electrical System	76	28%	▲ up
Engine	32	12%	▲ up
Latches & Locks	22	8%	▲ up
Brakes	21	8%	▲ up
Speed Control	16	6%	— flat
Visibility & Wipers	15	6%	▲ up
Body & Structure	13	5%	▲ up
Airbags	12	4%	new
Other	12	4%	▲ up
Steering	12	4%	▲ up
Fuel System	10	4%	▲ up
Suspension	9	3%	▲ up
Seat Belts	4	1%	▼ down
Transmission	4	1%	▼ down
Seats	4	1%	▲ up
Lighting	3	1%	▲ up
Tires & Wheels	1	0%	▼ down
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)	1	0%	— flat

Does the 1990 Lincoln Town Car have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

98V322000SuspensionDecember 16, 1998 · 175,000 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN 1996-1999 FORD CROWN VICTORIA POLICE, FLEET, NATURAL GAS, AND 1996-1999 LINCOLN TOWN CAR LIMOUSINE VEHICLES THAT WERE PRODUCED WITH A LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CONTAINING A ONE PIECE BEARING; AND 1990-1996 FORD CROWN VICTORIA POLICE, FLEET, AND NGV VEHICLES AND 1990-1996 LINCOLN TOWN CAR LIMOUSINE VEHICLES THAT HAVE BEEN SERVICED WITH EITHER A BALL JOINT CONTAINING THE ONE-PIECE BEARING OR A FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM CONTAINING A BALL JOINT WITH A ONE-PIECE BEARING. THE ONE-PIECE BEARING WITHIN THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CAN WEAKEN SLOWLY DURING USE AND EVENTUALLY CRACK. THIS COULD RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE BALL AND CAP OF THE JOINT, ALLOWING THE CONTROL ARM TO DROP TO THE GROUND.

Consequence

IF THIS OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING, REDUCED STEERING CONTROL COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS (2).

95V091000Latches & LocksMay 16, 1995 · 142,800 units

Defect

CORROSION OF THE HOOD LATCH STRIKER PLATE CAUSES DETACHMENT OF THE PLATE FROM THE HOOD ASSEMBLY RESULTING IN AN UNEXPECTED OPENING OF THE HOOD WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION CAN REDUCE THE DRIVER'S VIEW OF THE ROAD INCREASING THE POTENTIAL OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HOOD INNER PANEL REINFORCEMENT AND A NEW, GALVANIZED HOOD LATCH STRIKER PLATE.

90V133000OtherJuly 27, 1990 · 158 units

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.

90V134000OtherJuly 27, 1990 · 158 units

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“CONSUMER PARKED THE VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE, AND IN MINUTES WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE BURNED COMPLETELY. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT NOTED THAT THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. *AK......... CONSUME RCLAIMED FIRE APPEARED TO BE DUE TO…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 20, 2004 · fire

“WHEN DRIVING AND PRESSING ON BRAKES THEY FELT LIKE THEY WERE LOCKING UP/GOT HARD AND TIGHT. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELLERATE. THE FRONT PASSENGER'S WHEEL CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING, THE INCIDENT OCCURRED TWO TIMES, DEALER STATED THE PROBLEM COULD BE REMEDIED BY REPLACING THE VALVE BLOCK/PUMP AND…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 4, 1998 · fire

“HOOD LATCH FAILED, CAUSING HOOD TO OPEN AND OBSTRUCT DRIVERS VISION, CAUSING ACCIDENT. (NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE REPORT) *DSH”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Latches & Locks · March 18, 1996 · crash

“CONSUMER PARKED THE VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE, AND IN MINUTES WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE BURNED COMPLETELY. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT NOTED THAT THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. *AK......... CONSUME RCLAIMED FIRE APPEARED TO BE DUE TO…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 20, 2004 · fire

“THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNEXPECTANTLY AND WENT THROUGH A BUILDING. *AK CONSUMER WAS PREPARING TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING SPOT WHEN VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT A VERY HIGH RATE OF SPEED, VEHICLE SURGED TWICE ON THE SAME DAY PRIOR TO ACCIDENT, CONSUMER STATED ACCELERATION SPEED WAS UNBELIEVABLE AND…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · June 12, 1996 · crash

1990 Lincoln Town Car — common questions

Is the 1990 Lincoln Town Car reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 267 complaints put the 1990 model at #5 of 34 Town Car years. It is one of the Town Car years to avoid.

What are the most common 1990 Town Car problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (76 complaints), engine (32 complaints), latches & locks (22 complaints).

Does the 1990 Lincoln Town Car have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1990 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 1990 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.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.

How does 1990 compare to other Town Car years?

What are the most common 1990 Lincoln Town Car problems?

Does the 1990 Lincoln Town Car have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

1990 Lincoln Town Car — common questions

Is the 1990 Lincoln Town Car reliable?

What are the most common 1990 Town Car problems?

Does the 1990 Lincoln Town Car have recalls?

Is the 1990 Lincoln Town Car under NHTSA investigation?

Which Lincoln Town Car years should you avoid?

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