VehicleVerdict

1991 Lincoln Town Car problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 278 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.6 times the median Town Car year — the 1991 model ranks #4 of 34 Town Car years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 19 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (60), visibility & wipers (23), and engine (22), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

278

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

1

Investigations

30

Crash-involved

17

Fires reported

19

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1991 compare to other Town Car years?

Town Car NHTSA complaints by model year, 1991 highlighted395 complaints1977: 2 complaints1978: 1 complaints1980: 1 complaints1981: 1 complaints1982: 4 complaints1983: 6 complaints1984: 19 complaints1985: 24 complaints1986: 54 complaints1987: 40 complaints1988: 123 complaints1989: 97 complaints1990: 267 complaints1991: 278 complaints1992: 312 complaints1993: 226 complaints1994: 212 complaints1995: 241 complaints1996: 316 complaints1997: 395 complaints1998: 194 complaints1999: 203 complaints2000: 147 complaints2001: 207 complaints2002: 71 complaints2003: 242 complaints2004: 99 complaints2005: 161 complaints2006: 207 complaints2007: 114 complaints2008: 31 complaints2009: 6 complaints2010: 17 complaints2011: 11 complaints
Town Car NHTSA complaints by model year, 1991 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Town Car years to avoid →

What are the most common 1991 Lincoln Town Car problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes6022%
Visibility & Wipers238%
Engine228%
Speed Control207%
Latches & Locks197%
Airbags186%
Electrical System186%
Body & Structure186%
Lighting124%
Seats104%
Steering93%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)93%
Suspension83%
Transmission83%
Tires & Wheels73%
Seat Belts62%
Fuel System52%
Other52%
Driver Assistance10%

Does the 1991 Lincoln Town Car have recalls?

5 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).

95V151000Latches & LocksAugust 7, 1995 · 73,837 units

Defect

THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH MAY NOT ENGAGE WHEN THE HOOD IS CLOSED.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT THE PRIMARY HOOD LATCH RELEASES OR IS NOT PROPERLY LATCHED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, THE HOOD COULD FLY UP OBSTRUCTING THE OPERATOR'S VISION, AND INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLY.

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.

91V147000Latches & LocksSeptember 10, 1991 · 72,000 units

Defect

THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH MAY NOT ENGAGE WHEN THE HOOD IS CLOSED.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT THE PRIMARY HOOD LATCH RELEASES WHEN THEVEHICLE IS IN MOTION, THE HOOD COULD FLY UP, OBSTRUCTING THE OPERATOR'S VISION,AND INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy

INSTALL A NEW HOOD LATCHING ASSEMBLY.

91V008000Fuel SystemJanuary 8, 1991 · 26,000 units

Defect

DISTORTED FUEL LINES IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT MAY CONTACT THE STEERING COLUMN UNIVERSAL JOINT AND CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE FUEL LINE.

Consequence

FUEL LEAKAGE COULD OCCUR FROM THE DAMAGED FLUID LINE AND,IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

REPOSITION FUEL LINE TO PREVENT CONTACT WITH UNIVERSAL JOINT; IF FUEL LINES ARE ALREADY DAMAGED, REPAIR OR REPLACE FUEL LINES.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DUE TO A BRAKE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,682. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · October 3, 2014 · fire

“WHENEVER IT WAS RAINING AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE TURNED OFF, THEY WOULD REMAIN IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION. WHEN TURNING WINDSHIELD WIPERS BACK ON, THEY WOULD GO DOWN.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND THE CONTACT CRASHED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 7, 2003 · crash

“VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION, CAUSING A THREE-CAR CRASH, AT SPEEDS EXCEEDING 80-85 MPH. WHILE ATTEMPING TO SHIFT TO PARK, TO SHUT OFF VEHICLE, IT CAUGHT IN REVERSE AND CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE BACKWARDS, CRASHING INTO THREE MORE VEHICLES. BOTH AIRBAG'S EXPERIENCED NO DEPLOYMENT. VEHICLE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · November 20, 1999 · crash

“DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY @ 55 MPH ( WINDY WITH 30 MPH GUSTS ) HOOD OPENED AND FOLDED UP OVER THE ROOF BOTH HOOD LATCHES WERE STILL LOCKED TO THE STRIKE PLATE FROM HOOD LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE EMERGENCY LANE REPLACED HOOD AND STRUTS WITH USED ONES ( FROM A 1993 / SAFER? ) STILL HAVE OLD…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Latches & Locks · March 13, 2006

1991 Lincoln Town Car — common questions

Is the 1991 Lincoln Town Car reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 278 complaints put the 1991 model at #4 of 34 Town Car years. It is one of the Town Car years to avoid.

What are the most common 1991 Town Car problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (60 complaints), visibility & wipers (23 complaints), engine (22 complaints).

Does the 1991 Lincoln Town Car have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1991 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 1991 Lincoln Town Car under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation 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.