VehicleVerdict

1993 Lincoln Town Car problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 226 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.1 times the median Town Car year — the 1993 model ranks #8 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 electrical system (44), speed control (37), and brakes (27), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

226

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

7

Investigations

17

Crash-involved

67

Fires reported

19

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1993 compare to other Town Car years?

Town Car NHTSA complaints by model year, 1993 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, 1993 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Town Car years to avoid →

What are the most common 1993 Lincoln Town Car problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System4419%
Speed Control3716%
Brakes2712%
Transmission219%
Engine209%
Airbags136%
Suspension125%
Steering125%
Fuel System84%
Visibility & Wipers52%
Tires & Wheels52%
Lighting42%
Other42%
Seats42%
Latches & Locks31%
Body & Structure31%
Seat Belts21%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)21%

Does the 1993 Lincoln Town Car have recalls?

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

07V336000Speed ControlAugust 3, 2007 · 3,600,000 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

99V124000Electrical SystemMay 19, 1999 · 262,695 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH CAN DEVELOP A RESISTIVE SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT THAT COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE. A FIRE IS POSSIBLE BOTH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING AND WHEN THE VEHICLE ENGINE IS OFF. ALSO, THE SHORT COULD DISABLE THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM OR CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHT FUSE TO OPEN.

Consequence

A FIRE CAN ORIGINATE IN THE LEFT FRONT UNDERHOOD AREA.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH AND CONNECTOR SHELL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 20, 1999.

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).

95V133000BrakesJuly 11, 1995 · 692 units

Defect

IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE REAR BRAKE LINE AT THE POINT AT WHICH THE EXTENDED BRAKE LINE FIRST BENDS AND EXTENDS OVER THE LEFT REAR WHEEL AREA OF THE FRAME. IF NOT INSTALLED WITH SUFFICIENT CLEARANCE, CHAFING OF THE BRAKE LINE CAN OCCUR IN AN AREA ADJACENT TO THE REAR FLOOR PAN.

Consequence

THE REAR BRAKE LINE CAN LEAK OR RUPTURE RESULTING IN REDUCED BRAKING CAPABILITY, LOSS OF REAR BRAKES, AND/OR LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID RESERVES IN THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE LINE FOR PROPER INSTALLATION AND/OR DAMAGE AND REPLACE AS NECESSARY. ALSO A PROTECTIVE BOOT OR SLEEVE OVER THE BRAKE LINE WILL BE INSTALLED.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“I PURCHASED A USED 1993 LINCOLN TOWN CAR ON DEC 17. ON DECEMBER 19 THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN THE GARAGE. IT HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN SINCE PURCHASE OR STARED. FIRE CAUSED SEVERE DAMAGE TO GARAGE. COMPLETELY BURNED THE CAR. FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND THE INVESTIGATOR STATED IT WAS SPEED CONTROL , SINCE I…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 19, 2010 · fire

“VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE IT WAS PARKED WITH ENGINE TURNED OFF. A WITNESS STATED THAT FIRE HAD STARTED IN FRONT LEFT SIDE ABOVE LEFT FRONT TIRE. VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. CONSUMER STATED THAT RECALL 99V124000/ SPEED CONTROL SWITCH REPAIRS WERE DONE IN MAY 1999, WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED THE FIRE.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · March 12, 2000 · fire

“CONSUMER HAD PICKED UP VEHICLE FROM DEALERSHIP AFTER BRAKE LINE WAS REPLACED. OWNER DROVE THE VEHICLE ABOUT 5 MILES AND FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL CAUGHT ON FIRE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AFTER FLAMES WERE PUT OUT. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED FRONT WHEEL LOCKED UP BECAUSE OF BRAKE CALIPER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 17, 2003 · fire

“CONSUMER PUT VEHICLE INTO DRIVE GEAR WITH FOOT STILL ON BRAKES WHEN IT SUDDENLY TOOK OFF, BEGAN TO ACCELERATE , CONSUMER TRIED TO SHIFT INTO PARK, BUT GEAR WOULD NOT ACCEPT IT. CONSUMER THAN SHIFTED INTO REVERSE ,COULD HEAR ENGINE STILL RACING ,AND FINALLY TURNED OFF ENGINE, RESULTING IN AN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · crash

“PE98-055; VEHICLE WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT FOR A PERIOD OF 14 HOURS WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY CAUGHT FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. *AK *ML REFERENCED IN EA02-025”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 22, 1998 · fire

1993 Lincoln Town Car — common questions

Is the 1993 Lincoln Town Car reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 226 complaints put the 1993 model at #8 of 34 Town Car years. It is one of the Town Car years to avoid.

What are the most common 1993 Town Car problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (44 complaints), speed control (37 complaints), brakes (27 complaints).

Does the 1993 Lincoln Town Car have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1993 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 1993 Lincoln Town Car under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 7 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.