VehicleVerdict

1994 Lincoln Town Car problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 212 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.0 times the median Town Car year — the 1994 model ranks #9 of 34 Town Car years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 28 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (30), brakes (28), and speed control (22), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

212

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

4

Investigations

21

Crash-involved

30

Fires reported

28

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1994 compare to other Town Car years?

Town Car NHTSA complaints by model year, 1994 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, 1994 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Town Car years to avoid →

What are the most common 1994 Lincoln Town Car problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine3014%
Brakes2813%
Speed Control2210%
Electrical System2110%
Transmission178%
Suspension157%
Seats157%
Airbags136%
Visibility & Wipers94%
Lighting94%
Tires & Wheels94%
Fuel System84%
Latches & Locks31%
Steering31%
Body & Structure31%
Seat Belts31%
Other21%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%
Driver Assistance10%

Does the 1994 Lincoln Town Car have recalls?

5 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.

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.

94V152000BrakesAugust 9, 1994 · 214,000 units

Defect

THE NUTS AND BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE REAR BRAKE ADAPTOR TO THE AXLE HOUSING FLANGE CAN LOOSEN AND EVENTUALLY SEPARATE. IF ONE OR MORE OF THE NUTS COME OFF THE BOLTS, DAMAGE TO THE PARKING BRAKE ASSEMBLY OR TO THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) SENSOR AND SENSOR RING (IF SO EQUIPPED) WILL OCCUR. IF ALL FOUR NUTS ON ONE END OF THE AXLE COME OFF THE BOLTS, DAMAGE TO THE BRAKE HYDRAULIC LINE OR THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE CAN OCCUR.

Consequence

OCCURRENCE OF ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF BRAKING CAPABILITY AND POSSIBLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NEEDED, INSTALL NEW BOLTS. IF ANY OF THE FASTENERS ARE DISCONNECTED, THE PARKING BRAKE AND ABS COMPONENTS WILL BE INSPECTED AND SERVICED.

94V129000BrakesJuly 12, 1994 · 2,500 units

Defect

THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSH ROD RETAINER (HAIRPIN CLIP) MAY BE MISSING OR NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED ON THE SERVICE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS CAN CAUSE DISENGAGEMENT OF THE BRAKE PUSHROD AND LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY.

Consequence

LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE RETAINER.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. THE FIRE STARTED WHILE PARKED WITH THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. THE FIRE SPREADED TO THE HOUSE. FIRE INVESTIGATOR, CHAD BIBLE, CALLED THIS COMPLAINT IN FOR OWNER WILLIAM LARNER AT 6823 WINDOVER WAY, TITUSVILLE, NC. *AK *SC ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 27, 2002 · fire

“VEHICLE PARKED FOR 2 HOURS. OWNER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER HOOD AFTER RETURNING. HOOD WAS RAISED AND FLAMES SHOT OUT. FLAMES EXTINGUISHED. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. MECHANIC DETERMINED CAUSE WAS ABS PRESSURE SENSOR SWITCH.*AK * REFERENCED IN EA02-025”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 30, 2001 · fire

“1994 LINCOLN TOWN CAR MOTOR CAUGHT FIRE. CONSUMER STATES THAT HER MOTOR CAUGHT ON FIRE. SHE SAYS THAT FORD DOES NOT CARE. SHE WOULD LIKE FORD TO GIVE HER $500.00 FOR A NEW MOTOR. *KB THE FIRE MAY HAVE BEEN DUE TO A FAULTY SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. *JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · January 1, 1901 · fire

“OWNER HAD TROUBLE WITH REAR AIR-RIDE SUSPENSION FOR ABOUT A WEEK. WARNING LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ACTIVATED AFTER REPAIRS. VEHICLE WAS PARKED ABOUT 13 HRS WHEN FIRE STARTED IN LEFT FRONT ENGINE COMPARTMENT. VEHICLE SUFFERED MAJOR DAMAGE. ADJACENT RESIDENCE SUFFERED MODERATE DAMAGE”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 25, 2005 · fire

“AFTER WE HIT A DEER, WE NOTICED THAT THE CAR VIBRATED WHEN SHIFTING, WHEN EXPLAINING THIS TO REPAIR SERVICE, THEY STATED THAT THEY DOUBT IT WAS CAUSED BY THE ACCIDENT BECAUSE THEY HAD HEARD OF A LOT OF PROBLEM WITH A PLATE OR DISC THAT IS INTHE TRANSMISSION OF THE TOWN CARS THAT CRACKS. WHEN THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · March 28, 2000 · crash

1994 Lincoln Town Car — common questions

Is the 1994 Lincoln Town Car reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 212 complaints put the 1994 model at #9 of 34 Town Car years. It is one of the Town Car years to avoid.

What are the most common 1994 Town Car problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (30 complaints), brakes (28 complaints), speed control (22 complaints).

Does the 1994 Lincoln Town Car have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1994 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 1994 Lincoln Town Car under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 4 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.