VehicleVerdict

1999 Lincoln Town Car problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 203 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.9 times the median Town Car year — the 1999 model ranks #12 of 34 Town Car years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 17 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across airbags (29), suspension (24), and brakes (24), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

203

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

4

Investigations

24

Crash-involved

9

Fires reported

17

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1999 compare to other Town Car years?

Town Car NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 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, 1999 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Town Car years to avoid →

What are the most common 1999 Lincoln Town Car problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags2914%
Suspension2412%
Brakes2412%
Visibility & Wipers2110%
Engine178%
Electrical System178%
Body & Structure168%
Steering157%
Tires & Wheels84%
Transmission73%
Other63%
Speed Control52%
Fuel System52%
Seats31%
Lighting31%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)21%
Seat Belts10%

Does the 1999 Lincoln Town Car have recalls?

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

15E082000SteeringOctober 6, 2015 · 1,767 units

Defect

Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain model Dorman Steering Shafts, part number 425-359, Solutions Steering Shafts, part number 7-0359, and OE Solutions Steering Shafts, part number 425-359, manufactured April 17, 2014, to September 28, 2015. These aftermarket replacement steering shafts are sold for use in 1995-2002 Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Car vehicles. These steering shafts may separate during operation if the integral fastener is loose or missing and if the interfacing vehicle shaft is compressed in length.

Consequence

If the shafts separate during vehicle operation, a loss of steering control would result, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy

Dorman will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering shaft, free of charge. The recall began on October 28, 2015. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492, option 5.

00V356000Tires & WheelsDecember 12, 2000 · 10,000 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN LIMOUSINES STRETCHED OVER 60 INCHES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 109, "NEW PNEUMATIC TIRES," AND NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS."

Consequence

THE VEHICLE WEIGHT COULD EXCEED THE MAXIMUM LOAD RATING FOR THE TIRE, INCREASING THE RISK OF PREMATURE TIRE WEAR OR BLOWOUT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE ALL 5 TIRES (INCLUDING THE SPARE TIRE) WITH MICHELIN TIRES (225/70R16 107T REINFORCED WHITE SIDEWALL) WITH A SUFFICIENTLY HIGHER LOAD RATING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 10, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-248-0186.

00V200000OtherJuly 18, 2000 · 875,000 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES HAVE JACKING INSTRUCTIONS WHICH, IF FOLLOWED, COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE OPERATOR TO PLACE THE JACK ON A FRAME WELD WHEN ATTEMPTING TO RAISE A REAR WHEEL. IF THE VEHICLE IS JACKED UP WITH THE JACK PLACED ON THE FRAME WELD AND IF THE VEHICLE IS FREE TO ROLL (WHEELS NOT BLOCKED OR CHOCKED), THE JACK COULD YIELD AND THE VEHICLE MAY DROP SUDDENLY.

Consequence

IF THIS OCCURS AND ANY PORTION OF THE OPERATOR'S BODY IS UNDER THE VEHICLE, THE POTENTIAL FOR PERSONAL INJURY EXISTS.

Remedy

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A REVISED JACK INSTRUCTION AND STOWAGE CARD AND JACK WARNING LABEL, AS WELL AS A SUPPLEMENT TO THE OWNER GUIDE.

00V157001Seat BeltsJune 12, 2000 · 1,167 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES USING AFTERMARKET DRIVER'S SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE SOLD BY FORD PARTS DEPARTMENTS FROM JANUARY 1, THROUGH JUNE 13, 2000. THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THE EQUIPMENT INVOLVED IS SERVICE STOCK SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES, MODEL NOS. H 9977, H 9979, T 9063, AND T 9217, BUILT BY TRW VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEMS, INC. (TRW) MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 1, 1998 THROUGH MAY 21, 2000. SOME OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED AS SERVICE REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT ON THE VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THE RECALL.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, THESE SEAT BELTS MAY NOT RESTRAIN AN OCCUPANT INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES AND REPLACE THE SERVICE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE INSTALLED IN THESE VEHICLES FROM JANUARY 1 THROUGH JUNE 13, 2000.

00V157002Seat BeltsJune 12, 2000 · 1,129 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES USING AFTERMARKET FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE SOLD BY FORD PARTS DEPARTMENTS FROM JANUARY 1, THROUGH JUNE 13, 2000. THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THE EQUIPMENT INVOLVED IS SERVICE STOCK SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES, MODEL NOS. H 9977, H 9979, T 9063, AND T 9217, BUILT BY TRW VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEMS, INC. (TRW) MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 1, 1998 THROUGH MAY 21, 2000. SOME OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED AS SERVICE REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT ON THE VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THE RECALL.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, THESE SEAT BELTS MAY NOT RESTRAIN AN OCCUPANT INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES AND REPLACE THE SERVICE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE INSTALLED IN THESE VEHICLES FROM JANUARY 1 THROUGH JUNE 13, 2000.

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).

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“WHILE DRIVING 58 MPH ANOTHER VEHICLE BROADSIDE MY VEHICLE ON DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. UPON IMPACT SIDE DOOR SEAT AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DRIVER WAS KNOCKED SIDEWAYS TOWARDS DOOR AND WINDOW IN VEHICLE AND SUSTAINED INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · April 26, 2001 · crash

“2 OCCASIONS WHERE BALL JOINT SNAPPED AND VEHICLE WAS MOVING AND FELL TO GROUND .WHILE MY CHILD WAS INSIDE . MAJOR ELECTRICAL ISSUES SUCH AS: ODOMETER FLASHES CONSTANTLY AND GAS GAGE WACKED OUT EVER SINCE VEHICLE FELL TO GROUND EVERY THING WAS WORKING PROPERLY BEFORE AND ON THE FIRST INCIDENT IS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · September 27, 2012 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH AND MAKIG A LEFT TURN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION OCCURRED THAT CALLED ON THE BRAKES AND THEY FAILED. WHEN APPLIED, THE PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR, VEHICLE THEN KEPT GOING AND STRUCK A PARKED VEHICLE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 31, 1999 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE AIR VENTS AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. THE COOLANT ALSO DRAINED ONTO THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE HEATER CORE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · February 9, 2009 · fire

“I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED ABOUT THE FORD RECALLS ON INTAKE MANIFOLD, I RECENTLY FOUND OUT THAT MY MANIFOLD HAD CRACKED AND THAT PRIOR TO IT BRAKING FORD HAD SETTLE A LAWSUIT REGARDING SAID PROBLEM. I HAVE NEVER NOR HAS MY GODFATHER BE NOTIFIED ABOUT THE RECALL ITEM. KNOWN FORD RECALLS: 97M91, 99M01,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 4, 2011

1999 Lincoln Town Car — common questions

Is the 1999 Lincoln Town Car reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 203 complaints put the 1999 model at #12 of 34 Town Car years. It is one of the Town Car years to avoid.

What are the most common 1999 Town Car problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (29 complaints), suspension (24 complaints), brakes (24 complaints).

Does the 1999 Lincoln Town Car have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 1999 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 1999 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.