VehicleVerdict

2002 Lincoln Town Car problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2002 Lincoln Town Car sits mid-pack among Town Car years: 71 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 106, with a single recall and 3 closed investigations. Complainants reported 16 injuries in total across these filings.

Airbags leads the complaint categories with 21 reports (30% of the total).

71

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

3

Investigations

17

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

16

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other Town Car years?

Town Car NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 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, 2002 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Town Car years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Lincoln Town Car problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags2130%
Speed Control1217%
Brakes1115%
Engine46%
Latches & Locks46%
Visibility & Wipers34%
Electrical System34%
Steering34%
Suspension34%
Tires & Wheels23%
Body & Structure23%
Other11%
Seats11%
Seat Belts11%

Does the 2002 Lincoln Town Car have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign 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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH ON A DRY HIGHWAY, ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE HEAD ON CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END. NEITHER THE PASSENGER NOR DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THERE WERE MINOR INJURIES SUSTAINED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. SEAT BELTS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · July 11, 2006 · crash

“THE CONSUMER HAD DIFFICULTY GETTING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AFTER HER BROTHER HAD AN ACCIDENT IN THE VEHICLE. *PH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD STICK. THIS PROBLEM CAUSED THE ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE CONSUMER'S BROTHER TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE GAS PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND ACCELERATED AT A HIGH…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · February 25, 2004 · crash

“THE SPACING BETWEEN THE BRAKE PEDAL AND GAS PEDAL IS TOO CLOSE. DRIVER'S FOOT GETS CAUGHT BETWEEN THE PEDALS WHEN CHANGING FROM ONE PEDAL TO THE OTHER. THIS RESULTED IN VEHICLE CRASHING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE DUE TO FAIILURE TO USE BRAKE PEDAL. *AK *MR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 9, 2003 · crash

“2002 LINCOLN TOWNCAR CAR HAS AUTO LOCK FEATURE LOCKING ALL DOORS WHEN MOVING FORWARD. AFTER STOPPING THOSE IN THE FRONT SEAT CAN EXIT BY USING DOOR HANDLE. THOSE IN REAR SEAT MUST FIRST USE THE UNLOCK PLUNGER. IN EVENT OF ACCIDENT IF REAR PASSENGERS DO NOT KNOW THIS THEY ARE TRAPPED IN CAR. *CW”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Latches & Locks · March 15, 2003

“WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE IT FAILED TO START. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER REPLACED CLUSTER PANEL COMPUTER AND CRANKCASE. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 22, 2003

2002 Lincoln Town Car — common questions

Is the 2002 Lincoln Town Car reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 71 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Town Car year, with 1 recall and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2002 Town Car problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (21 complaints), speed control (12 complaints), brakes (11 complaints).

Does the 2002 Lincoln Town Car have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2002 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 2002 Lincoln Town Car under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 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.