VehicleVerdict

2003 Lincoln Town Car problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 242 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.3 times the median Town Car year — the 2003 model ranks #6 of 34 Town Car years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Suspension leads the complaint categories with 83 reports (34% of the total).

242

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

4

Investigations

15

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

6

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2003 compare to other Town Car years?

Town Car NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 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, 2003 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Town Car years to avoid →

What are the most common 2003 Lincoln Town Car problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Suspension8334%
Transmission2912%
Speed Control187%
Steering167%
Brakes156%
Engine146%
Tires & Wheels125%
Body & Structure125%
Airbags104%
Electrical System94%
Lighting62%
Seats42%
Latches & Locks42%
Other31%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)31%
Fuel System21%
Driver Assistance10%
Visibility & Wipers10%

Does the 2003 Lincoln Town Car have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

04V328000SuspensionJuly 7, 2004 · 47,314 units

Defect

CERTAIN POLICE, COMMERCIAL, AND PASSENGER VEHICLES SOLD TO FLEETS TYPICALLY INPUT HIGHER LOADS INTO THE VEHICLE CHASSIS OVERLOADING THE WHEEL BEARINGS AND AXLES.

Consequence

THIS COULD LEAD TO EARLY BEARING FAILURE AND ULTIMATELY TO AXLE SHAFT FRACTURE. IN THE EVENT OF AXLE SHAFT FRACTURE, THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE DRIVE FUNCTION AND WOULD COAST TO A STOP. LOSS OF DRIVE FUNCTION COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS, SEALS,AND AXLE SHAFTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 15, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE AXLE FRACTURED CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE DIVIDER. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · June 16, 2015 · crash

“HAD POPPING NOISE COMING FROM REAR OF CAR.HAD IT TO THE DEALER THEY SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT HEAR THE NOISE.1/28/08 DRIVING AND HEARD LOUD KNOCKING AND THEN LOTS OF NOISE. HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER SAID REAR WHEEL SEALS BEARINGS HAD FAILED. SAME PROBLEM THAT WAS RECALLED ON OTHER 2003…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · January 28, 2008

“2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR WITH UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION. CONSUMER STATES THAT SHE FOUND A SERVICE BULLETIN WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND SHE WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION. *KB [REDACTED]NAR[REDACTED] THE CONSUMER STATED AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF THE UNWANTED ACCELERATION. *JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · April 29, 2006 · crash

“THIS VEHICLE HAS THE SAME "HARD STEERING" ISSUES AS OUR OTHER TOWN CARS. THE NEWER ONES WERE RECALLED, BUT THE 2003 & 2004 WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THAT RECALL. UPON EXAMINATION, IT IS DETERMINED THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT IS CORRODED AND THE CAUSE OF THESE ISSUES, AS EXPLAINED IN LINCOLN'S 13S01 RECALL.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · March 30, 2015

“WHEN THE DRIVER'S LEFT FOOT WAS QUICKLY MOVED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL FROM ITS RESTING POSITION, IT ENCOUNTERED AN OBJECT ABOVE IT THAT GAVE THE IMPRESSION THE FOOT DID NOT REACH THE BRAKE PEDAL, WHICH RESULTED IN USING THE RIGHT FOOT WHICH CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THE CONDITION WORSENED WITH THE BRAKE AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · crash

2003 Lincoln Town Car — common questions

Is the 2003 Lincoln Town Car reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 242 complaints put the 2003 model at #6 of 34 Town Car years. It is one of the Town Car years to avoid.

What are the most common 2003 Town Car problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are suspension (83 complaints), transmission (29 complaints), speed control (18 complaints).

Does the 2003 Lincoln Town Car have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2003 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 2003 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.