2004 Lincoln Town Car problems
Verdict · NHTSA data
A typical year for this model
The 2004 Lincoln Town Car sits mid-pack among Town Car years: 99 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 106, with no recalls and one closed investigation.
No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across speed control (19), steering (14), and body & structure (11), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.
99
NHTSA complaints
0
Recalls
1
Investigations
22
Crash-involved
3
Fires reported
6
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
How does 2004 compare to other Town Car years?
What are the most common 2004 Lincoln Town Car problems?
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed Control | 19 | 19% | — flat |
| Steering | 14 | 14% | — flat |
| Body & Structure | 11 | 11% | — flat |
| Tires & Wheels | 10 | 10% | — flat |
| Brakes | 10 | 10% | ▼ down |
| Electrical System | 8 | 8% | — flat |
| Engine | 5 | 5% | ▼ down |
| Lighting | 4 | 4% | ▼ down |
| Visibility & Wipers | 3 | 3% | ▲ up |
| Fuel System | 3 | 3% | ▲ up |
| Latches & Locks | 3 | 3% | — flat |
| Other | 3 | 3% | — flat |
| Suspension | 2 | 2% | ▼ down |
| Airbags | 2 | 2% | ▼ down |
| Climate Control (A/C & Heat) | 1 | 1% | ▼ down |
| Transmission | 1 | 1% | ▼ down |
Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE CONSUMER WAS DEPRESSING THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. CONSUMER LOST TOTAL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND COLLIDED INTO A WALL. A BICYCLE RACK WAS DESTROYED IN THE PROCESS. THE SEAT BELTS WERE WORN AND THE AIR BAGS DID DEPLOY. THE POLICE DID ARRIVE AND…”
“2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR, POWER STEERING FAILURE. WHILE DRIVING, DRIVER MAY LOSE CONTROL OF CAR, JUST LIKE DRIVING ON BLACK ICE. WHILE DRIVING MAKING A RIGHT HAND MERGE, STEERING GOT STUCK FOR A FEW SECONDS. AND WHEN DRIVER TRIED TO CORRECT THE CAR WAS GOING ONE WAY WHILE THE DRIVER WAS STEERING…”
“ I CAME FROM WORK AT AROUND 0600 AM ON 9/4/15 IN MY 2004 LINCOLN TOWN CAR AND PARK IT IN MY APARTMENT. AT AROUND 0330 OF THE SAME DAY I DECIDED TO GO PICK MY CHILD FROM SCHOOL . WHENT I STATRTED MY CAR AND PUT IT IN REVERSE TRYNG TO BACK UP FROM THE PARKING LOT, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT A…”
“MICHELIN RADIAL SXE, P225/60R17. DUE TO THE CONDITION OF THE BLOWN TIRE, THE DOT# WAS UNAVAILABLE WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS GIVEN. THE RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE THE RENTER WAS DRIVING ON A CLEAR DAY AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH. THE SIDEWALL WAS DAMAGED DUE TO THE BLOWOUT. *AK DRIVER COULD NOT CONTROL…”
“ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2004 WHILE DRIVING AND APPROACHING THE STOP SIGN AT 10 MPH CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. AS RESULT, CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT COLLISION, WHICH DAMAGED CONSUMER'S VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND…”
2004 Lincoln Town Car — common questions
Is the 2004 Lincoln Town Car reliable?
It is close to typical for the Town Car: 99 NHTSA complaints, 0 recalls, and 1 investigation on file.
What are the most common 2004 Town Car problems?
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are speed control (19 complaints), steering (14 complaints), body & structure (11 complaints).
Does the 2004 Lincoln Town Car have recalls?
No. NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2004 Lincoln Town Car.
Is the 2004 Lincoln Town Car under NHTSA investigation?
NHTSA opened one investigation 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.