VehicleVerdict

2005 Lincoln Town Car problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 161 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.5 times the median Town Car year — the 2005 model ranks #14 of 34 Town Car years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 34 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across speed control (34), brakes (25), and airbags (22), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

161

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

23

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

34

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other Town Car years?

Town Car NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 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, 2005 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Town Car years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Lincoln Town Car problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Speed Control3421%
Brakes2516%
Airbags2214%
Seat Belts117%
Electrical System96%
Body & Structure96%
Steering85%
Engine74%
Transmission74%
Tires & Wheels64%
Other53%
Fuel System53%
Visibility & Wipers32%
Lighting32%
Driver Assistance21%
Seats21%
Latches & Locks21%
Suspension11%

Does the 2005 Lincoln Town Car have recalls?

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

14V704000SteeringNovember 5, 2014 · 36,888 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Ford Crown Victoria, 2005-2011 Mercury Grand Marquis vehicles manufactured March 23, 2004, to August 30, 2011, and 2005-2011 Lincoln Town Car vehicles manufactured March 8, 2004, to August 30, 2011, and on which the upper intermediate shaft was serviced during the course of safety recall 13V-385. The prior repairs may not have been correctly performed.

Consequence

Improper servicing of the upper intermediate shaft could cause the shaft to separate, which can then result in a loss of steering control, and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Ford will notify the owners of vehicles whose repair records reflect that the upper intermediate steering shaft was repaired during the course of the prior recall 13V-385. Dealers will inspect and replace the upper immediate shaft if necessary free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S25.

13V385000SteeringAugust 29, 2013 · 355,000 units

Defect

Ford is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Ford Crown Victoria (including Crown Victoria Police Interceptors), Mercury Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Car vehicles. The affected vehicles are currently registered or were originally sold in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Severe corrosion can seize the lower intermediate shaft which may cause the upper intermediate shaft to collapse and the steering column lower bearing to separate.

Consequence

If the lower bearing separates, the vehicle may experience a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners and dealers will replace the lower intermediate shaft, free of charge. The upper intermediate shaft and steering column lower bearing will be inspected to identify any damage that may have occurred as a result of lower intermediate shaft corrosion, and repaired or replaced as necessary. If the steering column lower bearing has separated, a retainer clip will be installed. The recall began on October 23, 2013. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall number is 13S08.

05V518000Electrical SystemNovember 9, 2005 · 98,836 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BATTERY CABLE INCLUDES A FUSIBLE LINK THAT MAY CONTACT AND SUBSEQUENTLY CHAFE ON A #2 CROSS MEMBER ATTACHING BOLT.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN HEAT DAMAGE AND COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUSIBLE LINK AND POSITION IT AWAY FROM THE CROSS MEMBER BOLT. IF THE FUSIBLE LINK HAS ALREADY CHAFED AND COPPER WIRES HAVE BEEN EXPOSED, THE FUSIBLE LINK WILL BE REPLACED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 18, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673, OR LINCOLN/MERCURY AT 1-800-521-4140.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF A SECOND VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · July 21, 2014 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED FROM EITHER PARTY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT THEY WERE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · September 30, 2011 · crash

“ON 3/29/08 THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A SIDE IMPACT COLLISION WHICH TOTALED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH SIDE AIRBAGS WHICH DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · March 29, 2008 · crash

“FEBRUARY 2013 AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON TOOK TO DEALER AND DIAGNOSED PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER NEEDED REPLACED , REPAIR WAS MADE AT COST OVER 600.00, THEN AGAIN IN MAY 2013 AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON, DEALER DIAGNOSED DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER NEEDED REPLACED AT ANOTHER COST OF OVER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · February 18, 2013

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER ENTERED THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · November 3, 2014

2005 Lincoln Town Car — common questions

Is the 2005 Lincoln Town Car reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 161 complaints put the 2005 model at #14 of 34 Town Car years. It is one of the Town Car years to avoid.

What are the most common 2005 Town Car problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are speed control (34 complaints), brakes (25 complaints), airbags (22 complaints).

Does the 2005 Lincoln Town Car have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 Lincoln Town Car. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.