VehicleVerdict

2006 Lincoln Town Car problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 207 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.9 times the median Town Car year — the 2006 model ranks #10 of 34 Town Car years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 10 injuries in total across these filings.

Airbags leads the complaint categories with 58 reports (28% of the total).

207

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

20

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

10

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other Town Car years?

Town Car NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 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, 2006 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Town Car years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 Lincoln Town Car problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags5828%
Seat Belts3517%
Speed Control2613%
Brakes2110%
Steering136%
Other94%
Body & Structure84%
Fuel System73%
Electrical System63%
Transmission63%
Seats42%
Engine42%
Latches & Locks42%
Lighting21%
Visibility & Wipers21%
Suspension10%
Tires & Wheels10%

Does the 2006 Lincoln Town Car have recalls?

2 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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“DRIVER WAS PARKING LINCOLN TOWN CAR. STEPPED ON BRAKE WHILE PUTTING CAR INTO PARK POSITION. CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED OVER CONCRETE PARKING STOP AND SLAMMED INTO AN ENTRANCE TO SHOPPING CENTER SIGN THAT WAS IN FRONT OF THE PARKING SPACE. THE CAR ENDED UP WITH THE FRONT OF THE CAR AGAINST THE SIGN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · April 26, 2014 · crash

“WITHIN A MILE OF LEAVING HOME, THE SEAT BELT LIGHT CAME ON & STARTED BEEPING. DRIVER GLANCED DOWN TO CHECK SEATBELT ONLY TO FIND THAT IT WAS COMING UNLATCHED. IN THE BRIEF SECONDS THAT IT TOOK TO GLANCE DOWN & BACK UP, DRIVER WAS ALREADY LEAVING THE ROAD AND IN A PANIC, ACCIDENTALLY HIT GAS INSTEAD…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · October 18, 2014 · crash

“WHILE COMING TO A STOP, CAR ACCELERATED WHEN BRAKE WAS APPLIED. CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE WHILE STANDING ON THE BRAKE, SMOKING THE BACK TIRES. THE BRAKES COULD NOT HOLD THE ACCELERATION AND GRADUALLY PUSHED INTO THE VEHICLE AHEAD THAT WAS STOPPED. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · June 19, 2014 · crash

“DRIVING PERHAPS 30 MILES PER HOUR I SUDDENLY HEARD THE CAR ACCELERATE AND IT STARTED TO GO FASTER. I HIT THE BRAKES AND THAT DID NOT SLOW DOWN THE CAR. I WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND QUICKLY WENT INTO A SIDE STREET TURNING SHARPLY AND NARROWLY MISSING PARKED CARS BUT STRUCK TWO STEEL POLES AND THAN A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 12, 2011 · crash

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LINCOLN TOWNCAR. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 20 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE ROD FAILED. THE CONTACT LOSS CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE CAUSING A CRASH. THE POLICE WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INSURANCE COMPANY REPAIR SHOP…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · May 1, 2009 · crash

2006 Lincoln Town Car — common questions

Is the 2006 Lincoln Town Car reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 207 complaints put the 2006 model at #10 of 34 Town Car years. It is one of the Town Car years to avoid.

What are the most common 2006 Town Car problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (58 complaints), seat belts (35 complaints), speed control (26 complaints).

Does the 2006 Lincoln Town Car have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2006 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.