2008 Lincoln Town Car problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2008 Lincoln Town Car sits mid-pack among Town Car years: 31 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 107, with 3 recalls and no defect investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (5), speed control (5), and engine (3), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2008 compare to other Town Car years?

Town Car NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Town Car years to avoid →

What are the most common 2008 Lincoln Town Car problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Brakes	5	16%	▼ down
Speed Control	5	16%	▼ down
Steering	3	10%	▼ down
Electrical System	3	10%	— flat
Engine	3	10%	— flat
Body & Structure	2	6%	▼ down
Tires & Wheels	2	6%	— flat
Transmission	2	6%	— flat
Fuel System	2	6%	▼ down
Visibility & Wipers	1	3%	▼ down
Latches & Locks	1	3%	▼ down
Suspension	1	3%	▼ down
Airbags	1	3%	▼ down

Does the 2008 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.

10V638000EngineDecember 9, 2010 · 161 units

Defect

EXECUTIVE COACH IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 LINCOLN TOWN CAR LIMOUSINES. THE FUEL RAIL SHIELD WAS LEFT OFF DURING MANUFACTURING. IN A FRONTAL IMPACT THE ENGINE COULD POTENTIALLY BEND OR RUPTURE FUEL LINES IF THE REPLACEMENT SHIELD IS NOT IN PLACE, CAUSING THOSE LINES TO LEAK FUEL.

Consequence

FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

EXECUTIVE COACH WILL SUPPLY KITS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS TO HAVE VEHICLES REPAIRED AT A FACILITY OF THE OWNER'S CHOICE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 1, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT EXECUTIVE COACH AT 888-322-9272.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK TO STOP THE ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP AND CRASHED THROUGH A BARRIER. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED DURING THE CRASH. THE…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · July 22, 2013 · crash

“2008 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. CONSUMER STATES WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, THE GAS PEDAL IS ALSO DEPRESSED *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED INSTEAD OF STOPPING, HE HIT A STOP SIGN. *JB”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 1, 2010 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED.…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · April 16, 2014

“THIS VEHICLE HAS SUDDENLY VIOLENTLY ACCELERATED ON FOUR DIFFERENT OCCASIONS DURING THE LAST ELEVEN MONTHS. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED AFTER TAPPING THE BRAKE PEDAL AT A VERY SLOW SPEED AND RESULTED IN THE CAR CRASHING INTO A BARRIER AT A FILLING STATION IN UPSTATE NEW YORK. SUBSEQUENT EPISODES…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 4, 2015 · crash

“THIS VEHICLE HAS SUDDENLY VIOLENTLY ACCELERATED ON FOUR DIFFERENT OCCASIONS DURING THE LAST ELEVEN MONTHS. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED AFTER TAPPING THE BRAKE PEDAL AT A VERY SLOW SPEED AND RESULTED IN THE CAR CRASHING INTO A BARRIER AT A FILLING STATION IN UPSTATE NEW YORK. SUBSEQUENT EPISODES…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 4, 2015 · crash

2008 Lincoln Town Car — common questions

Is the 2008 Lincoln Town Car reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 31 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Town Car year, with 3 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2008 Town Car problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (5 complaints), speed control (5 complaints), engine (3 complaints).

Does the 2008 Lincoln Town Car have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2008 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.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.

How does 2008 compare to other Town Car years?

What are the most common 2008 Lincoln Town Car problems?

Does the 2008 Lincoln Town Car have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

2008 Lincoln Town Car — common questions

Is the 2008 Lincoln Town Car reliable?

What are the most common 2008 Town Car problems?

Does the 2008 Lincoln Town Car have recalls?

Which Lincoln Town Car years should you avoid?

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