2009 Lincoln Town Car problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 6 complaints on file for the 2009 Lincoln Town Car — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2009 compare to other Town Car years?

Town Car NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Town Car years to avoid →

What are the most common 2009 Lincoln Town Car problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Engine	2	33%	▼ down
Speed Control	2	33%	▼ down
Airbags	1	17%	— flat
Steering	1	17%	▼ down

Does the 2009 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.

“AS I WAS APPROACHING MY LEFT TURN INTO THE COMMUNITY I LIVE IN AND DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH, I STEPPED ONTO THE BRAKE AND THE CAR ENGINE STARTED ACCELERATING. THERE WAS A VEHICLE APPROACHING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION WHICH WAS THE REASON I WAS TRYING TO STOP. I PUSHED DOWN ON THE BRAKE BUT THE ENGINE…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 17, 2012

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED, FOLLOWED BY AN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND THE SPEED INCREASED TO APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH. THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL AND THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN. THE VEHICLE HAD…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · April 9, 2010

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION OF THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 13V385000 (STEERING); HOWEVER ,THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE SERVICED UNDER THE RECALL SINCE THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · October 8, 2013

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHEN A PASSENGER SITS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT THE AIR BAG DEACTIVATION LIGHT WILL COME ON EVEN WHEN THE APPROPRIATE WEIGHT IS OCCUPYING THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WEIGHT CALIBRATION FOR…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · July 7, 2009

2009 Lincoln Town Car — common questions

Is the 2009 Lincoln Town Car reliable?

The record is thin — 6 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2009 Lincoln Town Car have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2009 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 2009 compare to other Town Car years?

What are the most common 2009 Lincoln Town Car problems?

Does the 2009 Lincoln Town Car have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

2009 Lincoln Town Car — common questions

Is the 2009 Lincoln Town Car reliable?

Does the 2009 Lincoln Town Car have recalls?

Which Lincoln Town Car years should you avoid?

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