Powered byNHTSA|EPA|Community Reports
HomeLincolnTown CarYears to Avoid

Lincoln Town Car — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Lincoln Town Car model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
34
Years to Avoid
1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995
Best Years
2011, 2009, 1984, 1983, 1982, 1981, 1980, 1978, 1977
2011Best Year
11 complaints3 recalls20 TSBs
2010
17 complaints3 recalls20 TSBs
2009Best Year
6 complaints3 recalls18 TSBs
2008
31 complaints3 recalls16 TSBs
2007
114 complaints3 recalls1 invest.18 TSBs
2006
207 complaints2 recalls23 TSBs
2005
161 complaints3 recalls36 TSBs
2004
99 complaints0 recalls1 invest.52 TSBs
2003
242 complaints1 recalls4 invest.83 TSBs
2002
70 complaints1 recalls3 invest.59 TSBs
2001
207 complaints6 recalls6 invest.91 TSBs
2000
147 complaints9 recalls4 invest.103 TSBs
1999Avoid
203 complaints6 recalls4 invest.157 TSBs
1998Avoid
194 complaints8 recalls5 invest.194 TSBs
1997Avoid
395 complaints8 recalls7 invest.134 TSBs
1996Avoid
316 complaints10 recalls6 invest.124 TSBs
1995Avoid
241 complaints9 recalls6 invest.108 TSBs
1994
212 complaints5 recalls4 invest.75 TSBs
1993
226 complaints4 recalls7 invest.77 TSBs
1992
312 complaints4 recalls7 invest.61 TSBs
1991
278 complaints5 recalls1 invest.38 TSBs
1990
267 complaints4 recalls2 invest.33 TSBs
1989
97 complaints5 recalls29 TSBs
1988
123 complaints5 recalls2 invest.27 TSBs
1987
40 complaints6 recalls24 TSBs
1986
54 complaints4 recalls1 invest.20 TSBs
1985
24 complaints1 recalls2 invest.17 TSBs
1984Best Year
19 complaints1 recalls1 invest.10 TSBs
1983Best Year
6 complaints3 recalls1 invest.6 TSBs
1982Best Year
4 complaints0 recalls1 invest.6 TSBs
1981Best Year
1 complaints0 recalls1 invest.3 TSBs
1980Best Year
1 complaints0 recalls1 invest.3 TSBs
1978Best Year
1 complaints0 recalls
1977Best Year
2 complaints0 recalls

How we calculate this

Each year receives a composite risk score based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, safety investigations, and technical service bulletins. Years scoring more than 2x the model's average are flagged as “years to avoid.” Years in the lowest risk bracket are marked as “best years.” All data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Which Lincoln Town Car Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995 Lincoln Town Car are the most problematic years, with significantly higher rates of owner complaints, recalls, and safety investigations compared to other model years.

If you're shopping for a used Lincoln Town Car, consider the 2011, 2009, 1984, 1983, 1982, 1981, 1980, 1978, 1977 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

34 model years analyzed