1988 Lincoln Town CAR Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 39about this part
- Share
- 39%of 99 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 113,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 39 complaints about the electrical system of the 1988 Lincoln Town CAR, 39% of the 99 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 113,500 miles. 26 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Seat belts won't retract. Ignition switch is faulty and shorting out radio and other electrical components. Wanting to prevent fire from happening, by taking care of this now.”
NHTSA complaint #11010152, filed 2017-07, 115,000 miles“The relay that hooks to the battery starter] broke. This caused vehicle to acclelerate in full throttle. Consumer came to a completed stop, but had to disconnect the battery to stop the engine from running, although the vehicle was turned off. Relay # 1e9tz-11450b.”
NHTSA complaint #10024618, filed 2003-06, 112,000 miles“I would be traveling down the highway at 60with my family and my car would shut off. I would then pull to the side and let it sit for 20 minutes and then it would restart until it happens again ''very dangerous''.”
NHTSA complaint #735444, filed 2000-10“I understand that there was a recall on my vehicle for a faulty ignition switch. I just found out yesterday about it. I was never notified in reference to the recall. It wasn't until the switch shorted out my radio which I can not replace until the switch is replaced. The ford company said that the recall was complete. I don't know how it can be complete when my car was never done. I have a faulty ignition switch that is supplying shorts through my wiring harness that connects to the radio. …”
NHTSA complaint #733271, filed 2000-10“Vehicle will stall suddendly when the engine gets hot. Vehicle will restart, but it has stalled leaving consumer in dangerous situation. The distributor mounted tfhv module is too close to the hot engine. This causes the vehicle to stall.”
NHTSA complaint #872828, filed 2000-10Related recalls
- 96V071000Apr 25, 1996The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.Covers: Lincoln Town CAR 1988–1989, Ford Thunderbird 1988–1993, Mercury Cougar 1988–1993 +12 more
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 3 | 23% |
| 2008 | 3 | 15% |
| 2007 | 4 | 5% |
| 2006 | 6 | 4% |
| 2005 | 8 | 7% |
| 2004 | 8 | 10% |
| 2003 | 8 | 4% |
| 2002 | 3 | 5% |
| 2001 | 9 | 6% |
| 2000 | 18 | 17% |
| 1999 | 13 | 9% |
| 1998 | 15 | 10% |
| 1997 | 16 | 5% |
| 1996 | 19 | 7% |
| 1995 | 21 | 13% |
| 1994 | 20 | 13% |
| 1993 | 43 | 24% |
| 1992 | 73 | 29% |
| 1991 | 15 | 10% |
| 1990 | 63 | 30% |
| 1989 | 42 | 47% |
| 1988 | 39 | 39% |
| 1987 | 17 | 53% |
| 1986 | 29 | 58% |
| 1985 | 7 | 33% |
| 1984 | 9 | 60% |
Other parts of the 1988 Lincoln Town CAR
17 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
9 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsSeat belts
7 complaintsTires
5 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1988 Lincoln Town CAR
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology