1990 Lincoln Town CAR Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often report engine-compartment fires that start while the car is parked, along with electrical faults such as burning wiring smells, power windows and locks that quit, and ignition-switch trouble. A second frequent theme is the hood latch releasing while driving. Stalling on hot days and unexpected high idle or acceleration when shifting into gear also come up repeatedly, and heaters/cooling complaints appear mostly at higher mileage.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Engine-compartment fire while parked

   • 64 complaints (31%)
   • median 88,500 mi at 14.5 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 57 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2006

   Complaints describe smoke or flames from under the hood shortly after the car is parked, sometimes within minutes and sometimes an hour or more later. Several owners say the fire was traced to wiring or the alternator connector; in others the fire department could not identify the origin. Some reports note the fire spread to a garage or house, and a few vehicles were described as a total loss. Several owners had contacted the dealer without getting a diagnosis or assistance. Reported across a wide mileage range, commonly within about an hour of parking and often with no warning.

   What to check: Have the underhood wiring, alternator connections and battery cables inspected for chafing, heat damage or corrosion, and check for any signs of prior burning or repairs around the alternator and ignition switch.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On april 23, 2001 our Lincoln Town Car had been parked fro about ten minutes in an enclosed parking structure at supermarket when the engine compartment self-ignited. A major fire ensued but a passerby had called the fire department and the damage was limited to the total loss of our car. I have emailed Lincoln hq repeatedly since then to ask if they had any record of this unusual and potentially lethal problem. Each time they replied saying that they could not answer technical questions. …”

   NHTSA complaint #745988, filed 2001-05

   “Consumer parked the vehicle in the garage and it caught on fire, and in minutes was engulfed in flames. Consumer contacted the fire department. The vehicle burned completely. The fire department noted that the fire started under the hood. ......... Consume rclaimed fire appeared to be due to mechanical failure in car , possibly brakes.”

   NHTSA complaint #10104990, filed 2004-12, 101,000 miles
2. 2
   Latches, locks and linkages

   Hood latch releases while driving

   • 23 complaints (11%)
   • median 130,000 mi at 10.6 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2005

   Owners describe the hood coming unlatched and flipping up while driving, in some cases at highway speed, cracking or shattering the windshield and damaging the roof. Complaints link this to corrosion or failure of the latch and striker plate, and some owners say the striker plate detached from the hood. Several owners who referenced the hood-latch recall said the dealer told them the vehicle was not covered or that the part was unavailable. Reported at highway speeds and after years of use; owners describe it as an intermittent, gradually developing latch problem.

   Recall 95V091000

   What to check: Open and close the hood several times and inspect the latch and striker plate for rust, looseness or wear; ask whether the hood-latch recall work was ever completed for this vehicle.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On february 1, 2003, kimberly love was driving a 1990 Lincoln Town Car with faye love(passenger). While driving east on interstate 26 in columbia, sc at 60 miles per hour, the hood flew up, shattering the windshield. The hood was bent and the front window shattered. The latch is broken also. The driver and passenger were shaken but able to pull to safety.”

   NHTSA complaint #10005139, filed 2003-02, 160,000 miles

   “While travelling s/b on i89 in vt on 10/13/2000 at approximately 70 MPH at approximately 70 miles into my trip, the hood flew open and totally covered the windshield, causing the windshield to smash and the roof to be damaged.”

   NHTSA complaint #734411, filed 2000-10
3. 3
   Engine cooling

   Stalling on hot days, restart after cooling

   • 16 complaints (8%)
   • median 98,000 mi at 10.5 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1996–2003

   Complaints describe the engine shutting off without warning in hot weather or after long highway runs, with the car restarting only after it cools. Owners report losing power steering and brake assist when this happens. A recurring theory among owners is heat-related failure of the ignition or TFI module; dealers frequently said they could not reproduce or find the fault. Separate overheating complaints describe loss of brakes and steering as well. Mostly reported in hot weather and after extended driving; mileage is often around or above 100,000.

   What to check: Ask whether the ignition/TFI module and cooling system have been serviced, and, if possible, drive the car long enough to reach normal temperature — ideally on a warm day — to check for a hot-stall.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Stalling on interstate and city driving when temperature gets very hot. Losing the power in brakes and the ability to control the vehicle's steering. The car can be started again when it has cooled down. This problem is very dangerous. **dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis*734325”

   NHTSA complaint #10007020, filed 2000-10, 98,000 miles

   “Ongoing / intermittent problem with vehicle traveling on the highway for 2 - 21/2 hrs. It causes engine to shut off. Within 30 minutes or more vehicle would start up again. Dealer notified, and informed consumer that nothing could be found.”

   NHTSA complaint #854330, filed 1999-12
4. 4
   Vehicle speed control

   Unexpected acceleration or high idle in gear

   • 16 complaints (8%)
   • typically at 6.8 yrs old
   • 9 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–1999

   Owners describe the engine revving or the car surging forward unexpectedly — when shifting into drive from park, while backing out of a spot, or at low speed — sometimes with cruise control off. Several reports describe the throttle linkage or a broken grommet at the throttle body as the suspected cause, and in one case cleaning the linkage and throttle passages resolved it. Some complaints mention collisions after the sudden surge. Mostly reported during low-speed or stopped-to-gear situations, with no clear mileage pattern.

   What to check: With the engine off, look over the throttle and cruise-control linkage and cable grommets for loose, cracked or binding parts, and have an independent shop check that the throttle returns freely.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving at 40 MPH, the car started accelerating. Cruise control was not engaged, but was turned off to slow down. Brakes were used to control speed until I reached a parking lot where I exmained the engine. Problem seemed to be connected to throttle linkage. Jiggling the throttle slowed the engine rpms to idle. Problem occurred five more times before I could get the car to my mechanic. He cleaned the linkage, removed the intake and duct, and cleaned the valve and tb passages. He also reconnected a broken (down-shift) cable connector. …”

   NHTSA complaint #703185, filed 1999-02

   “The vehicle accelerated unexpectantly and went through a building. Consumer was preparing to back out of a parking spot when vehicle suddenly accelerated at a very high rate of speed, vehicle surged twice on the same day prior to accident, consumer stated acceleration speed was unbelievable and instantaneous.”

   NHTSA complaint #986801, filed 1996-07
5. 5
   Electrical system

   Power windows, locks and switch failures

   • 8 complaints (4%)
   • typically at 7.5 yrs old
   • filed 1995–2003

   Owners report power windows that stop working or stick partway, door locks and trunk releases that fail together, and an ignition switch that overheats or will not release the key. Some complaints describe a burning-wire smell, the air conditioning cutting out and windows locking up while driving. Dealers are described in several reports as unable to pinpoint the fault. Reported from moderate to high mileage; several owners describe the failures developing gradually and returning after repairs.

   What to check: Operate every power window, lock and the trunk release from each switch position, feel the ignition switch and key for heat or sticking, and check the fuse panel and wiring for scorching.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Sometimes while driving vehicle, smelled electrial wires burning, windows would lock up, air conditioner would stop, also the key cannot be removed from ignition switch, electrical wires seemed to short out. Consumer states the problem appears to be in the ignition switch, a terrible noise was heard and consumer feels this was due to the switch engaged while the motor was running.”

   NHTSA complaint #802548, filed 1996-09

   “This car is about a piece of junk. Paint is almost gone, 3 of 4 power windows dont work, windshield wiper motor has quit twice, rear suspension failed, radio non-functional, message center says that it is -76 degrees at most times with 400 miles until empty (not true).”

   NHTSA complaint #10028622, filed 2003-07

Buying note. On a car of this age, condition and maintenance history matter more than the model itself — inspect the underhood wiring and hood latch closely, and test the car thoroughly warm since several reported faults appear only when hot or while parked. Ask for service records covering the ignition and cooling systems.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.