1993 Lincoln Town CAR Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often report under-hood fires that begin while the car is parked and shut off, with the cruise-control (speed control) switch frequently named as the suspected source by fire investigators, and several complaints note the car's VIN was outside the related recall. Electrical trouble in the dashboard and fuse box, brake problems such as a pedal that sinks or feels spongy, and fluid leaks from rusted fuel and brake lines also appear repeatedly in the sample.

1. 1
   Vehicle speed control

   Under-hood fire while parked (speed control switch)

   • 64 complaints (36%)
   • median 103,000 mi at 13.0 yrs old (25 state mileage)
   • 58 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2019

   Owners describe smoke or flames from the front left engine compartment minutes to hours after the car was parked and shut off, sometimes days later. Several say a fire investigator or insurance inspector attributed it to the cruise control deactivation switch or its wiring, and some note the cruise control had stopped working beforehand. Complaint text also includes many owners stating that the dealer or manufacturer told them their VIN was not covered by the speed control switch recall, and a few describe having the switch disconnected while waiting for parts. Reported across a wide mileage range, commonly from about 30,000 to 160,000 miles, and almost always with the engine off and the car parked.

   Recall 99V124000Recall 07V336000

   What to check: Ask whether the speed control deactivation switch and its jumper harness were replaced or disconnected under 99V124000 or 07V336000, and have the switch and its wiring inspected for heat damage or fluid residue. Note that the cruise control may not work if the switch was disconnected.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I purchased a used 1993 Lincoln Town Car on dec 17. On december 19 the vehicle caught fire in the garage. It had not been driven since purchase or stared. Fire caused severe damage to garage. Completely burned the car. Fire department came and the investigator stated it was speed control , since I just purchased the vehicle I was unaware of the recall.”

   NHTSA complaint #10371238, filed 2010-12, 160,000 miles

   “The car had been driven like every other day.the car had been parked in my drive way for about 3 to 4 hours.I was inside my house when I heard someone honking outside.when I looked out the window the car was smoking from under the hood.I got my phone and called 911.by time the fire department showed up the car was already in flames.”

   NHTSA complaint #10410499, filed 2011-07, 139,000 miles
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Dashboard and fuse box electrical problems

   • 14 complaints (8%)
   • median 100,000 mi at 21.8 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1996–2015

   Owners describe the instrument panel flickering or strobing, the odometer spinning or reading intermittently, warning lights lighting up, and the car stalling or jerking. Some report the dashboard getting hot, buttons melting, or smoke coming from the dash or fuse box while driving, and more than one says a dealer diagnosed an electrical short or burning wiring. Mostly reported between about 60,000 and 140,000 miles, often while driving rather than at startup.

   Recall 99V124000

   What to check: Check that the digital dash, odometer and warning lights read consistently, look for melted or discolored buttons, and ask whether any wiring or fuse box repairs were done. A smell of hot plastic or burning insulation is worth investigating before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Dash control module that controls vehicle speedometer and odometer causes all the digital dash the flash like strobe lights. Driver can determine speed of vehicle and odometer records intermittently. D car also has a smell og burning wires or plastic.”

   NHTSA complaint #10302205, filed 2010-01, 60,000 miles

   “Would be driving vehicle when dashboard would get hot. Instrument panel lights would come on. Two of buttons had melted. Have taken to dealership, and was informed by the mechanic read out from diagnostic indicated there was an electrical short. Would need to replace wiring. This problem only happen when driving.”

   NHTSA complaint #884011, filed 2001-03
3. 3
   Brakes

   Brake pedal sinks, spongy or soft braking

   • 12 complaints (7%)
   • median 105,587 mi at 13.0 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1996–2007

   Owners report the brake pedal going to the floor or feeling spongy, requiring repeated pumping or brake fluid top-offs, and in some cases the ABS light coming on. Complaints also describe pulsation and longer stopping distances, a pedal that does not return, and one owner notes fluid loss that a dealer linked to a brake line. Reported mostly between about 90,000 and 125,000 miles, with some complaints involving low-speed braking.

   Recall 95V133000

   What to check: Ask about the rear brake line routing under 95V133000 and have the brake lines and fluid level checked for leaks or corrosion. Press the pedal firmly and hold it to see whether it sinks, and confirm the ABS light works.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When the consumer applied the brakes at a low speed, the pedal went to the floor, which resulted in the consumer rear ending another motorist. The air bags deployed and consequently the air bag broke the passenger's arm.”

   NHTSA complaint #10057396, filed 2004-03, 94,174 miles

   “When the brakes are applied the vehicle pulsates, resulting in extended stopping distances. The dealer has replaced the brake shoes and the drums. The manufacturer has been notified.”

   NHTSA complaint #827456, filed 1998-09
4. 4
   Engine cooling

   Rusted fuel and brake lines leaking fluid

   • 7 complaints (4%)
   • median 100,000 mi at 15.6 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1998–2019

   Owners describe fuel leaking onto the ground or driveway and, in some cases, fuel spraying onto hot exhaust parts. Complaints cite rust-through at the fuel pump fittings and along the steel fuel and brake lines, and one owner reports that a dealer confirmed perforated rust on the lines at a heavily rusted pump. Reported from roughly 39,000 to 140,000 miles, generally on older cars in rust-belt conditions.

   Recall 95V133000

   What to check: Inspect the steel fuel and brake lines and the fuel pump area for rust, and check for fuel odor or wet spots under the car after it sits. A pre-purchase inspection focused on underbody corrosion is worthwhile on a car of this age.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was working on doing maintenance on my car. Next thing I know, there's a fire. I got it out quickly enough with the original extinguisher. The speed control harness, which had a recall at one point, is burned and a brake line busted. 9f924 is the number for the part. I do not know for certain if this was ever replaced. But it must have been hot enough to catch brake fluid on fire”

   NHTSA complaint #11246137, filed 2019-08, 83,000 miles

   “The fuel line rusted and ruptured on my Town Car on september 9, 2004. I called Lincoln and they will not even concider looking at this vehicle. My husband is a mechanic and has seen this problem with a 200 navigator...where the brakes and fuel lines were rusted and the brake lines ruptured. I would like this matter looked into and fixed. This is not a wear and tear item and I should not be expected to pay for it. I do not have the $2000.+ that it will cost to repair the vehicle. I mean this is definatly a safty issue. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10090797, filed 2004-09, 140,000 miles
5. 5
   Vehicle speed control

   Cruise control will not disengage

   • 8 complaints (5%)
   • median 140,000 mi at 16.8 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2009

   Owners report the cruise control failing to shut off when the brake is applied, or the engine racing and the car lurching forward from a stop without accelerator input. In some accounts the driver shifted to neutral or shut off the engine to stop the car, and others describe the gear selector failing to engage the requested gear. Reported at varied mileages, with several complaints describing the event during normal driving at highway speed.

   Recall 99V124000

   What to check: Test the cruise control set, resume and cancel functions, confirm it releases when the brake is pressed, and check that the brake lights and shift indicator behave normally.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “1993 Lincoln Town Car cruise control would not turn off after applying brakes. While driving the vehicle for approximately 15 miles with the cruise control set at 55 MPH I approached a red light and applied the break and the cruise control did not turn off. To avoid a collision the breaks were applied as hard as possible and I put the automatic transmission in neutral, whereas the engine RPM raced but the vehicle stopped accelerating. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10278672, filed 2009-07, 140,000 miles

   “Consumer put vehicle into drive gear with foot still on brakes when it suddenly took off, began to accelerate , consumer tried to shift into park, but gear would not accept it. Consumer than shifted into reverse ,could hear engine still racing ,and finally turned off engine, resulting in an accident. 2. Also, vehicle would go into reverse on its own. Cause is unknown.”

   NHTSA complaint #870839, filed 2000-09

Buying note. The most consistent pattern in the sample is under-hood fire in a parked car, so confirm the speed control switch recall work was actually completed for this VIN and have the switch and underhood wiring inspected. Beyond that, have the brake and fuel lines checked for corrosion and verify the dash electronics and cruise control work before buying.

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.