1996 Lincoln Town CAR Problems

What owners report

Owners of this 1996 Town Car report two dominant themes: a plastic intake manifold on the 4.6L V8 that cracks and lets coolant escape, and a cruise-control switch associated with smoke and fires, sometimes while the car is parked with the ignition off. The manifold complaints cluster in the 50,000-150,000 mile range, while speed-control, brake-line and suspension reports often come at higher mileage. Many owners also describe corroded steel brake lines and worn front suspension parts.

1. 1
   Engine cooling

   Cracked plastic intake manifold / coolant leak

   • 64 complaints (25%)
   • median 87,000 mi at 8.9 yrs old (49 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $775 (median of 6 quotes)
   • filed 2001–2014

   Owners describe steam or coolant spraying under the hood, the temperature gauge climbing, and sometimes a sudden loss of power or a stalled engine. In several accounts the plastic intake manifold on the 4.6L V8 cracked and leaked coolant onto the engine; some mechanics told owners this was a common repair on these cars and one bulletin describes an extended coverage program for the composite manifold. Dealers and shops quoted repair costs ranging from a few hundred to over a thousand dollars, and some owners said the coverage did not apply to their vehicle or had expired. Mostly reported between about 50,000 and 150,000 miles, often during highway driving or acceleration.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Look for coolant residue or staining around the front of the intake manifold and check the coolant level and the repair history. Ask whether the manifold has been replaced and with which part.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Lack of honesty concerning a recall of the 1996 Lincoln due to a faulty intake manifold which cracks and leaks coolant all over the engine. I phoned the Lincoln division in toronto and was told by the representative there yesterday there was no recall for this car for this problem. I went to the all data site and found it. Tsb 97m91 mar 99.”

   NHTSA complaint #10054775, filed 2004-01, 63,000 miles

   “I've just been notified by my father that the intake manifold leaks are going to be taken care of by ford motor co. By means of a free intake manifold replacement. Please tell me how I need to proceed to get this done as soon as possible as my 1996 Lincoln towncar is definitely losing water through that port. Thanks very much.”

   NHTSA complaint #10137491, filed 2005-09, 158,000 miles
2. 2
   Vehicle speed control

   Cruise control switch smoke or fire

   • 27 complaints (10%)
   • median 102,500 mi at 12.0 yrs old (14 state mileage)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1997–2023

   Complaints describe smoke or fire originating at the speed control switch, in some cases while the car was parked and the ignition was off; one owner reported the car catching fire while at a repair shop. Others describe recall notices and long waits for replacement parts, and some say the switch was simply disconnected, leaving cruise control inoperative. A few report unexpected acceleration or cruise control engaging on its own. Reported across a wide mileage range, from low mileage up to 300,000 miles, sometimes with the vehicle parked.

   Recall 07V336000

   What to check: Ask whether the speed control deactivation switch recall was performed and whether the switch was replaced or disconnected. Inspect the switch area near the master cylinder for scorching or brake fluid residue.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I received 2 recall notices this past october. The recall was to have the speed control device replaced. One for my 96 Lincoln towncar and the other for my 2000 holiday rambler (both equipped with ford motors. I have contacted the local ford dealer re the Lincoln right after receiving the recall notice. Was told that ford should be sending the replacement speed control device by december. It is now the 16th of jan 2008 and alexander ford has not received the replacement part. I would like to know why the delay.”

   NHTSA complaint #10215183, filed 2008-01, 56,700 miles

   “1. Drivers seat belt latch is broken internally and cannot be used. To circumvent the broken latch, the front center passenger seat belt is being used. 2. Front right hand passenger seat belt can no longer be latched without first pushing the release button. 3. Cruise control automatically engaged while driving in residential area, causing a rapid acceleration of my vehicle above the speed limit. Slamming on the brakes forcefully disengaging the cruise control. One time occurrence.”

   NHTSA complaint #10862125, filed 2016-04, 211,000 miles
3. 3
   Seat belts

   Seat belts that won't lock or retract

   • 15 complaints (6%)
   • median 118,000 mi at 10.6 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1996–2016

   Owners report front and rear belts that lock up and will not release or retract, latch receptacles that fail, and belts that do not lock during braking. Some mention a recall for rear belt assemblies with an automatic locking feature and say their vehicle was not covered by VIN. Reported from very low mileage up to about 180,000 miles, with several reports in the 100,000-125,000 mile range.

   Recall 00V157001Recall 00V157002Recall 96V109000

   What to check: Pull each belt out fully and let it retract, buckle and release every latch, and ask whether the rear belt recall work was ever completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “In 1996 before I purchased my 96 Lincoln Town Car there was a recall on the rear seat belts (96v109000). The rear seat belts have started to not work. I contacted the dealer that sold it to me and was told that they have no record of the recall or if it was a recall. What do I do? I will get a ticket if not using or should a death occur if in an accident. The belts will just not pull down.”

   NHTSA complaint #10238892, filed 2008-08, 180,000 miles

   “96 v 109 000/ interior system: seat belt: lap: rear: the consumer stated his vehicle does not have the automatic locking feature as states in this recall. The consumer notified the dealer. The dealer informed the consumer that his vehicle identification number was not covered under that recall. Consumer feels their VIN should be included in the recall.”

   NHTSA complaint #10119061, filed 2005-05, 99,000 miles
4. 4
   Brakes

   Corroded steel brake lines / brake fluid loss

   • 17 complaints (7%)
   • median 100,621 mi at 9.2 yrs old (14 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1999–2017

   Owners describe the brake pedal going to the floor with little warning, often after a hard stop or while driving at low speed, and several had to use the parking brake to stop. Shops found rusted-through or pin-holed steel brake lines, sometimes at the rear axle area, and in one case a hose at the master cylinder. Owners frequently note that the lines were heavily rusted and that the repair involved replacing multiple lines. Mostly reported above 85,000 miles, often on older cars in rust-belt conditions; several reports were at 100,000 miles or more.

   What to check: Have a mechanic inspect the steel brake lines along the frame and above the rear axle for rust and seepage, and ask whether any lines have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I am reporting a catastrophic brake line safety failure that occurred with my 1996 Lincoln Town Car due to corrosion of a flexible span of the brake line to the ABS. Fortunately no injuries or damage occurred as I was driving about 10 MPH and stopped using the emergency brake. This looks like a recall safety issue. Also, according the sheehy ford dealer, the only replacement includes other lines and components at an expense of nearly $500.”

   NHTSA complaint #10050645, filed 2003-12, 160,000 miles

   “A cell phone using driver cut into my lane and I had to hit the brakes hard. There was a sudden loss of braking power but I was able to steer around the SUV. My rear steel brake line failed in the area located just in front of the left rear tire. These brake lines are a problem! Last summer the same thing happened to my wife's 95 mercury grand marquis. I will have to replace all steel lines as all are rusted. When will fomoco do something about these failures? How many people must get hurt or die?”

   NHTSA complaint #10095893, filed 2004-10, 87,110 miles
5. 5
   Suspension

   Worn lower ball joints and front suspension

   • 20 complaints (8%)
   • median 92,000 mi at 13.3 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2016

   Complaints describe front lower ball joints failing or being found worn, in some cases dropping the front of the car and affecting steering. Owners also report the rear air suspension sagging to the ground because of leaking rubber components. Some owners note that a ball joint recall did not cover their vehicle based on the VIN. Typically reported between about 70,000 and 165,000 miles.

   Recall 98V322000

   What to check: Ask for records of ball joint replacement and have the front end checked for play and boot condition; watch for a rear end that sits low overnight.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Ball joints corroded, resulting in abnormal wear. Because of the defect described in the steering linkage:arm:pitman recall 96v135000, but this vehicle was not covered due to VIN. The ballm joints were replaced by the dealership.”

   NHTSA complaint #10095384, filed 2004-10, 105,000 miles

   “Lower ball joint on the rt. Side & lt. Side fail while driving down the road, dropping car to the ground . Towed to fords repair shop and had both replaced. Last fall the rt. One broke and was replaced. Know the lt. One.”

   NHTSA complaint #10256041, filed 2009-01, 164,183 miles

Buying note. On this model year, the intake manifold and the speed-control switch are the two items most worth confirming before purchase: check coolant leaks and ask for proof the speed-control recall was done. Also have the brake lines and front suspension inspected, since corrosion and worn joints show up in the complaints at higher mileage.

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.