1996 Lincoln Town CAR Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 30about this part
- Share
- 12%of 259 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 100,621miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 30 complaints about the brakes of the 1996 Lincoln Town CAR, 12% of the 259 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,621 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“Brakes failed - due to severe corrosion on brake lines (right front). Second occurrence different brake line(rear). Also occurred on my neighbors 1996 Lincoln Town Car (rear brake line) both cars are available for inspection. Serious accident avoided by using emergency brake.”
NHTSA complaint #10412177, filed 2011-07, 101,242 miles“Total sudden brake failure on Lincoln Town Car due to rust/corrosion of brake lines. Own two other Lincoln town cars whose brake lines are also severely rusted. Fortunately, failure occurred on my driveway and wreck was avoided. Personally replaced worst sections of rear brake lines via bypassing factory installed lines leaving original lines in place.”
NHTSA complaint #10139351, filed 2005-10, 104,000 miles“Sudden loss of brakes, pedal went to the floor. I pulled into a midas brake shop and they put the car in the lift and found that he entire brake line from the left rearwheel crossing over to the rt.rear wheel was corroded and full of pin holes.thiscar was well maintained but this is a problem that would not appear referenced in rq03-004”
NHTSA complaint #10005652, filed 2003-02, 69,000 milesBrakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 | 17% |
| 2008 | 5 | 25% |
| 2007 | 13 | 15% |
| 2006 | 21 | 15% |
| 2005 | 24 | 20% |
| 2004 | 10 | 12% |
| 2003 | 15 | 7% |
| 2002 | 11 | 17% |
| 2001 | 13 | 8% |
| 2000 | 13 | 12% |
| 1999 | 19 | 13% |
| 1998 | 20 | 13% |
| 1997 | 44 | 14% |
| 1996 | 30 | 12% |
| 1995 | 52 | 32% |
| 1994 | 23 | 15% |
| 1993 | 25 | 14% |
| 1992 | 32 | 13% |
| 1991 | 44 | 28% |
| 1990 | 17 | 8% |
| 1989 | 2 | 2% |
| 1988 | 3 | 3% |
| 1987 | 1 | 3% |
| 1986 | 1 | 2% |
| 1985 | 1 | 5% |
Other parts of the 1996 Lincoln Town CAR
90 complaintsVehicle speed control
33 complaintsSuspension
25 complaintsElectrical system
19 complaintsSteering
19 complaintsSeat belts
15 complaintsExterior lighting
14 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsAir bags
9 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
6 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 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