1996 Lincoln Town CAR Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 19about this part
- Share
- 7%of 259 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 160,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the electrical system of the 1996 Lincoln Town CAR, 7% of the 259 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 160,000 miles. 1 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.
“Headlights and dash panel cut off intermittently while driving on smooth pavement for past 10 years. I have had dealership experience this but they could not find any problem. Also, the speedometer shows car speed at 100 or more MPH when starting car but goes to normal when moving. I just replaced the motorcraft alternator with a rebuild version and the speedometer problem is gone. Can't be sure that the headlight issue is gone too, but this seems to be the magic fix. …”
NHTSA complaint #10419862, filed 2011-08, 120,000 miles“Dealership failed to provide prompt repair of a fire hazard recall. I made an appointment as the recall requested for the speed control fire hazard, the dealership put at least four other vehicles ahead of mine and this is a small dealership. This was a work day for me, hence the appointment, and a repair that would take less than 15 minutes was looking to take a couple of hours. Obviously the dealership makes more income from regular repair jobs, but this is a Lincoln problem that should have been handled on a priority basis since is presents a fire hazard. …”
NHTSA complaint #10223259, filed 2008-04, 205,000 miles“Dt: 1996 Lincoln Town Car. When the horn was pushed it would stick and not turn off quickly. The consumer had taken the fuse out. The dealership said that they would have to replace the horn and the air bag because it was attached to it. There were no other problems with the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10131085, filed 2005-09, 35,000 miles“I was driving the Lincoln on a moonless night on an interstate with the high-beams on and the cd player operating. Suddenly, the Lincoln's headlights began to rapidly oscillate on and off. This continued for several seconds. To avoid a serious accident, I immediately turned off the cd player and the high headlight beams. Fortunately, the low headlight beams continued to burn, albeit dimly. I took the Lincoln to the dealer listed above, but an electrical system diagnostic check did not find any problems. …”
NHTSA complaint #753698, filed 2001-10“The contact owns a 1996 Lincoln Town Car. The contact stated that the battery drains so frequently that the vehicle cannot be driven for long distances or at night. The dealer stated that the light control module caused the failure. The vehicle has not been repaired. The current mileage was 214,778 and failure mileage was 212,733. Updated 8/7/09 updated 080/11/09.”
NHTSA complaint #10267252, filed 2009-04, 212,733 milesElectrical 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 1996 Lincoln Town CAR
90 complaintsVehicle speed control
33 complaintsBrakes
30 complaintsSuspension
25 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