1996 Lincoln Town CAR Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 5%of 259 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 129,330miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 1996 Lincoln Town CAR, 5% of the 259 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 129,330 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
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“While driving down a narrow highway, using the high beams, the headlight system failed (no dash lights or headlights). I was using the autolamp system. I pulled to the side of the road, and tried to manually turn on lights to no avail. After waiting a minute with the car off, started it back up and headlights came back on. This happened again several times as I tried to get home. The 18 amp breaker for the lighting system was very hot. I traded the 20 amp circuit breaker from the power locks/windows system with the 18 amp breaker on the lighting system, and drove home. It did not act up again. …”
NHTSA complaint #10169160, filed 2006-09, 138,660 miles“There is a very high number of vehicles of all types on the road on which the headlight lenses have become foggy or yellowed as a result of uv or chemical age. This results of loss of headlight range, clarity of vision and glare to oncoming vehicles as the result of scattered light rather than focused. I have experienced this problem on my 1996 Lincoln Town Car and cleared it up to some extent using fine polishing cream but lens is not left clear and is getting more foggy as time passes. …”
NHTSA complaint #10211283, filed 2007-12“Headlights failed on five occasions in the last two years, both headlights have suddenly shut off, once even when traveling at 55 MPH. Lights come on intermittently, about every 10-15 seconds. Dealership has offerred to replace the present 18 amp headlight circuit braker with a 25 amp circuit breaker. However, owners manual indicates that using a circuit breaker with a higher amp could cause severe wire damage and cause fire.”
NHTSA complaint #567073, filed 2002-08“While driving, the headlights went off for about 10-15 seconds and then came back. The consumer states that both headlights have suddenly shut off, once leaving the consumer deserted in a 2 lane highway with no other light sources.”
NHTSA complaint #8010817, filed 2002-05Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 2 | 1% |
| 2005 | 3 | 3% |
| 2004 | 4 | 5% |
| 2003 | 6 | 3% |
| 2001 | 2 | 1% |
| 2000 | 6 | 6% |
| 1999 | 2 | 1% |
| 1998 | 12 | 8% |
| 1997 | 17 | 5% |
| 1996 | 14 | 5% |
| 1995 | 12 | 7% |
| 1994 | 7 | 5% |
| 1993 | 3 | 2% |
| 1992 | 2 | 1% |
| 1991 | 6 | 4% |
| 1990 | 2 | 1% |
| 1989 | 1 | 1% |
| 1988 | 2 | 2% |
Other parts of the 1996 Lincoln Town CAR
90 complaintsVehicle speed control
33 complaintsBrakes
30 complaintsSuspension
25 complaintsElectrical system
19 complaintsSteering
19 complaintsSeat belts
15 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