1996 Lincoln Town CAR Recalls
NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 1996 Lincoln Town CAR. A recall applies only to vehicles built within the affected range, so check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for recalls are free at a franchised dealer.
- Vehicle speed controlCovers: Lincoln Town CAR 1992–1998, Ford E-150 1992–1993, 1997–2003, E-350 1992–1993, 1997–2003 +18 more
Reported issue: On certain pickup trucks, passenger vehicles, sport utility vehicles, and motor homes chassis, the speed control deactivation switch may, under certain conditions, leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
Possible consequence: This could result in an underhood fire.
Remedy: Dealers will install a fused wiring harness. Owners of the passenger cars included in this campaign will be instructed to return their vehicles to their dealers to have the speed control deactivation switch disconnected as an interim repair. As soon as repair parts are available (expected october 2007), owners will…
- Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator moduleCovers: Lincoln Town CAR 1995–1997, Ford Mustang 1994–1997
Reported issue: Equipment description: passenger vehicles that have had the driver's air bag module replaced after april 5, 2000. The replacement driver's air bag module inflator may have insufficient welds that could prevent proper inflation of the air bag.
Possible consequence: In the event of a crash, the driver's air bag may not properly deploy which could potentially result in less than the intended level of occupant protection.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the driver's air bag module. Owner notification began october 5, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.
- Seat belts › Front › AnchorageCovers: Lincoln Town CAR 1996–2000, Ford Crown Victoria 1996–2000, Mercury Grand Marquis 1996–2000
Reported issue: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles using aftermarket driver's seat belt assemblies that were sold by ford parts departments from january 1, through june 13, 2000. These seat belt assemblies fail to comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 209, "seat belt assemblies." the equipment involved is service stock seat belt assemblies, model nos. H 9977, h 9979, t 9063, and t 9217, built by trw vehicle safety…
Possible consequence: In the event of a collision, these seat belts may not restrain an occupant increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect these vehicles and replace the service seat belt assemblies that were installed in these vehicles from january 1 through june 13, 2000.
- Seat belts › Front › AnchorageCovers: Lincoln Town CAR 1996–2000, Ford Crown Victoria 1996–2000, Mercury Grand Marquis 1996–2000
Reported issue: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles using aftermarket front passenger side seat belt assemblies that were sold by ford parts departments from january 1, through june 13, 2000. These seat belt assemblies fail to comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 209, "seat belt assemblies." the equipment involved is service stock seat belt assemblies, model nos. H 9977, h 9979, t 9063, and t 9217, built by trw vehicle…
Possible consequence: In the event of a collision, these seat belts may not restrain an occupant increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect these vehicles and replace the service seat belt assemblies that were installed in these vehicles from january 1 through june 13, 2000.
- Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball jointCovers: Lincoln Town CAR 1990–1999, Ford Crown Victoria 1990–1999
Reported issue: Vehicle description: certain 1996-1999 ford crown victoria police, fleet, natural gas, and 1996-1999 lincoln town car limousine vehicles that were produced with a lower control arm ball joint containing a one piece bearing; and 1990-1996 ford crown victoria police, fleet, and ngv vehicles and 1990-1996 lincoln town car limousine vehicles that have been serviced with either a ball joint containing the one-piece…
Possible consequence: If this occurs while the vehicle is moving, reduced steering control could occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the lower control arm ball joints (2).
- Steering › LinkagesCovers: Lincoln Town CAR 1995–1996, Ford Crown Victoria 1995–1996
Reported issue: The pitman arms were not fully lubricated at the assembly plant. The "ball joint" at the outer end of the pitman arm can become contaminated and corrode.
Possible consequence: Such corrosion can result in abnormal wear of the joint, resulting in separation of the joint. Loss of steering control can occur increasing the risk of a vehicle accident.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the vehicles and if the joint is found to have significant wear, the arm will be replaced. Those pitman arms not replaced will have the "ball joint" fully greased.
- Seat belts › Rear/otherCovers: Lincoln Town CAR 1996
Reported issue: The elr/alr feature is used to accommodate child restraints. When servicing the rear belt assemblies, wrong parts could have been used which do not contain the automatic locking feature.
Possible consequence: In the event of an accident, the seat belt assemblies may not properly secure the child restraint increasing the risk of personal injury to the seat occupant.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear belt assemblies with the appropriate design retractor and tongue assemblies.
- Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › LatchCovers: Lincoln Town CAR 1996, Ford Thunderbird 1996, Explorer 1996 +4 more
Reported issue: When in the secondary latched position, the driver door latches may open when subjected to transverse loads less than that specified in fmvss no. 206, "door locks and door retention components."
Possible consequence: The driver's door, when closed only to the secondary latched position, may not sustain a 1,000 pound transverse load.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the driver door latch.
← All problems reported for the 1996 Lincoln Town CAR
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.