1996 Lincoln Town CAR Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 25about this part
- Share
- 10%of 259 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 92,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 25 complaints about the suspension of the 1996 Lincoln Town CAR, 10% of the 259 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 92,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While driving my 1996 signature series Town Car about 25 mis/hr in residential area the right front ball joint suspension collapsed & rolled under the car frame. The slow speed enabled the car to be stopped within feet. Driver & a passenger unhurt. Car towed to aaa certified garage that had been used for over 25 years. Suspension replaced as was the left one that mechanic deemed ready to also collapse. Resident municipality literally surrounded by expressways whose speed limit is 65 mis/hr. …”
NHTSA complaint #10342999, filed 2010-07, 92,551 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“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“The contact owns a 1996 Lincoln Town Car with 92000 miles. The contact stated that when turning the steering wheel he heard a clanking noise. The contact stated that recall 98v322000, suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint was the cause of failure. The manufacturer was called but they could not find any record of the vehicle being repaired or included in the recall.”
NHTSA complaint #10372262, filed 2010-12, 92,000 miles“The contact owns a 1996 Lincoln Town Car. While driving 35 MPH, the vehicle began to vibrate and an unknown clicking sound was heard from the passenger side wheel when making a turn. The failure occurred constantly. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the front ball joints failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 98v322000 (suspension). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 45,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10865364, filed 2016-05, 45,000 milesRelated recalls
- 98V322000Dec 16, 1998Vehicle description: certain 1996-1999 ford crown victoria police, fleet, natural gas, and 1996-1999 lincoln town car limousine vehicles that were produced…Covers: Lincoln Town CAR 1990–1999, Ford Crown Victoria 1990–1999
Suspension: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 1 | 5% |
| 2007 | 2 | 2% |
| 2006 | 1 | 1% |
| 2005 | 1 | 1% |
| 2004 | 2 | 2% |
| 2003 | 81 | 40% |
| 2002 | 3 | 5% |
| 2001 | 10 | 6% |
| 2000 | 10 | 9% |
| 1999 | 21 | 14% |
| 1998 | 19 | 12% |
| 1997 | 50 | 16% |
| 1996 | 25 | 10% |
| 1995 | 23 | 14% |
| 1994 | 13 | 8% |
| 1993 | 11 | 6% |
| 1992 | 12 | 5% |
| 1991 | 8 | 5% |
| 1990 | 9 | 4% |
| 1989 | 3 | 3% |
| 1988 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 1996 Lincoln Town CAR
90 complaintsVehicle speed control
33 complaintsBrakes
30 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