1996 Lincoln Town CAR Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 33about this part
- Share
- 13%of 259 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 102,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 33 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 1996 Lincoln Town CAR, 13% of the 259 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 102,500 miles. 5 a fire, 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.
“1996 Lincoln Town Car recall for speed control deactivation switch. I have a letter from the manufacturer that states that there are parts available for this repair but have yet to receive a call from the dealer, I'm told I'm on the list.. How long should this take?”
NHTSA complaint #10226070, filed 2008-04, 64,000 miles“I received 2 recall notices this past october. The recall was to have the speed control device replaced. One for my 96 Lincoln towncar and the other for my 2000 holiday rambler (both equipped with ford motors. I have contacted the local ford dealer re the Lincoln right after receiving the recall notice. Was told that ford should be sending the replacement speed control device by december. It is now the 16th of jan 2008 and alexander ford has not received the replacement part. I would like to know why the delay.”
NHTSA complaint #10215183, filed 2008-01, 56,700 miles“1. Drivers seat belt latch is broken internally and cannot be used. To circumvent the broken latch, the front center passenger seat belt is being used. 2. Front right hand passenger seat belt can no longer be latched without first pushing the release button. 3. Cruise control automatically engaged while driving in residential area, causing a rapid acceleration of my vehicle above the speed limit. Slamming on the brakes forcefully disengaging the cruise control. One time occurrence.”
NHTSA complaint #10862125, filed 2016-04, 211,000 miles“Ford motor company notified me in august 2007 that a defect in the speed control deactivation switch would be removed by the dealer on vehicles 1992-2004 and the same would be replaced no later than the 4th quarter of 2007. The dealer now states we have no idea when we will get the parts and neither does ford . I called ford this date and the same statement was repeated. The switch was removed august 4, 2007 by the dealer (greens of lexington, Lincoln ) and as of this date I still have no speed control as stated .”
NHTSA complaint #10213050, filed 2007-12“The contact owns a 1996 Lincoln Town Car. The contact stated while the vehicle was turned on and he was shifting the vehicle from park(P) to drive(D), with his foot on the brake pedal, the vehicle lunged forward at high speed. The contact stated that the acceleration was extreme. The contact observed smoke coming from the rear tires as the vehicle accelerated. The contact was able to safely stop the vehicle after approximately 50 feet but had to depress the brake pedal with force. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. …”
NHTSA complaint #11503799, filed 2023-01, 140,000 milesRelated recalls
- 07V336000Aug 3, 2007On certain pickup trucks, passenger vehicles, sport utility vehicles, and motor homes chassis, the speed control deactivation switch may, under certain…Covers: Lincoln Town CAR 1992–1998, Ford E-150 1992–1993, 1997–2003, E-350 1992–1993, 1997–2003 +18 more
Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 | 17% |
| 2010 | 1 | 8% |
| 2009 | 2 | 40% |
| 2008 | 5 | 25% |
| 2007 | 32 | 38% |
| 2006 | 26 | 18% |
| 2005 | 34 | 29% |
| 2004 | 19 | 23% |
| 2003 | 18 | 9% |
| 2002 | 12 | 18% |
| 2001 | 26 | 16% |
| 2000 | 9 | 8% |
| 1999 | 5 | 3% |
| 1998 | 7 | 5% |
| 1997 | 43 | 14% |
| 1996 | 33 | 13% |
| 1995 | 19 | 12% |
| 1994 | 22 | 14% |
| 1993 | 37 | 21% |
| 1992 | 39 | 16% |
| 1991 | 19 | 12% |
| 1990 | 16 | 8% |
| 1989 | 12 | 13% |
| 1988 | 17 | 17% |
| 1987 | 2 | 6% |
| 1986 | 3 | 6% |
| 1985 | 1 | 5% |
| 1984 | 1 | 7% |
Other parts of the 1996 Lincoln Town CAR
90 complaintsBrakes
30 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