1997 Lincoln Town CAR Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 22about this part
- Share
- 7%of 314 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 79,750miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 22 complaints about the steering of the 1997 Lincoln Town CAR, 7% of the 314 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 79,750 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Beginning on a cold morning the steering felt off, like it needed more effort to turn at times. The steering also failed to return to center on its own, indicating a possible seized up universal joint in the steering shaft. I removed the steering shaft and found the universal joint seized and very difficult to move which caused my difficult steering. There is a recall for this same issue on newer town cars, why does this not cover mine?”
NHTSA complaint #10561486, filed 2014-01, 145,000 miles“While driving 45 MPH the vehicle swerved to the left without warning . The consumer could not control the vehicle and the vehicle went through a guard rail. The vehicle flipped over three times down an embankment. The consumer suffered injuries to the spine and several limbs. The insurance company claims that the steering column malfunctioned. The vehicle was totaled.”
NHTSA complaint #10080265, filed 2004-07, 47,000 miles“The consumer states that while pulling out the garage the outer tie rod fell off, unable to steer vehicle. Which could have caused a serious accident if vehicle was on the highway. Ts the front end was aligned. The consumer feels that there is an error with the type of tie rods being used on this vehicle. Scc”
NHTSA complaint #8021325, filed 2002-10, 77,000 miles“Excessive wear on the upper and lower control arm ball joints LED to vague steering and a wandering car path. The control arm ball joints that were replaced were rubber on metal without zerk lube fittings. They were designed to fail. The replacement control arm ball joints are metal-on-metal with zerk lube fittings. In 1999 there was a recall on Lincoln town cars for replacement of the lower control arm ball joints. The recall numbers are NHTSA recall no. 98v322/ford recall no. 98s37. However, we had to pay the full amount of the repair. …”
NHTSA complaint #10071188, filed 2004-01, 82,500 miles“The contact owns a 1997 Lincoln Town Car. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the steering ability became loose and the contact lost control. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the steering column failed and needed replacement. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 300,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11209325, filed 2019-05, 300,000 milesSteering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 4 | 67% |
| 2010 | 5 | 38% |
| 2009 | 1 | 20% |
| 2008 | 3 | 15% |
| 2007 | 18 | 21% |
| 2006 | 13 | 9% |
| 2005 | 8 | 7% |
| 2004 | 14 | 17% |
| 2003 | 16 | 8% |
| 2002 | 3 | 5% |
| 2001 | 10 | 6% |
| 2000 | 7 | 6% |
| 1999 | 15 | 10% |
| 1998 | 13 | 8% |
| 1997 | 22 | 7% |
| 1996 | 19 | 7% |
| 1995 | 15 | 9% |
| 1994 | 3 | 2% |
| 1993 | 11 | 6% |
| 1992 | 3 | 1% |
| 1991 | 8 | 5% |
| 1990 | 11 | 5% |
| 1989 | 5 | 6% |
| 1988 | 2 | 2% |
| 1987 | 1 | 3% |
| 1986 | 1 | 2% |
| 1985 | 2 | 10% |
| 1984 | 1 | 7% |
Other parts of the 1997 Lincoln Town CAR
87 complaintsSuspension
50 complaintsBrakes
44 complaintsVehicle speed control
43 complaintsExterior lighting
17 complaintsFuel system
17 complaintsElectrical system
16 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
16 complaintsAir bags
9 complaintsTires
9 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsEngine
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 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