1998 Lincoln Town CAR Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 1998 Town Car most often write about coolant loss from a cracked plastic intake manifold, which shows up as overheating, an antifreeze smell, or a sudden drop in power, and which complaints say can cost well over $1,000 to repair. Front-end wear — ball joints, tie rods and steering parts — is the other recurring theme, along with brake pull on wet roads, damp headlights and water getting into the doors. Many reports arrive between roughly 60,000 and 130,000 miles on cars that are well into their second or third decade.

1. 1
   Engine cooling

   Cracked plastic intake manifold / coolant leak

   • 16 complaints (10%)
   • median 102,391 mi at 9.5 yrs old (16 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2003–2013

   Complaints describe coolant leaking from the composite intake manifold, often noticed as a sweet antifreeze smell, puddles under the car, or water dripping near the manifold when the hood is open. Owners report the engine then overheating, running rough or misfiring, losing power, and in some cases stalling; several say the leak also damaged nearby parts such as the alternator or fouled the spark plugs. Dealers and independent shops typically diagnosed a cracked manifold and quoted a replacement, with owners reporting bills from several hundred to more than a thousand dollars, and a few note that coverage under an earlier extended program had already expired. Reported from about 64,000 to 173,000 miles, most often between roughly 70,000 and 130,000 miles, and several owners mention the leak returning or a repair attempt failing.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Look for coolant residue or staining around the plastic intake manifold and check the coolant level and color; ask whether the manifold has been replaced and when. A service bulletin describes an extended coverage program for the composite intake manifold that applied for a limited period, so ask for any repair paperwork.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I took my 1998 Lincoln to a dealership for diagnosis of engine noise and it was determined the intake manifold was cracked causing loss of coolant and collateral damage costing $1400.00. The dealer advised this was a recall item but expired in 2005. Customer service for ford would not grant any concessions and being on a fixed income, I'm looking for some financial relief. I had been to the dealers in the past for service and never once did they mention a recall, even prior the expiration date. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10257021, filed 2009-01, 64,000 miles

   “Plastic intake manifold on 1998 Lincoln Town Car with ford 4.6 liter v-8 engine cracked causing loss of coolant. The car has 102,000 miles on it. So far, repair costs have come to $1250.00. The leak also damaged the alternator which will cost an additional $400 to replace. The manifold was replaced at my cost by a local repair shop. The part was not saved.”

   NHTSA complaint #10104679, filed 2004-12, 102,000 miles
2. 2
   Suspension

   Front ball joint and control arm wear

   • 13 complaints (8%)
   • median 79,500 mi at 8.6 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2013

   Owners describe squeaking or creaking from the front end, then reports of a ball joint separating from the control arm — in a few cases at low speed in a driveway or parking lot — leaving the wheel and suspension disconnected. Complaints say shops found worn or cracked ball joints and replaced the control arm or joints, and several owners reference the lower ball joint recall and were told their car was not covered or that the work had already been done. Some also mention tie rod ends disconnecting, and one notes the ball joints had no grease fittings. Mostly between roughly 45,000 and 170,000 miles, with several reports in the 70,000 to 100,000 mile range.

   Recall 98V322000

   What to check: Have the front end put on a lift and the ball joints, control arms and tie rod ends checked for play, cracked boots and rust; ask whether the lower ball joint recall work was performed and keep the paperwork.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While pulling out of driveway at 2-3 MPH consumer heard a noise, stopped vehicle, and noticed tie rod end were dragging on the ground on the right side of vehicle. Dealer stated tie rods had disconnected. Also, the ball joints were not lubricated and rusted. Both tie rods were replaced.”

   NHTSA complaint #10041826, filed 2003-11, 45,000 miles

   “While driving 20 MPH, the ball joint snapped. This caused the consumer to go into a ditch, which avoided a severe collision. Vehicle was towed to a dealership, who did not resolve the problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #10056121, filed 2004-02, 58,478 miles
3. 3
   Brakes

   Brakes pull or lock on wet roads

   • 17 complaints (11%)
   • median 30,920 mi at 6.0 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1998–2005

   Complaints describe the car pulling or jerking to the right when braking on wet roads at highway speed, with the driver having to work to hold the lane. Owners report rotor and hub work, ABS warning lights coming on, and in some cases calipers locking and smoking; one cites a repair bulletin that addressed the pull, and another describes a repair that came back after a few thousand miles. Another owner reports the pedal going down with little warning at low speed. Scattered from about 23,000 to 129,000 miles, several under 50,000 miles, and repeatedly tied to wet road conditions.

   What to check: Drive the car and brake firmly from highway speed on a wet or empty road if the seller allows, and ask about recent rotor, caliper and ABS service history.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Accident 7/11/04 wife rear ended a dodge dorango and totaled her Lincoln Town Car. She didn't see thr car stop in front of her quick enough when applying the brakes the car went in a nice straight line but did not have good braking . I found this to be true when driving this car myself . Now we have to pay the price of increased ins. And a bad mark . My wife has never had an accident but there is no room for this in the ins. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10086683, filed 2004-08, 28,500 miles

   “I have had a brake problems with the front brakes they kept locking-up and smoking 1 first round they changed a front right hub and sensor, that lasted about 1 mile that was around $425.00 dollars. Picked up the car drove it home 1/4 mile the ABS light came on. This time it had to be towed back to the dealer. Car sat for one week because a tech was on vacation! Then I got a call from my service rep and gave me price around $3200.00 for the repair. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10070609, filed 2004-01, 129,408 miles
4. 4
   Body and structure

   Water leaks into doors and cabin

   • 9 complaints (6%)
   • median 95,000 mi at 10.5 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2003–2023

   Owners report water collecting inside a door after rain or a car wash, and the rear floorboard staying wet for long periods. Complaints describe water entering through the windows during rain and, in one case, corrosion around the fuse box area fed by splash from a front wheel. Several owners say the problem worsened over time and that the dealer did not resolve it. Reported from roughly 85,000 to 150,000 miles, typically after years of exposure to rain and washes.

   What to check: Check door drain holes, feel the carpet and rear floorboards for dampness or a musty smell, and look for water stains or rust in the door bottoms and around the fuse box.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While the consumer was driving at an undetermined speed, the vehicle stalled. The consumer had the vehicle towed to a dealership and the mechanic determined the problem was due to engine failure. About an inch away on the wheel well, there was a 1/4 hole which allowed saltwater from the left front tire to be sprayed up and caused corrosion to accumulate in the fuse box.”

   NHTSA complaint #10057988, filed 2004-04, 95,000 miles

   “Last year I first noticed that after a hard rain the rear drivers passenger door would have water sloshing around in it. Now the rear passenger side floor board is almost constantly wet. Rain and carwashes make the problem worse but even a big puddle can soak it again.”

   NHTSA complaint #10265915, filed 2009-04, 89,000 miles
5. 5
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Headlight condensation, clouding and seals

   • 9 complaints (6%)
   • median 87,000 mi at 8.2 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1999–2009

   Complaints describe moisture building up inside the headlight assemblies, clouded or discolored lenses, and headlight gaskets coming loose from the frame, all reducing how well the road is lit at night. Owners report replacing headlight assemblies and say the dealer would not cover the cost. One describes condensation eventually causing electrical shorting. Reported across a wide mileage range, with several cases under 90,000 miles.

   Recall 98V028000

   What to check: Inspect both headlight assemblies in daylight for fogging, water droplets, yellowing or loose seals, and check that the lenses are aimed and the bulbs work.

   An excerpt from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 1998 Lincoln Town Car. The contact stated that the coating on the rims was wearing down and prevent air from remaining in the tires. As a result, she must constantly place air in the tires. The tire dealer stated that the rims needed to be replaced. In addition, the head lamps have to be replaced for the second time because they hold condensation, which shorts out the electrical system. Lastly, the seat belts stick and are difficult to use properly. The failure mileage was 90,000 and current mileage was 102,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #10268731, filed 2009-05, 90,000 miles

Buying note. This generation is simple and durable in many ways, but the plastic intake manifold is the single item most worth confirming before purchase: check the coolant and ask for repair records. Have a shop inspect the front suspension and brakes as well, since those parts carry the most owner reports on this model year.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.