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Lincoln Town CARModel year report

2001 Lincoln Town CAR Problems

Complaints
161filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
80,000miles, 90 complaints with mileage
Recalls
5campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
18 mpgcombined, 4.6L 8-cyl RWD · 16 city / 23 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2001 Lincoln Town CAR (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owner complaints on this model year are dominated by side air bags in the front seats deploying with no crash or impact, reported from low speeds up to highway speeds and across a wide mileage range. A second recurring theme is sudden unintended acceleration or a rising idle that owners link to the speed control system, often at low mileage. Remaining reports cluster around windshield wipers quitting or running continuously, brake pedal and brake-line concerns, and rear air suspension or front-end work.

  1. Air bags

    Side air bag deploys without a crash

    • 40 complaints (25%)
    • median 89,000 mi at 6.6 yrs old (28 state mileage)
    • 9 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2001–2021

    Owners describe the side air bag in the driver or front passenger seat firing with no impact, sometimes with a loud bang, smoke and a strong odor, and occasionally scratching or bruising the occupant. Several say the air bag warning light came on beforehand or afterwards, and some report the dealer pointing to a sensor or wiring harness that was replaced but did not end the light or the deployment. Complaints also describe the manufacturer declining help because the vehicle was outside a recall or the air bag module had already been replaced under one. Reported from roughly 21,000 to 135,000 miles, at speeds from about 5 mph up to 70 mph, with many under 60,000 miles.

    Recall 00V412000Recall 00V270000

    What to check: Ask whether the air bag warning light is currently on and whether any seat-side air bag or restraint control module work has been done. Scan for stored air bag fault codes before purchase and have the seat connectors and sensors inspected.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Comments: our 2001 Lincoln Town Car's drivers side curtain air bag deployed unintended on august 18th, at 7:00 pm while we were driving on a highway. There was no accident, no primary or secondary impact, no debris on the road, no potholes, no logs, rocks, trees, cows, or other debris frequently attributed to an unintended deployment. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10166815, filed 2006-08, 76,000 miles

    “I was driving 1-16 west, going speed limit (70) with cruise control when I heard a loud explosion in my left ear (I thought I had been shot), I was so stunned for a moment I didn't realize what had happened, but I turned my head slightly to the left and realized the air bag in my back rest had blown up. Smoke was pouring out of it and I thought my car was on fire. The air bag slammed into the left side of my face, neck & shoulder. I was traumatized the rest of the day.”

    NHTSA complaint #10250696, filed 2008-12, 127,000 miles
  2. Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

    Windshield wipers stop or will not shut off

    • 12 complaints (7%)
    • median 85,900 mi at 8.5 yrs old (12 state mileage)
    • filed 2007–2016

    Owners describe wipers that quit mid-drive, work only intermittently, or stay running continuously until the car is switched off. Some had the wiper motor or fuses replaced, in one case repeatedly, and some were told their vehicle identification number was not covered by the wiper motor recall. Most report no dealer repair was made. Reported from about 32,000 to 150,000 miles and often noticed in rain while driving at road speeds.

    Recall 01V258000

    What to check: Check whether the wiper motor recall work was done for this vehicle's identification number. Test all wiper speeds and the park position, and watch for intermittent operation or a wiper motor that keeps running.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “My compliant concerns our 2001 Lincoln towncar cartier. On 14 june 2009, while driving home from church, it started raining. I turned the windshield wipers on and they worked up to leaving the restaurant. While driving off the wipers would not work. I found myself driving in the rain without wipers. I purchased our Lincoln new and only have 33,200 miles on it now. After researching the internet, I found there had been 1,083,000 recalls (01s24) on 2001's for windshield wiper/washer motor. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10274835, filed 2009-06, 33,200 miles

    “The contact owns a 2001 Lincoln Town Car. While driving 65 MPH in heavy rain, the windshield wipers activated and then suddenly failed. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent and occurred on three occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 96,000.”

    NHTSA complaint #10627140, filed 2014-08, 96,000 miles
  3. Vehicle speed control

    Sudden acceleration or surging idle

    • 18 complaints (11%)
    • median 32,000 mi at 5.1 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
    • 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2000–2017

    Owners report the car accelerating on its own, most often when shifting from park into reverse or while stopped with a foot on the brake, and in some cases the idle jumps to a high rpm and the brake will not hold the car. Complaints describe shutting off the ignition to stop it, and dealers who could not duplicate the problem or find a cause. A few owners say the event recurred several times. Mostly reported under 100,000 miles, several under 35,000 miles, and typically at low speed or from a stop.

    What to check: Ask whether the throttle body, idle control and cruise-control cable have been serviced, and whether any prior owner reported a high or hanging idle. On a test drive, check that the idle settles and that the pedal and cable return freely.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “When the car is stopped with my foot on the brake the idle speed will suddenly and uncontrollably jump to a very high RPM. It is difficult to prevent the car from suddenly surging ahead. I have discovered that the only way to stop it is to turn off the ignition. It has happened four times. The first time I was so startled, I wasn't sure what had happened. I thought maybe I had accidently hit the gas pedal and jammed it. The second time, I realized it was none of my doing. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10127348, filed 2005-07, 32,000 miles

    “I started the car and when I put it into reverse it suddenly accelerated and hit a number of objects including a small tree. I was finally able to turn the car off.”

    NHTSA complaint #10142901, filed 2005-11, 90,100 miles
  4. Suspension

    Rear air suspension sags and front-end wear

    • 10 complaints (6%)
    • median 93,510 mi at 10.0 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
    • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2002–2018

    Owners describe the rear of the car dropping low, violent shaking at speed, and a rear air suspension warning light, with a mechanic suspecting the air suspension compressor. Other complaints cover worn front lower ball joints and rear struts found during routine service, and one report of a tie rod breaking and collapsing the front corner. Mostly reported from about 26,000 to 226,000 miles, with the air suspension reports appearing well past 100,000 miles.

    What to check: Let the car sit overnight and check that the rear stays at ride height, listen for the air compressor running, and have the front ball joints, tie rods and rear air springs inspected on a lift.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “The contact owns a 2001 Lincoln Town Car. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle began vibrating. The tire dealer stated that the bushings have come off of the front lower ball joints near the front driver side tire. The failure is related to recall #00d159; however, the dealer confirmed that the VIN is not related. The ball joint fractures increase risk of crash. The bolt was tightened and the mechanic advised him to have the dealer diagnose and repair it. The current and approximate failure mileages were 85000.”

    NHTSA complaint #10221692, filed 2008-03, 85,000 miles

    “The contact owns a 2001 Lincoln Town Car. Within 1,000 miles of purchasing the vehicle, the seats failed and could not be adjusted forward or backwards. While changing the oil, the dealer found that the rear suspension was failing and the struts needed replacing. If the vehicle were to drive over a pothole, the axle could fail. The manufacturer did not offer any assistance; however, the dealer offered to reduce some of the $1,300 repair cost. The dealer information was unknown. The current mileage was 30,180 and failure mileage was 26,000.”

    NHTSA complaint #10223623, filed 2008-04, 26,000 miles

Buying note. Look closely at the air bag warning light and any seat-side air bag history, since those reports are the most frequent here, and confirm the wiper motor recall status. A pre-purchase inspection covering the front suspension, rear air springs and brake lines is worthwhile on a car of this age.

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.

NHTSA recorded 161 consumer complaints for the 2001 Lincoln Town CAR. 90 of the complaints include a mileage, and 28% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 80,000 miles. Of all complaints, 21 involved a crash, 4 a fire, 20 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns and 22 technical service bulletins for this model year.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Body and structure (6), Engine (5), Tires (5), Transmission and drivetrain (5), Fuel system (4), Equipment (3), Seat belts (3), Wheels (3), Exterior lighting (2), Interior lighting (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1).

Example complaints

Air bags: “My son and I were driving a 2001 Lincoln Town Car on flat smooth wet road when the passenger side airbag deployed for no apparent reason. My son received slight abrasions to his right cheek and right arm.”

NHTSA complaint #10362599, filed 2010-10, 121,000 miles

Vehicle speed control: “Vehicle suffered sudden acceleration when shifted from park into reverse. Dealer has inspected the vehicle three times and could not duplicate or correct the problem.”

NHTSA complaint #10006229, filed 2003-02, 15,800 miles

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “Certain 2001 Lincoln town cars have been recalled for the following failures, among others (1) windshield wiper motor failure, and (2) seat belt failure to latch. I contacted ford motors but they told me my car was not included in the recall even though I was experiencing the same identical problems these two recalls were issued for. My wiper motor has failed and the front passenger seat belt will not lock.”

NHTSA complaint #10205572, filed 2007-10, 98,350 miles

Brakes: “I could not stop the car by braking, a concrete bench held me up from crossing the curb and going on to the sidewalk. I am not sure if it was the accelerator or the brakes .”

NHTSA complaint #752320, filed 2001-09

Mileage when problems were reported

28% of the 90 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 45,000 and 102,020 miles.

4%0–107%10–2517%25–5019%50–7523%75–10021%100–1509%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (90 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 80,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

’0122’04’07’10’13’16’19’22
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2001 Lincoln Town CAR. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Town CAR · sedan not rated5 / 5———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2001 Lincoln Town CAR version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Town Car RWD4.6L 8-cyl4-speed automatic162318$3,700

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2001 Lincoln Town CAR → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 22 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 22 bulletins →

Other model years of the Lincoln Town CAR

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2011653,5003—19—Not enough data
20101394,0003—19—Not enough data
2009527,4103—19—Not enough data
20082043,2003—18—Falling
20078460,0003—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200614362,7682—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200511965,0003—19Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20048365,5000—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200320169,0001—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20026548,9400—17Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200116180,0005—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200010868,1508—18Not compared (before 2008)Rising
1999148100,0005—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
199815484,0007—18Not compared (before 2008)Rising
199731490,0006—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
199625992,0008—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
1995165103,7346—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
1994155105,5005—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
1993176108,5004—19Not compared (before 2008)Stable
1992249100,0004—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199115583,1005—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
1990209100,0004—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19898996,9515—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
198899113,5005—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19873234,1026—19Not compared (before 2008)Stable
198650143,0004—19Not compared (before 2008)Stable
198521—1—17—Stable
198415152,0001—16—Rising

All Lincoln Town CAR model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2001 Lincoln Town CAR?

Owner complaints on this model year are dominated by side air bags in the front seats deploying with no crash or impact, reported from low speeds up to highway speeds and across a wide mileage range. The issues reported most often: Side air bag deploys without a crash; Windshield wipers stop or will not shut off; Sudden acceleration or surging idle.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2001 Lincoln Town CAR have?

NHTSA recorded 161 consumer complaints for the 2001 Lincoln Town CAR as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2001 Lincoln Town CAR is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 54 complaints (34% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control with 26.

Has the 2001 Lincoln Town CAR been recalled?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2001 Lincoln Town CAR get?

The EPA rates the 2001 Lincoln Town CAR (Town Car, 4.6L 8-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 16 city and 23 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2001 Lincoln Town CAR reported?

Among the 90 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 80,000 miles and the middle half falls between 45,000 and 102,020 miles; 28% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.