2005 Lincoln Town CAR Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 6%of 119 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 52,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2005 Lincoln Town CAR, 6% of the 119 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 52,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I purchased a new 2005 Lincoln towncar. When I start to pass a car and press the accelerator to the floor to go into passing gear there is a period of a few seconds when the car appears to lose power then it shifts down and accelerates. The dealership told me that is the way it works and there is no way to correct it . I think this puts me in danger because I cannot tell if the car is going to downshift and gain enough speed to pass or not.”
NHTSA complaint #10131948, filed 2005-08, 1 miles“After being parked in parking lot - engine turned off, no radio playing, etc. We started the vehicle up, backed up, braked, put in drive and accelerated at which time the vehicle immediately accelerated out of control. Brakes would not stop the car. The car continued to accelerate faster and faster. …”
NHTSA complaint #10436477, filed 2011-11, 52,500 miles“My husband was driving his 2005 Lincoln Town Car down a private driveway of our country residence. His vehicle became stuck by the side of the driveway. While attempting to dislodge his vehicle from the side of the driveway, the automatic transmission fluid in his vehicle overheated. The overheated transmission fluid forced the transmission fluid dipstick out of the transmission fill tube far enough to allow the transmission fluid to overflow onto the engine of the vehicle where the transmission fluid caught on fire. …”
NHTSA complaint #10206817, filed 2007-10“The contact owns a 2005 Lincoln Town Car. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the speed reduced to 12 MPH. The failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic from diagnosis and they stated the malfunction was contributed to the transmission. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 79,000. The VIN was unavailable.”
NHTSA complaint #10511052, filed 2013-05, 79,000 miles“The contact owns a 2005 Lincoln Town Car. Intermittently, the vehicle surged while driving at low speeds. The vehicle has been to the dealer approximately 9 times, and 6 for the surging problem. But the failure still persists. The current mileage was 8,500 and failure mileage was 3,440. Updated 09/24/08. The dealer informed the consumer there was a major defect with the transmission. The transmission would not shift into gear. The trunk lid would not stay up. The horn was not working. Updated 10/01/08.”
NHTSA complaint #10239168, filed 2008-08, 3,440 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10029205Jun 1, 2009Ford/mercury/lincoln: vehicles may exhibit one or more of the following symptoms: drive away hesitation, loss of rpm on deceleration, difficulty starting, and/or idle rpm less…
- 10020077Jul 19, 2006Catalytic converter brick rattle or buzzing noise.
- 10014100Jan 1, 2006Limited slip axle chatter, shudder, binding sensation, or vibration during low speed turning maneuvers.
- 10014086Dec 13, 2004General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures.
- 10013369Nov 1, 2004General power train control module (pcm) programming procedures.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 1 | 8% |
| 2008 | 2 | 10% |
| 2007 | 2 | 2% |
| 2006 | 6 | 4% |
| 2005 | 7 | 6% |
| 2004 | 1 | 1% |
| 2003 | 27 | 13% |
| 2001 | 5 | 3% |
| 2000 | 1 | 1% |
| 1999 | 7 | 5% |
| 1998 | 11 | 7% |
| 1997 | 3 | 1% |
| 1996 | 2 | 1% |
| 1995 | 12 | 7% |
| 1994 | 17 | 11% |
| 1993 | 19 | 11% |
| 1992 | 14 | 6% |
| 1991 | 7 | 5% |
| 1990 | 4 | 2% |
| 1989 | 6 | 7% |
| 1988 | 9 | 9% |
| 1987 | 2 | 6% |
| 1986 | 3 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2005 Lincoln Town CAR
34 complaintsBrakes
24 complaintsAir bags
22 complaintsSeat belts
11 complaintsElectrical system
8 complaintsSteering
8 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsEngine
7 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsTires
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 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