Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 111 complaints with NHTSA about the 1988 Lincoln Town Car, and it carries 5 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 41 | 37% |
| Vehicle speed control | 13 | 12% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 8 | 7% |
| Power train | 7 | 6% |
| Fuel system | 6 | 5% |
| Seat belts | 6 | 5% |
| Tires | 5 | 5% |
| Structure | 4 | 4% |
| Power train | 2 | 2% |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
SEAT BELTS WON'T RETRACT. IGNITION SWITCH IS FAULTY AND SHORTING OUT RADIO AND OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. WANTING TO PREVENT FIRE FROM HAPPENING, BY TAKING CARE OF THIS NOW.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
THE IGNITION SWITCH GIVES SPARKS AND COULD IGNITE THE CAR. FORD ADMITS OTHER 1988 LINCOLN TOWN CARS HAVE A IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM AND REPLACES THEM. THEY HAVE NOT INCLUDED MY VIN ON THE DEFECT AND REPLACEMENT LIST; HOWE
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY FAILS WHEN IN OVERDRIVE. THIS FAILURE OCCURS ON THE HIGHWAY AT HIGH SPEED AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE CAR GOES OUT OF CONTROL. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Power train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 LINCOLN TOWNCAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CLIP FROM THE THROTTLE BODY FRACTURED AND ACCELERATED THE VEHICLE TO 80 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VE
NHTSA complaint: Power train
1988 LINCOLN TOWNCAR. CONSUMER STATES BUSINESS SOLD FAULTY CAR PARTS RELATED TO A SAFETY DEFECT *TGW THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED BY HIS LOCAL MECHANIC THAT THE ORIGINAL UPPER BALL JOINTS HAD A TORN BOOT AND HE COULD NO LON
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
THE LINCOLN TOWN CAR WAS PARKED OUTSIDE A RENTAL HOME AND CAUGHT FIRE. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR, ACCOMPANIED BY A SMELL OF HOT OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THEN TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC SHOP WHERE
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NOTICED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE. I CHECKED UNDER THE CAR AND NOTICED A STEADY DRIP OF GASOLINE FROM SOMEWHERE RIGHT BELOW THE CAR UNDERNEAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAR, DRIPPING OFF THE FRAME OF THE CAR IN THAT AREA.
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 1988 Lincoln Town Car. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIMOUSINES BUILT BY EMPIRE COACH. VEHICLE ALTERERS LABEL MAY BE MISSING OR INCOMPLETE.
Risk: VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH PART 567.
Fix: ADD COMPLIANCE LABEL.
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
SAFETY BELTS (TYPE 1 LAP BELTS) FOR REAR FACING SEATS WERE NOT INSTALLED.
Risk: LACK OF RESTRAINTS COULD CONTRIBUTE TO OTHERWISE PREVENTABLE INJURY AND WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 209 AND 210.
Fix: INSTALL SAFETY BELTS FOR REAR FACING SEATS.
SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
Risk: COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A FIRE RISK.
Fix: INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.
| Reliability raw | 82 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 77 | good |
| Maintenance | 76 | good |
| Depreciation | 52 | average |
| Performance | 71 | good |
| Efficiency | 35 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 111 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 41 of them (37%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 82/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 77/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1988 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 70/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.