Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 96 complaints with NHTSA about the 1989 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 | 45 | 47% |
| Seat belts | 12 | 13% |
| Vehicle speed control | 11 | 11% |
| Power train | 6 | 6% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 5 | 5% |
| Steering | 5 | 5% |
| Suspension | 4 | 4% |
| Service brakes | 2 | 2% |
| Tires | 2 | 2% |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
LETTER ON BEHALF OF CONCERN ABOUT THE 1996 RECALL ON LINCOLN TOWN CARS, HIS BROTHER-IN-LAW IS HAVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH ON HIS 1989 LINCOLN TOWN CAR; SEND INCOMING LTR WITH REPLY TO ATTN: ALLISON
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SCREW INSIDE THE REFLECTIVE CONE OF THE BULB WAS LOOSE WHICH CAUSED THE BULB TO SHATTER AND FAIL. THE VEHICLE W
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
WHILE DRIVING THE PLASTIC CAP ON THE TRANSMISSION CABLE THAT CONNECTED TO THE THROTTLE BODY BROKE. THIS MAD IT HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION GEARS. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROB
NHTSA complaint: Power train
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH REAR SUSPENSION FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE REAR END DROPPED AT LEAST ONE FOOT TO THE GROUND. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE AND TURNING OFF THE IGNITION, THE CONSUMER HEARD A POPPING SOUND. A FEW SECONDS PASSED AND THE CONSUMER SAW THICK BLACK SMOKE AND A FIRE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE WAS EXTING
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
CONSUMER STATES THAT IT IS HARD TO START UP VEHICLE DUE TO THE IGNITION SWITCH. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.*JB
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
WHILE MAKING A TURN AT 10 MPH CONSUMER RAN THROUGH A MEDIUM AND SEAT BELTS NEVER LOCKED IN PLACE, PASSENGER ALMOST WENT THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD.*AK *JG
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
VEHICLE HIT A 8-10 INCH HIGH CONCRETE DIVIDER, PASSENGER HIT HEAD ON WINDSHIELD. SEATBELT DID NOT RESTRAIN HER, SHE SUFFERED HEAD LACERATIONS/ NECK AND BACK INJURIES. DRIVER WAS NOT WEARING SEATBELT DUE TO MEDICAL REASO
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 1989 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.
GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATINGS AND TIRE INFORMATION MAY BE INCORRECT ON LABELS.
Risk: VEHICLES WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH 49 CFR PART 567.
Fix: INSTALL REVISED CERTIFICATION LABELS.
TIRE PLACARD MAY CONTAIN INCORRECT GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATINGS AND TIRE INFORMATION.
Risk: LIMOUSINES WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 110 AND CONSUMERMIGHT UNKNOWINGLY OVERLOAD THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF PLACARD MISINFORMATION.
Fix: INSTALL REVISED TIRE PLACARDS.
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.
| Reliability raw | 83 | 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 96 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 45 of them (47%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 83/100 (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 1989 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.