Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 288 complaints with NHTSA about the 1992 Lincoln Town Car, and it carries 4 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 | 74 | 26% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 46 | 16% |
| Vehicle speed control | 34 | 12% |
| Service brakes | 30 | 10% |
| Seats | 12 | 4% |
| Visibility | 12 | 4% |
| Power train | 11 | 4% |
| Suspension | 10 | 3% |
| Air bags | 10 | 3% |
| Fuel system | 6 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
THE CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN ON A TRIP OF APPROXIMATELY 450 MILES AND WAS THEN PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY WHERE IT SAT WITHOUT BEING ENTERED, CRANKED OR DRIVEN FOR 2 WEEKS. AT AROUND MIDNIGHT, WHILE MY FAMILY WAS SLEEPING, A NEI
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 LINCOLN TOWN CAR WITH A SET OF GOODYEAR ARRIVIVA 2 TIRES, LINE SIZE P205/75 R15. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE ORDERED FROM THE MANUFACTURER AND AFTER RECEIVING THE TIRES, THE CONTAC
NHTSA complaint: Tires
DRIVING AT ABOUT 25 MPH TURNING ONTO AN ENTRANCE RAMP TO THE HIGHWAY MY CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO SPEEDS SURPASSING 85 AND I COULD NOT MAKE IT STOP. I TRIED STOMPING ON THE BRAKES AND IT FIRST SLOWED THE CAR BUT THE AC
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
LINCOLN, TOWN CAR,1992, MANUAL SAYS TO TURN OFF AIR SUSPENSION BEFORE JACKING AUTOMOBILE. NOT WHEN TIRE GO FLAT . WHEN TIRE IS FLAT FOR 30+ MINUTES. THE AIR SUSPENSION PUMP CONTINUES TO PUMP TILL IT DESTROYS THE REAR SUS
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY LOOSENED AND LIFTED UP. THE HOOD BLOCKED THE DRIVER'S VIEW AND THE WINDSHIELD. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO SLOWLY SWIT
NHTSA complaint: Structure
OUR 1992 LINCOLN TOWN CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE INSIDE OUR SHOP. THE CAR WAS OFF WITH THE KEYS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
I HAVE NOT RECEIVE A NOTICE ABOUT VEHICLE PART OF SAFETY RECALL 99S15 NOR 05S28 SINCE REMOVED 09/25/07 BY HOLLYWOOD FORD, 4531 HOLLYWOOD BLVD, LOS ANGELES, CA. 90027(323) 663-9999. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 1992 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.
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH CAN DEVELOP A RESISTIVE SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT THAT COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE. A FIRE IS POSSIBLE BOTH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING AND WHEN THE VEHICLE ENGINE IS OFF. ALSO, THE SHORT COULD
Risk: A FIRE CAN ORIGINATE IN THE LEFT FRONT UNDERHOOD AREA.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH AND CONNECTOR SHELL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 20, 1999.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN 1996-1999 FORD CROWN VICTORIA POLICE, FLEET, NATURAL GAS, AND 1996-1999 LINCOLN TOWN CAR LIMOUSINE VEHICLES THAT WERE PRODUCED WITH A LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CONTAINING A ONE PIECE BEARING; AND 1990-1996 FORD CROWN VICTORIA POLICE, FLEET, AND NGV VEHICLES AND 1990-
Risk: IF THIS OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING, REDUCED STEERING CONTROL COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS (2).
THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH MAY NOT ENGAGE WHEN THE HOOD IS CLOSED.
Risk: IN THE EVENT THE PRIMARY HOOD LATCH RELEASES OR IS NOT PROPERLY LATCHED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, THE HOOD COULD FLY UP OBSTRUCTING THE OPERATOR'S VISION, AND INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHIC
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLY.
| Reliability raw | 79 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 75 | good |
| Maintenance | 76 | good |
| Depreciation | 52 | average |
| Performance | 69 | good |
| Efficiency | 38 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 288 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 74 of them (26%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 79/100 (good) 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 75/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1992 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 68/100. 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.