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 210 complaints with NHTSA about the 1993 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 | 42 | 20% |
| Vehicle speed control | 33 | 16% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 20 | 10% |
| Service brakes | 17 | 8% |
| Power train | 16 | 8% |
| Steering | 13 | 6% |
| Air bags | 11 | 5% |
| Suspension | 8 | 4% |
| Seats | 5 | 2% |
| Exterior lighting | 4 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
I WAS WORKING ON DOING MAINTENANCE ON MY CAR. NEXT THING I KNOW, THERE'S A FIRE. I GOT IT OUT QUICKLY ENOUGH WITH THE ORIGINAL EXTINGUISHER. THE SPEED CONTROL HARNESS, WHICH HAD A RECALL AT ONE POINT, IS BURNED AND A BRA
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, IT BEGAN TO MAKE A JERKING MOTION AND ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE FAILURES RECURRED
NHTSA complaint: Power train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT OBSERVED SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE DASHBOARD AND THE FUSE BOX. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVA
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
THE CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN LIKE EVERY OTHER DAY.THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED IN MY DRIVE WAY FOR ABOUT 3 TO 4 HOURS.I WAS INSIDE MY HOUSE WHEN I HEARD SOMEONE HONKING OUTSIDE.WHEN I LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW THE CAR WAS SMOKING FROM
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
I PURCHASED A USED 1993 LINCOLN TOWN CAR ON DEC 17. ON DECEMBER 19 THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN THE GARAGE. IT HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN SINCE PURCHASE OR STARED. FIRE CAUSED SEVERE DAMAGE TO GARAGE. COMPLETELY BURNED THE CAR. F
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
BRAKE LIGHTS WENT OUT SO WE REPLACED THE BULBS TO NO AVAIL. REPLACED THE FUSE AND FIXED THE BRAKE LIGHTS. DROVE CAR TO WORK AND BACK THURSDAY 1/28/10. PARKED CAR IN DRIVEWAY AT 7PM. AWOKEN AT 3AM TO CAR ENGINE COMPLETELY
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
DASH CONTROL MODULE THAT CONTROLS VEHICLE SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER CAUSES ALL THE DIGITAL DASH THE FLASH LIKE STROBE LIGHTS. DRIVER CAN DETERMINE SPEED OF VEHICLE AND ODOMETER RECORDS INTERMITTENTLY. D CAR ALSO HAS A SME
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
MY 1993 LINCOLN TOWN CAR CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED UP. THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED OUTSIDE FOR SEVERAL HOURS BEFORE HE FIRE STARTED. THE FORD COMPANY CLAIMED (BASED ONLY ON PICTURES THAT I SENT THEM) THAT THERE WAS TOO MUCH
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 1993 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
IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE REAR BRAKE LINE AT THE POINT AT WHICH THE EXTENDED BRAKE LINE FIRST BENDS AND EXTENDS OVER THE LEFT REAR WHEEL AREA OF THE FRAME. IF NOT INSTALLED WITH SUFFICIENT CLEARANCE, CHAFING OF THE BRAKE LINE CAN OCCUR IN AN AREA ADJACENT TO THE REAR FLOOR PAN.
Risk: THE REAR BRAKE LINE CAN LEAK OR RUPTURE RESULTING IN REDUCED BRAKING CAPABILITY, LOSS OF REAR BRAKES, AND/OR LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID RESERVES IN THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE LINE FOR PROPER INSTALLATION AND/OR DAMAGE AND REPLACE AS NECESSARY. ALSO A PROTECTIVE BOOT OR SLEEVE OVER THE BRAKE LINE WILL BE INSTALLED.
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).
| Reliability raw | 80 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 76 | good |
| Maintenance | 76 | good |
| Depreciation | 52 | average |
| Performance | 69 | good |
| Efficiency | 36 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 210 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 42 of them (20%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 80/100 (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 76/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1993 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 69/100. 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.