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 191 complaints with NHTSA about the 1994 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 22 | 12% |
| Service brakes | 20 | 10% |
| Vehicle speed control | 18 | 9% |
| Electrical system | 17 | 9% |
| Seats | 15 | 8% |
| Suspension | 12 | 6% |
| Power train | 11 | 6% |
| Air bags | 9 | 5% |
| Visibility | 9 | 5% |
| Tires | 7 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The car had a recall I didnt know about. It states the car may catch fire due to faulty part. I drove the vehicle home after work and parked it around 9:30 PM. The next morning a neighbor woke me up banging on my front
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The contact owns a 1994 Lincoln Town Car equipped with Goodyear Tires, Tire line: Assurance Comfortred Tread Touring, Tire size: 215/70/R15 DOT: PJ343912 and PJ340214. The contact stated that all four tires were showing
NHTSA complaint: Tires
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ODOR OF BURNING RUBBER AND PLASTIC. THE VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED WITH SMOKE AND FLAMES. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, HE WAS MADE AWARE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND REMAINED IN T
NHTSA complaint: Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKES WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND PUMP IT REPEATEDL
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
1994 LINCOLN TOWN CAR, REGARDING A POTENTIAL UNDERHOOD FIRE RISK. CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. UPDATED 06/26/12 *BF THE CONSUMER SENT SUPPLIED THE RECALL NOTICE. RECALL# 07V336000. *JB
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE SPEED CONTROL SWITCH, WHICH CAUSED HIS VEHICLE TO CATCH FIRE. THE SWITCH WAS NEVER REPLACED BECAUSE THE CONTACT NEVER RECEI
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
1994 LINCOLN TOWN CAR THE LOWER BALL JOINT ON THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE OF THE CAR SUDDENLY BROKE IN HALF ALLOWING THE LOWER CONTROL ARM OF THE CAR TO FALL TO THE GROUND. FORTUNATELY, I WAS JUST PARKING WHEN IT HAPPENED.
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 1994 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.
THE NUTS AND BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE REAR BRAKE ADAPTOR TO THE AXLE HOUSING FLANGE CAN LOOSEN AND EVENTUALLY SEPARATE. IF ONE OR MORE OF THE NUTS COME OFF THE BOLTS, DAMAGE TO THE PARKING BRAKE ASSEMBLY OR TO THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) SENSOR AND SENSOR RING (IF SO EQUIPPED) WILL OCCUR. IF ALL FO
Risk: OCCURRENCE OF ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF BRAKING CAPABILITY AND POSSIBLE ACCIDENT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NEEDED, INSTALL NEW BOLTS. IF ANY OF THE FASTENERS ARE DISCONNECTED, THE PARKING BRAKE AND ABS COMPONENTS WILL BE INSPECTED AND SERVICED.
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 | 81 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 76 | good |
| Maintenance | 76 | good |
| Depreciation | 52 | average |
| Performance | 69 | 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 191 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 22 of them (12%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 81/100 (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 1994 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.