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 204 complaints with NHTSA about the 1995 Lincoln Town Car, and it carries 9 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 49 | 24% |
| Suspension | 18 | 9% |
| Electrical system | 17 | 8% |
| Vehicle speed control | 16 | 8% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 15 | 7% |
| Steering | 14 | 7% |
| Power train | 13 | 6% |
| Air bags | 8 | 4% |
| Exterior lighting | 7 | 3% |
| Fuel system | 5 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
WELL I WAS DRIVING HOME ONE DAY AND SMOKE WAS STARTING TO POOR OUT FROM UNDERNEATH MY DASHBOARD LUCKILY I WAS CLOSE ENOUGH TO THE HOUSE TO BE ABLE MAKE IT HOME AND THEN AFTER I HAD GOTTEN HOME I CUT THE CAR OFF AND WAS N
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS STIFF WHEN DEPRESSED. THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED THREE TIMES BY AN INDEPENDENT
NHTSA complaint: Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT NOTICED A POOL OF FLUID UNDER THE VEHICLE WHILE IDLING. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE LEAKING FLUID. WHILE REFUELING THE VEHICLE,
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
THE BALL JOINT SO MY 1995 LINCOLN TOWN CAR HAVE FELL OFF THE LOWER CONTROLLER ARM IS BADLY DAMAGED AND I GET A LOT OF MISFIRES IN THE ENGINE IS JUST A LOT OF STUFF THIS WRONG WITH IT
NHTSA complaint: Wheels
THE 1995 IS VERY COMFORTABLE BUT AIR BAGS, SUSPENSION, WINDOWS, AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (UNLOCATABLE SHORTAGE) DO NOT WORK. GOOD MILEAGE AND SEATS, ETC VERY GOOD. THE KEY SWITCH IS DEFECTIVE AND YOU CAN REMOVE KEYS WITHOU
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE WENT OFF AT NIGHT COMPLETELY 4 TIMES AND BACK ON. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH ABOUT A BLOCK FROM MY HOUSE AT 4AM WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS MARKER LIGHTS AND EVERYLIGHT EXCEPT TAIL LIGHTS WENT OFF. I RAN OFF
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 LINCOLN TOWNCAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A RESIDENTIAL GARAGE, IT IGNITED INTO FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS UNOCCUPIED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO EXTINGUISH THE
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
THE SEAL MATERIAL BETWEEN THE FUEL FILLER PIPE AND THE FUEL TANK IS DEFECTIVE AND DOES NOT PREVENT FUEL LEAKAGE. THIS FUEL LEAKAGE COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT. A RECALL (RECALL 95V
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the 1995 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.
Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain model Dorman Steering Shafts, part number 425-359, Solutions Steering Shafts, part number 7-0359, and OE Solutions Steering Shafts, part number 425-359, manufactured April 17, 2014, to September 28, 2015. These aftermarket replacement steering sha
Risk: If the shafts separate during vehicle operation, a loss of steering control would result, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Dorman will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering shaft, free of charge. The recall began on October 28, 2015. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492, option 5.
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
THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG HAS AN INFLATOR BODY THAT CRACKED DURING FORMING OF THE CURL THAT RETAINS THE IGNITER PLUG IN THE END OF THE INFLATOR. ALSO THE IGNITER END CAP CAN SEPARATE FROM THE INFLATOR.
Risk: THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG MAY NOT INFLATE PROPERLY RESULTING IN REDUCED OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT. IF THE IGNITER END CAP SEPARATES IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, HOT GASES CAN BE RELEASED A
Fix: DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND REPLACE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG MODULE.
EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG MODULE REPLACED AFTER APRIL 5, 2000. THE REPLACEMENT DRIVER'S AIR BAG MODULE INFLATOR MAY HAVE INSUFFICIENT WELDS THAT COULD PREVENT PROPER INFLATION OF THE AIR BAG.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG MAY NOT PROPERLY DEPLOY WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN LESS THAN THE INTENDED LEVEL OF OCCUPANT PROTECTION.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 5, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVI
| 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 204 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 49 of them (24%). There are 9 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 1995 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.