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 284 complaints with NHTSA about the 1996 Lincoln Town Car, and it carries 10 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 | 86 | 30% |
| Vehicle speed control | 31 | 11% |
| Service brakes | 24 | 8% |
| Suspension | 18 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 16 | 6% |
| Exterior lighting | 15 | 5% |
| Seat belts | 14 | 5% |
| Steering | 7 | 2% |
| Fuel system | 7 | 2% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 7 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owns a 1996 Lincoln Town Car. The contact stated while the vehicle was turned on and he was shifting the vehicle from park(P) to drive(D), with his foot on the brake pedal, the vehicle lunged forward at high
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
AS PER RECALL CRUISE CONTROL NEITHRT STARTS OR WORKS ON HIGHWAY
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND SHIFT THE GEAR INTO DRIVE WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED. THE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMI
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND AN UNKNOWN CLICKING SOUND WAS HEARD FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WHEN MAKING A TURN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY.
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
1. DRIVERS SEAT BELT LATCH IS BROKEN INTERNALLY AND CANNOT BE USED. TO CIRCUMVENT THE BROKEN LATCH, THE FRONT CENTER PASSENGER SEAT BELT IS BEING USED. 2. FRONT RIGHT HAND PASSENGER SEAT BELT CAN NO LONGER BE LATCHED W
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS VIBRATING AND THE WHEELS FELT AS IF THERE WERE TO DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT A
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE BATTERY WIRES WERE BURNED AND B
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THERE WAS SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT ANTI-FREE
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for the 1996 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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES USING AFTERMARKET FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE SOLD BY FORD PARTS DEPARTMENTS FROM JANUARY 1, THROUGH JUNE 13, 2000. THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THE EQUIPM
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, THESE SEAT BELTS MAY NOT RESTRAIN AN OCCUPANT INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES AND REPLACE THE SERVICE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE INSTALLED IN THESE VEHICLES FROM JANUARY 1 THROUGH JUNE 13, 2000.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES USING AFTERMARKET DRIVER'S SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE SOLD BY FORD PARTS DEPARTMENTS FROM JANUARY 1, THROUGH JUNE 13, 2000. THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THE EQUIPMENT INVOLVED
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, THESE SEAT BELTS MAY NOT RESTRAIN AN OCCUPANT INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES AND REPLACE THE SERVICE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE INSTALLED IN THESE VEHICLES FROM JANUARY 1 THROUGH JUNE 13, 2000.
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
| Reliability raw | 79 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 75 | 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 284 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 86 of them (30%). There are 10 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 1996 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.