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 161 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Lincoln Town Car, and it carries 8 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 | 28 | 17% |
| Service brakes | 17 | 11% |
| Suspension | 14 | 9% |
| Visibility | 12 | 7% |
| Exterior lighting | 11 | 7% |
| Structure | 10 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 10 | 6% |
| Steering | 8 | 5% |
| Fuel system | 6 | 4% |
| Vehicle speed control | 6 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
MAKES LOUD POPPING NOISE WHEN THE WHEEL IS TURNED TO THE EXTREME RIGHT OR LEFT WHETHER THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN OR STANDING STILL. OCCASIONALLY, THE IGNITION WON'T TURN ON AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED, CLOSING TH
NHTSA complaint: Steering
THE CRUISE CONTROL MODULE STOPPED WORKING ON MY VEHICLE AND NOW I'M TOLD IT CAN'T BE REPLACED. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE RADIO & A/C STOPPED WORKING. THIS CRUISE CONTROL MODULE HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF IT'S ABILITY TO SPONT
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVER HEAT.ONCE IT GOT HOT, THE POWER OF CAR IS,WAS LOST. AFTER HAPPENING A FEW TIMES,I FOUND A VERY SMALL [PIN SIZE] HOLE IN THE THERMASTATE RECIEVING UNIT.THIS IS A PART OF THE MANIFOLD IT SELF. ALL ATT
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
I HAVE A 1998 LINCOLN TOWN CAR WITH LOW MILES (125,000). THE CHEAP PLASTIC THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD IS MADE OUT OF HAS CRACKED WERE THE HEATER HOSE CONNECTS IN THE BACK CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO NOT BE DRIVE-ABLE DUE TO OVE
NHTSA complaint: Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE COMPLETING A TURN, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE CONTROL ARM FAILED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 98V322000 (SUSPENSION: LOWER BAL
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY JUMP START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WA
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
THE FUEL FILLER WILL NOT ACCEPT GASOLINE AT A NORMAL RATE. EVEN AT MINIMUM SPEED IT WILL SHUT OFF AND/OR SPIT FUEL BACK. HAVE USED DIFFERENT PUMPS, DIFFERENT STATIONS, DIFFERENT POSITIONS HAPPENS ALMOST 100% OF THE TIME.
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
FAILURE OF THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD SYSTEM. LOSS OF COOLANT, ENGINE OVERHEATED, LOSS OF POWER AND CONTROL IN HEAVY TRAFFIC PRESENTED A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. ENGINE INTAKE MANIFOLD SYSTEM IS A DESIGN FLAW AND SUBJECT
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 1998 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. THESE VEHICLES HAVE JACKING INSTRUCTIONS WHICH, IF FOLLOWED, COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE OPERATOR TO PLACE THE JACK ON A FRAME WELD WHEN ATTEMPTING TO RAISE A REAR WHEEL. IF THE VEHICLE IS JACKED UP WITH THE JACK PLACED ON THE FRAME WELD AND IF THE VEHICLE IS
Risk: IF THIS OCCURS AND ANY PORTION OF THE OPERATOR'S BODY IS UNDER THE VEHICLE, THE POTENTIAL FOR PERSONAL INJURY EXISTS.
Fix: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A REVISED JACK INSTRUCTION AND STOWAGE CARD AND JACK WARNING LABEL, AS WELL AS A SUPPLEMENT TO THE OWNER GUIDE.
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.
| 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 161 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 28 of them (17%). There are 8 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 1998 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.