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 143 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Lincoln Town Car, and it carries 2 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 28 | 20% |
| Air bags | 24 | 17% |
| Vehicle speed control | 12 | 8% |
| Steering | 11 | 8% |
| Seat belts | 7 | 5% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 6 | 4% |
| Service brakes | 5 | 3% |
| Unknown or other | 4 | 3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 3% |
| Seats | 3 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owns a 2006 Lincoln Town Car. The contact stated that after it rained, rainwater entered the vehicle, soaking the rear passenger’s and rear driver's side seats. The contact removed the debris around the doors
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The contact owns a 2006 Lincoln Town Car. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, he was unable to shift into the intended gear. The contact stated that the gear shifter had seized. The contact stated the s
NHTSA complaint: Power train
The contact owns a 2006 Lincoln Town Car. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the engine made an abnormally loud sound. The contact stated upon shifting into drive(D), the vehicle accelerated unintendedly down
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
Fuel Tank Strap broke leaving only 1 strap to hold fuel tank in place. Multiple complaints filed but no recall. What are you waiting for? Someone to die in a fire? This needs to be addressed with a nationwide recall.
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
When the foot was on the brake in stopped position, the accelator kept revving at high level. The only way to correct it the problem was to turn off the vehicle.
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
Want to report similar problem others seem to be reporting. When starting the car you hear 5 chimes/beeps repeating five times. The airbag light remains lit the entire time. On extended trips the chimes/beeps comes on ag
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
The contact owns a 2006 Lincoln Town Car. The contact stated that while in his driveway, the manifold plate detached into the steering shaft however, he was able to remove the part. The local dealer was not contacted. Th
NHTSA complaint: Steering
When braking to stop there was sudden acceleration that braking could not control resulting in hitting the rear of a stopped car in front of me. This has happened in the past with no warning. It usually happens when bra
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2006 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.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Ford Crown Victoria, 2005-2011 Mercury Grand Marquis vehicles manufactured March 23, 2004, to August 30, 2011, and 2005-2011 Lincoln Town Car vehicles manufactured March 8, 2004, to August 30, 2011, and on which the upper intermedia
Risk: Improper servicing of the upper intermediate shaft could cause the shaft to separate, which can then result in a loss of steering control, and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify the owners of vehicles whose repair records reflect that the upper intermediate steering shaft was repaired during the course of the prior recall 13V-385. Dealers will inspect and re
Ford is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Ford Crown Victoria (including Crown Victoria Police Interceptors), Mercury Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Car vehicles. The affected vehicles are currently registered or were originally sold in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois
Risk: If the lower bearing separates, the vehicle may experience a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners and dealers will replace the lower intermediate shaft, free of charge. The upper intermediate shaft and steering column lower bearing will be inspected to identify any damage
| Reliability raw | 74 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 73 | 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 143 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 28 of them (20%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 74/100 (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 73/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2006 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 67/100. 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.