1992 Lincoln Town Car problems
Owners have filed 312 complaints about the 1992 Lincoln Town Car with NHTSA. Electrical system accounts for 26.6% of them — the clear leader, ahead of engine and engine cooling at 16%.
Complaints312
Crashes11
Fires109
Injuries14
Deaths1
What owners report breaking
Electrical system 26.6% · 83
Engine and engine cooling 16.0% · 50
Vehicle speed control 12.5% · 39
Service brakes, hydraulic 11.5% · 36
Power train 4.5% · 14
Visibility 4.5% · 14
Seats 3.8% · 12
Suspension 3.8% · 12
Severity
Of those complaints, 11 describe a crash, 109 describe a fire, 14 report an injury and 1 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 16 model years of the Lincoln Town Car in this data, 1992 ranks 3rd by complaint volume — 1997 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 3 in the last three years against 7 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 96,000 miles.
In owners' own words
Parked car. Attempted to start car and the dash board lights lit as normal, but the starter did not start. After many attempts car motor turned over but because I let off starting too soon car did not start and problem resumed. Battery good. Starter good. Fuses good. Ignition switch good. This is the second 1992 Town Car in which this problem has occurred. Both cars have over 100,000 miles. Electrical system · reported at 106,000 miles
Fire under hood investigated by state fire marshall. Cause determined to be short in ignition wiring. Car was parked for five and a half hours after 13 mile commute to work. (Fire and police case #'s available upon request.) Additionally, another car of same make, model and year burned under very similar conditions january, 1999, in pakring garage in downtown orlando. Referenced in ea02-025 Electrical system
Vehicle was parked. Heard a sound like electric motor running. Was going to check when horn started blowing. Opened door with key. Smoke was heavy inside vehicle. When air hit inside, flames shot out. Along right hand side noticed flames on dashboard. Neighbor contacted fire department, they put flames out. Fireman indicated possible electrical wiring was the cause of fire.*Ak *slc Electrical system
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…
Other Lincoln Town Car years
1990 267 complaints · 27.7% electrical system 1991 278 complaints · 20.5% service brakes, hydraulic 1993 226 complaints · 19.5% electrical system 1994 212 complaints · 13.2% engine and engine cooling 1995 241 complaints · 23.7% service brakes, hydraulic 1996 316 complaints · 29.7% engine and engine cooling