2002 Lincoln Town Car problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Vehicle Speed Control (7) · Air Bags:frontal (7) · Air Bags:side/Window (6)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Lincoln Town Car model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
36 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Steering 2015-10-06 · campaign 15E082000 · 1,767 vehicles
Defect: 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 shafts are sold for use in 1995-2002 Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Car vehicles. These steering shafts may separate during operation if the integral fastener is loose or m
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.
Service bulletins (59)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure 2020-07-13 · TSB 20-2233 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this article supersedes tsb 19-2026 to update the vehicle model years affected. some 2000 and newer ford/lincoln/mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. panel replacement is
Structure 2019-02-07 · TSB 19-2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2000 and newer ford, lincoln and mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. panel replacement is recommended. follow the service procedure steps to correct the condition
Structure 2019-02-07 · TSB 19-2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2000 and newer ford, lincoln and mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. panel replacement is recommended. follow the service procedure steps to correct the condition
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine 2007-10-01 · 07212 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 1997-2008 vehicles equipped with a 4.6l 2v, 5.4l 2v, or 6.8l 2v engine--spark plug thread repair procedure--not covered under new vehicle limited warranty. *nj this includes f-53 motorhome chassis. updated 2/23/10. *pe
Structure:body 2007-05-08 · 0531 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
customer satisfaction program 05b31 - information only. a possibility that during a high speed / high energy rear collision, certain components have an increased risk of puncturing the fuel tank on vehicles with limo prep package limo package upgrade kit offering. *tt supplement #1. *tt upd
Power Train:axle Assembly 2006-01-01 · 06216 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
limited slip axle chatter, shudder, binding sensation, or vibration during low speed turning maneuvers. *tt
Showing the 6 most recent of 59 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-05-14 · Tires“last week i blow a back tire . they said the belt broke separated. got a knot. this week im having the same problem with one of my front tires. on way ro work had to pull over. tire has a knot. i used firestone but have had nothing but issues. didn't tighten down my tires wore tire another store replaced the. piedmont stoe . first store was powters…”
2019-01-14 · Air Bags · 140,000 mi“on 01/12/2019 i was traveling straight down a level country road with 1 passenger in the front passenger seat at about 45 mph when for no reason the passenger side air bag deployed without any warning. after regaining control of the vehicle we pulled to the side of the road and took a few minutes to calm down and figure out what just happened and …”
2018-05-09 · Service Brakes · 76,000 mi“takata recall i've change the brake switch on my car over four times and it went out again. mt car will not chage gier when this happens. i would like to know if there has been a recall with this problem. this happens after the vehicle is park.…”
2016-06-07 · Air Bags · 117,750 mi“takata recall ? my wife and friend driving 30 mph in no traffic, and the drivers seat air bag deployed. there was no impact to the vehicle. she said it sounded like a gun shot and the yellow bag came out of the drivers seat. driving straight ahead on a country road.…”
2014-11-10 · Air Bags · 159,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2002 lincoln town car. the contact stated that while driving approximately 10 mph, the air bag deployed inadvertently. the vehicle was taken to a dealer where the technician diagnosed that the air bag sensor needed to be replaced. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the failure mileage was 159,000. updated 12/30…”
2012-11-14 · Steering · 129,000 mi · 💥 crash“tl* the contact owns a 2002 lincoln town car. the contact stated that while driving 70 mph, the steering wheel suddenly became loose as the vehicle became uncontrollable without warning. the vehicle also went airborne, rolled over and spun three times before coming to a stop. the front windshield was fractured and the rear windshield became detache…”
2010-11-15 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 98,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2002 lincoln town car. the contact stated that while driving 35 mph, the vehicle began jerking excessively and exhibiting loud, abnormal noises from under the vehicle. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was discovered that one of the cylinders malfunctioned and caused the vehicle to run on seven cylin…”
2010-02-03 · Vehicle Speed Control · 💥 crash“after hearing c. the recent sudden acceleration with toyota vehicles, i am prompted to write you again regarding the sudden acceleration with my 2002 lincoln towncar. while attempting to drive up my driveway, and park in my garage, traveling c. 5 mph, the car suddenly sounded as if were revving and lurched forward. the agent sent from my insuranc…”
2010-01-27 · Latches/Locks/Linkages · 6,000 mi“2002 lincoln towncar car has auto lock feature locking all doors when moving forward. after stopping those in the front seat can exit by using door handle. those in rear seat must first use the unlock plunger. in event of accident if rear passengers do not know this they are trapped in car. *cw…”
2010-01-22 · Electrical System · 100,000 mi · 🔥 fire“while sitting in a drive thru my 2002 lincoln towncar caught a blaze under the hood. *tr…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.