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1994 Lincoln Town Car problems

The most common problem on the 1994 Lincoln Town Car is engine and cooling, typically around 160,278 miles. It has 1.9 times the complaints of a typical Town Car model year.

Typical year1.9x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
155
Recalls
5
Service bulletins
75
Worst area
Engine
Fuel economy
18mpg

The worst 1994 Lincoln Town Car problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 1994 Lincoln Town Car

Fire or smoke 25Adaptive cruise 11Ball joint 10ABS 7Headlights 7Tire blowout 6Brake failure 5

Recalls 5

Vehicle speed controlReported August 3, 2007 · 3,600,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Remedy
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 switch disconnected as an interim repair. As soon as repair parts are available (expected october 2007), owners will be instructed to return to the dealers for installation of a fused wiring harness. The recall began on august 13, 2007, and mailing completed by september 19, 2007. Owners may contact ford at 1‑888‑222‑2751.

Recall number 07V336000 · Recall details

Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball jointReported December 16, 1998 · 175,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: certain 1996-1999 ford crown victoria police, fleet, natural gas, and 1996-1999 lincoln town car limousine vehicles that were produced with a lower control arm ball joint containing a one piece bearing; and 1990-1996 ford crown victoria police, fleet, and ngv vehicles and 1990-1996 lincoln town car limousine vehicles that have been serviced with either a ball joint containing the one-piece bearing or a front lower control arm containing a ball joint with a one-piece bearing. The one-piece bearing within the lower control arm ball joint can weaken slowly during use and eventually crack. This could result in separation of the ball and cap of the joint, allowing the control arm to drop to the ground.
Risk
If this occurs while the vehicle is moving, reduced steering control could occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the lower control arm ball joints (2).

Recall number 98V322000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsReported July 11, 1995 · 692 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Improper installation of the rear brake line at the point at which the extended brake line first bends and extends over the left rear wheel area of the frame. If not installed with sufficient clearance, chafing of the brake line can occur in an area adjacent to the rear floor pan.
Risk
The rear brake line can leak or rupture resulting in reduced braking capability, loss of rear brakes, and/or loss of brake fluid reserves in the master brake cylinder.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the brake line for proper installation and/or damage and replace as necessary. Also a protective boot or sleeve over the brake line will be installed.

Recall number 95V133000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation componentsReported August 9, 1994 · 214,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
The nuts and bolts that attach the rear brake adaptor to the axle housing flange can loosen and eventually separate. If one or more of the nuts come off the bolts, damage to the parking brake assembly or to the antilock brake system (ABS) sensor and sensor ring (if so equipped) will occur. If all four nuts on one end of the axle come off the bolts, damage to the brake hydraulic line or the parking brake cable can occur.
Risk
Occurrence of any of these conditions can result in a loss of braking capability and possible accident.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and, if needed, install new bolts. If any of the fasteners are disconnected, the parking brake and ABS components will be inspected and serviced.

Recall number 94V152000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkagesReported July 12, 1994 · 2,500 vehicles affected
What is wrong
The brake pedal push rod retainer (hairpin clip) may be missing or not properly installed on the service brake pedal. This can cause disengagement of the brake pushrod and loss of braking ability.
Risk
Loss of braking ability can result in a vehicle accident.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the retainer.

Recall number 94V129000 · Recall details

See all 5 recalls for the 1994 Lincoln Town Car

Defect investigations

Speed control deactivation switch firesOpened September 6, 2002, closed June 30, 2004

Based on the low rate of fire incidents (2.5 incidents per 100,000 vehicles sold) where failure of the scds is involved and the age of the vehicles ? 7 to 11 years ? A safety-related defect trend has not been identified and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that no safety-related defect exists.the agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.for additional information, see the attached closing report.

EA02025

Fuel-fed firesOpened August 22, 2002, closed December 4, 2002

The fars data shows that the risk of fire from impact in all directions in the subject vehicles is the same as all other sedans.the subject vehicles are not over represented with respect to the risk of fire in real-world high-energy crashes.a further discussion of issues related to post crash fires in the subject vehicles is set out in the closing report for sq 01-014 and that report is in the docket for this petition.after reviewing the petition and its supporting materials, as well as information furnished by ford and gm, and information within the agency's possession from previous investigations and other related actions,the federal safety agency has concluded that futher investigation concerning post-crash fires in the subject vehicles is not likely to lead to a decision that the vehicles contain a safety defect.

DP02007

Post rear end collision firesOpened November 27, 2001, closed October 3, 2002

There is no summary currently available

SQ01014

Engine compartment firesOpened September 20, 2001, closed September 6, 2002

RQ01002

Technical service bulletins for the 1994 Lincoln Town Car 75

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 75 bulletins for the 1994 Lincoln Town Car

1994 Lincoln Town Car fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
4.6L 8‑cylRWD162318

What 1994 Lincoln Town Car owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jan 21, 2023 · Driver assistance, Electrical · TX · fire

The car had a recall I didnt know about. It states the car may catch fire due to faulty part. I drove the vehicle home after work and parked it around 9:30 PM. The next morning a neighbor woke me up banging on my front door that my car was on fire. This was at 7 AM. The fire originated in the area close to the master cylinder like the recall states. Vehicle was a total loss. Not only that but it damaged the car it was parked behind.

Filed Sep 12, 2022 · Tires · 200,000 miles · AR

The contact owns a 1994 Lincoln Town Car equipped with Goodyear Tires, Tire line: Assurance Comfortred Tread Touring, Tire size: 215/70/R15 DOT: PJ343912 and PJ340214. The contact stated that all four tires were showing signs of cracked sidewalls and treads. The contact stated that the failure was discovered while cleaning the tires. The contact stated that the tires were purchased new from Walmart on 10/31/2014. The tires were not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer for diagnosis or repairs. The manufacturer Goodyear was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the tires were too old as there was a 6-year warranty on cracking. There was no assistance offered. The tire failure mileage was unknown. The approximate vehicle mileage was 200,000.

Filed May 25, 2016 · Brakes · 130,000 miles · IA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 1994 lincoln town car. While the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed an odor of burning rubber and plastic. The vehicle became engulfed with smoke and flames. The contact extinguished the fire. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact stated that the burned body on the hood of the vehicle was above the master cylinder. No report was filed. The contact found that the vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 05v017000 (vehicle speed control); however, the contact had never received notification of the recall and the vehicle had never received a recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

Filed Jul 18, 2014 · Engine · 190,000 miles · NC · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 1994 lincoln town car. The contact stated that while parked, he was made aware that the vehicle was on fire. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was destroyed and remained in the contact's drive way, which was advised by the fire department. The fire department stated that the fire started from under the hood on the driver's side but the direct origina of the fire was unknown. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 190,000.

Filed Jun 27, 2013 · Airbags, Brakes · 200,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 1994 lincoln town car. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the brakes would not respond. The contact had to apply excessive pressure to the brake pedal and pump it repeatedly. Additionally, the air bag warning light illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis. The mechanic stated there was a rear brake seal leak. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.

Filed Jun 25, 2012 · Acceleration · KY · fire

1994 lincoln town car, regarding a potential underhood fire risk. Consumer stated vehicle caught fire. Updated 06/26/12 *bf the consumer sent supplied the recall notice. Recall# 07v336000.

Filed Apr 15, 2009 · Acceleration · 180,000 miles · CA · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 1994 lincoln town car. The contact stated that there was a recall on the speed control switch, which caused his vehicle to catch fire. The switch was never replaced because the contact never received a recall notice for the cruise control switch. After the fire, the mechanic stated that the switch was the cause of the failure. The vehicle was parked and unoccupied at the time of the fire. The fire department extinguished the flames and filed a report. The federal safety agency campaign id number was unknown. The failure mileage was 180,000.

Filed Jan 29, 2009 · Suspension · 244,857 miles · OH

1994 lincoln town car the lower ball joint on the front drivers side of the car suddenly broke in half allowing the lower control arm of the car to fall to the ground. Fortunately, I was just parking when it happened. Their was no warning of a problem with the ball joint. The car drove fine. I understand that a recall exists for this problem (98s37), but according to the dealer, my car is not covered by the recall. Obviously, it should be.

Filed Nov 29, 2008 · Suspension · TX

My elderly parents were driving in a straight line at low speed when the lower control arm ball joint failed. The control arm dropped, dug into the pavement and rendered the car out of control. Luckily no one was injured. It was very difficult to jack up the car, slide a dolly under it, tow it home, etc. There have been several complaints on this exact problem. A recall addressing this serious life threatening defect has been issued on vehicles of the same model, year and construction; but, not all VIN were covered in the recall. As of this date no work has been done to correct the failure.

Filed Sep 3, 2008 · Seats · 120,000 miles · CA

The left front and right rear driver seat mounting brackets broke.

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Questions about the 1994 Lincoln Town Car

Is the 1994 Lincoln Town Car reliable?

Owners have filed 155 complaints about the 1994 Lincoln Town Car, 1.9 times a typical Town Car model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1994 Lincoln Town Car?

Engine and cooling, with 25 complaints, typically around 160,278 miles. Next is brakes (23).

How many recalls does the 1994 Lincoln Town Car have?

5 recalls, covering vehicle speed control, suspension and service brakes, hydraulic.

What year does the Lincoln Town Car have bad engine?

The Lincoln Town Car model years with the most engine complaints are 1997 (91 complaints), 1996 (90 complaints) and 1992 (47 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 1994 Lincoln Town Car get?

Official estimates for the 1994 Lincoln Town Car range from 18 mpg combined. The most efficient version (4.6L 8-cyl, RWD) gets 16 city and 23 highway.

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