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2008 Lincoln Town Car problems

The most common problem on the 2008 Lincoln Town Car is acceleration and speed control, typically around 25,500 miles. It has fewer complaints than a typical Town Car model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
87/100
Owner complaints
20
Recalls
3
Service bulletins
16
Worst area
Acceleration
Fuel economy
18mpg

The worst 2008 Lincoln Town Car problems

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

  • Acceleration
    5
  • Brakes
    5
  • Electrical
    3
  • Steering
    3
  • Body
    2

Problems by type

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

  • Acceleration
    5
  • Brakes
    5
  • Electrical
    3
  • Steering
    3
  • Body
    2
  • Engine
    2
  • Fuel system
    2
  • Transmission
    2
  • Airbags
    1
  • Locks
    1
  • Suspension
    1
  • Tires
    1
  • Visibility
    1
  • Wheels
    1

Recalls 3

Steering: rack and pinion: pinion shaftReported November 5, 2014 · 36,888 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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 intermediate shaft was serviced during the course of safety recall 13V‑385. The prior repairs may not have been correctly performed.
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.
Remedy
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 replace the upper immediate shaft if necessary free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S25.

Recall number 14V704000 · Recall details

SteeringReported August 29, 2013 · 355,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Severe corrosion can seize the lower intermediate shaft which may cause the upper intermediate shaft to collapse and the steering column lower bearing to separate.
Risk
If the lower bearing separates, the vehicle may experience a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
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 that may have occurred as a result of lower intermediate shaft corrosion, and repaired or replaced as necessary. If the steering column lower bearing has separated, a retainer clip will be installed. The recall began on October 23, 2013. Owners may contact Ford at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's recall number is 13S08.

Recall number 13V385000 · Recall details

Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipeReported December 9, 2010 · 161 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Executive coach is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 lincoln town car limousines. The fuel rail shield was left off during manufacturing. In a frontal impact the engine could potentially bend or rupture fuel lines if the replacement shield is not in place, causing those lines to leak fuel.
Risk
Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Remedy
Executive coach will supply kits and installation instructions to have vehicles repaired at a facility of the owner's choice. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on december 1, 2010. Owners may contact executive coach at 888‑322‑9272.

Recall number 10V638000 · Recall details

See all 3 recalls for the 2008 Lincoln Town Car

Technical service bulletins for the 2008 Lincoln Town Car 16

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

See all 16 bulletins for the 2008 Lincoln Town Car

2008 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‑cylRWD1522-2318

What 2008 Lincoln Town Car owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Mar 24, 2021 · Steering · 157,000 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 lincoln town car. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, without warning, the vehicle independently swayed to the right. The contact regained control of the steering wheel. The vehicle was not repaired nor diagnosed. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v385000 (steering) as a possible solution to the failure however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 157,000.

Filed Sep 30, 2019 · Airbags, Suspension · 486,713 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 lincoln town car. The contact stated that the check air suspension and tire fault warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the passenger and driver side air bags and all four tire sensors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 486,713.

Filed Mar 30, 2018 · Body, Visibility · NY

2008 lincoln town car. Consumer writes in regards to factory's non-removal of plastic sheeting (used to prevent dust in fan compartment) shredded/blocked defroster vents, fan, blend door, and heater causing noises and system malfunction. *smd

Filed Aug 28, 2017 · Acceleration, Brakes · 72,000 miles · LA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 lincoln town car. While driving at any speed and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle accelerated. The contact depressed the brake pedal a couple of times and regained control of the vehicle. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The failure recurred four times. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000. Updated 10/26/17*lj

Filed Feb 4, 2017 · Transmission · 85,000 miles · NJ · crash

I was slowly backing out of my short driveway my foot only on the brake pedal when suddenly car accelerates and hit parked car across at resulting in accident. Two weeks before this I was driving on road about 15 MPH and saw car ahead of me had stopped I put foot on brake started slowing when car accelerated hard tapped brake and car stopped. I didn't press throttle.

Filed Aug 9, 2016 · Body, Electrical · 46,800 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 lincoln town car. While driving various speeds, the front driver side door independently locked and unlocked. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 46,800.

Filed Mar 7, 2016 · Brakes · 32,000 miles · OH · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 lincoln town car. While approaching traffic in a lane, the brake pedal was applied and was slow to respond. The contact applied force and the brake pedal traveled to the floor. As a result, the contact crashed into the preceding vehicle. The driver sustained minor whiplash that did not require medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was able to be driven to the contact's residence and parked. The vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency action number: pe16003 (service brakes, service brakes, hydraulic). The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the brake master cylinder was replaced per the contact's request. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided no specific remedy for the condition. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 32,000.

Filed Nov 23, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · 84,881 miles · NY · crash

This vehicle has suddenly violently accelerated on four different occasions during the last eleven months. The first incident occurred after tapping the brake pedal at a very slow speed and resulted in the car crashing into a barrier at a filling station in upstate new york. Subsequent episodes were halted by turning the ignition switch off while attempting to stop the car with the service brakes. There seems to be few common threads among the incidents. There are no warning indicators before or after the sudden unintended acceleration events. No history codes were ever recorded in the powertrain control module. The incidents always occurred while the vehicle was moving at a slow speed sometimes when tapping the brake pedal and other times while pressing the accelerator pedal. No floor mats were involved in any of the incidents and the driver definitely did not depress the wrong pedal or both pedals at the same time.

Filed Nov 13, 2015 · Steering · 63,478 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 lincoln town car. While driving at 40 MPH and making a right turn, the steering wheel seized without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the steering shaft fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 63,478.

Filed Feb 10, 2015 · Engine, Fuel system · NY

2008 lincoln town car. Consumer requests reimbursement for repairs and parts on car because it was under warranty. *ta the consumer stated the check engine light illuminated, a mechanic informed the consumer the issue was related to the catalytic converter . Also, the fuel tank had to replaced.

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Questions about the 2008 Lincoln Town Car

Is the 2008 Lincoln Town Car reliable?

Owners have filed 20 complaints about the 2008 Lincoln Town Car, fewer than a typical Town Car model year.

What is the 2008 Lincoln Town Car year score?

The 2008 Lincoln Town Car scores 87 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Lincoln Town Car: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2008 Lincoln Town Car?

Acceleration and speed control, with 5 complaints, typically around 25,500 miles. Next is brakes (5).

How many recalls does the 2008 Lincoln Town Car have?

3 recalls, covering steering and engine and engine cooling.

What year does the Lincoln Town Car have the most acceleration problems?

The Lincoln Town Car model years with the most acceleration complaints are 1997 (42 complaints), 1992 (39 complaints) and 1993 (37 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2008 Lincoln Town Car get?

Official estimates for the 2008 Lincoln Town Car range from 18 mpg combined. The most efficient version (4.6L 8-cyl, RWD) gets 15 city and 22-23 highway.

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