Tl* the contact owns a 2005 lincoln town car. The contact called in regards to having a brake failure. The contact stated while approaching a red light and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to stop causing the vehicle to hit a truck and the curb. The vehicle was able to stop after depressing the brake pedal multiple times. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that no air bags deployed. A police report was filed. The contact stated no injury were sustained. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for body damage estimate and repairs. The contact stated a local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired as of yet. The vehicle was not deemed a total loss. The manufacturer was contacted, case was filed, and referred to contact the federal safety agency. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.
Lincoln Town Car brake failure problems
77 of the 2,986 owner complaints about the Lincoln Town Car describe brake failure, most of them for the 1996 model year.
- owner complaints
- 77
- worst model year
- 1996
- typical mileage
- 64,302
By model year
Often reported together
ABS 6Fire or smoke 3No deployment 3Power steering loss 2Jerking 2Ball joint 2Wipers 1
What owners say
Tl* the contact owns a 1991 lincoln town car. The contact stated that due to a brake failure, the vehicle caught on fire. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 66,682.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 lincoln town car. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to respond when the brake pedal was depressed and the engine revved. On another occasion, the brakes failed to respond and the emergency brake had to be applied in order to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 43,200.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 lincoln town car. The contact stated that while attempting to stop at a red light, the brakes failed. The contact stated that he was able to stop the vehicle by down shifting and shutting off the engine. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was no longer under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 10,000 and the current mileage was 50,000. Updated 06/29/12 *bf updated 07/09/12
I own a 1996 lincoln towncar VIN [xxx]. On saturday 7/9/2011 my brake lines broke and my brakes failed in rockwood, tn. Fortunately I was able to safely drive the car to a safe place where I had a friend patch the lines with rubber hoses and was able to again use my brakes. I discovered that ford has issued a recall for certain towncars #79493 4/7/1998 for brake line replacement. I went to 2 ford dealerships and was told this recall didn't cover my car. I feel this recall should cover my car because the same defects on the towncars covered are present on my towncar and caused the brake lines to break. I am asking ford to authorize me to receive the same protection afforded the owners of the covered towncars and cover my repairs at one of my local ford dealerships. I called the customer relations center on 7/12/2011 and was given a case number [xxx]. I called again on 7/13/2011 and was told the recall didn't cover my car. I am only asking for the same treatment afforded many other covered 1996 towncar owners under this recall! Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)
Brakes failed - due to severe corrosion on brake lines (right front). Second occurrence different brake line(rear). Also occurred on my neighbors 1996 lincoln town car (rear brake line) both cars are available for inspection. Serious accident avoided by using emergency brake.
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 insurance company, recorded 35 feet of skid marks. Brakes did not work and my vehicle and I crashed into my den. I did report this incident to ford and to you at the time. My cousin, in illinois, had the same make and year automobile, and had the incident occur three times. It is a frightening occurrence and one feels totally helpless. What can be done to eliminate this from our driving experience?
Life threatening complete brake failure complete loss of brake fluid because of brake line ruptures (both systems) while applying brakes abruptly to avoid an accident. Brake line failure was due to use of cheap uncoated steel brake lines that weakened over the years due to rust. Fortunately, this brake failure occurred at 25mph, just moments after I applied normal braking from 65mph to proceed through a toll booth. If this complete brake failure occurred while braking for the toll booth most likely this brake system failure would have resulted in severe injury and/or death. These inferior uncoated brake lines should have never been allowed to be installed in this vital safety system (brakes) in the first place . And now ...they should be recalled and replaced with superior brake lines under a manufacturer recall program to prevent future severe collisions and loss of life.
2004 lincoln town car had brake failure. Consumer states that the brakes failed causing a rear-end collision. *nj the state police told the consumer the ABS failed.
Tl*the contact owns a 1996 lincoln town car. The contact had his vehicle speed control switch disconnected on 09/20/2007 by one ford dealer, and on 03/06/2008 by another ford dealer. The dealer returned the vehicle to him and stated that they made the final repair. Meanwhile, the brakes failed. The mechanic loosened the brake line and all of the fluid came out of the vehicle. They repaired the brakes, but the vehicle speed control still does not work. The dealer wants a $85.00 for a diagnostic to find out the cause of the failure. The dealer stated the repair was made to the vehicle speed control, but did not last. The contact stated that something had to be wrong with the vehicle speed control before the repair was made. The current and failure mileages were 22,000. Updated 03-25-08 *bf updated 03/25/08
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- 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 components
- 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 linkages
- 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
Questions about the Lincoln Town Car brake failure
Which Lincoln Town Car years have brake failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1996 (15 complaints), 1991 (7 complaints) and 1995 (7 complaints).
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