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2003 Lincoln Town Car: problems, recalls and fuel economy
Owners filed 201 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Town Car, and the biggest group is suspension, with 81[1][2]. One recall covers a rear axle fault, but some owners say their car was left out of it[3][2][4].
Most reported problems
NHTSA has 201 owner complaints on file for this model year[1]. 14 mention a crash, 6 mention injuries, and none mention a fire or a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one part. The counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.
| Component group | Complaints | Crashes | Injuries | Median miles at failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension[2] | 81 | 1 | 0 | 71,222 |
| Power train[4] | 27 | 0 | 0 | 83,256 |
| Speed control[7] | 18 | 8 | 2 | 43,307 |
| Steering[8] | 16 | 0 | 0 | 80,000 |
| Brakes[9] | 15 | 1 | 0 | 66,745 |
| Engine[10] | 14 | 0 | 0 | 83,400 |
| Structure[11] | 12 | 0 | 0 | 37,500 |
| Air bags[12] | 10 | 4 | 4 | 60,000 |
In the sample of complaints we read, the themes were these.
- Suspension and power train. Owners describe grinding, roaring or growling noise from the rear end, traced to worn or failed rear axle bearings and axles[2][4]. Several say the dealer told them the car was not covered by the rear axle recall, or refused to honor it[2][4].
- Speed control. Owners describe the car surging forward or accelerating on its own, in some cases ending in a crash. A few say the brakes did not stop the car until they shifted to neutral, and a few say the dealer could not find the cause[7].
- Steering. Some owners describe hard or binding steering and point to a corroded lower steering shaft. Others describe electrical trouble, a steering column part or a seized wheel[8].
Speed control has fewer complaints than suspension, but it has the most crashes of any group[7]. Air bags have 4 crashes and 4 injuries among 10 complaints[12]. We did not read a sample of air bag complaints, so we cannot say what they describe.
Recalls
NHTSA lists one recall for this model year[3].
- Rear axle and wheel bearings (04V328), July 7, 2004. The recall covers certain police, commercial and passenger vehicles sold to fleets, 47,314 units in all[3]. Fleet use puts heavier loads on the wheel bearings and axles. They can wear out early and an axle shaft can break. The car would then lose drive and coast to a stop, which could lead to a crash. The fix is that dealers replace the rear wheel bearings, seals and axle shafts. The recall began July 15, 2004, and the notice gives Ford's owner line as 1-800-392-3673[3].
In our complaint sample, some owners with the same rear end noise say their car was not on the recall list by VIN[2][4]. If you are shopping for one, ask for the VIN and check it with Ford or NHTSA before you buy.
Fuel economy
EPA rates the Town Car with the 4.6L 8-cylinder engine, a 4-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive at 16 MPG city, 23 highway and 18 combined[6]. It runs on regular fuel[6]. EPA puts the annual fuel cost at $3,700[6].
Safety ratings
This model year has no NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating[13]. There are no star scores to report.
Engine and size
The EPA fuel economy listing shows a 4.6L 8-cylinder engine[6]. The dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, converted to inches and pounds. They can differ slightly from US models.
How 2003 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 165 | 6 |
| 1996 | 259 | 8 |
| 1997 | 314 | 6 |
| 1998 | 154 | 7 |
| 1999 | 148 | 5 |
| 2000 | 108 | 8 |
| 2001 | 161 | 5 |
| 2002 | 65 | 0 |
| 2003 | 201 | 1 |
| 2004 | 83 | 0 |
| 2005 | 119 | 3 |
| 2006 | 143 | 2 |
| 2007 | 84 | 3 |
| 2008 | 20 | 3 |
| 2009 | 5 | 3 |
| 2010 | 13 | 3 |
| 2011 | 6 | 3 |
NHTSA keeps complaint and recall counts for each Town Car model year[5]. The 2003 model year has 201 complaints[5]. Only 1997 (314) and 1996 (259) have more, so 2003 is third highest of the 17 years listed[5]. The nearest years are quieter, with 65 complaints for 2002 and 83 for 2004[5].
Recalls tell a different story. Every year from 1995 to 2001 has between 5 and 8 recalls, and 2003 has 1[5]. Only 2002 and 2004 have none[5]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so they show how much owners wrote to NHTSA, not how likely a car is to fail.
Should you buy a used 2003 Town Car?
The record is mixed. The 2003 model year has the third highest complaint count of the 17 years listed, and rear end noise from failing axle bearings shows up in the sample we read[5][2][4]. The one recall is for exactly that area, so check the VIN with Ford or NHTSA and look for a repair record on the rear axles[3]. Ask about sudden surging too, since speed control complaints have the most crashes[7]. EPA estimates fuel at $3,700 a year[6].
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Lincoln Town Car?
- Suspension has the most NHTSA complaints at 81 of 201, then power train at 27[1][2][4]. In the sample we read, owners describe rear end noise from failing axle bearings[2][4].
- Is there a recall on the 2003 Lincoln Town Car?
- Yes, one recall: 04V328 for rear wheel bearings and axle shafts, where dealers replace the bearings, seals and axle shafts[3]. Some owners say their VIN was not included, so check yours[2][4].
- What gas mileage does a 2003 Lincoln Town Car get?
- EPA rates it at 16 city, 23 highway and 18 combined MPG[6].
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 201 owner complaints on file for the 2003 Lincoln Town Car (14 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 6 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 81 complaints name the suspension component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 71,222). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 04V328, filed July 7, 2004: Suspension › Rear. NHTSA recall database
- 27 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 83,256). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Lincoln Town Car model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Town Car, 4.6L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 23 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 18 complaints name the speed control component group (8 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 43,307). NHTSA vehicle records
- 16 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 80,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 15 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 66,745). NHTSA vehicle records
- 14 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 83,400). NHTSA vehicle records
- 12 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 37,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 10 complaints name the air bags component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TOWN CAR CARTIER/EXECUTIVE LIVERY/LIMOUSINE: length 215 in, width 78 in, height 59 in, wheelbase 118 in, curb weight 4,048 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TOWN CAR SIGNATURE/SIGNATURE PREMIUM: length 215 in, width 78 in, height 59 in, wheelbase 118 in, curb weight 4,048 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TOWN CAR EXECUTIVE L LIVERY 4DR SEDAN: length 221 in, width 78 in, height 59 in, wheelbase 124 in, curb weight 4,120 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov