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2004 Lincoln Town Car: problems, recalls and fuel economy
NHTSA has 83 owner complaints on file for the 2004 Lincoln Town Car[1] and no recalls for this model year[2]. The biggest complaint groups are speed control and steering[3][4].
Most reported problems
Owners filed 83 complaints with NHTSA[1]. Of those, 18 mention a crash, 3 a fire and 6 injuries, and no deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one part.
Here are the largest groups by number of complaints.
| Component group | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speed control[3] | 19 | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering[4] | 14 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| Structure[6] | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes[7] | 10 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system[8] | 8 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Wheels[9] | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine[10] | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting[11] | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Speed control. In the 12 complaint texts we read for this group, about 9 describe the car surging forward or accelerating on its own, often when the driver was braking or pulling into a parking space[3]. Two of the 12 say the brake and gas pedals sit close enough to be pressed together, and both of those say the dealer raised the brake pedal[3]. One text is about cruise control not holding speed downhill[3]. The median mileage at failure for this group is 3,366[3].
Steering. In the 12 texts we read, 9 describe steering that sticks or turns with great effort, and some of them name a steering shaft as the cause[4]. Four mention rust or corrosion[4]. The median mileage at failure is 79,150[4]. The group reports 5 injuries[4].
Brakes. In the 9 texts we read, 6 describe a pedal that goes to the floor or a car that will not stop, and 4 mention pedals that sit very close together[7]. The median mileage at failure is 1,525[7].
Structure. In the 11 texts we read, 4 are about interior door handles, locks or panels breaking, and owners say the part is no longer available[6]. Three describe water leaking into the cabin[6]. The median mileage at failure is 93,451[6].
Electrical system and engine complaints are fewer. The electrical group reports 2 fires and the engine group 1[8][10].
Recalls
NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2004 model year[2]. That does not mean the car has no known issues. It means no recall campaign is on file for this year. Check the VIN with NHTSA before you buy.
Fuel economy
The EPA rates the 4.6L 8-cylinder with an automatic 4-speed, regular fuel and rear-wheel drive at 15 MPG city, 23 highway and 18 combined[5]. The EPA estimates annual fuel cost at $3,700[5]. That figure uses the EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.
Safety ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings list this car as not rated[12]. So there is no star rating to compare with other cars.
Engine and size
The EPA listing is for a 4.6L 8-cylinder engine[5]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.
How 2004 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 data covers Town Car model years 1995 to 2011[2]. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so treat them as a rough guide only.
The 2004 model has 83 complaints[2]. Of the 17 years listed, 11 have more complaints and 5 have fewer[2]. The years with fewer are 2002 with 65, 2008 with 20, 2009 with 5, 2010 with 13 and 2011 with 6[2]. The 2007 model is close at 84[2].
For recalls, 2004 and 2002 are the only years with 0[2]. The 2003 model has 201 complaints and 1 recall, and 2005 has 119 complaints and 3 recalls[2].
Should you buy a used 2004 Town Car?
The record is mixed. There are no recalls on file and the complaint count of 83 is higher than in 5 other model years and lower than in 11[1][2]. The complaints that stand out are about speed control and steering[3][4]. In the sample of complaints we read, owners describe the car surging while braking and steering that becomes hard to turn[3][4]. Because it is a small sample, it cannot tell you how often these happen. If you are considering one, have a mechanic check the steering shaft and brake pedal feel, and look for water leaks and door handle condition[4][7][6]. Fuel cost is a factor too, with an EPA estimate of $3,700 a year at 18 MPG combined[5].
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 Lincoln Town Car?
- Speed control has the most complaints with 19, followed by steering with 14[3][4]. In the sample we read, owners describe surging while braking and hard-to-turn steering[3][4].
- Are there any recalls on the 2004 Lincoln Town Car?
- NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2004 model year[2].
- What is the gas mileage of a 2004 Lincoln Town Car?
- The EPA rates it at 15 city, 23 highway and 18 combined MPG[5].
- Is the 2004 Lincoln Town Car safe?
- NHTSA lists its 5-Star Safety Rating as not rated[12]. Owners filed 83 complaints, and 18 of them mention a crash[1].
- Which Lincoln Town Car year has the fewest complaints?
- Among model years 1995 to 2011, 2009 has the fewest with 5 complaints, but counts are not adjusted for sales[2].
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 83 owner complaints on file for the 2004 Lincoln Town Car (18 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 6 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Lincoln Town Car model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- 19 complaints name the speed control component group (9 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 3,366). NHTSA vehicle records
- 14 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 79,150). NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA rating for Town Car, 4.6L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 23 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 11 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 93,451). NHTSA vehicle records
- 10 complaints name the brakes component group (6 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 1,525). NHTSA vehicle records
- 8 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 105,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 6 complaints name the wheels component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 80,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 5 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 4 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TOWN CAR 4DR SEDAN RWD /ULTIMATE: length 215 in, width 78 in, height 59 in, wheelbase 118 in, curb weight 4,370 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TOWN CAR 4DR SEDAN RWD /ULTIMATE L: length 221 in, width 78 in, height 59 in, wheelbase 124 in, curb weight 4,473 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov