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2005 Lincoln Town Car: problems, recalls and fuel economy
NHTSA has 119 owner complaints on file for the 2005 Lincoln Town Car, and the biggest group concerns speed control[1][2]. The car also has three recalls, two for steering and one for a battery cable that could chafe and start a fire[3][4][5].
Most reported problems
Of the 119 complaints, 17 mention a crash, 2 a fire and 18 injuries, and 1 reports a death[1]. These are unverified reports from owners. One complaint can name more than one part, and the counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold[1].
| Component group | Complaints | Crashes | Injuries | Median mileage at failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speed control[2] | 34 | 9 | 10 | 48,250 |
| Brakes[8] | 24 | 6 | 5 | 46,000 |
| Air bags[9] | 22 | 2 | 4 | 63,500 |
| Seat belts[10] | 11 | 0 | 0 | 62,000 |
| Structure[11] | 8 | 0 | 1 | 16,720 |
| Electrical system[12] | 8 | 0 | 0 | 62,000 |
| Steering[13] | 8 | 0 | 0 | 126,500 |
| Power train[14] | 7 | 1 | 5 | 52,500 |
What owners describe, from a small sample of complaint texts we read:
- Speed control. In a sample of 12 texts, 11 describe the engine racing or the car surging or speeding up on its own, sometimes while the driver pressed the brake. In some of these texts, owners say the dealer found nothing wrong[2].
- Brakes. In a sample of 12 texts, 8[8] describe the engine revving or the car lurching forward while the brake pedal was pressed, so the car did not stop as expected[8]. Some say the dealer could not reproduce it[8].
- Air bags. In a sample of 12 texts, 7[9] describe the air bag warning light coming on, often followed by repair quotes in the hundreds of dollars. Two[9] describe air bags that did not deploy in a crash.
- Seat belts. In a sample of 11 texts, 6[10] describe the air bag light coming on with a dealer pointing to the seat belt pretensioners or modules. Owners quote repair costs from over $600 to $1,500[10].
The power train group has only 7 complaints[14], so it is not a common problem in this data. It does stand out for severity, with 1 crash, 1 fire, 5 injuries and 1 death among them[14].
Recalls
NHTSA lists three recalls for this model year, newest first. The two steering recall notices state a free dealer repair[3][4]. The battery cable notice says dealers will inspect and fix it, and does not mention cost[5]. The facts do not say whether any one car has already had the work done.
- Steering shaft repair (14V704), November 2014. Ford recalled 36,888 vehicles[3] where the upper intermediate steering shaft was serviced during the earlier recall 13V385. That repair may not have been done correctly. A shaft that separates could cause loss of steering control and raise the risk of a crash. Dealers inspect and replace the shaft if needed, free of charge[3].
- Steering shaft corrosion (13V385), August 2013. This recall covers 355,000 vehicles[4] across several models, including the Town Car. It applies to vehicles registered or first sold in the states and the District of Columbia that the recall notice lists. Severe corrosion can seize the lower intermediate shaft, which may make the upper shaft collapse and the steering column lower bearing separate. That can cause loss of steering and raise the risk of a crash. Dealers replace the lower shaft free of charge, inspect the other parts, and fix or replace them as needed[4].
- Battery cable (05V518), November 2005. A fusible link in the battery cable may touch and rub against a cross member bolt on 98,836 vehicles[5]. That can cause heat damage and could lead to a fire. Dealers inspect the link and move it away from the bolt. If copper wire is already exposed, they replace the link[5].
Fuel economy
The EPA rates the Town Car with the 4.6L 8-cylinder engine and 4-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive and regular fuel, at 16 mpg city, 23 highway and 19 combined[7]. The EPA estimates annual fuel cost at $3,550, based on its current fuel price assumptions and not the price when the car was new[7].
Safety ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings list this car as not rated[15]. That means there is no star score to compare. It is not a good or bad result.
Engine and size
The EPA listing is for a 4.6L 8-cylinder engine[7]. Our data has no horsepower figure for this car. The size numbers below are Canadian-market specifications for the Signature Limited sedan and can differ slightly from US models[16].
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Length | 215 in |
| Width | 78 in |
| Height | 59 in |
| Wheelbase | 118 in |
| Curb weight | 4,416 lb |
Source for all rows:[16].
How 2005 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 |
The 2005 model year has 119 complaints and 3 recalls[6]. Across the 17 Town Car years from 1995 to 2011, that is in the middle on complaints[6]. Eight years have more, including 1997 at 314[6], 1996 at 259, 2003 at 201 and 2006 at 143[6]. Eight years have fewer, including 2004 at 83, 2007 at 84 and 2008 at 20[6].
On recalls, 3 is fewer than any year from 1995 to 2001, which range from 5 to 8[6]. It is more than 2002 (0), 2003 (1), 2004 (0) and 2006 (2)[6]. It matches 2007 through 2011, which each have 3[6]. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so treat them as a rough guide[1].
Should you buy a used 2005 Town Car?
The data does not point to one clear fault, but it does show where to look. Owners report speed control and brake complaints that involve crashes, so ask a seller about any surging or odd braking and have a mechanic check it[2][8]. Air bag warning lights and seat belt pretensioner repairs came up in the complaint sample, and quoted repairs ran into the hundreds of dollars[9][10]. Check whether the steering recalls and the battery cable recall apply to the car and were done, since each carries a safety risk the notices describe[3][4][5]. The EPA rates the car at 19 mpg combined, and NHTSA has not given it a star rating[7][15].
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Lincoln Town Car?
- Speed control has the most NHTSA complaints at 34, followed by brakes at 24 and air bags at 22, out of 119 total[1][2][8][9].
- Does the 2005 Lincoln Town Car have recalls?
- NHTSA lists three: 14V704 and 13V385 for steering shafts and 05V518 for a battery cable that could chafe and cause a fire[3][4][5].
- What gas mileage does a 2005 Lincoln Town Car get?
- The EPA rates it at 16 mpg city, 23 highway and 19 combined, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550[7].
- Is the 2005 Town Car a safe car?
- NHTSA has not rated it in its 5-Star program[15]. In NHTSA's complaint record, 17 of 119 complaints mention a crash[1].
- Is 2005 a good year for the Lincoln Town Car?
- It is in the middle of the range. Eight years have more complaints and eight have fewer, out of 17 model years[6].
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 119 owner complaints on file for the 2005 Lincoln Town Car (17 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 18 injuries, 1 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 34 complaints name the speed control component group (9 crashes, 0 fires, 10 injuries, median mileage at failure 48,250). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 14V704, filed November 5, 2014: Steering › Rack And Pinion › Pinion Shaft. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 13V385, filed August 29, 2013: Steering. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 05V518, filed November 9, 2005: Electrical System › 12V / 24V / 48V Battery › Cables. NHTSA recall database
- 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 / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 24 complaints name the brakes component group (6 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 46,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 22 complaints name the air bags component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 63,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 11 complaints name the seat belts component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 62,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 8 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 16,720). NHTSA vehicle records
- 8 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 62,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 8 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 126,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 7 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 52,500). 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 /SIGNATURE LIMITED: length 215 in, width 78 in, height 59 in, wheelbase 118 in, curb weight 4,416 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov