CarBrief

NHTSA has 143 owner complaints on file for the 2006 Lincoln Town Car[1]. The car also has two steering recalls[2][3], so check that the repairs were done before you buy.

143owner complaints[1]
2recalls[4]
18MPG combined (EPA)[5]

What owners report

Owners filed 143 complaints with NHTSA[1]. Twelve mention a crash, one a fire and seven an injury. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified reports, and one complaint can name several parts, so the group counts below overlap.

Component group Complaints Crashes Injuries Median miles at failure
Air bags[6] 58 3 2 71,900
Seat belts[7] 35 1 1 78,753
Speed control[8] 26 5 4 28,000
Brakes[9] 21 5 2 31,000
Steering[10] 13 3 0 110,000

Smaller groups are structure with 8 complaints[11], unknown or other with 8[12] and the fuel/propulsion system with 7[13].

Air bags and seat belts. In a sample of air bag complaints we read, owners describe an air bag warning light and a repeating chime. Dealers traced it to a failed front seat belt pretensioner or buckle[6]. The seat belt sample tells the same story. Some owners say the problem moved to the other side of the car after the first repair, and some were unhappy with the repair bills[7]. One air bag complaint describes an icy-road crash where the air bags did not deploy[6].

Surging and acceleration. In a sample of speed control complaints, owners describe the engine revving or the car surging forward unexpectedly. Several describe it happening as they slow down or stop. Some say the dealer could not reproduce it or said the driver had pressed both pedals, and the car was not repaired[8]. The median mileage at failure is 28,000[8].

Pedals and brakes. In a sample of brake complaints, owners describe the car lurching forward as they brake. Several say the brake and gas pedals sit very close together. A smaller number describe a pedal sinking to the floor or brakes that did not stop the car[9]. NHTSA does not tell us the cause of any of these reports.

Recalls

Both recalls involve steering and both also cover other Ford and Mercury models.

The recall notices are about the models and states they list. They do not tell us whether a particular car was in scope or has been repaired. Owners may contact Ford customer service about these recalls[2][3].

Fuel economy

EPA rates the 4.6L 8-cylinder with an automatic 4-speed and rear-wheel drive at 15 MPG city, 23 highway and 18 combined[5]. EPA's estimated annual fuel cost is $3,700[5]. A version listed for gasoline or E85 has the same ratings and the same cost estimate[14]. The annual cost uses 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 (4 DR RWD) as not rated[15]. That means there is no crash rating to compare.

Engine and size

EPA lists a 4.6L 8-cylinder engine with an automatic 4-speed and rear-wheel drive[5]. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models. Two variants are listed.

Variant Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
Signature L[16] 221 in 78 in 59 in 124 in 4,418 lb
Signature Limited[17] 215 in 78 in 59 in 118 in 4,345 lb

How 2006 compares with other years

1995: 165 complaints, 6 recalls19951996: 259 complaints, 8 recalls1997: 314 complaints, 6 recalls19971998: 154 complaints, 7 recalls1999: 148 complaints, 5 recalls19992000: 108 complaints, 8 recalls2001: 161 complaints, 5 recalls20012002: 65 complaints, 0 recalls2003: 201 complaints, 1 recalls20032004: 83 complaints, 0 recalls2005: 119 complaints, 3 recalls20052006: 143 complaints, 2 recalls14320062007: 84 complaints, 3 recalls20072008: 20 complaints, 3 recalls2009: 5 complaints, 3 recalls20092010: 13 complaints, 3 recalls2011: 6 complaints, 3 recalls2011
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Town Car model year. The 2006 is highlighted[4].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19951656
19962598
19973146
19981547
19991485
20001088
20011615
2002650
20032011
2004830
20051193
20061432
2007843
2008203
200953
2010133
201163

The 2006 model year has 143 complaints and 2 recalls on file[4]. Seven Town Car years have more complaints: 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001 and 2003. The highest is 1997 with 314[4]. That puts 2006 eighth highest out of the 17 model years listed[4].

Nearby years show fewer complaints. The 2005 model has 119 complaints and 3 recalls[4]. The 2007 model has 84 complaints and 3 recalls[4]. Only 2002, 2003 and 2004 have fewer recalls than 2006, with 0, 1 and 0[4]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.

Should you buy a used 2006 Town Car?

The facts do not point to a car to avoid, but they do point to things to check. Check whether recalls 13V385 and 14V704 were handled on the car you are considering, because both involve steering[2][3]. Test the air bag and seat belt warning lights, since air bags and seat belts have the most complaints[6][7]. Pay attention to pedal feel and spacing on a test drive, because speed control and brake complaints include crashes and injuries[8][9]. The complaint samples are small and unverified, so treat them as things to look for and not as a forecast for any single car.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2006 Lincoln Town Car?
Air bags have the most complaints with 58, followed by seat belts with 35, speed control with 26 and brakes with 21[6][7][8][9]. In samples we read, owners describe air bag and seat belt warning lights, surging and pedal placement.
Does the 2006 Lincoln Town Car have recalls?
Yes. Recall 13V385 covers corrosion of the lower intermediate steering shaft and 14V704 covers upper shaft repairs that may not have been done correctly. Ford says dealers do the repair free of charge[2][3].
What is the gas mileage of the 2006 Lincoln Town Car?
EPA rates it at 15 city, 23 highway and 18 combined MPG[5].
How many complaints does the 2006 Town Car have compared with other years?
It has 143 complaints[1]. Seven model years have more, and the highest is 1997 with 314[4].
What is the safety rating of the 2006 Lincoln Town Car?
NHTSA lists the 5-Star Safety Rating as not rated[15].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 143 owner complaints on file for the 2006 Lincoln Town Car (12 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 7 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Recall 14V704, filed November 5, 2014: Steering › Rack And Pinion › Pinion Shaft. NHTSA recall database
  3. Recall 13V385, filed August 29, 2013: Steering. NHTSA recall database
  4. Owner complaints and recalls for every Lincoln Town Car model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  5. 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
  6. 58 complaints name the air bags component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 71,900). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 35 complaints name the seat belts component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 78,753). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 26 complaints name the speed control component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 28,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 21 complaints name the brakes component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 31,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 13 complaints name the steering component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 110,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 8 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 27,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 8 complaints name the unknown or other component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,811). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 7 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 79,250). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. EPA rating for Town Car, 4.6L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Gasoline or E85, Rear-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 23 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  15. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR RWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  16. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TOWN CAR 4DR SEDAN RWD /SIGNATURE L: length 221 in, width 78 in, height 59 in, wheelbase 124 in, curb weight 4,418 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  17. 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 4,345 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.