10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
73,121 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1998 Lincoln Town Car engine problems

engine problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1998 Lincoln Town Car:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

1998 Lincoln Town Car Owner Comments

problem #9

Apr 172013

Town Car

  • 137,352 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle began to over heat.once it got hot, the power of car is, was lost. After happening a few times, I found a very small [pin size] hole in the thermastate recieving unit.this is a part of the manifold it self. All attemps to repair this problem has failed.! trying to fix this proved impossible.this part is in fact made of some type of plastic.as it heats up the plastic exspands, and re-opens the hole, which has now become a crack. All effords to find a sealent to stop the leak, has failed. To have this crack repaired means that the entire top of the motor [manifold] must be re-placed. Ford re-placed the termastate housing unit in 2000-2001, with an aluminum piece, problem solved.there are no re-calls, nor even a notification, sent out, to address this problem. I feel stornly that this is in fact a known problem, which Ford was aware of, but decided that it did not happen enough to fix it.please note::when the car ovrt heats it shuts off the power to the engine!!! this could potientially be avery dangerous situation, especially in high traffic, high speed situations!!!!

- Gr. Cacapon, WV, USA

problem #8

Dec 012010

Town Car

  • 73,000 miles
Failure of the plastic intake manifold system. Loss of coolant, engine overheated, loss of power and control in heavy traffic presented a serious safety hazard. Engine intake manifold system is a design flaw and subject of an earlier recall by manufacturer.

- Melrose Park, IL, USA

problem #7

Nov 102010

Town Car

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 1998 Lincoln Town car. While driving approximately 20 mph the vehicle over heated and the manifold cracked. The vehicle was towed to his residence. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer for the failure. He called the manufacturer and was advised that he had to pay for the repairs. He referenced an unknown manufacturer's recall. The vehicle was purchased used in 2007. The vehicle had continued to overheat since he purchased it. The failure and current mileages were approximately 90,000.

- Jamaica, NY, USA

problem #6

Jan 122009

Town Car

  • 64,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I took my 1998 Lincoln to a dealership for diagnosis of engine noise and it was determined the intake manifold was cracked causing loss of coolant and collateral damage costing $1400. The dealer advised this was a recall item but expired in 2005. Customer service for Ford would not grant any concessions and being on a fixed income, I'm looking for some financial relief. I had been to the dealers in the past for service and never once did they mention a recall, even prior the expiration date. I never recalled a notice possibly buying the car in 2000 but you would think the dealership computers would alert to the recall. Your assistance would be much appreciated.

- Dade City, FL, USA

problem #5

Feb 272008

Town Car 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 16,000 miles
The contact owns a 1998 Lincoln Town car. The contact noticed fluid leaking from her vehicle. She took the vehicle to a local mechanic and they stated that the thermostat failed. Repairs were made, but the failure recurred. The contact took the vehicle to another mechanic, but no repairs were made. She began looking for assistance with having her vehicle repaired. Unfortunately, the dealer was also unable to provide the assistance she needed. The failure mileage was unknown. Updated 7/3/08 the consumer stated the intake manifold was cracked. Updated 07/03/08.

- Oklahoma City, OK, USA

problem #4

Mar 022008

Town Car 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The contact owns a 1998 Lincoln Town car. The contact attempted to start the vehicle, but was unsuccessful. The engine turned over, but the vehicle would not actually start. A mechanic inspected the vehicle and a loud boom occurred as soon as the vehicle was started. There was smoke and loud noises coming from the engine. The powertrain and mileages were unknown.

- Thomasville, GA, USA

problem #3

Feb 152008

Town Car 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 111,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

1998 Lincoln Town car caught fire. Electrical fire in engine compartment drivers side. Car burnt to ground, fire dept. Put out fire.

- Danvers, MA, USA

problem #2

Jul 102006

Town Car 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 71,735 miles
: the contact stated, while driving 45 mph., on a clear dry day, there was a sound heard resembling the sound of a tire blow out. The vehicle was stopped and the tires were checked for a flat. When no flat tire was found, the vehicle was immediately driven to a near-by service station. On the way to the station, a recurring hissing sound was heard. The vehicle was then towed to an independent service mechanic, where it was determined the spark plug was blow out of its threading from #8 cylinder and the spark plug from #7 cylinder was also damaged. The heads were sent out to be drilled and rethreaded.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #1

Feb 092004

Town Car 8-cyl

  • 95,000 miles
While the consumer was driving at an undetermined speed, the vehicle stalled. The consumer had the vehicle towed to a dealership and the mechanic determined the problem was due to engine failure. About an inch away on the wheel well, there was a 1/4 hole which allowed saltwater from the left front tire to be sprayed up and caused corrosion to accumulate in the fuse box.

- Houghton Lake, MI, USA

Not what you are looking for?