2.5

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
60,577 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.

1997 Lincoln Town Car engine problems

engine problem

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1997 Lincoln Town Car Owner Comments

problem #11

Oct 222009

Town Car

  • 65,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 1997 Lincoln Town car. The contact stated that when driving at low speeds, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The contact shifted into neutral and restarted the vehicle. The failure occurred several times. The contact informed the dealer of the failure was told there were no related recalls. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000 and the current mileage was approximately 77,000.

- Danville, IL, USA

problem #10

Feb 152005

Town Car 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 117,952 miles
I have 1997 Lincoln Town car, 4.6L. The plastic intake cracked, causing the engine to overheat and shutdown. Towed the vehicle costs $180. Engine is clattering and moisture coming from the tailpipe. Possible cracked cyclinders heads at mininumum. Cost to replace is $2000 T0 2500. Total engine may be as much as $5,000. From what I can determine this is a major problem with this engine. Ford issued a notification to dealers (97M91). I was never notified during the warraty period or since. Ford should have recalled this part. As an engineer my self I would have never purchased such an expensive vehicle with such a poor design. Plastic and heat don't go together. I have searched the internet and there are hundreds if not thousand of such cases.

- Windcrest, TX, USA

problem #9

Jun 082004

Town Car 8-cyl

  • 38,249 miles
The plastic intake manifold cracked and leaked coolant fluid all over the engine. As a result the vehicle stalled while driving. The consumer request reimbursement fro the expenses he incurred as a result of the cracked intake manifold.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #8

Oct 122004

Town Car 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

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

Upon starting the vehicle it sounded as if a rod was being thrown. The consumer took the vehicle to the repair shop and they tried starting the vehicle again, but the same thing occurred. The mechanic told the consumer to shut the vehicle off. Suddenly the oil pressure dropped. The engine spun the bearing and there was a rattle in the engine area.

- Delia, KS, USA

problem #7

Aug 152004

Town Car 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 82,000 miles
1997 Lincoln Town car - intake manifold cracked open loosing coolant and over heated.

- Seneca Falls, NY, USA

problem #6

May 182003

Town Car 8-cyl

  • miles
Ltr fm w.O. rosendahl (tx) re defective manifold for a 1997 Lincoln Town car, wants Ford to replace the manifold even though his vehicle was not part of Ford's voluntary replacement program, reply attn. James aldredge@the austin, tx ofc. While driving, the engine lost coolant, the vehicle was towed to a Ford dealership and the consumer was informed the vehicle had a cracked intake manifold.

- Comfort, TX, USA

problem #5

Aug 282003

Town Car 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,650 miles

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

Intake manifold blew on interstate highway, endangering me and pickup truck behind me.

- Ivins, UT, USA

problem #4

May 012003

Town Car

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Ltr fr william rosendahl (tx) owner of a 1997 Lincoln tow car oppose Ford Motor Company using defective plastic intake manifolds on vehicle suggest NHTSA investigate reply to the dallas tx district ofc.

- Comfort, TX, USA

problem #3

Oct 282003

Town Car 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 124,500 miles
The intake manifold on a 97 Lincoln Town car was originally made of plastic. This manifold has cracked in a large number of cars that use this manifold. These cars include the Crown Victoria, the mustang and the Town car. When purchasing a new manifold, it has been redesigned and a cast iron section has replaced the front plastic section. Keep in mind that the rest is still plastic. The manifold supposedly cracks under the pressure of the alternator, which is attached to the front of the manifold. A recall was issued only for fleet and police vehicles. I believe this is unfair to the consumer. Ford's engineers made a mistake and they are not claiming responsibility unless the vehicles are part of a fleet. The cost of replacement of the manifold is $975. It's not pocket change even for a Lincoln owner. And even if it were just pocket change the owner shouldn't have to pay for an engineering mistake that could have injured someone. The crack in the manifold causes the coolant to leak out of the engine, which could cause other serious repercussions. I, along with many other consumers, feel that Ford (Lincoln) should take responsibility for this defect.

- Broadview Hts, OH, USA

problem #2

Feb 042003

Town Car 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 56,000 miles
Intake manifold failure...part made out of plastic. Dealer states manufacture had issued a "campaign" to replace at no charge because they knew part was faulty...but only if vehicle was in "taxi or limo" service. I am outraged that manufacture acknowledges that part is faulty but does not replace with adequate replacement. Vehicle has only 56000 miles. Cost to me to repair almost $900. Call to Ford customer service representative has yet to be returned.

- La Quinta, CA, USA

problem #1

May 301998

Town Car

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving the vehicle will cut off at any time below 30mph in reverse/ braking. Dealer contacted more than four times and cannot duplicate the problem.

- Queens Autoria, NY, USA

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