The contact owns a 2003 Lincoln Town car. While the vehicle was stopped at a traffic light, the rear passenger side axle fractured. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the bearings seized, which caused the axle to fail. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 04V328000 (suspension). The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 106,000.

- Fayetteville, NC, USA

2003 Lincoln Continental cartier. Consumer writes in regards to problems with vehicle wheels rear axles the consumer stated he was almost at his destination, when he heard the tires making a very loud noise. He exited the highway, and as he turned the steering wheel to make a turn, there was a creaking noise coming from under the vehicle. The next day, the consumer went to the dealer, where the vehicle was placed on the rack. It was discovered the rear wheel had 1/2 inch play in it. The rear axle had a 1/4 inch deep and 1/4 inch wide cut. The other axle was starting was exhibiting the same problem. The mechanic stated both axles would need to be replaced and the damage had contaminated other components and it could have been caused by the axle not being tempered properly for hardness. The dealer replaced the rear axles, bearings and seals.

- Bethany Beach, DE, USA

2003 Lincoln Town car. Consumer writes in regards to a sound in the rear end of vehicle the consumer stated the repair shop found two axles with grooves cut into the bearing journals nears the flanges. The consumer discovered a recall had been issued for the problem. The consumer learned the garage did not replace the axles, but the roller bearing were replaced. The consumer referenced recall # 04V328000.

- Tiverton, RI, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Lincoln Town car. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph, a loud roaring noise emitted from the rear end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic on three different occasions for the same failure and each time the rear axle bearing and axle were replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. There was a recall under NHTSA campaign id number 04V328000 (suspension: Rear); however the VIN was not included in the recall. The approximate failure mileage was 119,000.

- Deland, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Lincoln Town car. The contact was traveling 10 mph when the rear axle broke. The contact was able to drive onto the side of the road without causing a crash. The vehicle was towed to the contacts home and the tow truck driver informed the contact that the rear axle was broken. The contact found NHTSA recall campaign id number 04V328000 (suspension: Rear); however, the manufacturer stated the recall was only for fleet vehicles. The failure and current mileage was 160,000.

- Broken Arrow, OK, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Lincoln Town car. The contact stated that he would feel vibrations coming from the rear end while driving at various speeds. The contact examined the vehicle himself and noticed the rear wheel bearings were very loose. An authorized dealer was notified and the contact was informed the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 04V328000 (suspension:rear). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 142,692.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

Recently purchased a 2003 Lincoln towncar with 35,000 miles that exhibited rear axle noise. Ford replaced the axles and bearings sitting no recall existed.

- Newport News, VA, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Lincoln towncar. The contact stated that the bearings on the rear axle had failed as it leaked oil from under the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local repair shop where it will be repaired. The contact called the manufacturer who offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000. Updated 03/31/11 updated 05/04/11

- Bryceville, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Lincoln Town car. The contact was driving when the vehicle exhibited an unusual noise from the rear. The contact noticed there was oil leaking onto the wheels of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local repair facility and diagnosed. The mechanic located the failure at the rear suspension wheel bearings, axle shaft and seals which were all replaced. The manufacturer was contacted advised the contact that his VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 04V328000 (suspension: Rear) therefore, they would not assist with repairs. The failure mileage was 69,944 and the current mileage was 71,672. Updated 01/31/11 updated 04/20/11

- West Palm Beach, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Lincoln Town car. While driving 5 mph the contact heard a loud popping noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a garage where they stated the rear axle was bent. The rear wheel bearings, seals, and axle shafts were replaced. The contact referenced recall campaign number : 04V328000 suspension:rear. The contact stated that his vehicle has experienced the same failure. The failure mileage was 91000 and the current mileage was 93000. Updated 12/23/10 the consumer stated he vehicle should have been included in the recall because he vehicle was built at the same plant during the specific period of the recall. Updated 01/04/11

- Palo Alto , CA, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Lincoln Town car. The contact was driving approximately 20 mph as he began to hear an unusual thumping from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to be examined for the cause of failure nor repaired. The contact inquired with an authorized dealer in regard to NHTSA campaign id number: 04V328000 (suspension: Rear) and was told that his VIN was excluded from the recall. In addition, the contact stated that while driving approximately 20 mph, the front driver side seat independently slid backward to the end of the mounting tracks. The vehicle was neither diagnosed nor repaired for the seat failure. Both failures continued to recur intermittently. The failure and current mileage was 93,000.

- Glendora, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Lincoln Town car. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph, she heard an abnormal noise and then the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the contact was advised that the rear axle was fractured. The contact was able to locate a recall relevant to the failure and inquired with the manufacturer. The manufacturer advised that the contact's VIN was not included in the recall (NHTSA campaign id number: 04V328000 (suspension: Rear) and would not provide any assistance. The vehicle was repaired at the contact's expense. The failure mileage was 74,842 and the current mileage was 74,920.

- Three Mile Bay , NY, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Lincoln Town car. While driving approximately 5 mph, the axle shaft suddenly cracked. The contact coasted the vehicle onto the emergency lane. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer. The contact referenced recall 04V328000 (suspension: Rear). The dealer stated that the failure was identical to the recall; however, the manufacturer stated that his VIN was not included. The manufacturer offered him a 20% discount off of the repair expenses. The current and failure mileages were 54,230.

- Wayne, IL, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Lincoln Town car. The front and rear bearing rods and axle were destroyed when the rack and pinion failed. The axle was replaced in October 2008 but the dealer said that the pinion bearings were worn out. The manufacturer stated that NHTSA campaign number 04V328000 is related to the failure; however, his VIN is not a part of the recall. The contact is concerned about the safety risk. The failure mileage was 88,079.

- Racine, WI, USA

2003 Lincoln tc recently needed repairs at dealership for rear axle & bearings. Advised by dealer that repairs not covered by recall, 04V328000 (Ford-04S16). Found 44 complaints in your system for the same problem. Why did the original recall not apply to vehicles such as mine. Are not the same problems occurring" are not the same safety issues at risk" my vehicle only has 36,000 miles & is in excellent condition so I do not feel wear & tear is the issue. Please advise.

- Drexel Hill, PA, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Lincoln Town car. The contact noticed that the rear wheel bearings were leaking. He notified the manufacturer in reference to recall# 04V328000, rear suspension; however, he was advised that since his VIN was excluded he is ineligible for a free remedy. No repairs were made. The failure and current mileages were 64,000. Updated 10/20/09 the problem with the right rear axle shaft and wheel bearing was noticed during a routine maintenance visit. Updated 10/22/09.

- Pea Body, MA, USA

2003 Town car on Aug. 3, 2009 the car lost drive function on interstate. The repair was a new drive axle from the Ford dealer. On Aug. 8, the same thing happen again we lost drive function and the rear axle is broken. I spoke to the dealer about the Ford recall no. 04S16 or 04V328000 and he explained that the VIN no. Did not apply.

- Summerville, SC, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Lincoln Town car. While driving 15 mph, the contact heard a grinding noise coming from the rear end of the vehicle. He called the dealer, but they were unable to schedule an appointment. The contact took the vehicle to the repair shop. The mechanic removed the rear wheels and discovered that the wheel bearing had disintegrated and both rear axles were severely compromised, to the point that at least one of them would have completely failed within the next 1,000 miles. The mechanic replaced both axles and the wheel bearing. Through research, he discovered NHTSA campaign id number 04V328000, PE04010 NHTSA action number PE04010 (component: Suspension:rear). The dealer stated that the VIN was not included in the recall, although the contact feels that it should be included. The current and failure mileages were 69,000. Updated 8/28/09 updated09/03/09.

- Manchester, NJ, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Lincoln towncar cartier. The rear axles suddenly became worn and there were no unusual noise indicators that were unfamiliar to him. A mechanic advised him that the bearings and axles needed to be replaced. He also stated that NHTSA campaign id number: 04V328000 component: Suspension:rear is related to the failure; however, his vehicle did not qualify for the recall. The failure and current mileages were 41,000. Updated 05/08/09 updated 05/12/09. The rear axles shafts and seals were replaced. Updated 06/09/09.

- Maridan, CT, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Lincoln Town car. While the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed a leak behind the rear driver's side tire. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 04V328000 (suspension:rear). The contact feels that Lincoln should be responsible for the repair. The current and failure mileages were 87,907. Updated 04/17/09. Updated 04/21/09.

- Forrstville, MD, USA