NHTSA vehicle safety data

2006 Lincoln Town Car Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2006 Lincoln Town Car has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 143 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Lincoln dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2006 Lincoln Town Car, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2006 Lincoln Town Car owner complaints

Owners have filed 143 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Lincoln Town Car, describing incidents dated September 6, 2005 to May 2, 2023.

Most-cited components

Air Bags 58 complaints
Seat Belts 35 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control 26 complaints
Service Brakes 21 complaints
Steering 13 complaints
Structure 8 complaints

Of the 143 complaints on file, 12 report a crash and 1 a fire; across all 143 complaints, owners report 7 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11626487 · Filed November 20, 2024
The contact owns a 2006 Lincoln Town Car. The contact stated that after it rained, rainwater entered the vehicle, soaking the rear passenger’s and rear driver's side seats. The contact removed the debris around the doors, but the failure persisted. Additionally, the front driver's seat remained…
ODI #11590333 · Filed May 23, 2024
The contact owns a 2006 Lincoln Town Car. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, he was unable to shift into the intended gear. The contact stated that the gear shifter had seized. The contact stated the steering shaft was maneuvered until the gear shifter unlocked. There was an…
ODI #11551039 · Filed October 20, 2023
The contact owns a 2006 Lincoln Town Car. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the engine made an abnormally loud sound. The contact stated upon shifting into drive(D), the vehicle accelerated unintendedly down the steep driveway. The contact continuously depressed the brake pedal, but the…

Read all 143 complaints

Owner-reported

2006 Lincoln Town Car mileage at failure

120 of the 143 complaints on file for the 2006 Lincoln Town Car give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Air Bags	Median 70,000 miles	Middle half 50,000–105,000 miles	Based on 50 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

Improper Repair of Upper Intermediate Shaft

NHTSA #14V704000 · Steering — Rack and Pinion — Pinion Shaft · NHTSA notice

Reported November 5, 2014 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 36,888 vehicles

Repair completion: 70.57% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 14S25 · Owners notified November 19, 2014 · Vehicles built March 8, 2004 – August 30, 2011 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Ford Crown Victoria, 2005-2011 Mercury Grand Marquis vehicles manufactured March 23, 2004, to August 30, 2011, and 2005-2011 Lincoln Town Car vehicles manufactured March 8, 2004, to August 30, 2011, and on which the upper intermediate shaft was serviced during the course of safety recall 13V-385. The prior repairs may not have been correctly performed.

Safety consequence

Improper servicing of the upper intermediate shaft could cause the shaft to separate, which can then result in a loss of steering control, and increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Ford will notify the owners of vehicles whose repair records reflect that the upper intermediate steering shaft was repaired during the course of the prior recall 13V-385. Dealers will inspect and replace the upper immediate shaft if necessary free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S25.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Steering Column Lower Bearing May Separate

NHTSA #13V385000 · Steering · NHTSA notice

Reported August 29, 2013 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 355,000 vehicles

Repair completion: 60.86% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 13S08 · Owners notified October 23, 2013 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

Ford is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Ford Crown Victoria (including Crown Victoria Police Interceptors), Mercury Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Car vehicles. The affected vehicles are currently registered or were originally sold in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Severe corrosion can seize the lower intermediate shaft which may cause the upper intermediate shaft to collapse and the steering column lower bearing to separate.

Safety consequence

If the lower bearing separates, the vehicle may experience a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Ford will notify owners and dealers will replace the lower intermediate shaft, free of charge. The upper intermediate shaft and steering column lower bearing will be inspected to identify any damage that may have occurred as a result of lower intermediate shaft corrosion, and repaired or replaced as necessary. If the steering column lower bearing has separated, a retainer clip will be installed. The recall began on October 23, 2013. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall number is 13S08.

Notes

A separate service campaign applies to vehicles in non-corrosion states not addressed by this safety recall. Owners of these vehicles should contact Ford directly about these vehicles.For the safety recall, owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

2006 Lincoln Town Car 4-DR. w/SAB

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

143 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2006 Lincoln Town Car.

Electrical System; Structure

ODI #11626487

Incident: January 1, 2022 · Filed: November 20, 2024

The contact owns a 2006 Lincoln Town Car. The contact stated that after it rained, rainwater entered the vehicle, soaking the rear passenger’s and rear driver's side seats. The contact removed the debris around the doors, but the failure persisted. Additionally, the front driver's seat remained extremely hot even after the seat heater was turned off. The contact stated that the dealer had previously replaced the intake manifold; however, the failure recurred, and the vehicle made an abnormal sound while being started. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Power Train

ODI #11590333

Incident: May 2, 2023 · Filed: May 23, 2024

The contact owns a 2006 Lincoln Town Car. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, he was unable to shift into the intended gear. The contact stated that the gear shifter had seized. The contact stated the steering shaft was maneuvered until the gear shifter unlocked. There was an unknown warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the local dealer was contacted; however, no assistance was provided. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000.

Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #11551039

Incident: December 15, 2019 · Filed: October 20, 2023

The contact owns a 2006 Lincoln Town Car. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the engine made an abnormally loud sound. The contact stated upon shifting into drive(D), the vehicle accelerated unintendedly down the steep driveway. The contact continuously depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact then turned off the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring intermittently while driving. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11511066

Incident: March 9, 2023 · Filed: March 9, 2023

Fuel Tank Strap broke leaving only 1 strap to hold fuel tank in place. Multiple complaints filed but no recall. What are you waiting for? Someone to die in a fire? This needs to be addressed with a nationwide recall.

Unknown or Other; Service Brakes

ODI #11503172

Incident: January 23, 2023 · Filed: January 23, 2023

When the foot was on the brake in stopped position, the accelator kept revving at high level. The only way to correct it the problem was to turn off the vehicle.

Air Bags; Seat Belts

ODI #11445382

Incident: December 29, 2021 · Filed: December 29, 2021

Want to report similar problem others seem to be reporting. When starting the car you hear 5 chimes/beeps repeating five times. The airbag light remains lit the entire time. On extended trips the chimes/beeps comes on again roughly every thirty minutes. Being directly linked to the airbag I’m surprised to find that this has yet to be recalled especially since many other towncar owners are reporting the exact same problem. I discovered that others were having similar issues when I was looking for a replacement seat belt because ours is sluggish to retract, you have to help it back to starting position.

Steering

ODI #11431619

Incident: August 28, 2021 · Filed: September 3, 2021

The contact owns a 2006 Lincoln Town Car. The contact stated that while in his driveway, the manifold plate detached into the steering shaft however, he was able to remove the part. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the local dealer. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000. The VIN was not available.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11420566

Crash

Incident: June 11, 2021 · Filed: June 11, 2021

When braking to stop there was sudden acceleration that braking could not control resulting in hitting the rear of a stopped car in front of me. This has happened in the past with no warning. It usually happens when braking, but not always. I have had the car to a Ford dealership twice with this problem. They claim they can find nothing wrong with the car. I took it into them today after this incident. They would not even look at the car. Said that Ford had no bulletins on this and said that I was on mu own. I see online that there has been a class action lawsuit against Ford about this. This could be a life-threatening problem. What do I do?

Steering; Seats; Service Brakes

ODI #11395829

Incident: February 9, 2021 · Filed: February 11, 2021

WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON A LOCAL HIGHWAY, THERE WAS AN UNCOMMANDED MOVEMENT OF THE FOOT PEDAL ADJUSTMENT. THE PEDALS RETRACTED AWAY FROM MY FEET TO THE MAXIMUM STOP FURTHEST AWAY, WHICH PUT THEM OUT OF MY REACH AND RENDERED IT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO ACTIVATE THE BRAKES OR ACCELERATOR PEDALS. THIS NEARLY CAUSED A LOSS OF CONTROL ACCIDENT, HAD I NOT DISENGAGED MY SEAT BELT AND SLID FORWARD UNDER THE DASH TO REACH THE PEDALS TO STOP THE VEHICLE. I WAS SUBSEQUENTLY ABLE TO USE THE CONTROL SWITCH TO MOVE THE PEDALS BACK INTO POSITION.

Air Bags

ODI #11343462

Incident: December 14, 2016 · Filed: August 5, 2020

AS SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED, MY 2006 TOWN CAR HAS HAD THE ORANGE ILLUMINATED AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH , ALONG WITH THE 5 CHIMES OVER AND OVER. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS, AND I'M SHOCKED TO SEE HOW PREVALENT IT ACTUALLY IS. SHAME SHAME LINCOLN.

Other Lincoln Town Car model years

Check your 2006 Lincoln Town Car VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Lincoln Town Car at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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