Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 1997 Lincoln Town Car
NHTSA data on file today
The 1997 Lincoln Town Car has 8 NHTSA recall campaigns and 312 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #15E082000 Steering Shaft May Separate NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #07V336000 SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #01V318000 FORD/AUTOLIV/AIRBAG INFLATORS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #00V157002 FORD/FMVSS 209/SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #00V157001 FORD/FMVSS 209/SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #98V322000 FORD/LOWER CONTROL ARM NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #98I001000 FORD/BRAKE LINE WEAR NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #96V231000 FORD/DRIVER AIR BAG NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 85 complaints
- Suspension 49 complaints
- Vehicle Speed Control 42 complaints
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic 39 complaints
- Steering 22 complaints
- Exterior Lighting 17 complaints
Of the 312 complaints on file, 10 report a crash and 6 a fire; across all 312 complaints, owners report 8 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $4,000–$7,500AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 1997 Lincoln Town Car has numerous recalls and a high number of complaints related to vital systems, indicating potential reliability concerns. Failures in key components such as steering and speed control can lead to significant issues, affecting overall performance and safety.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| steering shaft | 80,000–110,000 miles | $400–$700 | very common |
| speed control | 70,000–100,000 miles | $300–$600 | common |
| driver's air bag | 90,000–120,000 miles | $500–$900 | common |
| lower ball joint | 60,000–90,000 miles | $200–$400 | occasional |
| brakes | 50,000–80,000 miles | $150–$300 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil change every 5,000 miles
- Brake fluid every 30,000 miles
- Transmission service every 60,000 miles
- Coolant flush every 60,000 miles
- Spark plugs every 100,000 miles
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Delayed response in steering
- Burning smell from vents
- Airbag warning light
- Unusual noises from suspension
- Brake pedal vibration
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 1997 Lincoln Town Car at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.