The vehicle dossier US · 2004
2004 Lincoln
TOWN CARProblems & recalls
83 distinct owner reports in the NHTSA snapshot. Other components appears in 39 of them. Explore what was reported—and which official actions are on file.
01 / Owner-reported evidence
What owners reported.
Categories attached to 83 distinct reports. A report can mention more than one component, so category totals can overlap.
See original component labels
These are reports made to NHTSA, not verified diagnoses. More reports can reflect more vehicles, more time on the road, or greater reporting activity.
The reporting timeline
When reports arrived.
Reports by year filed, not by the year a problem occurred. Showing the latest 15 years with reports.
65,500 miles is the median among 65 reports with usable mileage. The middle half spans 17,000–98,709 miles.
This describes the submitted reports. It does not predict when a vehicle will fail.
02 / Official safety campaigns
0 recall campaigns on file.
A campaign can cover only certain production dates or configurations. The count does not tell you whether an individual car has an open recall.
03 / The manufacturer’s record
Instructions. Updates. Responses.
52 distinct communications list this model-year. Showing the latest 12. A matching model-year does not establish that every engine, trim or reported symptom is covered.
TSB 20-2233This article supersedes TSB 19-2026 to update the vehicle model years affected. Some 2000 and newer Ford/Lincoln/Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or pee…NHTSA ID 10177863
This article supersedes TSB 19-2026 to update the vehicle model years affected. Some 2000 and newer Ford/Lincoln/Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. Panel replacement is recommended.
Components: STRUCTURE. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 10177863 at NHTSATSB 19-2026Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. Panel replacement is re…NHTSA ID 10156863
Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. Panel replacement is recommended. Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition
Components: EQUIPMENT · STRUCTURE. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 10156863 at NHTSATSB 19-2026Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. Panel replacement is re…NHTSA ID 10155551
Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. Panel replacement is recommended. Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition
Components: STRUCTURE. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 10155551 at NHTSASSM 46085The Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic throttle bodies (ETBs). The ETC_ACT and ETC_DSD PIDs should not used to diagnose possible ETB concerns. The IDS has a limited …NHTSA ID 10109070
The Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic throttle bodies (ETBs). The ETC_ACT and ETC_DSD PIDs should not used to diagnose possible ETB concerns. The IDS has a limited refresh rate when reading these PIDs and cannot display quickly enough to validate a concern. The PCM automatically monitors these inputs more accurately and will set diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) when appropriate. Using these PIDs for diagnostics will lead to inaccurate results and improper ETB replacements. If a concern is intermittent and no DTCs are present, refer to historical DTCs and the PC/ED, Section 3 No DTCs Present Index chart for further information.
Components: ENGINE · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OTHER FUEL TYPES:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV) · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE) · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 10109070 at NHTSA07212SOME 1997-2008 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 4.6L 2V, 5.4L 2V, OR 6.8L 2V ENGINE--SPARK PLUG THREAD REPAIR PROCEDURE--NOT COVERED UNDER NEW VEHICLE LIMITED WARRANTY. *NJ THIS INCLUDES F-53 MOTORHOME CHASSIS. UPDATED 2/23/10. *PENHTSA ID 10023943
SOME 1997-2008 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 4.6L 2V, 5.4L 2V, OR 6.8L 2V ENGINE--SPARK PLUG THREAD REPAIR PROCEDURE--NOT COVERED UNDER NEW VEHICLE LIMITED WARRANTY. *NJ THIS INCLUDES F-53 MOTORHOME CHASSIS. UPDATED 2/23/10. *PE
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 10023943 at NHTSA0531CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 05B31 - INFORMATION ONLY. A POSSIBILITY THAT DURING A HIGH SPEED / HIGH ENERGY REAR COLLISION, CERTAIN COMPONENTS HAVE AN INCREASED RISK OF PUNCTURING THE FUEL TANK ON VEHICLES WITH LIMO PREP PACKA…NHTSA ID 10018074
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 05B31 - INFORMATION ONLY. A POSSIBILITY THAT DURING A HIGH SPEED / HIGH ENERGY REAR COLLISION, CERTAIN COMPONENTS HAVE AN INCREASED RISK OF PUNCTURING THE FUEL TANK ON VEHICLES WITH LIMO PREP PACKAGE LIMO PACKAGE UPGRADE KIT OFFERING. *TT SUPPLEMENT #1. *TT UPDATED SUPPLEMENT #2. *TT
Components: STRUCTURE:BODY. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 10018074 at NHTSA06216LIMITED SLIP AXLE CHATTER, SHUDDER, BINDING SENSATION, OR VIBRATION DURING LOW SPEED TURNING MANEUVERS. *TTNHTSA ID 10014100
LIMITED SLIP AXLE CHATTER, SHUDDER, BINDING SENSATION, OR VIBRATION DURING LOW SPEED TURNING MANEUVERS. *TT
Components: POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 10014100 at NHTSA041601WDS COP KIT DIAGNOSTIC TIP - COIL ON PLUG (COP) IGNITION SYSTEMS - ENGINE MISFIRE OR ROUGH RUNNING. *TTNHTSA ID 10018745
WDS COP KIT DIAGNOSTIC TIP - COIL ON PLUG (COP) IGNITION SYSTEMS - ENGINE MISFIRE OR ROUGH RUNNING. *TT
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 10018745 at NHTSA042421SAFETY BELT RETRACTION SPEED. *TTNHTSA ID 10014138
SAFETY BELT RETRACTION SPEED. *TT
Components: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 10014138 at NHTSA0567DOOR LOCKS BEING INOPERATIVE WHEN USING THE KEYPAD AND/OR REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE) FOB - FUSE 2.30 OPENING INTERMITTENTLY.NHTSA ID 10017901
DOOR LOCKS BEING INOPERATIVE WHEN USING THE KEYPAD AND/OR REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE) FOB - FUSE 2.30 OPENING INTERMITTENTLY.
Components: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 10017901 at NHTSA05310SAFETY BELT WEB STOP BUTTON SERVICE. *EHNHTSA ID 10012954
SAFETY BELT WEB STOP BUTTON SERVICE. *EH
Components: SEAT BELTS. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 10012954 at NHTSA0531MAF DIAGNOSTIC SERVICE TIP - VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH EGR SYSTEM MODULE (ESM). *TTNHTSA ID 10012947
MAF DIAGNOSTIC SERVICE TIP - VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH EGR SYSTEM MODULE (ESM). *TT
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE. Confirm detailed applicability in the original document.
Source record 10012947 at NHTSARecords below contain the NHTSA bulk summary unless a document-reviewed explainer is linked. A service bulletin is not a safety recall or a promise of a free repair. Records may be revised or superseded; verify the current document with the manufacturer.
04 / Agency investigations
Official inquiries.
An investigation is an inquiry into a potential concern. Its presence does not establish a defect, and a closed case does not certify a car’s condition.
SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEADDP05005
ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR THE DEALER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, REPORTED THAT A SPARK PLUG DETACHED FROM THE CYLINDER AND/OR EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE.AS OF DECEMBER 8, 2005, ODI IS NOT AWARE OF ANY ALLEGATIONS WHERE THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, A CRASH, AN INJURY, OR A FATALITY IN ANY OF THE 10,319,810 SUBJECT VEHICLES.IN ADDITION, ODI IS AWARE OF ONLY TWO INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT RESTART.INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ODI CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND OBTAINED FROM 72 TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS WITH COMPLAINANTS SHOWED THE FOLLOWING:(1) 99% OF THE COMPLAINTS WERE ON MY 1997 TO 2002 SUBJECT VEHICLES.(2) MOST THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED HEARING A LOUD POP WHILE DRIVING OR UPON STARTING UP THE VEHICLE FOLLOWED BY A LOUD, REPETITIVE CLICKING OR POPPING SOUND.(3) MANY OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE POPPING SOUND WAS ACCOMPANIED BY SOME LOSS OF VEHICLE POWER; HOWEVER, IN 99% OF THE INCIDENTS REPORTED, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL.IN THE VERY FEW INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE DID STALL, MOST VEHICLES COULD BE RESTARTED.(4) ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE COMPLAINANTS CITED THAT THEY SMELLED GAS OR A SLIGHT BURNING SMELL WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED.(5) IN ALL BUT A VERY FEW INCIDENTS, VEHICLE DAMAGE WAS LIMITED TO THE ENGINE.IN ONE INCIDENT, THE COMPLAINT REPORTED THAT THE FUEL RAIL WAS DAMAGED AND REPLACED AFTER ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE; HOWEVER, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT THE DAMAGE DID NOT RESULT IN ANY TYPE OF FUEL LEAK OR FIRE.IN ANOTHER INCIDENT, THE ONLY INCIDENT WHERE A FIRE WAS ALLEGED, THE COMPLAINANT REPORTED THAT NO FLUID LEAK WAS OBSERVED, BUT THAT A FIRE RESULTED AFTER THE SPARK PLUG HAD EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE AND HE HAD RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DRIVEN TO ANOTHER LOCATION.NONE OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED ANY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE HOOD.(6) ONLY TWO COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THEY OBSERVED WHAT APPEARED TO BE SOME DROPS OF FUEL COMING FROM THE CYLINDER WHERE THE SPARK PLUG HAD FAILED OR ON THE SPARK PLUG ITSELF; HOWEVER, EACH OF THESE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO SMOKE OR FLAMES AS A RESULT OF HIS INCIDENT.AS THE PETITIONER NOTED, AND ODI?S ANALYSIS SHOWED, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A SPARK PLUG TO DETACH FROM THE ENGINE CYLINDER THREADS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.HOWEVER, ODI?S ANALYSIS OF 474 COMPLAINTS DESCRIBING SUCH INCIDENTS FOUND ONLY A VERY FEW ALLEGED ANY SAFETY-RELATED CONSEQUENCES.NONE OF THESE SHOWED ANY EVIDENCE OF A SERIOUS SAFETY CONSEQUENCE.GIVEN THE LARGE POPULATION AND RELATIVELY LONG EXPOSURE TIME OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, THE COMPLAINT ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT THE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY FROM THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS VERY LOW.IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.THEREFORE, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE NHTSA?S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY?S SAFETY MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.
Recorded closure: Jan 4, 2006
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