Federal safety data shows 8 recalls and 328 complaints for the 1997 Lincoln Town Car, a elevated safety profile overall. Check the known issues section below for the most common problem areas.

Recalls

328

Complaints

Crashes

Fires

Recall Findings

15E0820002015-06-10

STEERING

Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain model Dorman Steering Shafts, part number 425-359, Solutions Steering Shafts, part number 7-0359, and OE Solutions Steering Shafts, part number 425-359, manufactured April 17, 2014, to September 28, 2015. These aftermarket replacement steering shafts are sold for use in 1995-2002 Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Car vehicles. These steering shafts may separate during operation if the integral fastener is loose or missing and if the interfacing vehicle shaft is compressed in length.

If the shafts separate during vehicle operation, a loss of steering control would result, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

View at NHTSA

00V1570022000-12-06

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES USING AFTERMARKET FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE SOLD BY FORD PARTS DEPARTMENTS FROM JANUARY 1, THROUGH JUNE 13, 2000. THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THE EQUIPMENT INVOLVED IS SERVICE STOCK SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES, MODEL NOS. H 9977, H 9979, T 9063, AND T 9217, BUILT BY TRW VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEMS, INC. (TRW) MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 1, 1998 THROUGH MAY 21, 2000. SOME OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED AS SERVICE REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT ON THE VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THE RECALL.

IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, THESE SEAT BELTS MAY NOT RESTRAIN AN OCCUPANT INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

View at NHTSA

07V3360002007-03-08

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

View at NHTSA

View all 8 recalls

00V1570012000-12-06

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES USING AFTERMARKET DRIVER'S SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE SOLD BY FORD PARTS DEPARTMENTS FROM JANUARY 1, THROUGH JUNE 13, 2000. THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THE EQUIPMENT INVOLVED IS SERVICE STOCK SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES, MODEL NOS. H 9977, H 9979, T 9063, AND T 9217, BUILT BY TRW VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEMS, INC. (TRW) MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 1, 1998 THROUGH MAY 21, 2000. SOME OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED AS SERVICE REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT ON THE VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THE RECALL.

IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, THESE SEAT BELTS MAY NOT RESTRAIN AN OCCUPANT INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

View at NHTSA

98I0010001998-07-04

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATION 573. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. FORD IS INITIATING AN OWNER NOTIFICATION PROGRAM FOR OWNERS OF CERTAIN 1995-1997 CROWN VICTORIA MODEL VEHICLES WITH POLICE, TAXI, AND COMMERCIAL FLEET PACKAGES AND TOWN CAR VEHICLES WITH THE LIVERY PACKAGE. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE LINE AND THE UNDERBODY FRONT FLOOR PAN ASSEMBLY WHICH COULD CAUSE WEAR OF THE BRAKE LINES.

THIS COULD LEAD TO BRAKE FLUID LOSS FOR THE REAR BRAKES AND, POTENTIALLY, INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES.

View at NHTSA

98V3220001998-16-12

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN 1996-1999 FORD CROWN VICTORIA POLICE, FLEET, NATURAL GAS, AND 1996-1999 LINCOLN TOWN CAR LIMOUSINE VEHICLES THAT WERE PRODUCED WITH A LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CONTAINING A ONE PIECE BEARING; AND 1990-1996 FORD CROWN VICTORIA POLICE, FLEET, AND NGV VEHICLES AND 1990-1996 LINCOLN TOWN CAR LIMOUSINE VEHICLES THAT HAVE BEEN SERVICED WITH EITHER A BALL JOINT CONTAINING THE ONE-PIECE BEARING OR A FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM CONTAINING A BALL JOINT WITH A ONE-PIECE BEARING. THE ONE-PIECE BEARING WITHIN THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CAN WEAKEN SLOWLY DURING USE AND EVENTUALLY CRACK. THIS COULD RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE BALL AND CAP OF THE JOINT, ALLOWING THE CONTROL ARM TO DROP TO THE GROUND.

IF THIS OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING, REDUCED STEERING CONTROL COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

View at NHTSA

01V3180002001-03-10

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG MODULE REPLACED AFTER APRIL 5, 2000. THE REPLACEMENT DRIVER'S AIR BAG MODULE INFLATOR MAY HAVE INSUFFICIENT WELDS THAT COULD PREVENT PROPER INFLATION OF THE AIR BAG.

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG MAY NOT PROPERLY DEPLOY WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN LESS THAN THE INTENDED LEVEL OF OCCUPANT PROTECTION.

View at NHTSA

96V2310001996-12-11

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

TWO BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE DRIVER AIR BAG TO THE STEERING WHEEL WERE NOT INSTALLED DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY.

IN THE EVENT OF A FRONTAL COLLISION, THE AIR BAG MODULE WOULD STAY IN POSITION DURING DEPLOYMENT. HOWEVER, THE MODULE COULD LEAVE THE STEERING WHEEL CAVITY FOLLOWING AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.

View at NHTSA

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Top Complaint Areas

Of 328 issues reported over 1 model years, engine and engine cooling problems are the most common for the 1997 Lincoln Town Car. A pre-purchase inspection should focus here first.

01Engine And Engine Cooling81

02Suspension45

03Vehicle Speed Control38

04Service Brakes, Hydraulic30

05Exterior Lighting17

328 total across 1 model years (1997–1997)Full data at NHTSA.gov

Lincoln Town Car Fuel Economy

18mpg combined

15city

23hwy

$2,450/yr

The 1997 Lincoln Town Car is rated at 18 MPG combined. No surprises here regardless of which trim you pick.

Town Car - Automatic 4-spd

18mpg

4.6L 8-cyl · Rear-Wheel Drive

15 city23 hwy~$2,450/yr-1/10 Poor

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Where to Find 1997 Lincoln Town Car

31States

31%in top 3

Texas has the most inventory at 15%, with options spread across 31 states. Willing to ship? Your selection opens up significantly.

TXTexas

1715%

FLFlorida

119%

ILIllinois

87%

NJNew Jersey

76%

CACalifornia

76%

GAGeorgia

65%

PAPennsylvania

65%

TNTennessee

54%

MOMissouri

54%

DEDelaware

43%

AZArizona

43%

DCWashington DC

43%

NCNorth Carolina

43%

NVNevada

33%

WIWisconsin

33%

MIMichigan

33%

OKOklahoma

33%

NYNew York

22%

OHOhio

22%

KYKentucky

22%

MA1

MD1

MN1

AL1

AR1

RI1

NH1

OR1

KS1

CO1

CT1

Geographic distribution reflects all active listings for this model, not just 1997.

1997 Lincoln Town Car Buyer FAQ

What to know before you buy

Is the 1997 Lincoln Town Car a good car to buy?

The 1997 Lincoln Town Car has 8 recalls on record. There are 8 recalls on record, so check that they've been completed before buying. The most commonly reported issue area is engine and engine cooling, which is worth inspecting during a test drive. Review the safety data and pricing breakdown above.

Are there recalls on the 1997 Lincoln Town Car?

NHTSA shows 8 recall campaigns for the 1997 Lincoln Town Car. Before buying, verify all recalls are complete. The dealer must fix them at no charge. See the safety section for the full list.

What's the gas mileage of the 1997 Lincoln Town Car?

The 1997 Lincoln Town Car delivers 18 MPG combined per EPA testing. The fuel economy breakdown has city and highway numbers.

What are common problems with the 1997 Lincoln Town Car?

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING is the number-one complaint area for the 1997 Lincoln Town Car, based on 328 NHTSA filings. During a test drive, pay extra attention to this system. See the known issues section for the full breakdown.