Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2000 Lincoln Town Car, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Electrical system18
- Air bags17
- Engine and engine cooling12
- Suspension10
- Service brakes, hydraulic10
- Vehicle speed control9
- Visibility9
- Equipment8
- Steering7
- Exterior lighting6
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 12 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 21 2000 Town Car vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 16 people died inside them, and 3 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2000 Lincoln Town Car failed the safety check 2.22% of the time — 19% more often than the average 2000 passenger car (1.86%). Median odometer at inspection: 114,491 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In the Netherlands
21 first registered in 2000 are on Dutch roads; 100% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €130,000.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde20
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld8
- Stuur- of fuseekogel met slijtage kleiner of gelijk 1,0 mm7
- Remverschil op 1 as te groot6
- Voertuig voorzien van niet toegestane lichten6
- Stofhoes fuseekogel beschadigd en dicht niet af6
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen5
- Ruitenwisserinstallatie geeft onvoldoende zicht4
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
5 cars built in 2000 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 30 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
In Finland
5 of these cars first registered in 2000 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 264,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
3 2000 cars are on the New Zealand register; 100% arrived as used imports, 0% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 1 variant: combined 13.2 L/100 km (about 18 mpg US), CO₂ 304 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Town Car · Full-size · Regular gasoline | 15.3 | 10.5 | 13.2 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
3 Transport Canada recalls for the 2000 Lincoln Town Car.
| 2001204 13 Aug 2001 | Other Certain passenger cars, sport utility vehicles, and light and medium duty pickup trucks. A switch located in the plastic cover of the wiper motor gear case coul… |
| 2000303 29 Dec 2000 | Other Certain limousine vehicles do not comply with the requirements of CMVSS 110 - Tire Selection and Rims. The front axle weight could be such that the "normal loa… |
| 2000227 16 Oct 2000 | Seats And Restraints Certain vehicles do not comply with the requirements C.M.V.S.S. 209 - Seat Belt Assemblies. The seat belt assemblies may not withstand the force requirements o… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND LIGHT AND MEDIUM DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. A SWITCH LOCATED IN THE PLASTIC COVER OF THE WIPER MOTOR GEAR CASE COULD MALFUNCTION AND OVERHEAT, POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN LOSS OF INTERMITTENT WIPER FUNCTION, LOSS OF WIPER PARK FUNCTION, COMPLETE LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION, OR IGNITION OF THE PLASTIC COVER MATERIAL. SWITCH MALFUNCTION IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR WHEN THE INTERMITTENT SETTING OF THE WIPERS IS BEING USED, OR WHEN SNOW OR ICE OBSTRUCTS THE BLADES FROM RETURNING TO THE "PARKED" POSITION AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT AT THE FOLLOWING ASSEMBLY PLANTS: ATLANTA PLANT FROM 2/11/00 THROUGH 7/31/00; CHICAGO PLANT FROM 2/14/00 THROUGH 8/4/00; KANSAS CITY PLANT FROM 2/26/00 TO 9/4/00; KENTUCKY TRUCK PLANT FROM 2/18/00 TO 8/31/00; MICHIGAN TRUCK PLANT FROM 2/23/00 THROUGH 8/3/00; NORFOLK PLANT FROM 2/21/00 THROUGH 7/27/00; WAYNE STAMPING AND ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 2/25/00 THROUGH 8/15/00; AND WIXOM PLANT FROM 2/15/00 THROUGH 8/8/00.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN LIMOUSINES STRETCHED OVER 60 INCHES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 109, "NEW PNEUMATIC TIRES," AND NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS."
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH MEDIUM GRAPHITE SEAT BELTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." AN INCORRECT FRONT CENTER SEAT BELT AND RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH MIDNIGHT BLACK OR MEDIUM PARCHMENT SEAT BELTS MANUFACTURED ON JULY 31, 2000, FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." AN INCORRECT DRIVER'S SIDE REAR SEAT BELT AND RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES. THE BUCKLE BASE OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND THEREFORE DO NOT PASS THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENT OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES HAVE JACKING INSTRUCTIONS WHICH, IF FOLLOWED, COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE OPERATOR TO PLACE THE JACK ON A FRAME WELD WHEN ATTEMPTING TO RAISE A REAR WHEEL. IF THE VEHICLE IS JACKED UP WITH THE JACK PLACED ON THE FRAME WELD AND IF THE VEHICLE IS FREE TO ROLL (WHEELS NOT BLOCKED OR CHOCKED), THE JACK COULD YIELD AND THE VEHICLE MAY DROP SUDDENLY.
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.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Lincoln told its dealers about the 2000 Lincoln Town Car: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 637800 | AIR BAG LAMP ILLUMINATED WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE B1994 OR B1998 PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG RESISTANCE HIGH. *TT |
| 637773 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT AN INOPERATIVE ENGINE COOLING FAN. *TT |
| 637765 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE ELECTRONIC AUTOMATIC TEMPERATURE CONTROL (EATC) WILL NOT CYCLE THE AI CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR WHEN THE FLOOR MODE IS SELECTED. *TT |
| 637509 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A SLIGHT OIL LEAK AT THE CYLINDER HEAD TO BLOCK JOINT. *TT |
| 636065 | INFORMATION REGARDING DISCHARGED BATTERY CHARGING SERVICE TIPS AND GUIDELINES. *TT |
| 636052 | INOPERATIVE OR INACURRATE SPEEDOMETER, 4X4 LAMP ILLUMINATD, AND / OR DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P1635 OR P1639. *TT |
| 635994 | ON SOME VEHICLES, THE BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK MAY BE INOPERATIVE, NOW ALLOWING THE OPERATOR TO MOVE THE SHIFT LEVER FROM THE PARK POSITION. STOP LAMP OPERATION MAY ALSO BE AFFECTED. *TT |
| 630628 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT AN INTAKE MANIFOLD CROSSOVER (FIRST RUNNER) COOLANT SEEPAGE CONDITION. *TT |
| 630515 | ENGINE OIL SYSTEM PRIMING PROCEDURES, SERVICE TIPS FOR REPORTS OF PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE. *TT |
| 630001 | SOME ENGINE ASSEMBLIES WITH ALUMINUM CYLINDER HEADS REPAIRED IN-VEHILE HAVE BEEN FOUND TO LEAK COOLANT AND/OR OIL FROM THE CYLINDER HEAD GASKET AREA. *TT |
| 627927 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT VACUUM OR AIR LEAKS IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND / OR ENGINE SYSTEM CAUSING DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0171 AND OR P0174. *TT |
| 627791 | PARTS AND PROCEDURE TO REDUCE THE POTENTIAL OF FUEL TANK PUNCTURES DURING RARE AND EXTREMELY HIGH-SPEED REAR IMPACTS. *TT |
| 627774 | SOME IGNITION SWITCH LOCK CYLINDER ASSEMBLIES MAY EXHIBIT ROUGNESS AND / OR EXCESS EFFORT IN TURNING, KEY DOES NOT FULLY RETURN FROM START, A MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP MAY ILLUMINATE WITH P0500, P1502 AND U1039 STORED IN POWERTRIAN CONTROL MODULE (PCM). *TT |
| 627768 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE ROMEO BUILT 4.6L 2V ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT AN ENGINE OIL LEAK OR OIL WEEPAGE FROM THE CYLINDER HEAD GASKET AT THE RIGHT HAND REAR OR THE LEFT HAND FRONT OF THE ENGINE. *TT |
| 627747 | THIS ARITLCE IS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON REPLACEMENT OF OLD STYLE HOOD LAMP SWITCH TO THE RVISED MECHANICAL HOOD LAMP SWITCH. *TT |
| 625715 | BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK.*JB |
| 624571 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A FEAD BELT JUMP-OFF TOSS. *YH |
| 623988 | INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC |
| 623944 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC |
| 622816 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A YELLOW FOUR WHEEL ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (4WABS) LAMP ILLUMINATED AND MAY ALSO EXHIBIT DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES B1342, B1676, C1095. *TT |
| 620988 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 4R70W AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MAY EXHIBIT A CLUNK NOISE DURING THE 2-1 DOWNSHIFT EVENT. *TT |
| 620413 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT AN INCORRECT P1729 (4X4 LOW SWITCH) DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) IN CONTINUES MEMORY. *TT |
| 620304 | VEHICLES BUILT UP TO DECEMBER OF 1999 MAY EXHIBIT A CLUNK NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING OVER SPEED BUMPS. THIS MAY BE CAUSED BY THE FILL-LIMITING VALVE INSIDE THE FUEL TANK. *TT |
| 620221 | CONCERNS WITH VEHICLES EXHIBITING THE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE REGISTERING LOW OR NO OIL PRESSURE USUALLY ON INITIAL START-UP AFTER SEVERAL HOURS OF COLD SOAK. *TT |
| 620183 | THIS BULLETIN STATES THAT ON SOME VEHICLES (INCLUDING 2002 BLACKWOOD) A BATTERY DISCONNECT OR PARAMETER RESET IS REQUIRED DURING POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) OR INSTRUMENT CLUSTER (VIC / HEC / ICM) REPLACEMENT. *TT |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD
INADVERTENT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
FUEL-FED FIRES
POST REAR END COLLISION FIRES
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation