Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2001 Lincoln Town Car, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Air bags54
- Vehicle speed control26
- Visibility14
- Service brakes, hydraulic13
- Engine and engine cooling10
- Suspension10
- Steering10
- Electrical system9
- Seats7
- Structure6
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 20 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 25 2001 Town Car vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 20 people died inside them, and 2 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 2001 Lincoln Town Car failed the safety check 2.97% of the time — 48% more often than the average 2001 passenger car (2.00%). Median odometer at inspection: 118,302 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In the United Kingdom
6 cars built in 2001 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 11 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 New Zealand
4 2001 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 12.8 L/100 km (about 18 mpg US), CO₂ 294 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Town Car · Full-size · Regular gasoline | 14.9 | 10.2 | 12.8 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
5 Transport Canada recalls for the 2001 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… |
| 2001194 16 Jul 2001 | Seats And Restraints Certain passenger and sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, and minivans equipped with seat belts supplied by TRW. It is possible that the driver's and/or fron… |
| 2000304 29 Dec 2000 | Seats And Restraints On certain vehicles, a restraint control module (RCM) or a side or front crash sensor may have been assembled with one or more of the screws that mount the cir… |
| 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… |
| 2000243 24 Oct 2000 | Seats And Restraints On certain vehicles, the Restraint Control Module (RCM) may not recognize certain system faults that could result in an air bag or seat pre-tensioner unexpected… |
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: PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND MINIVANS. EQUIPPED WITH SEAT BELTS SUPPLIED BY TRW. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE DRIVER'S AND/OR FRONT PASSENGER'S OUTBOARD SEAT BELT BUCKLE MAY NOT FULLY LATCH. FORD CROWN VICTORIA BUILT AT ST. THOMAS ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 4/17/00 - 5/29/01 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS BUILT AT ST. THOMAS ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 4/17/00 - 5/29/01. LINCOLN TOWN CARS BUILT AT WIXOM ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 3/27/00 - 5/30/01. LINCOLN NAVIGATORS BUILT AT MICHIGAN TRUCK PLANT FROM 4/11/00 - 5/31/01. FORD WINDSTARS BUILT AT OAKVILLE ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 3/23/00 - 5/30/01. FORD RANGERS BUILT AT TWIN CITIES PLANT FROM 3/28/00 - 5/30/01, AND ALSO AT THE EDISON PLANT FROM 3/13/00 - 5/25/01. FORD F-150 TRUCK BUILT AT NORFOLK PLANT FROM 4/18/00 - 5/25/00; AT ONTARIO PLANT FROM 5/10/00 - 5/28/01; AT KANSAS CITY PLANT FROM 9/11/99 - 5/25/01; AND AT CUAUTITLAN PLANT FROM 5/16/00 - 6/9/01. FORD SUPER DUTY F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS BUILT AT KENTUCKY PLANT FROM 4/17/00 - 5/27/01; AND AT CUAUTITLAN PLANT FROM 5/16/00 - 6/19/01. FORD EXCURSIONS BUILT AT KENTUCKY PLANT FROM 4/17/00 - 10/2/00. FORD EXPEDITIONS BUILT AT MICHIGAN TRUCK PLANT FROM 4/11/00 - 5/31/01.
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: MINIVANS AND PASSENGER VEHICLES. A RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE (RCM) OR A SIDE OR FRONT CRASH SENSOR MAY HAVE BEEN ASSEMBLED WITH ONE OR MORE OF THE SCREWS THAT MOUNT THE CIRCUIT BOARD IN THE HOUSING MISSING. IF SOME OR ALL OF THE SCREWS ARE MISSING, THE PERFORMANCE OF THE OCCUPANT RESTRAINS COULD BE AFFECTED.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, LIMOUSINES, AND MINI VANS WERE BUILT WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE (RCM). IN SOME CASES, THE RCM DOES NOT RECOGNIZE CERTAIN SYSTEM FAULTS THAT COULD RESULT IN AN AIR BAG OR SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONER UNEXPECTEDLY ACTIVATING DURING THE SELF-TEST SEQUENCE AT VEHICLE START-UP.
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 2001 Lincoln Town Car: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| 637694 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 4.6L ROMEO ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT A SLIGHT OIL LEAK OR WEEP AT THE CYLINDER HEAD TO BLOCK JOINT. *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 |
| 636045 | ON SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 4.6L ENGINE, THE FRONT END ACCESSORY DRIVE (FEAD) BELT MAY HYDROPLANE ON THE WATER PUMP PULLEY WHENTHE BELT IS SPLASHED WITH WATER. *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 |
| 635990 | ILLUMINATED AIR BAG WARNING LAMP WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE B2295 WITH LIGHT FLASHING CODE 22 (DRIVER SEAT SIDE AIR BAG CIRCUIT FAULT), OR LIGHT FLASHING CODE 23 (PASSENGER SEAT SIDE AIR BAG CIRCUIT FAULT). *TT |
| 630677 | EXHBITING AN ILLUMINATED AIR BAG WARNING LAMP WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE B2295 OR LIGHT FLASHING CODE 22. *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 |
| 630345 | CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 01B86 SUPPLEMENT #1 REGARDING HYBRID ELECTRONIC CLUSTER (HEC) MODULE INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT. *TT |
| 630134 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT AN AIRBAG LAMP ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE B2295 (SIDE AIR BAG STATUS - PASSENGER SEAT SIDE AIR BAG CIRCUIT FAULT) OR B2296 (IMPACT SENSOR STATUS - FRONT IMPACT SEVERITY SENSOR CIRCUIT FAULT) IN MEMORY. *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 |
| 628173 | CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM REGARDING HYBRID ELECTRONIC CLUSTER (HEC) MODULE INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT. *TT |
| 628155 | CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM REGARDING HYBRID ELECTRONIC CLUSTER (HEC) MODULE INSPECTION / REPLACEMENT. *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 |
| 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 |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD
FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
INADVERTENT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
INADVERTENT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
POST REAR END COLLISION FIRES
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation