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Research · Large Cars

2000 Lincoln Town CarRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 9 safety recalls and 132 owner complaints for the 2000 Lincoln Town Car. Most complaints involve electrical system (23) and air bags (19). The EPA rates it 18 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
18mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
9campaigns
Latest Oct 2015
Owner complaints
132
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,550est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

9 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Steering

Free remedy

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.

SteeringReported Oct 6, 2015NHTSA 15E082000

Visibility: windshield wiper

Free remedy

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.

VisibilityReported Aug 8, 2001NHTSA 01V258000

Tires

Free remedy

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."

TiresReported Dec 12, 2000NHTSA 00V356000
See all 9 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

132 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 1998 – Jan 2024
  1. Electrical system23
  2. Air bags19
  3. Engine and engine cooling15
  4. Vehicle speed control14
  5. Equipment13
  6. Service brakes, hydraulic12
  7. Suspension11
  8. Visibility11
  9. Steering8

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Town Car model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996269
1997317
1998154
1999154
2000132
2001172
200265
2003201
200483
2005119
2006143
200784
200820
20095
201013
20116
Crashes reported
13
Fires reported
10
Injuries reported
14
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

23 reports3 fires
“I've replaced brake wires on my 2000 Lincoln executive series 5-6 times out keeps burning out wire by brakes light switch. Tried relay kit brakes worked for one day but no brake lights again since I first bought this car I've in multiple occasions replaced this problem in the past 4-5 years no one seen to know what the main issue is”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 16, 2024Electrical system, Service brakesODI 11565861

Air bags

19 reports9 crashes
“THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED BY ITSELF WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH IN A PARKING LOT. I WAS MAKING A SLIGHT TURN TO THE RIGHT AT THE TIME OF DEPLOYMENT. THE CAR DID NOT HIT OR COME IN CONTACT WITH ANYTHING AND TO MY KNOWLEDGE THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT PRIOR. NO ONE WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AT THE TIME OF AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 5, 2014Air bagsODI 10631140

Engine and engine cooling

15 reports2 fires
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED COOLANT LEAKING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD ASSEMBLY WAS FRACTURED AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC STATED THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE ENGINE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT, THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE RECALL WAS A VOLUNTARY MANUFACTURER'S RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATED 6/25/12 *CN UPDATED 06/29/12.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 28, 2012Engine and engine coolingODI 10453311
All 2000 Town Car problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Large Cars
Engines
4.6L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Town Car
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162318$3,550494
  • Town Car
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L
    16 city · 23 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2000 Lincoln Town Car as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 4073
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2000 Town Car questions

How many recalls does the 2000 Lincoln Town Car have?

9 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2000 Lincoln Town Car problems?

Owners filed 132 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (23), air bags (19), engine and engine cooling (15). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2000 Lincoln Town Car get?

The EPA rates the 2000 Lincoln Town Car at 18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026