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Research · Large Cars

2002 Lincoln Town CarRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 65 owner complaints for the 2002 Lincoln Town Car. Most complaints involve air bags (20) and vehicle speed control (12). The EPA rates it 17 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
17mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Oct 2015
Owner complaints
65
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$3,800est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · 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
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

65 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2001 – May 2026
  1. Air bags20
  2. Vehicle speed control12
  3. Service brakes, hydraulic10
  4. Latches/locks/linkages4
  5. Steering3
  6. Engine and engine cooling3
  7. Electrical system3
  8. Visibility3
  9. Suspension3

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
14
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
12
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

Air bags

20 reports8 crashes
“ON 01/12/2019 I WAS TRAVELING STRAIGHT DOWN A LEVEL COUNTRY ROAD WITH 1 PASSENGER IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AT ABOUT 45 MPH WHEN FOR NO REASON THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. AFTER REGAINING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WE PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TOOK A FEW MINUTES TO CALM DOWN AND FIGURE OUT WHAT JUST HAPPENED AND CLEAR ALL THE SMOKE FROM THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE FROM THE AIR BAG. MY FRIEND IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS SORE BUT NOT INJURED AND BOTH OUR EARS WERE RINGING. IT SOUNDED LIKE A GUN FIRED IN THE CAR. I CALL LINCOLN CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOT ANY RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE AND DUE TO ITS AGE THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE TO GET IT REPAIRED. THE SIDE OF THE PASSENGER SEAT IS ALL TORE APART.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 14, 2019Air bagsODI 11166790

Vehicle speed control

12 reports5 crashes
“AFTER HEARING C. THE RECENT SUDDEN ACCELERATION WITH TOYOTA VEHICLES, I AM PROMPTED TO WRITE YOU AGAIN REGARDING THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION WITH MY 2002 LINCOLN TOWNCAR. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE UP MY DRIVEWAY, AND PARK IN MY GARAGE, TRAVELING C. 5 MPH, THE CAR SUDDENLY SOUNDED AS IF WERE REVVING AND LURCHED FORWARD. THE AGENT SENT FROM MY INSURANCE COMPANY, RECORDED 35 FEET OF SKID MARKS. BRAKES DID NOT WORK AND MY VEHICLE AND I CRASHED INTO MY DEN. I DID REPORT THIS INCIDENT TO FORD AND TO YOU AT THE TIME. MY COUSIN, IN ILLINOIS, HAD THE SAME MAKE AND YEAR AUTOMOBILE, AND HAD THE INCIDENT OCCUR THREE TIMES. IT IS A FRIGHTENING OCCURRENCE AND ONE FEELS TOTALLY HELPLESS. WHAT CAN BE DONE TO ELIMINATE THIS FROM OUR DRIVING EXPERIENCE? *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 3, 2010Vehicle speed controlCrash reportedODI 10304710

Service brakes, hydraulic

10 reports2 crashes
“RE 2002 LINCOLN TC CARTIER L. THE MOST USELESS AND DANGEROUS ACCESSORY ON THIS AUTO IS THE ADJUSTABLE BRAKE & ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THERE DOESN'T APPEAR THAT THERE IS ANY WAY ONE MAY ADJUST EITHER/OR AS THEY ADJUST SIMULTANEOUSLY. RECENTLY THIS "ACCESSORY" COST ME $1000.00. MY WIFE WAS STOPPED, WAITING ON THE LIGHT TO CHANGE AND HAD HER FOOT PARTIALLY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND WHEN SHE PUSH ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, SHE ALSO PUSHED ON THE ACCELERATOR CAUSING HER TO REAR-END THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER. ONCE THE BRAKE PADS WEAR, THE BRAKE PEDAL AND ACCELERATOR IS AT THE SAME LEVEL. THIS IS NO JOKE. THIS HAS HAPPEN TO ME TWICE, FORTUNATELY IN BOTH INSTANCES THERE WERE NO PEOPLE OR VEHICLE (S) IN FRONT OF ME.- ( NO EXCUSES, JUST FACTS). I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE (REPORTED TO YOU)? THANK YOU. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE. EZRA RACHAL. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 4, 2009Service brakes, hydraulicCrash reportedODI 10272846
All 2002 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
152117$3,800523
  • Town Car
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L
    15 city · 21 hwy · $3,800/yr
    17
    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 2002 Lincoln Town Car as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 4433
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

2002 Town Car questions

How many recalls does the 2002 Lincoln Town Car have?

1 safety recall 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 2002 Lincoln Town Car problems?

Owners filed 65 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (20), vehicle speed control (12), service brakes, hydraulic (10). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2002 Lincoln Town Car get?

The EPA rates the 2002 Lincoln Town Car at 17 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026