Suspension: rear
Free remedy
CERTAIN POLICE, COMMERCIAL, AND PASSENGER VEHICLES SOLD TO FLEETS TYPICALLY INPUT HIGHER LOADS INTO THE VEHICLE CHASSIS OVERLOADING THE WHEEL BEARINGS AND AXLES.
Research · Large Cars
2003 Lincoln Town CarRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 201 owner complaints for the 2003 Lincoln Town Car. Most complaints involve suspension (81) and power train (27). The EPA rates it 18 mpg combined.
Combined MPG
18mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Jul 2004
Owner complaints
201
Top: suspension
Fuel cost / yr
$3,550est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
201 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jul 2002 – Apr 2024
- Suspension81
- Power train27
- Vehicle speed control18
- Steering16
- Structure12
- Air bags10
- Service brakes, hydraulic10
- Electrical system8
- Engine and engine cooling8
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 year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 269 |
| 1997 | 317 |
| 1998 | 154 |
| 1999 | 154 |
| 2000 | 132 |
| 2001 | 172 |
| 2002 | 65 |
| 2003 | 201 |
| 2004 | 83 |
| 2005 | 119 |
| 2006 | 143 |
| 2007 | 84 |
| 2008 | 20 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2010 | 13 |
| 2011 | 6 |
- Crashes reported
- 14
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 6
- Deaths reported
- 0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Suspension
81 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2003 Lincoln Town Car. The contact stated while his son was driving on the highway, the accelerator pedal was slightly released; however, the vehicle stopped instantly. There was no warning light illuminated. The driver was able to drive to his destination safely. The vehicle was towed to the contact's workplace. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The tow truck operator stated that the rear axle was fractured. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 155,000.”
Power train
27 reports
“I have had to replace wheel bearing and axle every few months because of premature wear and causing driving to be a safety concern. Once it wears thin, the car shakes and wobbles and the tire almost snapped off twice.”
Vehicle speed control
18 reports8 crashes
“Rear end started a sudden howell and shaking and grinding and the Abs and traction control light came on and brakes and suspension did not want to function properly while driving in traffic as quick as I could I pulled over and it looked like one tire was sticking out of the axel way far So I just pulled over and called for my AAA to to and got towed home thats it”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
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
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Town Car Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 23 | 18 | $3,550 | 494 |
- 18mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 Lincoln Town Car as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 4885
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat 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.
2003 Town Car questions
How many recalls does the 2003 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 2003 Lincoln Town Car problems?
Owners filed 201 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are suspension (81), power train (27), vehicle speed control (18). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2003 Lincoln Town Car get?
The EPA rates the 2003 Lincoln Town Car at 18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026