Research · Large Cars
2004 Lincoln Town CarRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 83 owner complaints for the 2004 Lincoln Town Car. Most complaints involve vehicle speed control (19) and steering (14). The EPA rates it 18 mpg combined.
Combined MPG
18mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
83
Top: vehicle speed control
Fuel cost / yr
$3,350est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2004 Lincoln Town Car as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
83 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2004 – Oct 2025
- Vehicle speed control19
- Steering14
- Structure11
- Service brakes, hydraulic9
- Electrical system8
- Wheels6
- Exterior lighting4
- Engine and engine cooling4
- Tires3
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
- 18
- Fires reported
- 3
- Injuries reported
- 6
- Deaths reported
- 0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Vehicle speed control
19 reports9 crashes
“OPERATOR EXPERIENCED STUCK SPEED CONTROL BUTTON AND ACCELERATED COULDN�T STOP THE SPEED ACCELERATION WITH STEERING WHEEL SO OPERATOR HIT BREAKS. LOUD BANG SOUND FOLLOWED BY DRASTIC REDUCED SPEEDS. COULD CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL. RESULTED IN SPEEDING TICKET DURING FAILURE SPEEDS ALMOST UP TO 100MPH DURING EMERGENCY EVENT MODE.”
Steering
14 reports1 crash
“Bought a 2004 Linc Tow as a gift to my grandson. Drove it a couple of times and had no issues. After it had sat for about 2-3 weeks, I drove it to town to let it run after sitting. On my way home I was turning on to the road for home and the steering suddenly caught, I was in the middle of a turn and pulled steering wheel to straighten the car when it released. I almost hit the car next to me. I have an appointment on October 14th to have it checked out. I understand that this is a problem that has occurred often in other years and was fixed, so why not the 2004. This car only has 92,500 miles on it. I can't risk my grandson getting into an accident.”
Structure
11 reports1 crash
“VEHICLE WAS PARKED OUTSIDE DURING RAIN SHOWERS AND WATER ACCUMULATED INSIDE THE REAR PASSENGER FOOT AREA 1ST AND OVERFLOWED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER'S FOOT AREA.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 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 Nov 11, 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 | 15 | 23 | 18 | $3,350 | 494 |
- 18mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 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 2004 Lincoln Town Car as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 1196
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.
2004 Town Car questions
How many recalls does the 2004 Lincoln Town Car have?
0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 11, 2026.
What are the most common 2004 Lincoln Town Car problems?
Owners filed 83 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are vehicle speed control (19), steering (14), structure (11). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2004 Lincoln Town Car get?
The EPA rates the 2004 Lincoln Town Car at 18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026