NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 119 owner complaints for the 2005 Lincoln Town Car. Most complaints involve vehicle speed control (34) and air bags (22). The EPA rates it 19 mpg combined.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Ford Crown Victoria, 2005-2011 Mercury Grand Marquis vehicles manufactured March 23, 2004, to August 30, 2011, and 2005-2011 Lincoln Town Car vehicles manufactured March 8, 2004, to August 30, 2011, and on which the upper intermediate shaft was serviced during the course of safety recall 13V-385. The prior repairs may not have been correctly performed.
Ford is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Ford Crown Victoria (including Crown Victoria Police Interceptors), Mercury Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Car vehicles. The affected vehicles are currently registered or were originally sold in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Severe corrosion can seize the lower intermediate shaft which may cause the upper intermediate shaft to collapse and the steering column lower bearing to separate.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BATTERY CABLE INCLUDES A FUSIBLE LINK THAT MAY CONTACT AND SUBSEQUENTLY CHAFE ON A #2 CROSS MEMBER ATTACHING BOLT.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Town Car model year we’ve synced.
| 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 |
“While accelerating approximate @ 30 mph, vehicle speed increased without assistance nearly plummeting into a body of water at a curve... exit 77 on I-95S MD. The car could not handled the curve at that rate of speed. Town Car had to be thrown into neutral and hard press brake pedal in order to stop. Safety issue could have been major accident or my death. I do not desire to reproduce a dangerous scenario with an accelerating vehicle. Dealership and private mechanic refused to reproduce incident. Zero warning lamps and nothing in computer to determine a problem/fix.”
“"TAKATA RECALL." I NOTICED A FEW WEEKS AGO THAT MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. I HAVE 28000 ACTUAL MILES ON THE 2005 LINCOLN TOWN CAR THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN GARAGED. I HAVE NOT HAD A RECALL ON THE AIRBAG LIGHT AND I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO CHECK IT OUT AND LET ME KNOW OF ANY RECALLS ON THE AIRBAGS.”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH A POWER ADJUSTABLE FOOT PEDAL SWITCH. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY CAME TO A STOP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE FOOT PEDAL SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THE VEHICLE PERFORMED AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Town Car Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 23 | 19 | $3,300 | 468 |
| 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 |
3 safety recalls as of Nov 11, 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.
Owners filed 119 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are vehicle speed control (34), air bags (22), service brakes, hydraulic (15). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2005 Lincoln Town Car at 19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).