Research · Large Cars

2006 Lincoln Town CarRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 143 owner complaints for the 2006 Lincoln Town Car. Most complaints involve air bags (58) and seat belts (35). The EPA rates it 18 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
18mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Nov 2014
Owner complaints
143
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$3,450est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Steering: pinion shaft

Free remedy

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.

SteeringReported Nov 5, 2014NHTSA 14V704000

Steering

Free remedy

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.

SteeringReported Aug 29, 2013NHTSA 13V385000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

143 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2006 – Nov 2024
  1. Air bags58
  2. Seat belts35
  3. Vehicle speed control26
  4. Steering13
  5. Service brakes12
  6. Service brakes, hydraulic9
  7. Structure8
  8. Fuel/propulsion system7
  9. Electrical system6

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
12
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
7
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

58 reports3 crashes
“Want to report similar problem others seem to be reporting. When starting the car you hear 5 chimes/beeps repeating five times. The airbag light remains lit the entire time. On extended trips the chimes/beeps comes on again roughly every thirty minutes. Being directly linked to the airbag I’m surprised to find that this has yet to be recalled especially since many other towncar owners are reporting the exact same problem. I discovered that others were having similar issues when I was looking for a replacement seat belt because ours is sluggish to retract, you have to help it back to starting position.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 29, 2021Air bags, Seat beltsODI 11445382

Seat belts

35 reports1 crash
“SEATBELT SENSOR ON OUR 06 LINCOLN TOWN CAR FAILED AND REPLACEMENT COST TO REPLACE THE SENSOR IS VERY PROHIBITIVE. I READ MANY COMPLAINTS WITH THIS SAME ISSUE, SO I BELIEVE FORD/LINCOLN SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO RECALL AND REPLACE SAID EQUIPMENT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 30, 2019Seat beltsODI 11240631

Vehicle speed control

26 reports5 crashes
“The contact owns a 2006 Lincoln Town Car. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the engine made an abnormally loud sound. The contact stated upon shifting into drive(D), the vehicle accelerated unintendedly down the steep driveway. The contact continuously depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact then turned off the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring intermittently while driving. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 20, 2023Vehicle speed controlODI 11551039
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions 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
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
152318$3,450494
Town Car
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L, FLEX-FUEL · Rear-Wheel Drive
152318$3,450494
  • Town Car
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L
    15 city · 23 hwy · $3,450/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Town Car
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L, FLEX-FUEL
    15 city · 23 hwy · $3,450/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 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 2006 Lincoln Town Car as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 1750
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

2006 Town Car questions

How many recalls does the 2006 Lincoln Town Car have?

2 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.

What are the most common 2006 Lincoln Town Car problems?

Owners filed 143 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (58), seat belts (35), vehicle speed control (26). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2006 Lincoln Town Car get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Lincoln Town Car at 18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026