There are 3 owner-reported steering complaints for the 2002 Lincoln Town Carin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY BECAME LOOSE AS THE VEHICLE BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE ALSO WENT AIRBORNE, ROLLED OVER AND SPUN THREE TIMES BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WAS FRACTURED AND THE REAR WINDSHIELD BECAME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THREE OCCUPANTS AND A PET DOG WERE SEVERELY INJURED AND WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND WAS INSPECTED FOR THE CAUSE OF THE STEERING OR AIR BAG FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000. UPDATED 08/06/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY HERNDON AND ASSOCIATES EGINEERING FIRM. THE REPORT WAS SENT TO FORD, WHICH FORD DISSMISSED IN FOUR (4) DAYS. UPDATED 08/5/2013 *JS
PURCHASED NEW 2002 LINCOLN TOWNCAR APRIL 2002 FROM CENTRAL FLORIDA LINCOLN MERCURY IN ORLANDO FLORIDA. CAR IS GARAGED ALL THE TIME AND NOW HAS 3000 MILES ON IT. THE CHASSIS AND VARIOUS STEEL SUPPORT AND STEERING PARTS HAVE SEVERE AND I MEAN SEVERE RUST. THE DEALER SAYS IT IS MORE THAN THEY HAVE SEEN BUT THERE IS NO PROBLEM. I HAVE NEVER SEEN RUST AS BAD AS THIS AND I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF CARS IN MY LIFE TIME AS A MECHANIC. THE RUST LOOKS LIKE THE CAR WAS IN ROAD SALT FOR MANY YEARS EVEN THOUGH THE CAR HAS NOT AND ONLY 8 MONTHS OLD. TS
THERE WAS A POPPING NOISE IN THE STEERING, AND CONTAINED A LOT OF PLAY, WHICH WAS CAUSED BY TWO MOUNTING BOLT WHICH BROKE. *JB
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 25, 2026