2005 Lincoln Town Car Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2005 Lincoln Town Car ranks worst of 7 model years tracked, with a complaint index of 100 and 119 complaints, mostly tied to engine, brakes, and airbags. It carries an Avoid verdict, while 2009 and 2010 rank as the lowest-risk years.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 7 Town Car years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 119
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 17
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 18
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 16 city / 23 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 18 / 1
Top 2005 Lincoln Town Car problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine39 (33%)
- Brakes25 (21%)
- Airbags22 (18%)
- Structure & Body12 (10%)
- Electrical System11 (9%)
- Seat Belts11 (9%)
- Steering8 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires7 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain7 (6%)
- Fuel System5 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration to high RPM or the engine racing on its own while parked or at low speed.
- Some report the vehicle would not stop after repeated brake pedal application, leading to a crash.
- Brakes have reportedly failed completely, with the pedal going to the floor and no dealer diagnosis found.
- Side airbags reportedly did not deploy during a side-impact collision that totaled the vehicle.
- A rear tire sidewall reportedly blew out while driving, leading to a crash.
- A seat heater reportedly shorted and caused a fire with visible burn damage.
2005 Lincoln Town Car recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 14V704000Nov 5, 2014Steering36,888 vehicles
Steering:rack and pinion:pinion shaft
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.
Risk: Improper servicing of the upper intermediate shaft could cause the shaft to separate, which can then result in a loss of steering control, and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify the owners of vehicles whose repair records reflect that the upper intermediate steering shaft was repaired during the course of the prior recall 13V-385. Dealers will inspect and replace the upper immediate shaft if necessary free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S25.
- NHTSA 13V385000Aug 29, 2013Steering355,000 vehicles
Steering
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.
Risk: If the lower bearing separates, the vehicle may experience a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners and dealers will replace the lower intermediate shaft, free of charge. The upper intermediate shaft and steering column lower bearing will be inspected to identify any damage that may have occurred as a result of lower intermediate shaft corrosion, and repaired or replaced as necessary. If the steering column lower bearing has separated, a retainer clip will be installed. The recall began on October 23, 2013. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall number is 13S08.
- NHTSA 05V518000Nov 9, 2005Electrical System98,836 vehicles
Electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery:cables
On certain passenger vehicles, the battery cable includes a fusible link that may contact and subsequently chafe on a #2 cross member attaching bolt.
Risk: This condition may result in heat damage and could lead to a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the fusible link and position it away from the cross member bolt. If the fusible link has already chafed and copper wires have been exposed, the fusible link will be replaced. The recall began on november 18, 2005. Owners may contact ford at 1-800-392-3673, or lincoln/mercury at 1-800-521-4140.
2005 Lincoln Town Car fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16 MPG
- Highway
- 23 MPG
- Combined
- 19 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,400
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2005 compared with other Town Car years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Lincoln Town Car reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2005 model has the highest complaint index (100) of the 7 Town Car model years tracked, so it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Lincoln Town Car?
- NHTSA complaints show engine issues lead at 33% of complaints (39 total), followed by brakes at 21% (25 complaints) and airbags at 18% (22 complaints).
- Does the 2005 Lincoln Town Car have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for this year covering steering (two campaigns) and an electrical system fusible link issue; none are do-not-drive recalls.
- Which Town Car model years are safer to buy than 2005?
- NHTSA data shows 2009 (complaint index 0, Good), 2010 (complaint index 17, Best), and 2011 (complaint index 33, Good) all rank well below the 2005 model's complaint index of 100.
- At what mileage do 2005 Town Car problems typically show up?
- NHTSA complaint data shows a median mileage at failure of 65,000 overall, with engine complaints centered around 64,000 miles and brake complaints around 56,250 miles.