2008 Lincoln Town Car Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2008 Lincoln Town Car has a complaint index of 50, ranking 4th worst out of 7 model years, with a Caution verdict. Owners logged 20 complaints, led by engine issues (7 complaints, 35% share) and brakes (5 complaints, 25%), plus 3 recalls covering steering and engine fuel-line risk.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 50/100
- #4 of 7 Town Car years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 20
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 7
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18
- 15 city / 22.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2008 Lincoln Town Car problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine7 (35%)
- Brakes5 (25%)
- Electrical System3 (15%)
- Steering3 (15%)
- Fuel System2 (10%)
- Structure & Body2 (10%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (10%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (10%)
- Airbags1 (5%)
- HVAC1 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Vehicles reportedly surge or accelerate unexpectedly when the brake pedal is applied at low speed, sometimes leading to a crash.
- Owners describe the brake pedal traveling to the floor with little or no stopping power, requiring hard force to slow the car.
- Some drivers report the transmission or vehicle rolling or lurching after being placed in park, causing collisions with parked cars or barriers.
- One owner reported repeated sudden violent movement of the vehicle after light braking, occurring on four separate occasions within about eleven months, at 84,881 miles.
- A tire-related complaint described sidewall cracking on all four factory tires at 23,000 miles.
2008 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 10V638000Dec 9, 2010Engine161 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
Executive coach is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 lincoln town car limousines. The fuel rail shield was left off during manufacturing. In a frontal impact the engine could potentially bend or rupture fuel lines if the replacement shield is not in place, causing those lines to leak fuel.
Risk: Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Remedy: Executive coach will supply kits and installation instructions to have vehicles repaired at a facility of the owner's choice. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on december 1, 2010. Owners may contact executive coach at 888-322-9272.
2008 Lincoln Town Car fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 15 MPG
- Highway
- 22.5 MPG
- Combined
- 18 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,600
- 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.
2008 compared with other Town Car years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 Lincoln Town Car reliable compared to other years?
- It ranks 4th worst out of 7 model years tracked, with a complaint index of 50 and a Caution verdict. Newer years like 2009 and 2010 score much lower, with complaint indexes of 0 and 17.
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Lincoln Town Car?
- NHTSA complaints show engine issues as the top problem area, with 7 complaints (35% of the total) and a median failure mileage of 43,250. Brakes follow with 5 complaints (25% share) at a median of 37,600 miles.
- Does the 2008 Lincoln Town Car have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls: two covering steering shaft issues shared with the Crown Victoria and Grand Marquis, and one covering a missing fuel rail shield on Town Car limousines that could rupture fuel lines in a frontal impact.
- How does the 2008 Town Car compare to the 2005 and 2007 model years?
- The 2005 and 2007 model years are rated Avoid, with complaint indexes of 100 and 83 versus 50 for 2008. The 2008 model has fewer overall complaints (20) than 2005 (119) or 2007 (84).