2009 Lincoln Town Car Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2009 Lincoln Town Car has just 5 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 0, ranking 7th of 7 model years by complaint volume order but capped to a Good verdict, not Best. It carries 3 recall campaigns covering steering and engine fuel-rail issues.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 0/100
- #7 of 7 Town Car years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 5
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 16 city / 24 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2009 Lincoln Town Car problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine3 (60%)
- Airbags1 (20%)
- Steering1 (20%)
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 unintended acceleration after applying the brake, with the engine speed climbing to around 70 mph before shifting to neutral to slow down.
- One owner reported the passenger airbag deactivation light coming on even with an appropriately weighted occupant in the seat.
- An owner who received a steering recall notice said the replacement part was unavailable at the dealership.
- A later complaint tied to a Takata-related engine recall describes the car surging on its own when braking, occurring periodically.
2009 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.
2009 Lincoln Town Car fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16 MPG
- Highway
- 24 MPG
- Combined
- 19 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,400
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Gasoline or E85
- 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.
2009 compared with other Town Car years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 Lincoln Town Car reliable?
- NHTSA lists only 5 complaints for the 2009 Town Car, giving it a complaint index of 0, the lowest among the 7 model years tracked. Its verdict is capped at Good rather than Best because complaint records for 2005-2009 model years are considered less complete.
- What are the main problems with the 2009 Lincoln Town Car?
- The top problem area is the engine, accounting for 3 of 5 complaints (60%), including reports of unintended acceleration. Airbags and steering each account for 1 complaint.
- Does the 2009 Lincoln Town Car have any recalls?
- Yes, it has 3 recall campaigns: two steering recalls (13V385000 and 14V704000) covering the intermediate steering shaft, and one engine recall (10V638000) for a missing fuel rail shield on limousine models.
- How does the 2009 Town Car compare to other years?
- The 2009 model has far fewer complaints than 2005 (119 complaints, complaint index 100, Avoid) or 2006 (143 complaints, Caution). The 2010 model year is rated Best with a complaint index of 17.