2011 Lincoln Town Car Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2011 Lincoln Town Car has 6 NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls, earning a Good verdict with a complaint index of 33, ranking 5th of 7 model years. Steering is the top problem area, tied to two recall campaigns on the intermediate shaft.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 33/100
- #5 of 7 Town Car years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 6
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Steering
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 16 city / 24 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2011 Lincoln Town Car problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Steering4 (67%)
- Airbags2 (33%)
- Brakes1 (17%)
- Engine1 (17%)
- Other1 (17%)
- Seat Belts1 (17%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (17%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Steering wheel binds during right and left turns and must be manually returned to center.
- Some drivers report a sudden loss of steering response while turning at highway speed, causing the car to keep going straight through an exit or curve.
- One owner reported the steering did not respond while negotiating a slight curve on wet pavement at around 30-35 mph, leading to a head-on guardrail crash.
- A rear tire lost air suddenly with a large gash, which a dealer attributed to a pothole strike, and a second flat occurred on the same corner afterward.
- An airbag did not deploy or the seat belt did not restrain the driver during a frontal impact into a retaining wall, resulting in injuries.
2011 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.
2011 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.
2011 compared with other Town Car years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Lincoln Town Car reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2011 Town Car rates Good, with a complaint index of 33 and only 6 complaints logged, ranking 5th best out of 7 model years covered.
- What are the main problems with the 2011 Lincoln Town Car?
- Steering is the top problem area, making up 67% of complaints, followed by airbags at 33%. NHTSA also lists brakes, engine, seat belts, and suspension complaints, each at one report.
- Does the 2011 Lincoln Town Car have a steering recall?
- Yes. NHTSA lists two steering-related recall campaigns, 14V704000 and 13V385000, both covering repair or replacement of the intermediate steering shaft.
- How does the 2011 Town Car compare to other Town Car years?
- The 2011 model's complaint index of 33 is well below the worst year, 2005, at 100, but above the best-rated 2010 model, which scored 17 and earned a Best verdict.