1990 Lincoln Town CAR
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1990 Lincoln Town CAR is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 5 on record.
1990 Lincoln Town CAR at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1990 Lincoln Town CAR recalls 4
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN 1996-1999 FORD CROWN VICTORIA POLICE, FLEET, NATURAL GAS, AND 1996-1999 LINCOLN TOWN CAR LIMOUSINE VEHICLES THAT WERE PRODUCED WITH A LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CONTAINING A ONE PIECE BEARING; AND 1990-1996 FORD CROWN VICTORIA POLICE, FLEET, AND NGV VEHICLES AND 1990-1996 LINCOLN TOWN CAR LIMOUSINE VEHICLES THAT HAVE BEEN SERVICED WITH EITHER A BALL JOINT CONTAINING THE ONE-PIECE BEARI…
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS (2).
CORROSION OF THE HOOD LATCH STRIKER PLATE CAUSES DETACHMENT OF THE PLATE FROM THE HOOD ASSEMBLY RESULTING IN AN UNEXPECTED OPENING OF THE HOOD WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HOOD INNER PANEL REINFORCEMENT AND A NEW, GALVANIZED HOOD LATCH STRIKER PLATE.
TIRE PLACARD MAY CONTAIN INCORRECT GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATINGS AND TIRE INFORMATION.
Fix: INSTALL REVISED TIRE PLACARDS.
GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATINGS AND TIRE INFORMATION MAY BE INCORRECT ON LABELS.
Fix: INSTALL REVISED CERTIFICATION LABELS.
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
1990 Lincoln Town CAR common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 240 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1990 Lincoln Town CAR safety ratings
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 1990 Lincoln Town Car 4-DR.. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.
1990 Lincoln Town CAR MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 1990 Lincoln Town CAR costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1990 Lincoln Town CAR. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 2
HOOD LATCH FAILURE Closed
NHTSA #EA91021 · Structure · opened Mar 1991 · closed Mar 1992HOOD LATCH FAILURE Closed
NHTSA #PE91018 · Structure · opened Nov 1990 · closed Mar 1991An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 33
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 33.
TRANSFER SERVICE TIPS FOR THE FRONT WIPER MOTOR MOUNT BRACKET AND DEPRESSED PARK OUTPUT ARM. *TT
Bulletin 02107 · Visibility · May 2002SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC
Bulletin 01156 · Visibility · Aug 2001INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC
Bulletin 01157 · Aug 2001THIS INFORMATION IS A SUPPLEMENT TO THE WIPER SYSTEM SERVICE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE WORKSHOP MANUALS. THIS SERVICE INFORMATION IS INTENDED AS AN AID TO ASSIST IN DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR OF ERRATIC WIPER SYSTEM CONDITIONS. *TT
Bulletin 011201 · Visibility · Jun 2001SUBJECT REGARDING CONTAMINATION FROM PRIOR TRANSMISSION CONCERNS OR EXCESS WEAR MAY BE TRAPPED IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLING SYSTEM. *TT
Bulletin 002310 · Power Train · Nov 2000SUBJECT REGARDING CLIMATE CONTROL - EATC - BLOWER MOTOR CONTROL SERVICE TIPS. *JB
Bulletin 00213 · Equipment · Oct 2000INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS
Bulletin 0015 · Power Train · Jan 2000SUBJECT ON A WIRE HARNESS TERMINAL REPAIR KIT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIRING ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESSES. *TT
Bulletin 99222 · Electrical System · Oct 1999SOME CARS EQUIPPED WITH FACTORY INSTALLED MOONROOF MAY EXHIBIT A BOOMING OR BUFFETING NOISE WHILE TRAVELING AT SPEEDS GREATER THAN 40 MPH WHEN THE MOONROOF IS OPEN. *TT
Bulletin 13400 · Visibility · Oct 1999SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FACTORY INSTALLED MOONROOF MAY EXHIBIT A BOOMING OR BUFFETING NOISE WHILE TRAVELING AT SPEEDS GREATER THAN 40 MPH WHEN THE MOONROOF IS OPEN. *TT
Bulletin 7312 · Visibility · Oct 1999Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the TOWN CAR. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 2
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1990 Lincoln Town CAR. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Suspension
Note: 1996-99 crown victoria police, fleet and ngv and lincoln town car limousine equipped with a lower control arm ball joint containing a one piece bearing and 1990-96 crown victoria police, fleet and ngv and lincoln town car limousine that were serviced with either a ball joint containing an one piece bearing or a front lower control arm with a one piece bearing. High bearin…
Transport Canada #1998251 · Dec 1998Structure
THE HOOD LATCH STRIKER PLATE MAY BECOME DETACHED FROM THE HOOD ASSEMBLY RESULTING IN AN INADVERTENT OPENING OF THE HOOD WHILE DRIVING. THIS COULD REDUCE THE DRIVER'S VIEW OF THE ROAD AND POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT. CORRECTION: A NEW HOOD INNER PANEL REINFORCEMENT AND A NEW, GALVANIZED, HOOD LATCH STRIKER PLATE WILL BE INSTALLED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Transport Canada #1995078 · May 1995Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
About the Lincoln Town CAR
The Lincoln Town Car is a model line of full-size luxury sedans that was marketed and produced by the Lincoln division of the American automaker Ford Motor Company. Deriving its name from a limousine body style, Lincoln marketed the Town Car from 1981 to 2011, with the nameplate previously serving as the flagship trim of the Lincoln Continental. Produced across three generations for thirty model years, the Town Car was marketed directly against luxury sedans from Cadillac and Chrysler.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.