Complaints
194
Crashes
7
Fires
8
Injuries
3
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1998 Lincoln Town Car Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#19 complaints
Engine & Cooling
Avg mileage:82,261 mi
Fires:3
#29 complaints
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
Avg mileage:87,000 mi
#38 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
Avg mileage:79,044 mi
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1998 Lincoln Town Car.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine & Cooling | 9 | — | 3 | 82,261 mi | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 9 | — | — | 87,000 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 8 | — | — | 79,044 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 8 | 1 | — | 51,750 mi | |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint | 7 | 1 | — | 106,225 mi | |
| Body Structure | 6 | — | — | 118,667 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 5 | — | — | 83,446 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 5 | — | — | 129,106 mi | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 4 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 3 | — | 1 | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 2 | — | 2 | — | |
| Wiring & Fuses | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc. | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 2 | — | — | — |
Engine & Cooling
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
3
Avg Miles
82,261
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
87,000
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
79,044
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
51,750
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
106,225
Body Structure
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
118,667
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
83,446
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
129,106
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Gasoline Fuel System
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering Defects
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structural Problems
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Electrical Faults
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Hydraulic Brakes
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension Failures
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Wiring & Fuses
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine Problems
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Headlight/Taillight Failures
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1998 Lincoln Town Car. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Lincoln Town Car Years
1998 Lincoln Town Car — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1998 Lincoln Town Car reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 1998 Lincoln Town Car has 194 NHTSA complaints, 7 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine & Cooling with 9 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1998 Lincoln Town Car?
Top reported problems: Engine & Cooling (9 complaints, avg 82,261 mi); Exterior Lighting:Headlights (9 complaints, avg 87,000 mi); Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline (8 complaints, avg 79,044 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1998 Lincoln Town Car?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 89,264 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1998 Lincoln Town Car?
NHTSA complaints for the 1998 Lincoln Town Car include 7 crash-related reports, 8 fire reports, 3 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1998 Lincoln Town Car have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1998 Lincoln Town Car as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1998 Lincoln Town Car?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Lincoln Town Car reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1998 Lincoln Town Car
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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