Representative model. Photo: Cutlass, Wikimedia Commons, CC0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2005 Lincoln Town Car recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2005 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 3
Park-it warnings: 0
Complaints: 119
Latest campaign: Nov 5, 2014

Recall summary by component3

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Latest	Campaign IDs
Steering	2	Nov 5, 2014	14V704000 13V385000
Electrical system	1	Nov 9, 2005	05V518000

Safety recalls3

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

0Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Nov 5, 2014Latest campaign


Nov 5, 201414V704000	Steering: rack and pinion pinion shaft 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… DetailsHide details for campaign 14V704000 What's wrong 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. Campaign NHTSA 14V704000 · Nov 5, 2014
Aug 29, 201313V385000	Steering If the lower bearing separates, the vehicle may experience a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 13V385000 What's wrong 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. Campaign NHTSA 13V385000 · Aug 29, 2013
Nov 9, 200505V518000	Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery cables THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN HEAT DAMAGE AND COULD LEAD TO A FIRE. DetailsHide details for campaign 05V518000 What's wrong ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BATTERY CABLE INCLUDES A FUSIBLE LINK THAT MAY CONTACT AND SUBSEQUENTLY CHAFE ON A #2 CROSS MEMBER ATTACHING BOLT. Risk THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN HEAT DAMAGE AND COULD LEAD TO A FIRE. Remedy DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUSIBLE LINK AND POSITION IT AWAY FROM THE CROSS MEMBER BOLT. IF THE FUSIBLE LINK HAS ALREADY CHAFED AND COPPER WIRES HAVE BEEN EXPOSED, THE FUSIBLE LINK WILL BE REPLACED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 18, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673, OR LINCOLN/MERCURY AT 1-800-521-4140. Campaign NHTSA 05V518000 · Nov 9, 2005

Nov 5, 201414V704000

Steering: rack and pinion pinion shaft

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…

DetailsHide details for campaign 14V704000

What's wrong: 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.
Campaign: NHTSA 14V704000 · Nov 5, 2014

Aug 29, 201313V385000

Steering

If the lower bearing separates, the vehicle may experience a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.

DetailsHide details for campaign 13V385000

What's wrong: 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.
Campaign: NHTSA 13V385000 · Aug 29, 2013

Nov 9, 200505V518000

Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery cables

THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN HEAT DAMAGE AND COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.

DetailsHide details for campaign 05V518000

What's wrong: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BATTERY CABLE INCLUDES A FUSIBLE LINK THAT MAY CONTACT AND SUBSEQUENTLY CHAFE ON A #2 CROSS MEMBER ATTACHING BOLT.
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN HEAT DAMAGE AND COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUSIBLE LINK AND POSITION IT AWAY FROM THE CROSS MEMBER BOLT. IF THE FUSIBLE LINK HAS ALREADY CHAFED AND COPPER WIRES HAVE BEEN EXPOSED, THE FUSIBLE LINK WILL BE REPLACED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 18, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673, OR LINCOLN/MERCURY AT 1-800-521-4140.
Campaign: NHTSA 05V518000 · Nov 9, 2005

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Lincoln recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Owner complaints by component119

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

119Complaints filed

17Involving a crash

2Involving a fire

18Injuries reported · 1 death

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
Vehicle speed control	34	29	9	0	10
Service brakes	24	20	6	0	5
Air bags	22	18	2	0	4
Hydraulic	15	13	3	0	5
Seat belts	11	9	0	0	0
Steering	8	7	0	0	0
Electrical system	8	7	0	0	0
Structure	8	7	0	0	1
Power train	7	6	1	1	5
Engine	7	6	0	0	0
Unknown or other	4	3	1	0	3
Visibility/wiper	3	3	0	0	0
Exterior lighting	3	3	0	0	0
Fuel/propulsion system	3	3	0	0	0
Wheels	3	3	0	0	0

10 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number.

Latest reports

Steering
“Unknown”
Filed 04/08/2023 · ODI 11516084
Visibility/wiper
“The contact owns a 2005 Lincoln Town Car. The contact stated that the windshield wipers became inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted.”
Filed 12/05/2022 · ODI 11496036
Power train
“While accelerating approximate @ 30 mph, vehicle speed increased without assistance nearly plummeting into a body of water at a curve... exit 77 on I-95S MD. The car could not handled the curve at that rate of speed.”
Filed 10/26/2022 · ODI 11490937

Other Lincoln Town Car model years

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2005 Lincoln Town Car recall questions

How many recalls does the 2005 Lincoln Town Car have?

NHTSA lists 3 safety recall campaigns for the 2005 Lincoln Town Car. The most recent, 14V704000 (reported November 5, 2014), concerns steering. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What are the 2005 Lincoln Town Car recalls for?

The largest group is steering, with 2 campaigns. Others: electrical system (1). Each campaign below lists the defect, the risk and the free remedy.

What is the most common complaint about the 2005 Lincoln Town Car?

Vehicle speed control is the most-reported component, named in 34 complaints out of 119 filed with NHTSA (29%). Across all complaints, owners reported 17 crashs and 2 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2005 Lincoln Town Car?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Lincoln recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised Lincoln dealer.

Check a specific Lincoln by VIN

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