2009 Lincoln Town Car recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
3 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Steering
What's wrong, in plain English: If steering fails you can lose control of the car. 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 perform…
What could happen: 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.
The fix: 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 F…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2009 TOWN CAR.
- Book a repair at any authorized Lincoln dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 14V704000 (manufacturer code 14S25).
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-866-436-7332.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: STEERING:RACK AND PINION:PINION SHAFT
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
2. Steering
What's wrong, in plain English: If steering fails you can lose control of the car. 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 up…
What could happen: If the lower bearing separates, the vehicle may experience a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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 th…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2009 TOWN CAR.
- Book a repair at any authorized Lincoln dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 13V385000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-866-436-7332.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: STEERING
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Notes: A separate service campaign applies to vehicles in non-corrosion states not addressed by this safety recall. Owners of these vehicles should contact Ford directly about these vehicles. For the safety recall, owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
3. Engine
What's wrong, in plain English: Engine problems range from stalling to fire. 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.
What could happen: FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The fix: 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2009 TOWN CAR.
- Book a repair at any authorized Lincoln dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 10V638000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Notes: EXECUTIVE COACH SAFETY RECALL NO. FR5010. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 2009 Lincoln Town Car owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Vehicle Speed Control (2), Engine (2), Steering (1), Airbags (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (5)
10/06/2018 · Vehicle Speed Control
TAKATA RECALL. THE CAR ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN WHEN HITTING THE BRAKES., WHILE IN MOTION. ( PERIODICALLY.)
11/04/2013 · Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION OF THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 13V385000 (STEERING); HOWEVER ,THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE SERVICED UNDER THE RECALL SINCE THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THERE ARE NO FAILURES AT THIS TIME.
06/18/2012 · Engine
AS I WAS APPROACHING MY LEFT TURN INTO THE COMMUNITY I LIVE IN AND DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH, I STEPPED ONTO THE BRAKE AND THE CAR ENGINE STARTED ACCELERATING. THERE WAS A VEHICLE APPROACHING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION WHICH WAS THE REASON I WAS TRYING TO STOP. I PUSHED DOWN ON THE BRAKE BUT THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. I SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND THE EN…
04/12/2010 · Vehicle Speed Control
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED, FOLLOWED BY AN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND THE SPEED INCREASED TO APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH. THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL AND THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MI…
08/24/2009 · Airbags
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHEN A PASSENGER SITS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT THE AIR BAG DEACTIVATION LIGHT WILL COME ON EVEN WHEN THE APPROPRIATE WEIGHT IS OCCUPYING THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WEIGHT CALIBRATION FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG WAS BETWEEN 110-130 LBS. THE CON…