Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
Elevated complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/header/muffler/tail Pipe — runs 1.8× the fleet median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
314Complaints
8Recalls
10Crashes
6Fires
8Injured
0Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/header/muffler/tail Pipe (12.4% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/header/muffler/tail Pipe complaints here are 1.8× the median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
Complaint category
Reports
Official status
Reference
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/header/muffler/tail Pipe
39 · 12.4%
not available
—
Vehicle Speed Control
33 · 10.5%
Recalled
Recall 07V336000
Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint
23 · 7.3%
Recalled
Recall 98V322000
Engine And Engine Cooling
20 · 6.4%
not available
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
17 · 5.4%
Recalled
Recall 98I001000
Fuel System, Gasoline:carburetor System
15 · 4.8%
not available
—
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS17 · 5.4%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM15 · 4.8%
SUSPENSION:FRONT14 · 4.5%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP12 · 3.8%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL11 · 3.5%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE11 · 3.5%
Percentages are the share of the 314 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
If the shafts separate during vehicle operation, a loss of steering control would result, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, THESE SEAT BELTS MAY NOT RESTRAIN AN OCCUPANT INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, THESE SEAT BELTS MAY NOT RESTRAIN AN OCCUPANT INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG MAY NOT PROPERLY DEPLOY WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN LESS THAN THE INTENDED LEVEL OF OCCUPANT PROTECTION. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
IN THE EVENT OF A FRONTAL COLLISION, THE AIR BAG MODULE WOULD STAY IN POSITION DURING DEPLOYMENT. HOWEVER, THE MODULE COULD LEAVE THE STEERING WHEEL CAVITY FOLLOWING AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
IF THIS OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING, REDUCED STEERING CONTROL COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park itPark outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“AT 65-70 MPH STEAM CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD, ENOUGH TO FOG UP THE WINDSHIELD. DEALER DETERMINED THAT PLASTIC MANIFOLD HAD CRACKED, FLOODING ENGINE WITH…”NHTSA complaint 8012524 — filed 06/25/2002 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
“WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER NOTICED STEAM COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THERE WAS A SPLIT IN MANIFOLD, CAUSING COOLANT…”NHTSA complaint 8010886 — filed 06/03/2002 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
“ENGINE MANIFOLD FAILED SPRAYING COOLANT ON WINDSHIELD WHILE AT HIGH SPEED ON ROAD, MANIFOLD RECALLED ON MANY SIMILAR VEHICLES.”NHTSA complaint 757847 — filed 02/06/2002 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Lincoln Town CAR?
Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe issues are the most-reported category, cited in 39 of 314 NHTSA complaints (12.4%), followed by vehicle speed control (33), suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint (23), engine and engine cooling (20). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 1997 Lincoln Town CAR have?
314 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 10 involved a crash, 6 involved a fire, and 8 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Does the 1997 Lincoln Town CAR have any recalls?
Yes — 8 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 15E082000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 1997 Lincoln Town CAR's reported problems?
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.
Install CarModelProblemsAdd it to your home screen for one-tap access — no app store.
Install CarModelProblemsTap Share, then Add to Home Screen.