Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Air Bags (14.9% of complaints) — is covered by 2 NHTSA recall campaigns.
Air Bags complaints here are 4.0× the median for that category across the 1998 model-years tracked on this site.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 24 · 14.9% | Recalled | Recall 00V270000 · Recall 00V412000 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 20 · 12.4% | not available | — |
| Air Bags:side/window | 17 · 10.6% | Recalled | Recall 00V270000 · Recall 00V412000 |
| Air Bags:frontal | 13 · 8.1% | Recalled | Recall 00V270000 · Recall 00V412000 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip | 7 · 4.3% | not available | — |
| Steering | 7 · 4.3% | Recalled | Recall 15E082000 |
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.
Percentages are the share of the 161 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.
NHTSA campaign 15E082000 · 2015 · reported 10/06/2015
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
NHTSA campaign 01V227001 · 2001 · reported 07/16/2001
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM MAY NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE OCCUPANT PROTECTION, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 00V270000 · 2000 · reported 09/13/2000
THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 00V356000 · 2000 · reported 12/12/2000
THE VEHICLE WEIGHT COULD EXCEED THE MAXIMUM LOAD RATING FOR THE TIRE, INCREASING THE RISK OF PREMATURE TIRE WEAR OR BLOWOUT. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 00V412000 · 2000 · reported 12/06/2000
IN SOME CASES, LESS THAN THE INTENDED LEVEL OF PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 01V258000 · 2001 · reported 08/08/2001
LOSS OF VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park 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.
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN TOWNCAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY WARNING…”NHTSA complaint 10384301 — filed 02/24/2011 · AIR BAGS
“AIRBAG LIGHT WAS DIAGNOSED AS INDICATING A NEED FOR AN RCM MODULE.”NHTSA complaint 10273674 — filed 06/13/2009 · AIR BAGS
“2001 LINCOLN TOWN CAR AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT…”NHTSA complaint 10221699 — filed 03/18/2008 · AIR BAGS
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Air bags issues are the most-reported category, cited in 24 of 161 NHTSA complaints (14.9%), followed by vehicle speed control (20), air bags:side/window (17), air bags:frontal (13). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
161 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 21 involved a crash, 4 involved a fire, and 20 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 6 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 15E082000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
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.
