Lincoln · Known Issues

1996 Lincoln Town Car Problems: 3 Known Issues

1996 model year · NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports · Updated August 2026

According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 1996 Lincoln Town Car has 3 documented known issues, with 3 rated critical. The most serious are Lighting Control Module (LCM) Failure — Headlights Cut Out ($150-$600 repair), Fuel Tank Puncture and Fire Risk in Rear Impacts (Livery/Limousine Shield Program) ($100-$300 repair) and Plastic Intake Manifold Coolant Crossover Failure (Class-Action Defect) ($550-$1,200 repair). Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $100 to $1,200. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Lincoln Town Car problems?

According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 1996 Lincoln Town Car has 3 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Lighting Control Module (LCM) Failure — Headlights Cut Out, Fuel Tank Puncture and Fire Risk in Rear Impacts (Livery/Limousine Shield Program), Plastic Intake Manifold Coolant Crossover Failure (Class-Action Defect). Of these, 3 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.

Is the Lincoln Town Car reliable?

The 1996 Lincoln Town Car has 3 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 3 issues are rated critical: Lighting Control Module (LCM) Failure — Headlights Cut Out and Fuel Tank Puncture and Fire Risk in Rear Impacts (Livery/Limousine Shield Program) and Plastic Intake Manifold Coolant Crossover Failure (Class-Action Defect). Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.

How much does it cost to fix common Lincoln Town Car problems?

Repair costs for known Lincoln Town Car issues range from $100 to $1,200, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, Lighting Control Module (LCM) Failure — Headlights Cut Out, typically costs $150-$600 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.

What is the 1995-2011 Lincoln Town Car Lighting Control Module (LCM) Failure — Headlights Cut Out?

The Town Car's Lighting Control Module — the relay-filled black box that runs the headlamps, parking, marker, tail, and autolamp functions — fails as internal relay contacts wear and solder joints crack, causing flickering or total loss of headlights, lights stuck on (draining th… Repairs typically run $150-$600. Severity: high.

What is the 1992-2001 Lincoln Town Car Fuel Tank Puncture and Fire Risk in Rear Impacts (Livery/Limousine Shield Program)?

The Panther platform mounts the fuel tank behind the rear axle, and on 1992-2001 cars a small tab on the rear stabilizer-bar axle bracket (and the left shock-mount bracket) can puncture the tank in a high-energy rear collision, causing post-crash fuel leaks and fires that have ki… Repairs typically run $100-$300. Severity: high.

What is the 1996-2001 Lincoln Town Car Plastic Intake Manifold Coolant Crossover Failure (Class-Action Defect)?

From 1996 to mid-2001, the 4.6L V8 used an all-composite (Nylon 6/6) intake manifold whose front coolant crossover cracks with heat-cycling age, leaking coolant — often from the hidden underside — or failing outright and dumping the cooling system over the engine. The defect affe… Repairs typically run $550-$1,200. Severity: high.

1996 Lincoln Town Car Problems: 3 Known Issues

All 3 Known Issues

1995-2011 Lincoln Town Car: Lighting Control Module (LCM) Failure — Headlights Cut Out#

Common Symptoms

How to Fix

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1992-2001 Lincoln Town Car: Fuel Tank Puncture and Fire Risk in Rear Impacts (Livery/Limousine Shield Program)#

Common Symptoms

How to Fix

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1996-2001 Lincoln Town Car: Plastic Intake Manifold Coolant Crossover Failure (Class-Action Defect)#

Common Symptoms

How to Fix

What you need to fix it

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Other Lincoln Models

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Lincoln Town Car problems?

Is the Lincoln Town Car reliable?

How much does it cost to fix common Lincoln Town Car problems?

What is the 1995-2011 Lincoln Town Car Lighting Control Module (LCM) Failure — Headlights Cut Out?

What is the 1992-2001 Lincoln Town Car Fuel Tank Puncture and Fire Risk in Rear Impacts (Livery/Limousine Shield Program)?

What is the 1996-2001 Lincoln Town Car Plastic Intake Manifold Coolant Crossover Failure (Class-Action Defect)?