1997 Lincoln Town Car Problems: 3 Known Issues
1997 model year · NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports · Updated October 2026
According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 1997 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.
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All 3 Known Issues
NHTSA Recalls4 recalls
STEERING:RACK AND PINION:PINION SHAFT
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.
STEERING
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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
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.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A FRONT WHEEL BEARING AND HUB ASSEMBLY MAY FRACTURE DUE TO IMPROPER HEAT TREATMENT.
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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 1997 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 1997 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.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.