Model year
2003 Lincoln Town Car
NHTSA lists 1 recall and 201 complaints for the 2003 Lincoln Town Car (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are SUSPENSION:REAR (43), SUSPENSION (32), VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (16). NHTSA lists 4 investigations. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 18 mpg combined (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $3,700, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 108 complaints
- 2001 161 complaints
- 2002 65 complaints
- 2003 201 complaints
- 2004 83 complaints
- 2005 119 complaints
- 2006 143 complaints
- 2007 84 complaints
- 2008 20 complaints
- 2009 5 complaints
- 2010 13 complaints
- 2011 6 complaints
Recalls
04V328000 · Jul 7, 2004
SUSPENSION:REAR
CERTAIN POLICE, COMMERCIAL, AND PASSENGER VEHICLES SOLD TO FLEETS TYPICALLY INPUT HIGHER LOADS INTO THE VEHICLE CHASSIS OVERLOADING THE WHEEL BEARINGS AND AXLES.
Complaints
201 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 14, fire flag on 0, injury field 6, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE03011 | INADVERTENT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT · AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW | Mar 14, 2003 | Aug 22, 2003 |
| EA03014 | INADVERTENT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT · AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW | Aug 22, 2003 | Aug 12, 2004 |
| PE04010 | REAR AXLE FRACTURE · POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT | Jan 22, 2004 | Jul 8, 2004 |
| DP05005 | SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | Sep 22, 2005 | Jan 4, 2006 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Town Car · 4.6L · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 16 | 23 | 18 | — | — | $3,700 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2003 Lincoln Town Car at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.