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1998 Lincoln Town Car Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 1998 Lincoln Town Car has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Cracked plastic intake manifold with coolant leak.” Lincoln uses Ford's Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor: it tracks how the vehicle is actually driven and calls for oil service when needed — up to 10,000 miles or 12 months on normal duty, much sooner with towing or repeated short trips. EcoBoost-powered Aviators and Nautilus models are turbocharged: heat is their maintenance story, so oil quality and cooling-system health matter more than on the old naturally aspirated V8s. Traditional V8 Navigators and Town Cars are long-interval machines — 100,000-mile plugs — that mostly reward fluid discipline.

Save this car as:

No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 1998 Lincoln Town Car.

Reported to NHTSA

Cracked plastic intake manifold with coolant leak

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

16 NHTSA complaints · 2003-12 → 2013-06

“PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD ON 1998 LINCOLN TOWN CAR WITH FORD 4.6 LITER V-8 ENGINE CRACKED CAUSING LOSS OF COOLANT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10104679
“I TOOK MY 1998 LINCOLN TO A DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSIS OF ENGINE NOISE AND IT WAS DETERMINED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS CRACKED CAUSING LOSS OF COOLANT AND COLLATERAL DAMAGE COSTING $1400.00”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10257021
“THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10149512

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Front ball joint and control arm failure

SUSPENSION

9 NHTSA complaints · 2000-09 → 2013-04

“WHILE ACCELERATING AT 15 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM DETACHED FROM THE BALL JOINT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10203358
“WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE BALL JOINT SNAPPED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10056121
“LOWER CONTROL ARM AND BALL JOINT BROKE WHILE DRIVING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #869715

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Vehicle pulls to one side when braking in wet weather

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

12 NHTSA complaints · 1998-02 → 2005-05

“MY 1998 LINCOLN TOWN CAR (APPROX 35,000 MILES) DRAMATICALLY PULLS TO THE RIGHT DURING BRAKING WHEN ROAD CONDITIONS ARE WET AND THE CAR IS TRAVELLING IN EXCESS OF 40 MILES PER HOUR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10005269
“WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ABOUT 50 MPH IN THE RAIN, VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT SIDE WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #822507
“WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED ON WET SURFACES VEHICLE WILL PULL OR JERK TO THE RIGHT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #864740

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Water leaking into passenger compartment

STRUCTURE

6 NHTSA complaints · 2003-07 → 2009-04

“NOW THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARD IS ALMOST CONSTANTLY WET”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10265915
“WINSHIELD GUTTER, BY DESIGN, DUMPS WATER DIRECTLY ONTO FIREWALL WHERE VENTILATION SYSTEM PLENUM IS ATTACHED, RESULTING IN INTERIOR LEAK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10093284
“WATER BEGAN TO COME INTO MY CAR WHEN IT RAINED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10028695

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Tie rod and steering linkage separation

STEERING

5 NHTSA complaints · 2002-07 → 2007-07

“AT 25 MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY VEERED LEFT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #8014238
“CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE THE LEFT TIE ROD DROPPED FROM ITS RETAINER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10196922
“AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THE IDLER ARM SEIZED TO WORK AND IT WAS REPLACED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10167050

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Fuel filler neck spit-back and slow fill

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

5 NHTSA complaints · 1998-03 → 2011-11

“FUEL SPITS BACK OUT OF FUEL FILLER OPENING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10294000
“UNABLE TO PROPERLY PUMP FUEL INTO THE VEHICLE. CAN ONLY PUT IN ABOUT 1/2 GALLON BEFORE THE PUMP SHUTS OFF”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10265917
“FUEL FILLER NECK MALFUNCTIONS. TANK FILLS SLOWLY AND FUEL SPLASHES OUT OF NECK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #539819

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine stall or power loss with traction control

POWER TRAIN

8 NHTSA complaints · 1998-02 → 2000-12

“WHILE DRIVING UP AN INCLINE WHEELS STARTED SPINNING AND THE ENGINE DIED DUE TO TRACTION CONTROL MALFUNCTIONING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #856369
“WHEN COMING FROM A SECONDARY HIGHWAY TO A MAIN HIGHWAY, IF THERE IS A LITTLE GRAVEL AND THE TRACTION ENGAGES THE ENGINE DIES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #823284
“IN INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS TRACTION CONTROL DOES NOT FUNCTION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #857332

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Oil-Life Monitor)

Every 10,000 mi

Change when the Oil-Life Monitor calls it — up to 10,000 miles or 12 months. EcoBoost engines (Aviator 3.0T): use the specified synthetic and don't stretch the monitor; turbos cook marginal oil.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate every 7,500 miles. Heavy Navigators shift a lot of weight — even wear is a ride-quality item, not just a tire-budget item.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Inspect pads, rotors, and parking brake at every oil service. Town Car livery duty and Navigator towing both count as severe service for brakes.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 150,000 mi

Ford schedules the 10-speed (10R80) and 6-speed automatics at 150,000 miles normal duty — but 60,000 miles with towing or livery use, which describes many Lincolns. Mercon ULV / the specified Mercon type only.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

V8 Navigator and Town Car: 100,000-mile plugs. EcoBoost V6 (Aviator, Nautilus 2.7T): commonly around 60,000 miles — check your year's guide; turbo engines run shorter plug lives.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace every 30,000 miles per Ford's schedule; sooner in dusty climates.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Rear Differential Fluid (RWD/4WD)

Every 60,000 mi

Navigator, Aviator RWD, and Town Car: replace rear axle fluid around 60,000 miles with towing or livery duty (150,000 normal per Ford). Limited-slip axles need the friction modifier.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Serpentine / Accessory Belt

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect from 60,000 miles; replace on cracking. The 5.4L Navigator's belt also drives the cooling fan clutch on some years — a failure overheats fast.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replace every 20,000 miles where equipped. (2004-era Town Cars predate cabin filters; modern Lincolns locate it behind the glovebox.)

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Coolant Replacement

Every 100,000 mi

Motorcraft Orange (OAT) on modern models: first change around 10 years / 200,000 miles per Ford, though shops commonly refresh by 100,000. Older green-coolant V8s: every 5 years. Never mix chemistries.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Battery Test & Service

Every 25,000 mi

Test annually after year 3. Feature-heavy Lincolns (air suspension compressors, power everything) expose weak batteries as electrical gremlins first.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

215 crashes 1990–2024

How the 215 occupant deaths break down

147

driver deaths

68

passenger deaths

215

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 1998 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

7

complaints mentioning a crash

7

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 1998 Lincoln Town Car reflects Lincoln's published service intervals and the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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