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2006 Lincoln Town Car Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2006 Lincoln Town Car has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Steering column intermediate shaft failure.” 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 2006 Lincoln Town Car.

Reported to NHTSA

Steering column intermediate shaft failure

STEERING

12 NHTSA complaints · 2010-04 → 2021-09

“AS PART OF THE RECENT FORD STEERING RECALL, AN EMERGENCY INSPECTION WAS DONE ON 11/18/13 AT 69,104 AND DECLARED SAFE TO DRIVE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10730821
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE LOWER INTERMEDIATE SHAFT COLLAPSED, WHICH CAUSED THE STEERING COLUMN TO SEPARATE FROM THE LOWER BEARING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10694173
“THE CONSUMER STATED IT HAS BEEN OVER 2 MONTHS, AND THE PARTS IS STILL NOT AVAILABLE. RECALL# 13V385000”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10563076

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Seat belt pretensioner failure with airbag warning light

AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS

62 NHTSA complaints · 2009-01 → 2021-12

“I STARTED THE CAR AS USUAL AND IMMEDIATELY THE AIRBAG LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING. AFTER A COUPLE MINUTES, THE AIRBAG LIGHT WENT FROM FLASHING TO SOLID AND THE CAR BEGAN A SERIES OF 5 BEEPS AND REPEATED THIS SERIES OF BEEPS 5 TIMES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10992869
“AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY DIAGNOSED FAILURE OF THE DRIVER SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER AND REPLACED AT A COST OF $628”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10536448
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, A BEEPING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE DASHBOARD AND THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10957248

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Unintended acceleration and brake-pedal proximity

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

44 NHTSA complaints · 2006-02 → 2023-10

“I HAVE A 2006 LINCOLN TOWN CAR AND I AM EXPERIENCING A SURGE PERIODICALLY WHEN I COME TO A STOP. IT HAS HAPPENED (5) TIMES IN ABOUT A 3 MONTH PERIOD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10151045
“MY 2006 LINCOLN TOWN CAR ONLY HAS 45,000 MILES ON IT AND IS KEPT IN A GARAGE. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS WITH MY FAMILY ON VACATION IN SOUTH DAKOTA. THE GAS PEDAL STUCK DOWN TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN ACCELERATING BY ITSELF”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11122753
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDALS WERE EXTREMELY CLOSE TO ONE ANOTHER. THE CONTACT WOULD OFTEN DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AS OPPOSED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10321614

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Fuel tank strap corrosion and detachment

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

6 NHTSA complaints · 2012-12 → 2023-01

“WE HEARD A SCRAPING SOUND AND PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE,ANOTHER MOTORIST JUMPED OUT OF THEIR CAR AND SAID YOUR GAS TANK IS DRAGGING ON THE GROUND! THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10490516
“I WENT TO FILL MY GAS TANK, AND MY GAS TANK STARTED LEAKING. I DROVE STRAIGHT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME THE GAS TANK HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND THE STRAP HOLDING THE TANK HAD RUSTED AND BROKE AWAY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10641764
“THE FUEL RAIL ASSEMBLY DEVELOPS PINHOLES IN IT AND GASOLINE FUEL LEAKS ON THE MANIFOLD AND ENGINE AND CAN START A CAR FIRE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11132951

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Rear door latch and lock malfunction

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

3 NHTSA complaints · 2006-12 → 2010-11

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGERS COULD NOT GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE UNLESS A DRIVER OR FRONT SEAT PASSENGER UNLOCKED THE DOOR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10367159
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LATCH BECAME STUCK AND THE DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. A REAR PASSENGER WOULD BE UNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10273133
“THE CONTACT STATED BOTH REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOORS DID NOT HAVE A MANUAL DOOR LOCK, AND COULD ONLY BE OPENED OR CLOSED BY USING THE MANUAL OR POWER CONTROL WHICH WAS LOCATED ON THE LEFT FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10174885

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Seat heater overheating

SEATS

3 NHTSA complaints · 2006-07 → 2024-11

“THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT HEATER ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE HEATED THE SEAT TO THE POINT OF CAUSING SLIGHT BURNS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10162196
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S HEATED SEATS OVERHEATED, WHICH CAUSED THE SEATS TO BECOME UNUSABLE. THE CONTACT SMELLED SMOKE WHEN THE SEATS OVERHEATED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10928218
“Additionally, the front driver's seat remained extremely hot even after the seat heater was turned off. The contact stated that the dealer had previously replaced the intake manifold; however, the failure recurred, and the vehicle made an abnormal sound while being started”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11626487

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)

90 crashes 1990–2024

How the 90 occupant deaths break down

57

driver deaths

33

passenger deaths

90

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2006 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.

12

complaints mentioning a crash

1

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 2006 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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