Engine
4.6L 8-cyl
How to read this file. Complaint records are unverified owner submissions to the federal safety agency. Counts are raw, not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age. Recall campaigns apply to the model; only a VIN check shows whether this car is affected or repaired. Parts shown are named by an editorial note or listed as a search directory; none is a diagnosis. Full methodology.
Fault profile
Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.
When it fails
The timing of this vehicle's reported failures, from the complaint file itself. A cluster tells you what to expect and when; it is shaped by reporting behavior as well as by the vehicle.
Vehicle age when the failure occurred
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 195 of 201 complaints with a usable failure date.
Odometer when the failure occurred
Owner-reported mileage at failure, in 20,000-mile bands. Based on 157 of 201 complaints reporting a plausible odometer (500 to 500,000 miles; unverified).
Known issues
The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.
Suspension
83 complaint records1 crash report
"RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2003 LINCOLN TOWNCAR WITH 35,000 MILES THAT EXHIBITED REAR AXLE NOISE. FORD REPLACED THE AXLES AND BEARINGS SITTING NO RECALL EXISTED. *TR..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse suspension parts in the directory →
Power train
29 complaint records
"WHEEL BEARINGS AND AXLES AND DIFFERENTIAL BEARINGS MAKING A LOUD NOISE AT 30-35 MPH TOLD BEARINGS NEED TO BE REPLACED. *TR..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse power train parts in the directory →
Speed control
18 complaint records8 crash reports
"THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE IDLING, WHICH RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE HITTING A WALL, CONSUMER WAS INJURED.*JB..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse speed control parts in the directory →
Federal defect investigations
Formal investigations opened by the federal safety agency into this vehicle. An investigation is the step between a complaint pattern and a recall; not every one results in one.
| Investigation | Status | Component | Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| DP05005 opened Sep 2005 | closed Jan 2006 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE... |
| PE04010 opened Jan 2004 | closed Jul 2004 | Power Train | REAR AXLE FRACTURE - led to recall 04V328000 THIS PE WAS OPENED AFTER ODI BECAME AWARE OF TWO ALLEGATIONS CONCERNING REAR AXLE FRACTURE AND PARTIAL WHEEL SEPARATION INVOLVING MY 2003 FORD CROWN VICTORIA POLICE INTERCEPTORS (CVPI).INITIALLY, THE PE'S SCOPE INVOLVED ALL MY 2003 GRAND MARQUIS, CROWN... |
| EA03014 opened Aug 2003 | closed Aug 2004 | Air Bags | INADVERTENT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT THIS INVESTIGATION IDENTIFIED A TOTAL OF 182 REPORTS ALLEGING INADVERTENT OR NON-CRASH DEPLOYMENT OF THE SIDE AIR BAGS.THE DATA EXAMINED DURING THE INVESTIGATION SUGGEST THAT THE SIDE AIR BAG CRASH SENSING SYSTEM'S ALGORITHM MAY RECOGNIZE CERTAIN NON-CRASH... |
| PE03011 opened Mar 2003 | closed Aug 2003 | Air Bags | INADVERTENT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT ODI HAS IDENTIFIED 173 COMPLAINTS ALLEGING INADVERTENT OR NON-CRASH DEPLOYMENT OF SIDE AIR BAGS ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999-2003 LINCOLN TOWN CARS.MOST OF THE COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT ONE OF THE SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT ANY IMPACT.ANALYSIS... |
Recall campaigns
Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN. Each campaign number links to the federal record.
| Campaign | Component | Summary | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 04V328000 | Suspension | CERTAIN POLICE, COMMERCIAL, AND PASSENGER VEHICLES SOLD TO FLEETS TYPICALLY INPUT HIGHER LOADS INTO THE VEHICLE CHASSIS OVERLOADING THE WHEEL BEARINGS AND AXLES. | Normally free |
Transport Canada recalls
Recalls issued under Canadian law for this model year, from Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database. Matched by model name, so a Canadian-market variant may appear here that was sold under another name in the US. Units are Canadian vehicles affected.
| Recall | System | Units (CA) | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004236 2004-07-09 | Suspension | 1,233 | Certain Crown Victoria Police Interceptors, Crown Victoria commercial vehicles and Lincoln Town Car fleet vehicles. |
Service bulletins and warranty extensions
Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| TSB 20-2233 Jul 2020 | Structure | This article supersedes TSB 19-2026 to update the vehicle model years affected. Some 2000 and newer Ford/Lincoln/Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. | |
| TSB 19-2026 Feb 2019 | Structure | Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. Panel replacement is recommended. | |
| 07212 Oct 2007 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SOME 1997-2008 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 4.6L 2V, 5.4L 2V, OR 6.8L 2V ENGINE--SPARK PLUG THREAD REPAIR PROCEDURE--NOT COVERED UNDER NEW VEHICLE LIMITED WARRANTY. *NJ THIS INCLUDES F-53 MOTORHOME CHASSIS. UPDATED 2/23/10. *PE | |
| 0531 May 2007 | Structure | CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 05B31 - INFORMATION ONLY. A POSSIBILITY THAT DURING A HIGH SPEED / HIGH ENERGY REAR COLLISION, CERTAIN COMPONENTS HAVE AN INCREASED RISK OF PUNCTURING THE FUEL TANK ON VEHICLES WITH LIMO PREP PACKAGE LIMO PACKAGE UPGRADE KIT OFFERING. | |
| 06216 Jan 2006 | Power Train | LIMITED SLIP AXLE CHATTER, SHUDDER, BINDING SENSATION, OR VIBRATION DURING LOW SPEED TURNING MANEUVERS. *TT |
Show 55 more bulletins
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 041601 Nov 2005 | Engine And Engine Cooling | WDS COP KIT DIAGNOSTIC TIP - COIL ON PLUG (COP) IGNITION SYSTEMS - ENGINE MISFIRE OR ROUGH RUNNING. *TT | |
| 042421 Jun 2005 | Seat Belts | SAFETY BELT RETRACTION SPEED. *TT | |
| 0567 Apr 2005 | Latches/Locks/Linkages | DOOR LOCKS BEING INOPERATIVE WHEN USING THE KEYPAD AND/OR REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE) FOB - FUSE 2.30 OPENING INTERMITTENTLY. | |
| 0531 Feb 2005 | Engine And Engine Cooling | MAF DIAGNOSTIC SERVICE TIP - VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH EGR SYSTEM MODULE (ESM). *TT | |
| 05310 Feb 2005 | Seat Belts | SAFETY BELT WEB STOP BUTTON SERVICE. *EH | |
| 18426 Feb 2005 | Equipment | AM FM AND CELLULAR PHONE RECEPTION INTERFERENCE . *EH | |
| 18383 Jan 2005 | Electrical System | AM/FM AND CELLULAR PHONE RECEPTION INTERFERENCE - SERVICE TIP. *TT | |
| 052308 Jan 2005 | Parking Brake | PARKING AID SYSTEM INOPERATIVE. *AK | |
| 04251 Dec 2004 | Structure | ALUMINUM CORROSION - SERVICE TIP. *TT | |
| 04189 Dec 2004 | Visibility | REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER GRID/INTEGRAL ANTENNA DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR - TERMINAL TAB REPAIR. *TT | |
| 042107 Dec 2004 | Power Train | GENERAL (PCM) POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *TT | |
| 04217 Nov 2004 | Power Train | GENERAL POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *TT | |
| 042111 Nov 2004 | Electrical System | MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMPAND P0460 DTC IN MEMORY. *EH | |
| 18222 Oct 2004 | Electrical System | MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) P0460 IN CONTINUOUS MEMORY. OASIS. *TT | |
| 04174 Sep 2004 | Electrical System | MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ILLUMINATED - SYSTEM LEAN DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTC'S) - SERVICE TIPS. VARIOUS MODELS INCLUDING 2004 F-SERIES. *TT | |
| 04E12 Sep 2004 | Engine And Engine Cooling | EMISSION RELATED SERVICE ACTION 04E12. VEHICLES SERVICED WITH AN INCORRECT RIGHT HAND CATALYTIC CONVERTER. INSPECT AND REPLACE RIGHT HAND CATALYTIC CONVERTER. ATTACHMENTS I-III AND CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION LETTER. *TT | |
| 031404 Aug 2004 | Engine And Engine Cooling | ENGINE MISFIRE OR RUNNING - COIL ON PLUG (COP) IGNITION SYSTEMS - WDS COP KIT DIAGNOSTIC TIPS. TO INCLUDE VARIOUS 2005 MODELS. * AR THIS ARTICLE 04161 SUPERSEDES TSB 03-14-04. | |
| 04155 Aug 2004 | Suspension | SQUEAK OR RUBBING NOISE FROM FRONT SUSPENSION - FRONT SPRING INSULATOR REVISED. *TT | |
| 041514 Aug 2004 | Visibility | REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER GRID/INTEGRAL ANTENNA DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR - TERMINAL TAB REPAIR. *TT | |
| 041515 Aug 2004 | Electrical System | DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) P0442. *TT | |
| 031501 Jul 2004 | Visibility | INOPERATIVE ELECTRIC REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER (HEATED BACKLITE) GRID LINES, INTEGRAL ANTENNA CONCERNS. *TT | |
| 17876 Jun 2004 | Electrical System | MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) P0442 OR P0456. *TT | |
| 17891 Jun 2004 | Electrical System | PARKING AID SYSTEM DISABLED WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) C1123 OR C1983. *TT | |
| 17745 May 2004 | Electrical System | DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) P1233 WITH POSSILE DRIVEABILITY OR NO START CONDITION. *TT | |
| 17809 May 2004 | Electrical System | A NO CRANK/NO START. CONNECTOR C192 OR C146 NOT FULLY CONNECTED. *TT | |
| 17810 May 2004 | Power Train | TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHERE THERE IS A LARGE AMOUNT OF METAL OR DEBRIS IN THE PAN. *TT | |
| 17828 May 2004 | Electrical System | VARIOUS INTERMITTENT/CONSTANT ELECTRICAL CONCERNS. *TT | |
| 17589 Mar 2004 | Vehicle Speed Control | SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM NOT MAINTAINING A STEADY SPEED AND/OR THE SPEED DROPPING FROM INITIAL SET POINT WHEN SPEED IS SET DURING LIGHT TO MODERATE ACCELERATION. *TT | |
| 0421 Feb 2004 | Engine And Engine Cooling | ENGINE KNOCK DURING INITIAL COLD START, THE KNOCK WILL CEASE AFTER THE ENGINE IS FULLY WARMED UP. *TT | |
| 17533 Feb 2004 | Electrical System | AIR BAG LIGHT ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) B2477 - PROGRAMMABLE MODULE INSTALLATION (PMI) SERVICE TIP. *MJ | |
| 17545 Feb 2004 | Suspension | COSMETIC CRACKING OF LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHING SLEEVE. *MJ | |
| 0476 Jan 2004 | Electrical System | NOISE-CLIMATE CONTROL-REGISTER VENT RATTLE WITH A/C BLOWER ON. *MJ | |
| 030804 Jan 2004 | Visibility | ERRATIC CLIMATE CONTROL BLOWER MOTOR OPERATION DURING BRAKING, TURNING OR ACCELERATION. *TT | |
| 03256 Dec 2003 | Engine And Engine Cooling | ENGINE-ROMEO BUILT 4.6L 2V-TICK NOISE FROM ENGINE-ENGINES BUILT BEFORE 9/17/2003. *MJ | |
| 03142 Dec 2003 | Electrical System | BATTERY WARNING LAMP ON WITH A DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P1246 (GENERATOR LOAD INPUT FAILED) IN THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM). *TT | |
| 17398 Nov 2003 | Seats | REVISED DIAGNOSTICS FOR POWER SEAT SYSTEM. *TT | |
| 03203 Oct 2003 | Electrical System | MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ILLUMINATED WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS) P0442, P0455, P0456, P0457 OR P1442 OR A CHECK FUEL CAP LAMP ILLUMINATED WITH DTC P0457 FOR THE EVAPORATIVE EMISSION SYSTEM. *TT | |
| 17297 Oct 2003 | Steering | PASSIVE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM (PATS) DO NOT COME WITH A STEERING WHEEL LOCK. *TT | |
| 03191 Sep 2003 | Electrical System | INOPERATIVE ENGINE COOLING FAN, DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) P0480 (FAN 1 CONTROL CIRCUIT) AND/OR ENGINE OVERHEAT CONDITION. *TT | |
| 03181 Sep 2003 | Electrical System | REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE) - SERVICE TIPS. *TT | |
| 17101 Sep 2003 | Electrical System | MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) LIGHT ON AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS) P1405 OR P1406 WITH NO OTHER DTCS. *TT | |
| 17178 Sep 2003 | Fuel System | DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P1133 WITH POSSIBLE DRIVEABILITY OR NO START SYMPTOMS. *TT | |
| 03164 Aug 2003 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SOME VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH THE 4.6L 2V ENGINE, WITH AN ENGINE BUILD DATE PRIOR TO 8/29/03 MAY EXHIBIT AN ENGINE TICK NOISE THAT IS PRESENT AT ALL TEMPERATURES DURING IDLE. 2004 MODELS INCLUDED. *TT | |
| 17027 Aug 2003 | Equipment | FALSE PERIMETER ALARM ACTIVATION. *TT | |
| 17031 Aug 2003 | Engine And Engine Cooling | MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0316 (ONLY) STORED IN MEMORY. *TT | |
| 031411 Jul 2003 | Engine And Engine Cooling | RADIATOR ALIGNMENT PIN GROUND CLEARANCE. *TT | |
| 16941 Jul 2003 | Fuel System | HESITATION, BUCK OR SURGE DURING STEADY STATE DRIVING OR LIGHT ACCELERATION AT 30-60 MPH. *TT | |
| 03122 Jun 2003 | Equipment | FLUTTERING OR HOOTING NOISE FROM THE CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM RECIRC/FRESH AIR MODE DOOR INTERMITTENTLY. *TT | |
| 03124 Jun 2003 | Engine And Engine Cooling | ENGINE VIBRATION AT IDLE AND/OR LOW ENGINE SPEEDS. *TT | |
| 16877 Jun 2003 | Visibility | FRONT DOOR GLASS THAT MOVES SLOWLY OR BINDS - GLASS STOPS 1/2 WAY DOWN. *TT | |
| 0398 May 2003 | Fuel System | MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ILLUMINATION WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0442, P0455, P0456, P0457, P1442 OR CHECK FUEL CAP LAMP ILLUMINATED WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0457. *TT | |
| 16802 Apr 2003 | Steering | EXCESSIVE POWER STEERING PUMP NOISE AT COLD START. *TT | |
| 0355 Mar 2003 | Power Train | REAR AXLE SHAFT AND/OR AXLE BEARING PREMATURE WEAR. *TT *JB | |
| 16679 Mar 2003 | Fuel System | NEW PUSH TYPE FUEL CLIP AND CONNECTOR REMOVAL INSTRUCTIONS. *TT *JB | |
| 16712 Mar 2003 | Fuel System | FUEL GAUGE THAT COMES OFF FULL TOO QUICKLY OR READS LOWER THAN THE ACTUAL FUEL TANK LEVEL (ELECTRONIC OR ANALOG CLUSTER). *TT *JB |
Showing 60 of 81 distinct bulletins on file for this vehicle.
Before you buy this vehicle
A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.
- Find the roughest road nearby.Clunks over bumps, a droning hum that changes when the car leans, or a corner that sits low are this vehicle's suspension complaints. Wheel bearings and control arm bushings lead the parts list.
- Drive it from a dead stop, twice, on a hill if you can.Shudder, hesitation, or a lurch under light throttle is how this vehicle's largest complaint cluster shows itself. Then ask for the transmission service history in writing; repeat repairs are a pattern, not a fluke.
- Test the throttle response and the cruise control on an open road.A surge, a hang in engine speed after lifting off, or cruise that will not set or cancel cleanly are the speed-control complaints on this vehicle.
- Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 1 recall campaign on file. An open recall needs VIN-specific confirmation. Many are quick, no-charge fixes and worth negotiating over; an unresolved do-not-drive advisory, or a remedy the manufacturer has not yet made available, should stop the purchase until it is resolved.
- Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.
Parts search directory
The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.
Open the parts directory for this Lincoln Town Car →