MotorDeets

2003 Lincoln Town Car: Recalls, Problems & MPG

Here are the deets on the 2003 Lincoln Town Car: 1 recall, 201 owner complaints and up to 18 mpg combined.

1vehicle recalls
201owner complaints
14mention a crash
18best combined mpg
2003 Lincoln Town Car
Photo: Cutlass · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons. Representative photo of this generation; trim may differ.

Recalls

1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.

Suspension Vehicle recall #04V328000 · 2004 · 47,314 vehicles

What's wrong: Certain police, commercial, and passenger vehicles sold to fleets typically input higher loads into the vehicle chassis overloading the wheel bearings and axles.

Why it matters: This could lead to early bearing failure and ultimately to axle shaft fracture. In the event of axle shaft fracture, the vehicle would lose drive function and would coast to a stop. Loss of drive function could lead to a crash.

The fix: Dealers will replace the rear wheel bearings, seals,and axle shafts. The recall began on July 15, 2004. Owners should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.

Most-reported problems

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 6 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.

Suspension81
Transmission & drivetrain27
Speed control / throttle18
Steering16
Body & structure12
Airbags10
Brakes (hydraulic)10
Engine & cooling8

What owners describe

The 2003 Lincoln Town Car has 201 owner complaints, ranking #5 of 22 Town Car model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 136). Complaints peaked in 2006 (17 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 69,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2002 (65 complaints, 0 recalls), 2004 (83 complaints, 0 recalls).

Engines & fuel economy (EPA)

EngineTransmissionDriveCityHwyComb.Fuel
4.6 L 8-cylAutomatic 4-spdRear-Wheel Drive162318Regular

Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.

Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2003 Lincoln Town Car.

eManualOnline Download (PDF), keep forever

Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.

Most $25–$78, one-time
Check 2003 Lincoln Town Car manual
Mitchell 1 DIY Online access, factory-level data

Pro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.

From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yr
Check 2003 Lincoln Town Car manual
ALLDATAdiy Online access, factory OEM info

OEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.

From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yr
Check 2003 Lincoln Town Car manual
Haynes Print book or AllAccess online

Step-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.

Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/mo
Check 2003 Lincoln Town Car manual

Heads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure

FAQ

Does the 2003 Lincoln Town Car have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 2003 Lincoln Town Car. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common 2003 Lincoln Town Car problems?

Owners have filed 201 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are suspension (81), transmission & drivetrain (27), speed control / throttle (18).

What gas mileage does the 2003 Lincoln Town Car get?

EPA ratings run up to 18 mpg combined (4.6 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 1 engine and transmission combos.

Where can I get a 2003 Lincoln Town Car repair manual?

eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.

Other Town Car years

1990199119921993199419951996199719981999200020012002200320042005200620072008200920102011