1990 Lincoln Town Car: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1990 Lincoln Town Car: 4 recalls, 209 owner complaints and up to 18 mpg combined.
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Recalls
4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Equipment Vehicle recall #90V133000 · 1990 · 158 vehicles
What's wrong: Tire placard May contain incorrect gross vehicle weight ratings and tire information.
Why it matters: Limousines would not comply with fmvss 110 and consumermight unknowingly overload the vehicle because of placard misinformation.
The fix: Install revised tire placards.
Equipment Vehicle recall #90V134000 · 1990 · 158 vehicles
What's wrong: Gross vehicle weight ratings and tire information May be incorrect on labels.
Why it matters: Vehicles would not comply with 49 cfr part 567.
The fix: Install revised certification labels.
Latches & locks Vehicle recall #95V091000 · 1995 · 142,800 vehicles
What's wrong: Corrosion of the hood latch striker plate causes detachment of the plate from the hood assembly resulting in an unexpected opening of the hood while the vehicle is being driven.
Why it matters: This condition can reduce the driver's view of the road increasing the potential of a vehicle accident.
The fix: Dealers will install a new hood inner panel reinforcement and a new, galvanized hood latch striker plate.
Suspension Vehicle recall #98V322000 · 1998 · 175,000 vehicles
What's wrong: The one-piece bearing within the lower control arm ball joint can weaken slowly during use and eventually crack. This could result in separation of the ball and cap of the joint, allowing the control arm to drop to the ground.
Why it matters: If this occurs while the vehicle is moving, reduced steering control could occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the lower control arm ball joints (2).
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 64 mention a fire, 14 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (63): the most common themes are fire / smoke (39), electrical failure (23), stalls / loses power (5).
- Engine & cooling (31): the most common themes are fire / smoke (19), stalls / loses power (9), leaks (3).
- Latches & locks (21): the most common themes are door / lock issues (13).
- Brakes (hydraulic) (17): the most common themes are brake failure / soft pedal (4).
The 1990 Lincoln Town Car has 209 owner complaints, ranking #4 of 22 Town Car model years for complaints (1.5× the average Town Car year). Complaints peaked in 1996 (48 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 100,000 miles. Neighboring years: 1991 (155 complaints, 5 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.0 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 22 | 18 | Regular |
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 1990 Lincoln Town Car.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/moHeads 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 1990 Lincoln Town Car have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 1990 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 1990 Lincoln Town Car problems?
Owners have filed 209 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (63), engine & cooling (31), latches & locks (21).
What gas mileage does the 1990 Lincoln Town Car get?
EPA ratings run up to 18 mpg combined (5.0 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1990 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.