2005 Lincoln Town Car

The rear air suspension system is the most common failure point on the Town Car. The air spring bladders crack and leak with age, causing the rear to sag overnight. The compressor then runs continuously to compensate, eventually overheating and burning out. This affects virtually all Town Cars with the original air suspension.

Replace the air springs with new units or convert the rear suspension to conventional coil springs using a conversion kit from Strutmasters, Arnott, or similar manufacturers. If converting, install a bypass module to eliminate the 'Check Suspension' warning. Replace the compressor if burned out.

The composite intake manifold on the 4.6L Modular V8 develops cracks at the coolant crossover passage, identical to the Crown Victoria and Grand Marquis issue. The crack allows coolant to leak externally or internally into the engine oil. This is a design defect affecting all Panther-platform vehicles.

Replace the intake manifold with an updated design that has a reinforced coolant crossover. Dorman and other manufacturers offer improved replacement manifolds. Replace all intake gaskets, the thermostat, and flush the cooling system. If coolant has entered the oil, change the oil and filter immediately.

The climate control blend door actuator fails, causing the system to blow only hot or only cold air regardless of the temperature setting. A characteristic clicking or tapping sound from behind the dashboard when the HVAC is activated is the hallmark symptom. This issue is extremely common on 1998-2011 Town Cars.

Replace the blend door actuator. On the Town Car, the actuator is accessible from under the passenger side of the dashboard. Use a Motorcraft actuator for best longevity. Some owners replace the plastic blend door itself with an aftermarket metal version to prevent the door from breaking.

The 2-valve 4.6L V8 engine is notorious for spark plugs blowing out of the aluminum cylinder heads due to insufficient thread engagement in the factory design. This typically occurs in cylinders 3, 4, 7, and 8 and can happen with no warning, damaging the ignition coil and potentially the catalytic converter from a resulting misfire.

Install a thread repair kit such as a Time-Sert or Helicoil insert to restore the spark plug threads. Time-Sert is preferred because it provides more thread engagement than the factory design. Torque new spark plugs to 11-15 ft-lbs and apply anti-seize compound. Replace the damaged ignition coil.

The cable-driven power window regulators fail frequently, causing the window to drop into the door, move slowly, or operate with a grinding noise. The cable can snap or the motor can burn out. Rear windows are affected more often than fronts due to less frequent use causing the cable to seize.

Replace the power window regulator assembly. The regulator and motor are typically sold as a unit. Remove the door panel carefully to avoid breaking the plastic clips. Lubricate the window channel with silicone spray during reassembly to reduce strain on the new regulator.

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Ford Crown Victoria, 2005-2011 Mercury Grand Marquis vehicles manufactured March 23, 2004, to August 30, 2011, and 2005-2011 Lincoln Town Car vehicles manufactured March 8, 2004, to August 30, 2011, and on which the upper intermediate shaft was serviced during the course of safety recall 13V-385. The prior repairs may not have been correctly performed.

Improper servicing of the upper intermediate shaft could cause the shaft to separate, which can then result in a loss of steering control, and increasing the risk of a crash.

Ford will notify the owners of vehicles whose repair records reflect that the upper intermediate steering shaft was repaired during the course of the prior recall 13V-385. Dealers will inspect and replace the upper immediate shaft if necessary free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S25.

Ford is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Ford Crown Victoria (including Crown Victoria Police Interceptors), Mercury Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Car vehicles. The affected vehicles are currently registered or were originally sold in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Severe corrosion can seize the lower intermediate shaft which may cause the upper intermediate shaft to collapse and the steering column lower bearing to separate.

If the lower bearing separates, the vehicle may experience a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.

Ford will notify owners and dealers will replace the lower intermediate shaft, free of charge. The upper intermediate shaft and steering column lower bearing will be inspected to identify any damage that may have occurred as a result of lower intermediate shaft corrosion, and repaired or replaced as necessary. If the steering column lower bearing has separated, a retainer clip will be installed. The recall began on October 23, 2013. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall number is 13S08.

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BATTERY CABLE INCLUDES A FUSIBLE LINK THAT MAY CONTACT AND SUBSEQUENTLY CHAFE ON A #2 CROSS MEMBER ATTACHING BOLT.

THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN HEAT DAMAGE AND COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUSIBLE LINK AND POSITION IT AWAY FROM THE CROSS MEMBER BOLT. IF THE FUSIBLE LINK HAS ALREADY CHAFED AND COPPER WIRES HAVE BEEN EXPOSED, THE FUSIBLE LINK WILL BE REPLACED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 18, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673, OR LINCOLN/MERCURY AT 1-800-521-4140.