1998 Lincoln Town Car Reliability ReportCommon Problems, Repair Costs & Expert Verdict
Should You Buy the 1998 Lincoln Town Car?
The 1998 Lincoln Town Car is an absolute tank on wheels, representing one of the safest and most comfortable used luxury sedans you can acquire for surprisingly little money. With its robust body-on-frame construction and legendary 4.6L V8, this vehicle offers exceptional long-term durability, provided its few known age-related weaknesses are addressed proactively. It's a prime example of Detroit iron built to last for hundreds of thousands of miles.
Biggest Strengths
- Extremely durable 4.6L Modular V8 engine
- Robust 4-speed automatic transmission (4R70W)
- Simple, body-on-frame construction for longevity and crash protection
Top Risk Areas
The systems that break first on the 1998 Lincoln Town Car. Mileage windows, repair costs, and fix-before-you-buy notes are in the full report.
NHTSA Recalls
8 recalls on record from NHTSA. Check your VIN atnhtsa.gov to see if the repair was performed.
STEERING
Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain model Dorman Steering Shafts, part number 425-359, Solutions Steering Shafts, part number 7-0359, and OE Solutions Steering Shafts, part number 425-359, manufactured April 17, 2014, to September 28, 2015. These aftermarket replacement steering shafts are sold for use in 1995-2002 Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Car vehicles. These steering shafts may separate during operation if the integral fastener is loose or missing and if the interfacing vehicle shaft is compressed in length.
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:INTEGRATED JACK/LEVELER/STABILIZER
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES HAVE JACKING INSTRUCTIONS WHICH, IF FOLLOWED, COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE OPERATOR TO PLACE THE JACK ON A FRAME WELD WHEN ATTEMPTING TO RAISE A REAR WHEEL. IF THE VEHICLE IS JACKED UP WITH THE JACK PLACED ON THE FRAME WELD AND IF THE VEHICLE IS FREE TO ROLL (WHEELS NOT BLOCKED OR CHOCKED), THE JACK COULD YIELD AND THE VEHICLE MAY DROP SUDDENLY.
What breaks on the 1998 Lincoln Town Car?
Full reliability breakdown — engine, transmission, rust, electrical. With repair costs and mileage danger zones.
OwnerKeep Passport · $499 · one-time
Just bought a 1998 Lincoln Town Car? Keep it that way.
Snap a receipt — AI logs it. Build an OwnerScore. Sell with a buyer-ready Passport dossier.
Lincoln Town Car by Year
Compare reliability scores across nearby years of the Lincoln Town Car. Click any year for its full report.
If You're Considering This, Also Look At
Similar class, similar year range — ranked by reliability score.
Relevant Products for Your 1998 Lincoln Town Car
Parts and accessories matched to your 1998 Lincoln Town Car
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Just bought a 1998 Lincoln Town Car? Keep it that way.
OwnerKeep Passport turns your Lincoln Town Car's care history into a luxury digital vault — AI-logged receipts, an OwnerScore that pays at resale, and a buyer-ready dossier in one tap.
- AI receipt OCR — snap and log
- Fuel & mileage tracker
- Tri-Score OwnerScore
- One-tap resale dossier PDF
Recommended Reading for the Lincoln Town Car
Most Reliable Cars to Buy Used (Top 10 Ranked)
Get our expert-ranked list of the 10 most reliable used cars you can buy today, saving money and avoiding future headaches with smart choices.
Jeep Wrangler vs Toyota 4Runner: Which Lasts Longer?
Get the definitive answer: Which truly lasts longer, the Jeep Wrangler or Toyota 4Runner? Our comparison reveals their long-term durability.
Toyota Tacoma vs Chevy Colorado: Reliability Compared
Explore a head-to-head reliability comparison of the Toyota Tacoma vs. Chevy Colorado. Discover which truck truly stands out for long-term dependability.