Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Suspension:rear (21.4% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
Suspension:rear complaints here are 6.0× the median for that category across the 965 model-years tracked on this site.
2 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 4 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension:rear | 43 · 21.4% | Recalled | Recall 04V328000 |
| Suspension | 32 · 15.9% | Recalled | Recall 04V328000 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 16 · 8% | No official action | — |
| Steering | 14 · 7% | No official action | — |
| Power Train | 12 · 6% | Investigation closed | PE04010 → recall 04V328000 |
| Electrical System | 6 · 3% | No official action | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 201 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 04V328000 · 2004 · reported 07/07/2004
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 10 MPH WHEN THE REAR AXLE BROKE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE…”NHTSA complaint 10410019 — filed 06/30/2011 · SUSPENSION:REAR
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WOULD FEEL VIBRATIONS COMING FROM THE REAR END WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS…”NHTSA complaint 10405846 — filed 06/10/2011 · SUSPENSION:REAR
“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.”NHTSA complaint 10393796 — filed 03/30/2011 · SUSPENSION:REAR
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Suspension:rear issues are the most-reported category, cited in 43 of 201 NHTSA complaints (21.4%), followed by suspension (32), vehicle speed control (16), steering (14). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
201 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 14 involved a crash, 0 involved a fire, and 6 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 1 NHTSA safety recall campaign, including campaign 04V328000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
2 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
