Equal-exposure complaint evidence and changes in the reported problem mix

1988 vs 1989 LINCOLN TOWN CAR

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Share shifts show how a vehicle's problem mix changed. They do not measure reliability, and complaint counts are not normalized for sales volume.

First 455 months on market for each model year

Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026

Age-matched reports

▼ 5.4% fewer reports in the equal exposure window

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Bars start at the neutral midpoint. Left means a smaller share; right means a larger share.

View component share data as a table

Component	1988 share	1989 share	Share change
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	38.7%	47.7%	▲ 9.0 pts larger share
SEAT BELTS	6.5%	12.5%	▲ 6.1 pts larger share
FUEL SYSTEM	6.5%	1.1%	▼ 5.3 pts smaller share
STEERING	1.1%	5.7%	▲ 4.6 pts larger share
STRUCTURE	4.3%	not reported	▼ 4.3 pts smaller share
ENGINE	8.6%	5.7%	▼ 2.9 pts smaller share
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	15.1%	12.5%	▼ 2.6 pts smaller share
SUSPENSION	1.1%	3.4%	▲ 2.3 pts larger share
VISIBILITY	2.2%	not reported	▼ 2.2 pts smaller share
WHEELS	1.1%	not reported	▼ 1.1 pts smaller share
SERVICE BRAKES	2.2%	1.1%	▼ 1.0 pts smaller share
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	2.2%	1.1%	▼ 1.0 pts smaller share
POWER TRAIN	6.5%	6.8%	▲ 0.4 pts larger share
TIRES	1.1%	1.1%	▲ 0.1 pts larger share
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	74.2%	76.1%	▲ 2.0 pts larger share

NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22

1988 5

Campaign components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, and SEAT BELTS

1989 5

Campaign components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT, and SEAT BELTS

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21