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

1990 vs 1991 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 431 months on market for each model year

Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026

Age-matched reports

▼ 27.4% fewer reports in the equal exposure window

1990 208 complaints 1991 151 complaints

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Component share shift

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

View component share data as a table
Component 1990 share 1991 share Share change
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 28.4% 8.6% ▼ 19.8 pts smaller share
SERVICE BRAKES 5.8% 23.8% ▲ 18.1 pts larger share
ENGINE 13.9% 8.0% ▼ 6.0 pts smaller share
AIR BAGS 3.9% 8.6% ▲ 4.8 pts larger share
FUEL SYSTEM 4.3% 2.0% ▼ 2.3 pts smaller share
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 0.5% 2.0% ▲ 1.5 pts larger share
VISIBILITY 3.9% 5.3% ▲ 1.5 pts larger share
STRUCTURE 3.9% 4.6% ▲ 0.8 pts larger share
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 7.2% 8.0% ▲ 0.7 pts larger share
WHEELS not reported 0.7% ▲ 0.7 pts larger share
BACK OVER PREVENTION not reported 0.7% ▲ 0.7 pts larger share
SEAT BELTS 1.4% 2.0% ▲ 0.6 pts larger share
TIRES 0.5% 0.7% ▲ 0.2 pts larger share
POWER TRAIN 1.4% 1.3% ▼ 0.1 pts smaller share
SUSPENSION 3.4% 3.3% ▼ 0.1 pts smaller share
STEERING 3.4% 3.3% ▼ 0.1 pts smaller share
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 79.8% 82.1% ▲ 2.3 pts larger share

NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22

Recall campaigns

1990 4

Campaign components: EQUIPMENT, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, and SUSPENSION

1991 5

Campaign components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, and SUSPENSION

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Safety signals

◆ Fires
65 → 14
◆ Injuries
14 → 14