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

1996 vs 1997 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 359 months on market for each model year

Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026

Age-matched reports

▲ 20.4% more 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	1996 share	1997 share	Share change
SUSPENSION	6.3%	14.0%	▲ 7.7 pts larger share
ENGINE	33.3%	27.7%	▼ 5.6 pts smaller share
SEAT BELTS	5.5%	0.7%	▼ 4.8 pts smaller share
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	6.3%	3.6%	▼ 2.7 pts smaller share
SERVICE BRAKES	9.4%	12.1%	▲ 2.6 pts larger share
TIRES	not reported	1.6%	▲ 1.6 pts larger share
VISIBILITY	2.4%	3.9%	▲ 1.6 pts larger share
FUEL SYSTEM	3.1%	4.6%	▲ 1.4 pts larger share
STRUCTURE	1.6%	2.3%	▲ 0.7 pts larger share
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	11.8%	12.4%	▲ 0.6 pts larger share
WHEELS	0.4%	not reported	▼ 0.4 pts smaller share
PARKING BRAKE	not reported	0.3%	▲ 0.3 pts larger share
STEERING	5.5%	5.2%	▼ 0.3 pts smaller share
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	5.1%	4.9%	▼ 0.2 pts smaller share
POWER TRAIN	0.8%	1.0%	▲ 0.2 pts larger share
AIR BAGS	2.8%	2.6%	▼ 0.1 pts smaller share
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	75.3%	70.0%	▼ 5.3 pts smaller share

NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22

1996 10

Campaign components: AIR BAGS, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, SEAT BELTS, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, STEERING, and SUSPENSION

1997 8

Campaign components: AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, and SUSPENSION

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21