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

1998 vs 1999 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 335 months on market for each model year

Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026

Age-matched reports

▼ 4.6% fewer reports in the equal exposure window

1998 153 complaints 1999 146 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 1998 share 1999 share Share change
AIR BAGS 0.7% 18.5% ▲ 17.8 pts larger share
ENGINE 19.0% 8.9% ▼ 10.1 pts smaller share
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 7.2% 0.7% ▼ 6.5 pts smaller share
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 4.6% 2.1% ▼ 2.5 pts smaller share
STEERING 7.8% 6.2% ▼ 1.7 pts smaller share
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 5.9% 7.5% ▲ 1.7 pts larger share
SERVICE BRAKES 11.1% 9.6% ▼ 1.5 pts smaller share
FUEL SYSTEM 3.9% 2.7% ▼ 1.2 pts smaller share
SUSPENSION 10.5% 11.6% ▲ 1.2 pts larger share
POWER TRAIN 4.6% 3.4% ▼ 1.2 pts smaller share
VISIBILITY 9.2% 10.3% ▲ 1.1 pts larger share
STRUCTURE 7.2% 6.2% ▼ 1.0 pts smaller share
TIRES 1.3% 2.1% ▲ 0.7 pts larger share
WHEELS 1.3% 1.4% ▲ 0.1 pts larger share
SEAT BELTS 0.7% 0.7% ▲ 0.0 pts larger share
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 75.2% 60.3% ▼ 14.9 pts smaller share

NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22

Recall campaigns

1998 8

Campaign components: EQUIPMENT, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SEAT BELTS, and SUSPENSION

1999 6

Campaign components: EQUIPMENT, SEAT BELTS, and SUSPENSION

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Safety signals

◆ Fires
7 → 7
◆ Injuries
3 → 14