NUMEROUS ANTI-LOCK BRAKE (ABS) WHEEL SPEED SENSOR (WSS) DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTC'S) C1145, C1155, C1175, C1296, C1297, C1298, C1299 AND C1222.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2005 Lincoln Town Car brakes problems
severe 21 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
21
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
6crashes
5injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 21 brakes complaints filed for the 2005 Lincoln Town Car, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 4 model years of Lincoln Town Car we track for brakes problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 21.
No new NHTSA brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 20 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
PINPOINT TEST ERROR FOR FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSORS - WORKSHOP ANNUAL UPDATE.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Lincoln Town Car owners report two overlapping brake system problems on 2005 models. The dominant complaint is sudden engine acceleration when applying the brake pedal—vehicle lurches forward despite braking effort, sometimes with the engine revving. This has occurred at low speeds (3–40 mph) and during parking maneuvers, occasionally multiple times per vehicle (up to 6–7 instances reported). In severe cases, owners could not stop the vehicle except by shifting to Neutral or Park, or shutting off the ignition. One accident involved damage to six parked cars and a fence; another resulted in rear-end collision at a traffic light.
The second problem is brake fade or loss of responsiveness requiring hard pedal pressure (pedal to the floor) to achieve any braking effect. One owner reported a master cylinder replacement that did not resolve the issue.
Many owners describe the brake and accelerator pedals as positioned too close together, with some alleging unintended dual-pedal contact when moving the right foot from throttle to brake. Dealers consistently report inability to retrieve diagnostic fault codes or duplicate the failures, even when the vehicle is left for extended periods. One dealer suggested installing a data recorder; another blamed operator error. Manufacturers have declined assistance for out-of-warranty vehicles.
Same Lincoln Town Car brakes reports on nearby years: 2006
Failure modes owners describe
Unintended Acceleration During Braking
Engine accelerates or revs when brake pedal is depressed, causing vehicle to lurch forward despite braking effort. Occurs intermittently, primarily during low-speed driving or parking. Often accompanied by cycling of anti-lock brake system (grab and release). Most prevalent complaint across the narratives.
When: Occurs from new (under 200 miles) through higher mileage (126,000 miles); reports span 2005 model year deliveries through subsequent years of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Engine revs when brake pedal is pressed; Vehicle accelerates forward despite brake application; Anti-lock brake system cycles (grab and release); Pedal effort required may increase; Intermittent occurrence; No diagnostic fault codes or warning lights present
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to retrieve fault codes or duplicate failure. One dealer suggested data recorder installation. Suggested mechanical cause: transmission issue, fuel feed problem, or master cylinder failure, but not confirmed by dealer diagnostics.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford manufacturer stated vehicle performed as designed. One case declined out-of-warranty assistance. General response was inability to diagnose or repair without duplicatable fault code.
Brake Fade or Loss of Responsiveness
Brake pedal loses stopping power, requiring excessive pedal pressure (pedal to floor) to achieve braking effect, or pedal does not decompress, preventing vehicle from stopping. Occurs during normal driving at low to moderate speeds.
When: Reported at mileage ranging from early ownership (10,000 miles) to higher mileage (60,000 miles); timing of occurrences not always specified
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal does not provide normal stopping power; Requires brake pedal depression to floor to achieve any response; Pedal does not decompress; Vehicle fails to stop; owner must shift to Neutral, downshift, or shut off ignition; No warning lights illuminated; Intermittent failure (multiple occurrences within 5–6 weeks)
Repairs/costs cited: One independent mechanic diagnosed master cylinder failure and performed replacement, but problem persisted. Dealers unable to duplicate failure or diagnose root cause. Vacuum system suspected by one owner but not confirmed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford declined assistance on out-of-warranty vehicle. Dealers and independent mechanics could not diagnose or confirm cause.
Brake and Accelerator Pedal Spacing
Brake and accelerator pedals are positioned too close together on adjustable pedal units, making simultaneous pedal contact likely when moving right foot from accelerator to brake. Multiple owners report unintended throttle engagement while braking, particularly when rolling heel technique is used. Comparison to 1997 Town Car model shows greater pedal separation in earlier generation.
When: Issue present from delivery; affects adjustable pedal units that change position vertically but maintain close lateral spacing in all positions
Symptoms owners cite: Brake and accelerator pedals too close together; Right shoe sole outer edge contacts accelerator while applying brake; Unintended dual-pedal engagement when transitioning from throttle to brake; Problem persists regardless of pedal adjustment position
Repairs/costs cited: No repair attempted or available. Owner reports prior-generation 1997 Town Car had wider pedal spacing.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford responded to one complaint by directing owner to insurance carrier and offered no engineering correction. No recall or design change cited in any narrative.
Synthesized from 21 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Dt*: the contact stated brakes failed and vehicle lurched forward intermittently. While depressing the brake pedal to the floor the motor revved, and the vehicle did not stop but it kept lurching forward. The vehicle was taken to the dealership for diagnostic testing. The problem could not be duplicated. However, the dealer suggested that the contact install a data recorder in the vehicle to…
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Lincoln town car. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle failed to respond when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact had to depress the brake pedal to the floorboard in order for the vehicle to respond. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the master cylinder needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the…
On the 2005 Lincoln town car the brake and gas peddle are to close. When you step on the brake it is very easy to put your foot on the gas peddle at the same time. This could result in a very dangerous situation. This has been an ongoing problem from the day I purchased this car. *tr
After being parked in parking lot - engine turned off, no radio playing, etc. We started the vehicle up, backed up, braked, put in drive and accelerated at which time the vehicle immediately accelerated out of control. Brakes would not stop the car. The car continued to accelerate faster and faster. We ran over a couple of islands, pulled fire hydrant out of the ground, ran into a wall,…
Had brakes trouble with your 2005 Lincoln Town Car?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2005 Lincoln Town Car?
It's a meaningful issue. 21 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 16 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 27,500 and 73,616 miles, with the median around 60,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 27,500; a quarter make it past 73,616. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2005/Lincoln/Town Car.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.