The contact owns a 2003 Lincoln Town car. While the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed a leak behind the rear driver's side tire. The vehicle was driven to Firestone and the mechanic stated that the seal failed on the rear driver's side tire. While the mechanic was repairing the vehicle, he noticed that the rear wheel bearing and stub axle were defective, which was the actual cause of the seal failure. As a result, the rear differential fluid had to be refilled. The vehicle was repaired and the dealer and mechanic were not notified. In January of 2009, while driving approximately 60 mph, the contact noticed a chirping noise when the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was driven to Firestone for a brake inspection and the mechanic stated that the brake pads and rotors needed to be changed. When the mechanic removed the rotors, he noticed that the rear ball joints were rubbing against the axles and needed to be replaced. Both of the rear end axles and ball joints were replaced. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified and the contact was informed that the VIN was not related to any recalls. He would be responsible for the repair costs. The contact has the parts and supporting documentation in his possession. The current mileage was 81,131 and failure mileage was 51,863. Updated 2/5/09 updated 02/10/09.

- Haysville, KS, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Lincoln Town car. While driving at an unknown speed, the contact heard an unfamiliar noise. When the noise grew louder, he took the vehicle to the dealer and they stated that the rear suspension was the cause of the failure. The rear suspension was repaired twice and the dealer stated that the vehicle could not be repaired according to NHTSA campaign id number 04V328000 (suspension:rear). The contact wanted to know how he can be reimbursed for the two repairs. The failure mileage was 82,915. Updated 1/5/09 updated 01/09/09.

- Ocala, FL, USA

2003 Lincoln Town car limousine. Consumer has a complaint with Ford about multiple recall repairs (rear axles, bearing, and seal recall) on the same vehicles and for the same mechanical recall failure. The axle seals and bearings caused damaged to the rear axle, which required replacement of the rear axle, real axle bearings and the rear axle seals. The consumer stated the vehicle required repairs on the rear axle twice. Water leaked into the vehicle. Recall 04V328000

- West Chester, PA, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Lincoln Town car. The contact is experiencing failure with the rear bearings on his vehicle and there is also an axle shift fracture. He took the vehicle to an independent mechanic regarding the failures. The dealer stated that there were no recalls for these failures. The current and failure mileages were 55,000.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Lincoln Town car. While driving at various speeds, the contact heard humming noises coming from the vehicle. The first time he took the vehicle to the dealer they stated that a tire was out of round. The vehicle continued to make the humming noises and the dealer stated that the cause of the failure was potentially the rear axle bearing. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 04V328000 (suspension:rear). The current mileage was 59,706 and failure mileage was 59,000.

- Louiville, KY, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Lincoln Town car. The contact noticed grease on the wheels and tires. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic, who stated that bearings, axles, and rear brakes were needed. This was the third time in four years that the failure has occurred. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 04V328000 (suspension:rear). The failure mileage was 66,745. Updated 06/09/08 the consumer stated the rear brakes were soaked with oil. Updated 06/09/08

- Aurora, CO, USA

The rear bearing on my 2003 Lincoln Town car failed. I went to the recall site and found that problem was on the list for that model and year. The failure resulted in my having have the dealer replace the bearing, seal and shaft as indicated in the recall. When I contacted Ford; they informed me that my VIN did not qualify for the recall and I was obligated to pay the full cost of those repairs. Obviously the recall should have been expanded to cover all vins in that model year as the defective oem parts were the same.

- Enterprise, AL, USA

Recall# 04V328000 rear axle bearing failure. Called Ford and they blew me off saying it did not apply to my VIN#. and hung up. They could not even find the recall.

- Glen Mills, PA, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Lincoln Town car. While driving at an unknown speed, the contact heard a loud rubbing noise coming from under the vehicle. The noise was especially heard when coming to a complete stop. All four tires were replaced. Immediately after the replacement, the noise recurred. He notified the manufacturer and they stated that although he was experiencing the same failure, the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 04V328000 (suspension:rear). The vehicle would have to be repaired at the contact's expense. The failure mileage was 52,000 and current mileage was 54,000. Updated 05/20/08. The consumer stated the rear axle and bearing was noisy. Updated

- Springfield, PA, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Lincoln Town car. While driving at an unknown speed, the contact heard a loud noise coming from the rear axle. He took the vehicle to the dealer and they stated that the VIN was excluded from NHTSA campaign id number 04V328000 (suspension:rear) and would not repair the vehicle for free. The vehicle has not been repaired. The contact filed a formal complaint with the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 47,000 and current mileage was 47,500. Updated 01/14/08 updated 01/14/08

- Bloomington, IL, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Lincoln Town car. The contact heard a whining noise coming from the vehicle. Sears stated that the tires were bad and the contact replaced all four tires; however, the noise continued. He took the vehicle to the dealer and they stated that the rear axle was the cause of the noise. The contact believes that the vehicle is included in NHTSA campaign id number 04V328000 (suspension:rear). The current mileage was 52,688 and failure mileage was 46,000. Updated 03-04-08 updated 03/04/08

- Acron, OH, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Lincoln Town car. While driving 40 mph, the contact attempted to accelerate and heard a roaring sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to a mechanic and they stated that the wheel bearings, wheels, and axle shafts needed to be replaced. The contact was given a copy of NHTSA campaign id number 04V328000 (suspension:rear), which he took to the Ford dealer, but was informed that his VIN was not included. The current mileage was 40,700 and failure mileage was 40,600.

- Weston, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Lincoln Town car. While driving 30 mph, the contact heard a noise coming from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic and the cause of failure was labeled as the rear axle. Ford stated that NHTSA recall number 04V328000 (suspension:rear) only applies to fleet vehicles, however, the contact feels that his vehicle should be included. The current and failure mileages were 48,077. Updated 09/25/07.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Lincoln Town car. While driving between 15-70 mph, the contact heard a loud humming sound coming from the rear passenger side of the vehicle. The rear bearings and the rear axle shafts were replaced. The manufacturer stated that her VIN was not included in NHTSA recall # 04V328000 (suspension:rear). The current mileage is 49,000 and failure mileage was 44,000. Updated 02-04-08. Updated 02/04/08

- Jones Borough , TN, USA

: the contact stated while driving various speeds, a grinding noise was heard. The vehicle was driven to an independent repair shop, who determined the left and right rear axel bearings, seals, and parking brake shoes needed to be replaced. The dealer was notified.

- Browns Mills, NJ, USA

: the contact stated there was a constant grinding noise coming from the rear of the vehicle, regardless of speed. The vehicle was taken to a private repair shop, who determined that the noise was caused by a failure of the rear bearings. There was a NHTSA recall# 04V328000 which pertained to the rear suspension. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN. Updated 10/31/2006 -

- Sacramento, CA, USA

: the contact stated at various speeds, a growling noise was noticed in the rear of the vehicle. An independent repair shop determined the wheel bearings wore out. This also caused excessive axle wear. There was a NHTSA recall, # 04V328000, regarding the rear suspension. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN. Updated 11/21/2006 -

- La Pine, OR, USA

: the contact stated the rear end was making a grinding noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealership and the rear tires were replaced. The noise persisted and the vehicle was taken back to the dealership. The dealer determined the rear suspension needed to be replaced. There is a NHTSA recall, # 04V328000, regarding the rear suspension. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however, it is not included in the recall due to the VIN.

- Portage, IN, USA

The caller said while driving vehicle made noise. Dealer said the bearings and axles in rear were faulty and needed to be replaced. Recall 04V328000 was issued concerning rear suspension, but did not include this vehicle. Manufacturer stated that since this vehicle was not included in the recall they will offer any help for free.

- East Elmhurst, NY, USA

"roaring" noise from the rear end at 30-50 mph. Dealer (metropolitan Lincoln-Mercury in louisville, ky) diagnosed the problem as worn rear axles and axle bearings. Axles, bearings, seals, and brake rotors were replaced at a cost to me of $932. I was told there is a recall to fix this problem because of a early failure in the axle shafts due to an inadequate heat treating, but my vehicle was "not on the list" that qualified. See NHTSA campaign id # 04V328000. If I have the problem that is being fixed by the recall, why isn't my vehicle covered?

- Shepherdsville, KY, USA