LincolnTown Car2002Overview/lincoln/town-car/2002/base/

2002 Lincoln Town Car

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2002 Town Car.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2002 Lincoln Town Car is a traditional passenger car equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission, delivering an EPA-estimated 15 city and 21 highway mpg for a 17 combined average from a powertrain that requires 5.0 quarts of 5W-20 API oil. Within the model's 1990–2011 complaint history, this year occupies a moderate space with 65 owner complaints predominantly focused on the air bags alongside a single recall. Consequently, the 2002 Town Car sits well below the 1997 peak of 328 complaints but remains far above the 2009 low of just 5, marking it as a comparatively stable, mid-tier year in the vehicle's broader reliability lineage.

Model year201120102009200820072006200520042002

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque85-105 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy15/21/17 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 65 ex. Limo · 650 ex. Limo CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 65 ex. Limo · 650 ex. Limo CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP225-60SR16OEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Spark plugAGSF32PM4

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length215.4 in
Overall width78.3 in
Overall height57.9 in
Wheelbase117.7 in
Curb weight4015 lb
Track (front / rear)63.4 / 65.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)56/44

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined15 / 21 / 17 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume112 cu ft
Cargo volume21 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Town Car of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.9–12.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.90 sec — 1998 Signature Series Touring Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2003Cartier Sedan 4.6L V89.50 sec16.80 sec239 hpRWD
2000Cartier L Sedan 4.6L V89.30 sec16.90 sec200 hpRWD
2005BPS (Ballistic Protection Series) Sedan 4.6L V812.00 sec18.60 sec239 hpRWD
1998Signature Series Touring Sedan 4.6L V87.90 sec16.10 sec205 hpRWD
2011Signature Limited Fleet Sedan 4.6L V88.10 sec16.10 sec239 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.0 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-105 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 19.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.0 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18.0 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts14.0-16.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug19.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts85-105 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub221 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)802.5 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)12.5 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)755 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)75 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap0.052-0.056 in
Spark Plug Torque11.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity2.38 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity7.50 oz
Optional BCI Group Number65 Optional and Limo
Optional BCI Cranking Performance850 Optional and Limo cca
Standard BCI Group Number65 ex. Limo

Service checks

Pressure Test16 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief16 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature188-195 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)30.0-50.0

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket147 ft-lbs / 20 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle85-105 ft-lbs / 50 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.039 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.00035 in / 0.0004 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.063 in / 0.56 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.063 in / 0.56 in
Rotor Minimum Machining1.01 in / 0.52 in

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Exhaust System Heat Shield (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace)
At 45,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · PCV Valve (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2002 Lincoln Town Car stands out as a low-point in complaints within its generation, with only 65 complaints—a sharp drop from 174 in 2001 and 201 in 2003. Its single recall is also notably low compared to the 6 recalls in 2001 and the 4–10 recalls common in the mid-to-late 1990s, while its 59 TSBs are below the 91 of 2001 and the 83 of 2003. This places the 2002 model at a trough in the complaint/recall arc, suggesting it may have benefited from production refinements before a subsequent uptick. However, the data does not specify root causes for its top complaint areas—air bags (19), vehicle speed control (11), and service brakes (9)—so these systems warrant pre-purchase inspection. Overall, the 2002 Town Car appears to be a relatively reliable year within the generation, making it a good buy if you prioritize lower reported issues, but verify the noted problem areas.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
59
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
3
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
65
Owner complaints
14 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 65 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags19
Vehicle Speed Control11
Service Brakes, Hydraulic9
Latches/Locks/Linkages4
Visibility3
Tires2
Engine & Engine Cooling2
Electrical System2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

15E082000SteeringReported 06/10/2015

Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain model Dorman Steering Shafts, part number 425-359, Solutions Steering Shafts, part number 7-0359, and OE Solutions Steering Shafts, part number 425-359, manufactured… Remedy: Dorman will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering shaft, free of charge. The recall began on October 28, 2015. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 59 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TSB 20-22332020-07-13StructureThis article supersedes TSB 19-2026 to update the vehicle model years affected. Some 2000…
TSB 19-20262019-02-07StructureSome 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels…
TSB 19-20262019-02-07StructureSome 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels…
072122007-10-01Engine And Engine CoolingSOME 1997-2008 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 4.6L 2V, 5.4L 2V, OR 6.8L 2V ENGINE--SPARK PLUG…
05312007-05-08StructureCUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 05B31 - INFORMATION ONLY. A POSSIBILITY THAT DURING A HIGH…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Town Car. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2002 Town Car take?

5.0 qt of 5W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2002 Town Car have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Town Car get?

EPA figures are 15 city / 21 highway / 17 combined mpg.