Lincoln Motor Company has over 100 years of building large, luxurious automobiles, presidential limos, and innovative drivetrains unlike any other automaker. Named after Abraham Lincoln, the brand was established in 1912 and purchased by Ford in 1922 for an enormous sum of eight million.
One of the earliest examples of a documented chassis number (27771) was the 1925 Lincoln Model L Beetle Back Roadster. The Beetle Back was hailed as an example of supreme engineering and design. When Ford purchased the brand in 1922, Henry Ford quickly installed his son “Edsel” to run the company.
Lincoln Motor Company VIN Decoder
Prospective buyers, owners, fleet managers, and others use a VIN decoder application to learn a variety of information about a vehicle. Each character in the NHTSA 17-digit, alphanumeric VIN is encoded with a specific piece of information the manufacturers want us to know. These characters can be combined to give essential clarity to the code. Using the GoodCar VIN Decoder, the user inputs the code into the application, and instantly, a basic set of information on a specific vehicle is revealed.
Deciphering an Lincoln Motor Company VIN
Starting in 1954, Lincoln used a nine—and eleven-digit chassis or VIN code. By the late 1960s, the brand switched to an eleven-digit code for all its models. Lyndon B. Johnson's 1964 white Lincoln Convertible had an extremely detailed trim plate.
- 1
- F
- T
- 8
- W
- 3
- D
- T
- 8
- 5
- 5
- c
- 3
- 8
- 8
- 9
- 9
Locations of the Lincoln VIN
NHTSA mandates two locations on every American car, whether built or newly imported. The date of manufacture, color, trim, brake type, and transmission can be gleaned from the Vehicle Certificate located on the driver's side door jamb.
- The first mandated location is on the driver's side dashboard at the windshield. The 17-digit code must be stamped on a non-removable plaque that must be visible through the glass.
- The second required location is on the driver's side door jamb, where the VIN must be stamped on a plaque about halfway down the post. Other information, such as the types of tires and pressures, is also visible.
- Depending on the model, VINS may be located on the frame, engine block, firewall, or other locations. The VIN is always on registration docs, insurance papers, and title information.
Popular Lincoln Motor Company Models
Lincoln Continental
The Lincoln Continental, starting at $36,900, was introduced in 1939, with one of the first models built for Edsel Ford, the head of the Ford Motor Company. It was produced until 2020, accounting for a staggering 55 years of production and 10 generations. The Continental introduced an entirely new segment to the automotive industry: personal luxury vehicles, and eventually, it was renamed the Lincoln Town Car. In several global markets, the Town Car remains a top-selling model. Throughout the years, the Town Car continued to feature plenty of innovations, a luxurious ride, and a powerful engine. Town Cars featured exceptional legroom at every position, smooth and quiet ride, and powerful six-cylinder engines. One of the drawbacks was that the build quality began to fall quickly behind its rivals.
Navigator, Nautilus, Aviator, and Corsair
The modern Lincoln Motor Company has evolved into large—to mid-size SUVs and Crossovers with technologically advanced power trains. Impressive concept cars and SUVs are starting to take shape. The brand includes four models: the Navigator, Nautilus, Aviator, and Corsair. The Navigator, starting at $83,265, is one of the most luxurious SUVs on the market. The Navigator offers three rows of exceptional seating and cargo space, a massive Vista Roof, and technology enhancements everywhere. Settle into the heated, ventilated, and massaging seats, along with an audio system that is beyond belief: a 3D surround sound system with 28 speakers. When the “key fob” is in close proximity, the system projects a Welcome Mat on the ground in front of the door.
The Lincoln VIN
One of the great aspects of centuries-old automakers is that there is always plenty of interesting data on any model if an owner or vintage collector keeps digging. Early Ford and, ultimately, Lincoln Motor Cars, starting in the early part of the 1900s, used patent plates or ID plates along with model numbers to designate an automobile's types and features. These patent plates were permanently affixed to either the firewall or above the steering column on most models.
Rough documentation on Lincoln, as far back as 1945, shows a nine-digit cowl number. Nine-digit serial numbers were stamped on top of the clutch housing.
Lincoln Motor Car VIN Lookup
Finding specific information on a vehicle through the VIN is easy when using a quality service such as the GoodCar VIN Check tool. Discover specific and detailed information such as the model year recalls, title issues and specifications. Use the VIN Lookup method to retrieve a complete historical timeline of every significant event that has happened to a specific vehicle. A GoodCar VIN Check uncovers ownership history and major accidents.
GoodCar Lincoln Motor Company VIN Checks
GoodCar’s service helps countless owners, prospective buyers, fleet managers, and others to make wise purchasing and car management decisions.
Discover complete timelines to uncover any potential fraud or odometer crimes. Mileage readings must be included in most vehicle events and, when compared to earlier developments, can uncover specific odometer and false ownership crimes.
Recalls and persistent technical service bulletins provide guidance when the NHTSA, CPSC, and manufacturers issue critical defects and problems with their products. Recalls are recorded with GoodCar reposts as soon as they become available. The alerts tell owners the specific issue at hand, the date and what organization issued the recall, and specific actions the owner should take.
Branded tile records should be a significant concern for prospective owners. There are over 50 separate title brands a vehicle can have, and some are incredibly telling, such as a salvage or rebuilt title. A salvage title describes a car or truck that has been in a severe accident, and insurance companies have reported a total loss with the vehicle, having no value.
Technical Service Bulletins
May 2023, NHTSA #23S23/23V342, TSB involves the 2023 Aviator. You may intermittently experience a rear camera blue or black image on the sync screen when the vehicle is placed in reverse or when the 360-degree view is selected and available during low-speed operation. Once displayed, the rear camera's blue or black image may persist for the remainder of the ignition cycle. Once present, the issue is likely to reoccur in subsequent key cycles. Parts are now available to repair your vehicle. Ford Motor Company has authorized your dealer to replace the rear view camera free of charge for parts and labor.
October 2023, NHTSA #23S06/23V070, TSB involves the Aviator model. A loose bolt inside the transmission could prevent the transmission from achieving park by blocking the park pawl from engaging the park gear. However, the gear shifter position may indicate that the vehicle has been shifted to park. Loss of the ability to secure the park pawl could result in unintended vehicle movement, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. Lincoln has authorized your dealer to inspect your transmission and replace it if a bolt is found free of charge for parts and labor.
Recalls
October 2022, Ford Recall # 24S55. Recalling over 90,700 various vehicles, including model-year 2021-22 Bronco, Edge, and Explorer SUVs and F-150 trucks, as well as model-year 2021-22 Aviator and Nautilus SUVs from Ford luxury brand Lincoln. The 2.7- or 3.0-liter Nano EcoBoost V-6 engines in these vehicles may contain faulty intake valves that could crack and break, resulting in a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash. Before losing motive power, the check engine light may illuminate the instrument cluster, and drivers may notice the vehicle running rough. Dealers will perform an engine cycle test and replace the engine, as necessary, for free.
Ford recall number #24S35 was issued in May 2024. The recall includes 109,000 Aviator models. Lincoln says the accessory protocol image module (APIM) can be affected by electromagnetic interference with a cell phone in the vehicle. This can cause the rearview camera image to flicker or become distorted and increase the risk of a crash. Ford and Lincoln say owners are not advised to use their cellphones while reversing until the remedy is completed. Dealers will install shielding on the APIM free of charge.