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U.S. public vehicle records

Lincoln LS problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

982 owner complaints analyzed

3 distinct recall campaigns

74,978 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2000 to 2006 model years. Data snapshot: . 700 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint is the most frequently named component, appearing in 143 of 982 complaints (14.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior15015.3%
Transmission and shifting10710.9%
Steering behavior939.5%
Engine operation757.6%
Electrical and battery issues333.4%
Fuel system concerns151.5%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint
143
Air Bags
80
Suspension
71
Engine And Engine Cooling
65
Power Train:Automatic Transmission
64
Electrical System
62
Vehicle Speed Control
60
Suspension:Front
54
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint143
Air Bags80
Suspension71
Engine And Engine Cooling65
Power Train:Automatic Transmission64
Electrical System62
Vehicle Speed Control60
Suspension:Front54

Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint: 143; Air Bags: 80; Suspension: 71; Engine And Engine Cooling: 65; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 64; Electrical System: 62; Vehicle Speed Control: 60; Suspension:Front: 54

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
88
25,000 to 49,999
100
50,000 to 74,999
162
75,000 to 99,999
152
100,000 to 149,999
153
150,000 and above
45
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,00088
25,000 to 49,999100
50,000 to 74,999162
75,000 to 99,999152
100,000 to 149,999153
150,000 and above45

Under 25,000: 88; 25,000 to 49,999: 100; 50,000 to 74,999: 162; 75,000 to 99,999: 152; 100,000 to 149,999: 153; 150,000 and above: 45

50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (162). 282 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2000
23
2001
54
2002
38
2003
70
2004
83
2005
87
2006
63
2007
64
2008
88
2009
72
2010
86
2011
41
2012
40
2013
34
2014
36
2015
28
2016
23
2017
13
2018
13
2019
9
2020
5
2021
4
2022
5
2023
3
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
200023
200154
200238
200370
200483
200587
200663
200764
200888
200972
201086
201141
201240
201334
201436
201528
201623
201713
201813
20199
20205
20214
20225
20233

2000: 23; 2001: 54; 2002: 38; 2003: 70; 2004: 83; 2005: 87; 2006: 63; 2007: 64; 2008: 88; 2009: 72; 2010: 86; 2011: 41; 2012: 40; 2013: 34; 2014: 36; 2015: 28; 2016: 23; 2017: 13; 2018: 13; 2019: 9; 2020: 5; 2021: 4; 2022: 5; 2023: 3

Pattern summary

Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 150 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 107 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 93 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10041620 · 2003-10-10 (October 10, 2003)

I OWN A 2000 LINCOLN LS, I HAVE HAD AN ENTIRE ENGINE REPLACED. I HAVE ALSO HAD A TRANSMISSION REPLACED 2 TIMES. ALONG W/ REPLACING GASKETS WHICH LEAKED OIL AND SHORTED OUT THE PLUGS ETC. MAJOR THINGS! I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS WINDOW REGULATORS REPLACED. SEAT HEATER REPLACED AND HEADLIGHT COVERS THAT CONSTANTLY FOG W/ ANY MOISTURE STILL EVEN AFTER REPLACING SEVERAL TIMES. RADIO WAS REPLACED, ALONG W/ REAR BRAKE LIGHT BULBS SHORT OUT ALL THE TIME DUE TO MOISTURE IN REAR LIGHT COVERS! NOW MORE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS IN THE 1000'S OF DOLLARS. *LA

Owner-reported narrative. 18,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10041620 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10056471 · 2004-02-03 (February 3, 2004)

SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE PAST 6 MONTHS WHILE COMING TO A STOP AND LIGHTLY APPLYING THE BRAKES THE ENGINE STARTS TO RACE TO THE POINT IT CAN'T BE HELD BACK WITH THE BRAKES. QUICKLY PUTTING THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL CORRECTS THE PROBLEM IMMEDIATELY AND THE ENGINE RETURNS TO IDLE SPEED. MOST RECENTLY I HAD THIS PROBLEM 3 TIME IN ONE EVENING. THE LAST TIME I WAS SLOWLY TURNING ONTO MY DRIVEWAY AND THE CAR TOOK OFF. BEFORE I COULD REACT I WAS ON THE FRONT LAWN AND NARROWLY MISSED MY SON WHO HAPPENED TO BE ON THE DRIVEWAY. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM…

Owner-reported narrative. 35,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10056471 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10004933 · 2003-01-30 (January 30, 2003)

CAR HAS BEEN BACK TO DEALER AT LEAST 6 TIMES FOR TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY AND JERKING INTO GEAR HARSLY- I AM BEING PUT OFF BY DEALER..CAR HAS DONE THIS CONTINUOUS..HAS BEEN TO THREE DEALERSHIPS AND NONE CAN RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM. I FEEL THIS IS SUCH A SAFETY PROBLEM FOR ME AND MY CHILD. THERE COULD HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASSIONS. I HAVE BEGGED THE DEALER TO JUST PUT ME IN ANOTHER 2000 LINCOLN LS. I BOUGHT THE CAR JUNE OF 2002- CAR IMMEDIATELY STARTED THIS PROBLEM AND HAS CONTINUED. I PAID 23,900 FOR MY CAR 6…

Owner-reported narrative. 40,935 miles reported. Look up ODI 10004933 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10025376 · 2003-07-03 (July 3, 2003)

~BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS HAVE FAILED ~DRIVER SIDE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE DOESN'T WORK ~DRIVER SIDE DOOR CONTROL STRAP BROKE ~VEHICLE TRANSMISSION MISSES GEAR GOING UP INCLINES ~VEHICLE MISFIRES AND ENGINE IDLES ROUGH AT TIMES, DEALER FOUND NOTHING WRONG ~REPLACE BACK RIGHT SIDE AND FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW REGULATORS AFTER FAILURES ~MOONROOF SWITCH WENT BAD ~LUG NUTS ON VEHICLE STRIP EASILY, HAVE TO REPLACE MOST OF THEM ~SHIFTS EXTREMELY ROUGH FROM REVERSE TO PARK ~ENGINE IDLE SOUND TERRIBLE FOR A LUXURY CAR, EVER AFTER DEALER TUNE UP ~H…

Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10025376 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10038056 · 2003-09-03 (September 3, 2003)

RECALL 00V359001 CONCERNING FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS REPAIRED IN 2000. OWNER DESCRIBED FAILURE OF "RUMBLING WHILE BEING DRIVEN ON SMOOTH ROAD SURFACE AND INADEQUATE STEERING". OWNER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER FOR A SOLUTION. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10038056 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10075578 · 2004-07-06 (July 6, 2004)

THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE COMING APART DUE TO LOOSENED NUTS. THE STEERING WAS BECOMING MORE DIFFICULT AS WELL. *AK THE VEHICLE'S HISTORY SHOWED TIRE WEAR AND ADJUSTMENTS PRIOR TO OWNERSHIP AND ADJUSTMENTS. *SC *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 32,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10075578 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10033459 · 2003-08-25 (August 25, 2003)

ENGINE HAS DEVELOPED AN INCONSISTANT MISFIRE AT IDLE, DURING ACCELERATION, AND WHEN IT LOBS ALONG IN OVERDRIVE. RECENTLY THE THE ENGINE STALLED WHILE PASSING A SLOW MOVING VEHICLE ON A 2 LANE ROAD. I COASTED TO THE SHOULDER AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ANY PROBLEM, HOWEVER IT STILL CONTINUED TO MIS-FIRE AT RANDOM. SOMETIMES DURING A TURN AT INTERSECTIONS IT STALLS AND THEN REGAINS POWER AND LUNGES FORWARD (ALMOST LIKE A TRANSMISSION SLIP). DEALER CAN NOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM(S), THUS THEY CAN NOT FIX IT. THE LAST TIME I TOOK THE CAR…

Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10033459 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10044390 · 2003-10-21 (October 21, 2003)

WHILE DRIVING THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. AS A RESULT, AIR BAGS WERE INOPERATIVE AND WOULDN'T DEPLOY WHEN NEEDED, PER DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED EVERY AIR BAG COMPONENT, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED.*AK THE RIGHT FRONT HEADLIGHT HELD MOISTURE AND THE FOG LIGHT HELD WATER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE HEADLIGHTS AND FOG LIGHTS. THE BULB FOR THE LEFT SIDE FOG LIGHT BURNED OUT. THE LEFT SEAT WAS LOOSE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CLIPS ON THE BACK OF THE SEAT. THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT DOOR WOULDN'T …

Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10044390 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10022962 · 2003-06-12 (June 12, 2003)

THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH WIRING FOR ENGINE. SOMETIMES VEHICLE WILL NOT START. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 9,754 miles reported. Look up ODI 10022962 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10057223 · 2004-02-26 (February 26, 2004)

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A REAR WINDOW PROBLEM. THE REAR WINDOW ON DRIVER'S SIDE WENT DOWN AND WOULD NOT GO BACK UP. THIS PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL WIRING PROBLEM. *AK THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE WINDOW REGULATOR WAS JAMMED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE LEFT AND RIGHT REAR WINDOW REGULATOR. *NM

Owner-reported narrative. 27,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10057223 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10151485 · 2006-02-28 (February 28, 2006)

DRIVING AT NIGHT HIT DEBRIS IN ROAD AT APROX. 55 MPH. NOTICED FUEL GAGE LEVEL DESCENDING. WHILE EXITING RIGHT CURVING RAMP AND BRAKING AUTO STARTED TO LOSE CONTROL. ABS HELPED CORRECT SWERVE. INSPECTED UNDERBODY FOLLOWING DAY. FUEL TANK WAS RUPTURED. I PAID LOCAL LINCOLN DEALER TO REPLACE FUEL TANK. *APROX. INCIDENT DATE. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10151485 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10502509 · 2013-03-12 (March 12, 2013)

CAR SLOWED ON HIGHWAY IN HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC CAUSING CARS TO HAVE TO JUST MISS ME FROM BEHIND. I WAS TOTALLY FREAKED, HAD TO HAVE 3 ENGINE IGNITION COILS REPLACED. I'VE HAD 2 MORE SINCE THEN.JUST REPLACED A FUEL TANK ALSO, THIS CAR HAS LESS THAN 46,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS COST ME OVER $4500 IN 2 YEARS. I AM ON SS AND 76 YEARS OLD, I'M AFRAID TO EVEN DRIVE THIS CAR, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE ABOUT THIS? I'VE OWNED FORDS ALL MY LIFE BEFORE PURCHASING THIS AWFUL MACHINE CALLING ITSELF A CAR. IT'S SAS THAT ALL MY FRIENDS ARE SEEING WHAT FORD HAS BECOME .O…

Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10502509 at NHTSA ↗

Compare model years

Recalls by model year

All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.

Recall campaigns

Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.

2000
1
2001
1
2002
0
2003
1
2004
0
2005
1
2006
0
Recall campaigns data
CategoryCount
20001
20011
20020
20031
20040
20051
20060

2000: 1; 2001: 1; 2002: 0; 2003: 1; 2004: 0; 2005: 1; 2006: 0

Year-by-year records

Lincoln LS model-year comparison
Model yearComplaintsRecallsChange in recalls
20003541Not available
200124010
20021210-1
2003681+1
2004910-1
2005901+1
2006180-1