Lincoln LS Problems by Year

We compared every Lincoln LS model year from 2000–2006 using 982 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 3 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2000 and 2001, which drew far more complaints than other LS years at the same age. The best years are 2006 and 2003.

7model years
982complaints
3recalls
2000, 2001worst years
2006, 2003best years

Complaints by model year

200020012002200320042005200635424012168919018
Owner complaints per model year, Lincoln LS. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
200618−78%—EngineGood
200590typical1EngineAverage
200491typical—EngineAverage
200368−38%1TransmissionAverage
2002121typical—EngineAverage
20012402.5×1SuspensionAvoid
20003543.7×1SuspensionAvoid

* Complaints compared with the median LS year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Lincoln LS problems

Latest Lincoln LS recalls

Fuel system, gasoline › Storage

NHTSA recall 05V-113 · Mar 18, 2005 · 56 vehicles

On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel tank May have a localized thin wall section in the lower half of the tank. The fuel tank May crack creating a potential for a fuel leak and fuel odor. The "service engine soon" indicator May illuminate.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel tank free of charge. The recall began on April 4, 2005. Owners May contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673, Lincoln at 1-800-521-4140.

Wheels

NHTSA recall 03V-136 · Apr 7, 2003 · 1,736 vehicles

On certain passenger vehicles equipped with 17 inch chrome wheels, the chrome wheels were not heat-treated. These wheels May crack at the lug-nut holes, which could result in the loss of the lug-nut torque.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the wheels to make sure that all the wheels have been heat-treated. Any wheel that has not been heat-treated will be replaced. Owner notification began April 14, 2003.

Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint

NHTSA recall 00V359001 · Nov 3, 2000 · 82,300 vehicles

Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The front suspension lower ball joints were not tightened to specifications when they were attached to the lower control arms.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the torque on the two ball joint attaching nuts. Vehicles with loose ball joint attaching nuts will either have the fasteners tightened to specification, or if necessary, the ball joints will be…

All 3 Lincoln LS recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Lincoln LS should you avoid?

2000 and 2001 — these years have the most complaints relative to other LS years at the same age, led by suspension problems in the 2000.

What is the best year for the Lincoln LS?

2006 has the fewest complaints compared with other LS years at the same age, followed by 2003. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Lincoln LS problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the suspension (268), engine & cooling (176) and air bags (139). Suspension complaints peak in the 2000 model year.

How many recalls has the Lincoln LS had?

3 recalls across 2000–2006. The model year with the most is 2000. See all Lincoln LS recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.