Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Lincoln LS owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Dt: the consumer was driving on the interstate at 60 MPH when the front drivers side tire swayed into the vehicle. The consumer lostcontrol of the vehicle for a moment. Suddenly flames erupted out of the front tire area. The vehicle skidded to the left into the median about 100 feet and had come to a stop. The consumer put the vehicle in park and turned off the engine and escaped from the vehicle. A pedestrian put out the fire with an extinguisher. There were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to a tire dealer who sauggested that there was a separation of the front control arm and the lower ball joint that contributed to the problem, as well as a leak in the fuel lines. The consumer searched the internet and found a recall that the consumer believed pertained to her vehicle. (recall 00V359001 which did not include the lower ball joints. …
I was getting on a freeway on ramp that turned not going more than maybe between 30-35 MPH and when almost getting ready to merg on to the freeway my lower right ball joint broke. Causing my wheel to turn side ways and put a dent in the fender. Later after being repaired I saw there was a recall for this, and contacted a dealership and they told me my car was not part of that recall. But the stuff that is described in the recall seemed to fit exactly what happend to my Lincoln LS. I was lucky I was on the on ramp and not driving 65-70mph on the freeway other wise I might not be here to day. The tow truck driver told me he has seen that flip cars. Not only that but I have had nothing but problems with that car since I bought it almost 3 years ago. Just about everything that can go wrong has gone wrong. I have spent somewhere between $10,000 to $20,000 on repairing that car.
Without any warning, my daughter was driving her 2000 Lincoln LS and the left front lower ball joint stud broke and the wheel jammed under the fender and the car swerved to the rt side of the road. I called the local Lincoln dealer and they stated that this happens quite often on the Lincoln LS ball joints and they sell a $500 part to replace the ball joint and spindle. This is a very dangerous design and flaw if it breaks straight off with no warning. Good thing she was only driving 25mph when it happened and not 65 MPH, who knows. I can only now worry that the right side might break too without warning??
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint stud failed while traveling at 50 MPH resulting in a one vehicle accident and damage to fender and several other attached components. To my knowledge as well as carfax report, this car has never been in for the recall. Dealer service manager says there never was a recall on the suspension. NHTSA says different on the recall with campaign id number 00V359001. Car, being inoperable at this point, has been hauled to dealer for mechanical repair.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Lincoln LS. The contact stated that the suspension was unstable in the front of the vehicle. Without warning, the vehicle veered left or right and force had to be applied to the steering wheel to keep the vehicle centered on the road. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 00V359001 (suspension). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Lincoln LS. While driving approximately 5 MPH, the contact felt a vibration from the floor of the vehicle and noticed an abnormal noise coming from the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic who stated that the lower ball joint and lower control arm needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 157,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Lincoln LS. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle veered to the right without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that a wheel alignment needed to be performed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 00V359001 (suspension). The failure mileage was 170,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Lincoln LS. While driving at various speeds, there would be an abnormal squeaking sound emitting from the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the driver and passenger side control arms failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 141,308.
Ball joint bolts loosen or don't tighten to specifications which causes a lot of wear and tear on the front end of my vehicle. I've had to have them replaced twice and tightened up or re-fixed several times it's unsafe at time. I take chances of my life safety. I mostly have had problems on the regular streets and to afraid at most times to even think about getting on a highway.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Lincoln LS. While driving 20 MPH, the vehicle swayed and the contact heard an abnormal sound. The contact parked the vehicle and observed that the axle failed without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 149,825.
Related recalls
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint
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…
Suspension complaints in other LS years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2000 Lincoln LS?
NHTSA has 123 complaints about the suspension of the 2000 Lincoln LS, 35% of the model year's 354 complaints. The component named most often is front › control arm › lower ball joint (73 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Lincoln LS suspension problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 00V359001 (lower ball joint, Nov 3, 2000). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2000 Lincoln LS suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 92,000 miles, and 1% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury to suspension problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.