Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
Hi I'm making this complaint on behalf of my mom she just purchased her car that doesn't have an airbag without signing a disclosure form and the transmission is totally running down and not being informed of this she went ahead and bought the car unaware of any of this.
I currently drive a 00' Lincoln LS with 71K miles on it and have had numerous unacceptable problems, the worst of which has been the transmission(s). I have just been informed by the dealership here that I need a new transmission again. I just bought a new one 32K miles ago, because the original had gone bad. This is three transmission I have now needed for a car with under 75K miles on it, this is completely unacceptable. Plus, on average, the vehicle has been in the shop for various repairs at least once every other month. The only explanation I have received from the dealer for this is that "00' was the first year they made the LS and it took them a few years to get it right," so I will have to deal with them. The problems associated with this vehicle are way to frequent and expensive to be considered normal for any car. …
Terminal issues with the transmission in my 2000 Lincoln LS ! I and everyone else are having issues with the transmissions in the Lincoln LS models. Both the v-8 & v-6 models have constant issues with transmission failures & puts the owners at risk while driving these vehicles ! I was passing a semi when my failure happened and the car lost complete power and we almost got hit head on by an oncoming car (that was nowhere in sight when I started to pass this vehicle) ! It takes no effort to discover that this is a habitual issue with this vehicle. I was a Lincoln salesman for over 3 years and I know that Lincoln builds a great product, and reliability isn't an issue with any of their other models. …
Transmission is faulty e-code pops check transmission and Ford doesn't know how to fix it come on! I was pulling out of a side street and I was pasted by a semi that with conditions barely missed t boning me cuz of this faulty whatever u wanna call it! I can't even check the [redacted] fluid! It costs $120 just to check it! It blows my mind u ca this car is considered safe and that this transmission issue hasn't been taken care of! People will die or I'm sure already have, the transmission is what drives the wheels how is it safe that u can't control ur speed! The thing acts different every day. Some days OK some days lagging and slow and some days the [redacted] thing takes off like I dumped the clutch and gunned it but I barely pushed the pedal! I've never been so dissatisfied and disappointed with laws rules regulations or whatever! …
I own a 2000 Lincoln LS with severe and erratic transmission problems which make this car unsafe to drive. I have spent over $2000.00 with numerous trips back to the repair shop in trying to correct this problem, but the car still hesitates, bucks, and even shuts down at highway speeds at which time the car has no power steering or brakes!! Reading up on forums, it appears that this is a very common problem with 2000 - 2002 Lincoln LS's. Lincoln Mercury repair shops "shoot in the dark" trying to repair these problems costing customers across the country thousands of dollars and still can not come up with a solution. They have stated that it is an "uncorrectable computer glitch". I am sure that there will be people who lose there lives do to this problem if some haven't already. This a $40,000 car and my problems started when the car had only 30,000 miles on it. …
Experienced trans not wanting to shift into fourth and fifth gear and lunging forward when being started and still in park. Car had 68000 miles on it at that time,took car in to have trans filter replaced and fluid changed. Trans. Pan was removed and pieces of bearings and metal shavings and spring found in bottom of trans pan.was told rebuild would be 1900 dollars. Job was performed and car was taken back in for same problems 3 more times in first four months of getting car back. It was never corrected or able to be fixed properly. Warranty is now up and im waiting for trans to fail gain as its doing same as before. I was informed to look online as this is a known problem for this vehicle. After searching for very short time found numerous consumers with the same exact problems I have been experiencing. …
Tl contact owns a 2000 Lincoln LS. The contact stated that the fastest speed her vehicle can reach is 20 MPH. Whenever she attempts to accelerate, the vehicle fails to catch the correct gear. The vehicle will accelerate extremely fast or the engine will just rev loudly, without the vehicle moving anywhere. While driving 60 MPH, the vehicle slows down on its own, with or without the brake or accelerator pedals being depressed. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop, but they initially could not determine the cause of the failures. The contact was informed to take the vehicle to the dealer so that they could reset the code for the PCM. Through research, she learned that resetting the PCM is very expensive and not fully effective. She also found numerous consumers that were experiencing the same failures with the same type of vehicle. …
Purchased my 2000 LS in October of that year. In 2001 had to have regulator on back passenger window replaced. Since then 2 more back window regulators have also been replaced at cost of approx. $700. Had to have coil replaced. Car has always hesitated shifting into reverse. At 40 MPH car runs roughly, shakes. In June this year car would not start after shutting off. Some computer valve sticking; dealership told my husband to take a rock and hit it to free it up so car will start. Several times car would not start at all for no apparent reason. Called dealership about ball joint noise under front of car; they said nothing wrong. Front passenger door drains plugged --- door filled with water that sloshed when coming to a stop. Called dealership(s) --- no help. Called Lincoln hotline - no help. They said it was a 5 year old what do we expect!
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 months ago and dealer today tells me he will give me 15,000.00 for my car and will put me in another Lincoln LS for 3600.00 more dollars. Please help- I have contacted Lincoln to start a dispute settlement. I feel this is more a safety hazard than anything.
I have a Lincoln LS 2000 which had to have the rear wheel bearings replaced( done 6/27/05) after 34,343 miles. Crossing an intersection on 6/29/05, the left rear axle broke, making the car inoperable with on coming traffic from both left and right. Luckily, cars were able to stop and help push car off the road. Axle was replace 34,400 miles. On 8/6/05, driving the vehicle in town, the same thing happened, making the car inoperable, blocking traffic and opportunity for an accident. This time the right rear axle broke ( 34,806 miles). Both incidents if had happened on an interstate or very busy road, would have definitely resulted in an accident and severe injury or death. Both Lincoln and the dealer (bob wade Lincoln, harrisonburg, va) have told me they don't know what caused the issue.
Transmission complaints in other LS years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2000 Lincoln LS?
NHTSA has 38 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2000 Lincoln LS, 11% of the model year's 354 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (27 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Lincoln LS transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2000 Lincoln LS, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2000 Lincoln LS transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 66,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.