Most common 2002 Lincoln LS problems
Share of the 121 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Lincoln LS complaints by model year
Best LS years: 2006, 2003. Years to avoid: 2000, 2001. Compare all years →
What 2002 Lincoln LS owners say
Engine & cooling all 29 →
I was driving down the highway at 50 MPH when I heard a loud noise coming from the back passenger side. Then I felt the car go out of control and I managed to safely get the car to the shoulder. My passenger door side airbag came out. When I got out of the car my tire was almost completely of the rim. I had my car towed to the repair shop and they said I needed a new axle, wheel bearing, control arm, rotor, rim and tire. Upon further inspection they realized the rim went through the underside of trunk and damaged battery and electrical components. They estimated it would cost about $3,000 to fix not including the body damage. I just replaced the right front hub assembly and control arm in feb. 2011. I have replaced engine coils and valve covers numerous times.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Lincoln LS. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, the ball joint was loosen causing the contact to loose control of the steering. In addition, the vehicle was overheating. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the lower control arm needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, three months later the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 212,000.
Air bags all 24 →
Tl* the contact owned a 2002 Lincoln LS. While driving approximately 50 MPH, there was debris in the road that caused the rear driver side tire to seize. The vehicle crashed into a guard rail. The air bags failed to deploy. The front passenger sustained contusions to the head, fractured ribs, and a bruised sternum that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 133,000.
While driving down preston hwy I rear ended a truck in front of me as I was unable to stop in time. Potential totaled car with heavy front end damage yet the air bag never deployed. 207,000 miles on the car.
Suspension all 24 →
I was driving down the highway at 50 MPH when I heard a loud noise coming from the back passenger side. Then I felt the car go out of control and I managed to safely get the car to the shoulder. My passenger door side airbag came out. When I got out of the car my tire was almost completely of the rim. I had my car towed to the repair shop and they said I needed a new axle, wheel bearing, control arm, rotor, rim and tire. Upon further inspection they realized the rim went through the underside of trunk and damaged battery and electrical components. They estimated it would cost about $3,000 to fix not including the body damage. I just replaced the right front hub assembly and control arm in feb. 2011. I have replaced engine coils and valve covers numerous times.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Lincoln LS. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 50 MPH, the trailing arm became fractured. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the trailing arm failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 131,000.
2002 Lincoln LS engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 16 / 23 / 19 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 16 / 23 / 19 |
| 3.9L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 22 / 17 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Lincoln LS a good car?
Based on 121 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2002 LS rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the LS at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2002 Lincoln LS?
The engine & cooling — 29 complaints, 24% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine. Next are the air bags (24) and suspension (24).
How many recalls does the 2002 Lincoln LS have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2002 Lincoln LS. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Lincoln LS?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2006 and 2003. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2000 and 2001. See the full Lincoln LS years comparison.
At what mileage do 2002 Lincoln LS problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 80,000 miles; 27% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.