Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Lincoln LS owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
Tl* the contact owned a 2002 Lincoln LS. While driving approximately 60 MPH, another vehicle drove through a stop sign and crashed into the front driver and passenger side of the vehicle. Only the front passenger side air bag deployed. A police report was filed. The driver was wearing a seat belt, but the force of the crash injured the contacts neck, fractured his back in two places, and fractured his sternum. The contact also sustained extensive pains in the lower back and buttocks due to no air bag deployment on the driver's side upon impact. The contact had to continue treatments and was medicated daily because of the crash. The vehicle was not diagnosed by a dealer. The insurance company towed the vehicle to a yard and the vehicle was destroyed. …
2002 Lincoln LS , air bag warning light continues to stay on. Have had to drive car for 3 yrs like this while having fear of air bag not working in case of an accident. 3 mechanics have tried to fix and it only turns off for a few min.s after they attempt a fix with the wiring. The mileage then began about 80,007. About 1.5 yr ago (May 2014) my ac /heater core fluid began leaking. It worsened when ac was turned high, took about 2 months before burning smell was continuously coming from engine after running ac and fluid was always dripping. 6 months (jan 2016) ago my brake pedal began fluttering when depressed. I had the control arms, ball joints and brakes/rotors replaced. The brake pedal still flutters when slowing from 30 MPH quickly. My Lincoln LS mileage is 86,605
Dt: the caller's vehicle was involved in an accident while traveling 25 MPH when another vehicle pulled out in front attempting to turn left. The caller's vehicle hit the front corner of the other vehicle. Upon impact, both driver and passenger air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was totaled. Caller's wife sustained injuries. A police report was taken. Manufacturer said someone will contact the caller in two business days. Dealer has not been contacted yet.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Lincoln LS. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The contact was unaware if the failure occurred while driving or upon starting the vehicle. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 80,000.
Well I was driving down the freeway when all of sudden for no apparent reason there was an explosion in the passenger seat next to me. I was shocked by the loudness and I just sort of sat there in a daze and as I looked over I noticed white dust everywhere completely filling the cab of my car. I was driving so I had to split my attention between the road and this explosion next to me. Just as I began to come around to my full senses I noticed I was partially deaf in one ear from the blast and also somewhat blinded by the amount of smoke and powder which filled the cab. I realized that the best thing would be to pull over since my initial reaction to the blast was that my car was on fire. I couldn't get to the shoulder of the freeway since I was in the fast lane. I opened the sunroof and this allowed most of the powder and smoke to escape from the top of the car. …
My car has numerous parts that tear up repeatedly, within a 6 months time. Valve cover gasket had replaced twice within a 6 months time. The coil packs go up very often. I had panel buttons just tear up for no reason three times! Wheel caps replaced numerous times. Overheating issues, door locking issues, battery replaced twice within 2 years time. Ac issues, (I never used my ac..at all) . This car has a lot of problems on the t.s.bulletin. I contacted Ford in reference to the multiple issues I was having with the car, the company representatives told me to take the complaint to the establishment of which I had been dealing with. Then they said Lincoln is an independent owned establishment so I am totally confused by this whole ordeal, they know that they have had a lot of multiple problems out of that car. And they refuse to recall some of those (as I would say) hazardous issues. …
My 2002 Lincoln LS v8 has broken down in numerous ways. All ignition coils have had to be replaced, two window motors, airbag connector clip, my tie rod ends are bad, my car has actually shut off completely while driving up the 15 north three times while my son was in the car with me and now my transmission has completely stopped working. When it came to fixing the airbag connector problem Lincoln told me it was fixed and I went to pick up my car and it was still doing the same thing the three beeps so they fixed it for free and then told me my instrument panel on one side was burned out but the lights seems to work on it when I turn them on. They wanted to charge me 800 dollars for that but I refused. The ignition coil replacement was roughly 1000 dollars and I am waiting on my estimate for my transmission. Both window motors were 200 dollars a piece. …
I have had this car since 2004. No one drives it but me. This air bag light has been on for about 2 yrs. Or more. It stays on and sometimes while driving the airbag chimes just keeps right on chiming forever. Does this mean that I am not protected by my air bags. This car has never ever even been in a fender bender. No accidents, that I thought is suppose to trigger this air bag light to stay on. Please let me know if I am in danger, so that I can stop driving my great grand kids around in this car. Please let me know real soon. This car should be on the recall for it's airbag problem. Don't let me or my greatgrand kids die because of this airbag problem. I am appealing to you to help be get this problem corrected before it's too late. Thank you for your help.
Airbag complaints in other LS years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2002 Lincoln LS?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the air bags of the 2002 Lincoln LS, 20% of the model year's 121 complaints. The component named most often is side/window (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Lincoln LS airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2002 Lincoln LS. 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 2002 Lincoln LS airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 0 fires and 4 injuries to air bags 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.