Most common 2004 Lincoln LS problems
Share of the 91 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 2004 Lincoln LS owners say
Engine & cooling all 28 →
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Lincoln LS. The contact stated when traveling at 35 MPH, the vehicle would sporadically surge forward then correct itself without warning. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the ignition coil was replaced. There were no prior warnings of the failure. The failure mileage was 45,000 and the current mileage was 55,000. Updated 09/16-10 the consumer stated on one occasions, the vehicle accelerated and hit the medium at a gas station. The vehicle was damaged. Updated 09/20/10
Normal clear weather driving down busy street when care suddenly slowed down almost resulting in a collision with vehicles behind me. The engine stopped , I restarted with very limited drivability the etc failsafe mode kicked in for no apparent reason this issue must be addressed before someone is seriously injured.
Transmission & drivetrain
The transmission in these cars go out without warning. They will stop the vehicle from accelerating when driving down the road. You will have to pull over and once you pullover and come to a complete stop it will not let the car engage into gear and move.
First it started out in July 2007,ac wasn't blowing like it should be replaced control heads. Then my trac control light came on and park brake light was on checked and advised replaced speed sensor. Then check engine light came on found upstream bank 2 02 sensor reading out of spec. Replaced 02 sensor and clear codes. That cost me$1285.51. Which I replaced sensor,spark plugs,coil then in jan 2008 my transmission shift hard into reverse checked and advised found faults in solenoid,valve body,trans filter,repaired clear codes,OK. Replaced drive belt and pulley. That bill was 1318.72. Well then in 08/2008 same thing transmission shifts rough concern cylinder misfire. Check engine light back on. Thank god had a recall from Ford on that. Found contamination in both sides replaced affected coils,plugs,and cover which they only replaced 4 of the 8 coils. That would have been 593.18. …
Electrical system
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Lincoln LS. The contact stated when traveling at 35 MPH, the vehicle would sporadically surge forward then correct itself without warning. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the ignition coil was replaced. There were no prior warnings of the failure. The failure mileage was 45,000 and the current mileage was 55,000. Updated 09/16-10 the consumer stated on one occasions, the vehicle accelerated and hit the medium at a gas station. The vehicle was damaged. Updated 09/20/10
I have a 2004 Lincoln LS that started to run rough so I replaced the air filter. This did not help so next I replaced the spark plugs. This did not help. The things that I have done up to this point started because my car started missing and running rough however I have found out that it was just the beginning of a bigger problem in that the car was and is pumping gas into the engine and air intake to the point that it is coming out of the exhaust system in an amount that causes a steady stream and it pools under the car. The intake fills with fuel to the point that the air filter gets soaked in gas and I have to take it off and dump it out. This has been going on for 3 weeks now and I am afraid to drive it. The car has fuel injectors??? The company and the dealer have told me to bring it to them and they will fix it however I will have to pay for it. …
2004 Lincoln LS engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 18 / 25 / 21 |
| 3.9L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 21 / 18 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2004 Lincoln LS a good car?
Based on 91 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2004 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 2004 Lincoln LS?
The engine & cooling — 28 complaints, 31% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (19) and electrical system (18).
How many recalls does the 2004 Lincoln LS have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2004 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 2004 Lincoln LS problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 60,000 miles; 41% 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.