Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Lincoln LS owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
I have had my 2004 Lincoln LS in the shop at my local Ford dealership on numerous occasions. Starting at around 80,000 miles on it, I had a variety of problems on it which cost me several thousand dollars. But most recently and the biggest problem that I have now is with it running hot. As a matter of fact, this is my 5th time taken to the shop for this same problem. They replaced my thermostat for $200, next trip they replaced my coolant reservoir $200, 3rd trip they replaced an 0 ring $310 and now it's in there right now which the same problem. I have talked to the guys in the shop and they tell me they have seen a ton of problems with these LS's and have also talked to several people around town that have had bad experiences and problems with these LS's also. Which leads me to believe that there is probably a ton of other complaints out there as well. …
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. …
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. …
I should have done my homework prior to purchasing this car used. 2 months after purchase, car started shaking, and jumping, went into limp home mode. Mechanic unable to repair, but replaced coils and car ran "OK" for about 2 weeks and now does exact same thing times 100. Car starts, idles at about 200 rpms, shakes, pops, jumps and then dies. Mechanic said he has no idea what to do except replace coils again and he not even sure if that will fix the car since that is what the code on the computer told him to do in the 1st place. I have a used car that I have made 2 payments on and is now a beautiful, luxurious pile of scrap metal stuck in a parking lot where it last died. From what all I have read, there is nothing that can be done with this car and even Ford doesn't know how to fix it. This will be my last Ford product.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Lincoln LS. When the brakes were applied, the vehicle lunged forward. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who reprogrammed the PCM control module. The failure continued to occur intermittently and the contact stated that it would also recur while decreasing speed. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer on numerous occasions where the PCM control module was reprogrammed approximately four times. The failure continued to recur intermittently. The contact also stated that the engine coils needed to be replaced every three to six months. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who confirmed that the sealant on the hood caused water to leak into the engine coils. The failure mileage was 30,000 and the current mileage was 122,975.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Lincoln LS. While driving 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled on the highway and could not be restarted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but they could not produce any failure codes or provide a remedy. The contact believes that the dealer erased the codes so that they would not have to repair the vehicle. He stated that the vehicle is unsafe because a rear-end crash could occur as a result of the stalling. The current and failure mileages were 87,000. Updated 04-28-09 the dealer where the vehicle was purchased refused any further troubleshooting on the vehicle. The vehicle couldn't be operated over 1000-1500 rpms's when the accelerator pedal was applied to the floorboard. Updated 04/30/09.
I have a 2005 Ford expedition & 2004 Lincoln LS I just replaced the transmission for the expedition @ 53,000 miles it quit on me on the freeway almost causing and accident and now a month later same thing happened with the Lincoln LS I think some one has to get hard on Ford Lincoln same thing it is not possible that two cars bought @ over $43,000 dollars each are piece of '!@#$% cars I would understand if I had bought an ikea or Hyundai I knew what I was getting into, some one has to make Ford and Lincoln fix these problems with there product maybe that's why they only offer a 27,000 mile warranty and still had my differential changed on the expedition 6 months after purchase with only 3500 miles on the expedition.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Lincoln LS. When the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle would not move. When the vehicle finally began to move, it failed to gain speed. The dealer repaired the vehicle within three weeks; however, the failure persisted and the vehicle would stall. Additional repairs were made on more that one occasion, but the failure recurred and the vehicle began to shake profusely. The failure mileage was 53,231 and current mileage was 58,200. Updated 12/11/08 the engine leaked oil, the steering wheel made a squeaking noise. The passenger window would not go down. The air condition did not blow cold air. Updated 12/11/08.
Engine complaints in other LS years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2004 Lincoln LS?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2004 Lincoln LS, 31% of the model year's 91 complaints. The component named most often is engine (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Lincoln LS engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2004 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 2004 Lincoln LS engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 61,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.