Most common 2005 Lincoln LS problems
Share of the 90 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 →
2005 Lincoln LS recalls (1)
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage
On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel tank May have a localized thin wall section in the lower half of the tank. The fuel tank May crack creating a potential for a fuel leak and fuel odor. The "service engine soon" indicator May illuminate.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel tank free of charge. The recall began on April 4, 2005. Owners May contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673, Lincoln at 1-800-521-4140.
What 2005 Lincoln LS owners say
Engine & cooling all 22 →
Etc engine fail safe - electronic throttle control replaced with oe... Continues to produce an etc engine fail safe and no code(s) specifics for faulty coils (or which coils) (3 bad coils & passenger side valve/spark plug cover gaskets) or possible faulty alternator. Also, climate control device failed 3 times and was replaced 3 times. Cheap thin walled anti-freeze and windshield washer fluid reservoir cracked during extreme cold weather conditions.
The car turns on and runs but loses power randomly. It either sputters dead or stalls and backfires. When I turn it off and turn it back on it repeats the cycle. I have replaced fuel pumps, throttle body and maf sensors. And still no luck I see on the Lincoln forums that this is a problem not yet recognized by the nhsta or Lincoln.
Electrical system all 21 →
Car accident with full left side impaction door will not open doors will not open and I was not able to move out of my seat and yet I was stuck behind the steering wheel behind smashed impacted buckled, steering wheel did not deploy the airbags
Etc engine fail safe - electronic throttle control replaced with oe... Continues to produce an etc engine fail safe and no code(s) specifics for faulty coils (or which coils) (3 bad coils & passenger side valve/spark plug cover gaskets) or possible faulty alternator. Also, climate control device failed 3 times and was replaced 3 times. Cheap thin walled anti-freeze and windshield washer fluid reservoir cracked during extreme cold weather conditions.
Transmission & drivetrain
While traveling on a divided highway at approximately 65 MPH my car abruptly slowed to about 10 MPH causing vehicles behind me to brake and/or swerve around me. A "wrench" warning light came on and I found after getting to a safe spot and stopping, that the owner's manual stated that the car was in the "limp mode" where it would not go any faster and needed to be taken to my nearest Ford dealership. After stopping the car I shut if off and upon restarting, the warning "wrench" light was off and the car acted normally. I drove to a mechanics and found that it's a somewhat common problem, diagnostics showed that it needed a throttle body assembly replacement. After spending over $525,the problem recurred several times. This is obviously a major problem for many other Ford vehicles and must be turned into a recall. …
While traveling on a divided highway at approximately 35 MPH my car abruptly slowed to about 20 MPH causing vehicles behind me to brake and/or swerve around me. A "wrench" warning light came on and I found after getting to a safe spot and stopping, that the owner's manual stated that the car was in the "limp mode" where it would not go any faster and needed to be taken to my nearest Ford dealership. After stopping the car I shut if off and upon restarting, the warning "wrench" light was off and the car acted normally. I contacted a number of dealerships and mechanics and found that it's a somewhat common problem, but the fix could be anything from a bad transmission solenoid to a complete fuel/computer/ignition redo for $4500 to $6500. Having this happen on a rural road is one thing, but if it happened on an expressway with traffic at 75 MPH plus, could quite possibly be lethal.
2005 Lincoln LS engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 17 / 24 / 20 |
| 3.9L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 16 / 22 / 18 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2005 Lincoln LS a good car?
Based on 90 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2005 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 2005 Lincoln LS?
The engine & cooling — 22 complaints, 24% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine. Next are the electrical system (21) and transmission & drivetrain (17).
How many recalls does the 2005 Lincoln LS have?
There is 1 recall for the 2005 Lincoln LS, the most recent from March 18, 2005 (storage). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the 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 2005 Lincoln LS problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 60,000 miles; 38% 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.