Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Lincoln LS owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
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.
Nothing lead up to this event... I was driving on I-95 in rush hour traffic hit the gas and the car threw a warning "etc engine failsafe mode" which left the car in a state of having no engine power. I was lucky I did not cause a serious accident with cars traveling at a high rate of speed and this car just lost all power I did manage to get the car off the road and shut the car off then turned it back on and it acted as if nothing was wrong. I got the car off of I-95 and on to surface streets where it happened one more time before I took it to Lincoln for service. According to the dealership pompano Lincoln Mercury the part (throttle body assy) is not a warranty item and even in an emergency cannot get the part for almost 30 days. I have to continue to drive this car as I cannot afford to rent a car for 30 days as well as spend the $900 for the repair. …
2005 Lincoln LS with brake failure . Customer states the vehicle stopped when the she hit the accelerator. Computer display showed service etc soon, and the parking brake warning light was on. The consumer attempted to move the vehicle out of the lane of travel using the emergency brake release and the gear shift lever to release the brake but could not move the vehicle except to the side of the road with an extreme bucking motion. The consumer turned off the ignition and restarted the vehicle and the error messages were gone, and the vehicle drove normally. The consumer checked the vehicle and noticed the brakes and rotors were extremely hot. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer, however they were unable to duplicate the problem the consumer experienced. The consumer stated the road was dry and there was no loose gravel that should have caused the anti-lock brakes to activate. …
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. …
Tl contact owns a 2005 Lincoln LS. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal was becoming stuck while attempting to operate the vehicle. While driving less than 65 MPH, she felt as if something were stuck underneath the accelerator pedal and it would resist force. The dealer could not duplicate the failure; however, the diagnostic determined that the throttle failed. The failure persisted and the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who installed a throttle actuator control, gasket, and accelerator pedal sensor to remedy the failure. After the repairs, the parking brake warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. The mechanic assured her that the brakes were replaced and the instrument panel displayed a faulty warning message. …
As soon as the warranty expired the vehicle began to have intermittent error messages about the parking brake needing service and the climate control began to blow only hot air. Vehicle has very low miles, garaged meticulously, serviced. Lincoln contacted about the issue and was told I needed to have dealer run diagnostics and then they could know whether they May be able to help with repairs to climate control. Paid 170.00 for diagnostics, dealer and Lincoln refused to do anything sticking me with the bill. They made the excuse that it was my fault because it May have occurred because I didn't drive it enough. I was shocked , its first time that I've heard suggested that taking care of something caused it to break! . Ridiculously poor customer satisfaction department.
Ford Lincoln Mercury~manufacture warranty extended on ignition coil - but each time ignition coil goes out it causes numerous "other repairs" costing $900+ each time.~ vehicles begins to run rough, the temperature gauge goes to top, the car looses power (while in traffic even though foot on accelerator) will not accelerate~ 5 times in less than 11 months~ these "other repairs done each time ignition coil is replaced should be covered under extended manufacture warranty. (incidents June 2009/ October '09/ January 2010/ March 2010/ April 2010).
When I drive my 2005 Lincoln LS it loses power and begins to shake and sputter. When it does this can only drive about ten miles per hour. Warning light indicates throttle problem, but the dealership is saying they can not duplicate. Stalled out on the interstate (dangerous). When I pulled over and turned the car off and restarted it ran fine until the next incident. Has done this about 4 times now. It also changes gears very abruptly when I slow down and attempt to regaining speed, mainly when I'm making a turn at a low rate of speed.
Electrical complaints in other LS years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2005 Lincoln LS?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the electrical system of the 2005 Lincoln LS, 23% of the model year's 90 complaints. The component named most often is instrument cluster/panel (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Lincoln LS electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2005 Lincoln LS, though it has 1 recall for other components. 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 2005 Lincoln LS electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 62,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system 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.