Engine complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The fan does not run. Caused the intake manifold to warp and the motor oil and antifreeze to bleed into eachother. Eventually the engine will crack if issue remains unaddressed. I did an online search and found a safety recall (#13508) for my 2006 Lincoln towncar that involves the coolant aluminum bypass sticking shut and thus causing the fan not to kick on. However, when I searched safety recalls on Lincoln and Ford's official websites no information came up regarding that particular recall. Please advise. Thank you, [redacted]
I just bought this car from a used dealer last month haven't driven 6 times yet and now this month it is stalling out we thought it was the fuel filter so we replaced that but now I tried driving it again and I got an error message saying "etc engine failure safe mode" the ca then began slowing down and I was unable to accelerate my speed. The car was also jerking as if it would cut off so.
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.
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.
We have owned this car for about 3 years and it has been one problem after another and see same problems on line 1) Will start over heating sometimes at idle sometimes while driving (try being in DFW rush hour traffic and deal with that 2) Wife was driving one day and a bolt on right lower control arm broke sending her across 4 lanes of traffic including on coming. 3) All of a sudden when brake pedal was depressed started hearing vacuum leak under dash, brake pedal real hard , and couldn't hardly get car to stop, traction control light started flashing. …
Car gets to hot my fill bucket for the radiator keeps getting a hole in the bottom of it or some where I have replaced it twice and again the same problem with this car. And it has over heated and goes all the way to h now because of this problem it mite now need head gaskets y can't you make this car better then it is and make it with no problems there junk I won't even tell anyone to buy this piece of junk.and it saying safe fail mode over and over like this car is problem after problem can someone fix my car for me at no cost please.
Frequently asked questions
Which Lincoln LS years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2000 (45), 2001 (31), 2002 (29), 2004 (28) and 2005 (22) model years. Engine complaints make up 13% of all complaints for the 2000.
Is there a recall for Lincoln LS engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for any Lincoln LS model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Lincoln LS engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 67,000 miles; 31% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine (45 mentions), followed by the engine › gasoline (15).
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.