Wheel & Tire complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2005 Lincoln LS. The contact stated all four tires melted and rusted to the ground and the belly of the vehicle fell out. The contact also stated the vehicle was overheated. There were no warning lights. The contact put tape underneath the engine to keep it in place. The contact drove the vehicle to the local mechanic which diagnosed the failure with a tire stripped. The vehicle was towed to a junkyard. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Lincoln LS. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle felt as if a tire blew out. Afterwards, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2003 Lincoln LS. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle was vibrating abnormally. The contact stated that the chrome wheels were leaking air which caused the tires to become flat. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact stated that the failure was like NHTSA campaign number: 03V136000 (Wheels). The failure mileage was 120,000.
While driving this car on a highway or street any time it encounters small bumps the wheel turns and there's a loud slamming sound from the front passenger and driver side of the car. It's worse going into turns speed does not matter you can go slow or fast and the loud slamming sound is there. It feels very unsafe and dangerous. But me being a senior citizen with a son who as a disability we cannot afford to get this fixed our selves. It started a while ago but was not that bad but it just progressed and got worse. We need this car for doctors appointments and food shopping. We cant travel far for fear of being in a crash or being stranded.
We purchased a 2002 Lincoln lse about 15 months ago. About a week ago we took it in for service and was told they couldn't find anything then 3 days later brought it in with the same problem and new brakes were installed an we were told we would be needing new tires. We asked if needed to be done then but the service person said soon. 7 days later while driving on the florida turnpike in the fast lane our left rear drivers side tire literally blew off the car leaving nothing but the rim. Thank god the car behind us witnessed it all and stayed behind us till we were safe across 3 lanes to the shoulder. He said he never saw something like that happen. We have had many cars and have been driving for at least 26 years and never never experienced anything like this. I thank god we were safe but I do think this should be looked into. Tires should not just explode off a rim and disintergrate. …
Noticed in 2003 that the wheel hubs were beginning to crack on my chrome wheels. Informed dealer. Did nothing. After a couple of years began to notice a shimmy (shake side to side) motion. Informed dealer, they suggested new tires. Purchased new tires and problem reappeared. Dealer suggested tires had flatspot. Tire mfg. Suggested problem with wheels. Did a search for related problems such as this. Found that a recall was initiated for chrome wheels for 2003 model year, experiencing identical problems and safety issues. The car vibrates at highway speeds and have already lost a lugnut. Tire mfg. When replacing tires damaged a few lugnuts in attempting to remove them.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Lincoln LS. While driving approximately 25 MPH over a roadbump, the contact lost slight control because the vehicle began to abnormally sway from left to right. In addition, the four wheel rims installed on the vehicle were corroded near the hub. The dealer was notified of the failure and they informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 00V359001 (suspension: front: control arm: lower ball). There was also a manufacturer voluntary recall on the wheel rims but the VIN was ineligible. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 148,000.
Tl* - the contact owns a 2001 Lincoln LS. While driving at approximately 2 MPH the wheel caved in. The car was towed to the dealer and repaired. The mechanic state the failure was due to the lower ball joints, and provided the contact with a copy of recall #00V359001. The contact called Ford, who stated the recall was not related to this vehicle. The contact felt Ford wasn't accepting responsibility for the incident. The contact will further investigate, and was concerned about the safety risk involved as the incident could have been devastating if it had occurred while driving at at a much faster speed. Updated 03/30/07.
Related recalls (1)
Wheels
On certain passenger vehicles equipped with 17 inch chrome wheels, the chrome wheels were not heat-treated. These wheels May crack at the lug-nut holes, which could result in the loss of the lug-nut torque.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the wheels to make sure that all the wheels have been heat-treated. Any wheel that has not been heat-treated will be replaced. Owner notification began April 14, 2003.
Frequently asked questions
Which Lincoln LS years have wheel & tire problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2000 (11), 2001 (11), 2005 (11), 2002 (8) and 2003 (8) model years. Wheel & Tire complaints make up 3% of all complaints for the 2000.
Is there a recall for Lincoln LS wheel & tire problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 03V-136 (wheels, Apr 7, 2003). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Lincoln LS wheel & tire problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 56,000 miles; 50% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the lugs/nuts/bolts/studs (8 mentions), followed by the sidewall (3).
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.