NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Lincoln LS. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
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. Found bad brake booster and sensor located on it (both unavailable from manufacturer), also found on line that to get light to stop flashing you have to take to dealer and have reprogrammed (nobody else has the ability) 4) Have constantly had problem with check engine light staying on and running rough, no power, and having to replace ignition coils 5) While wife was driving with no advance notice of any kind heading home on farm market road with no shoulder to pull off on transmission went out completely and stopped pulling 6) Rear control arm bushings go from ok to extremely bad causing back end to drift from side to side going down the highway in a blink of an eye 7) Right front sway bar link keeps wearing control arm and snapping stud off 8) Sunroof drain hoses constantly failing and allowing water to get to electrical components The list goes on but all you have to do is a online search of the LS sport with the 3.9 v-8 and see all the problems. I was in automotive for over 16 years and every vehicle generally has its know couple problems but this is way beyond that. There hasn't been any accidents or injuries but real close to it.
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.
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN LS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE GEAR SHIFTER BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUTOFARM FORD LINCOLN (221 MALL RD, LOGANSPORT, IN 46947, 574-753-6294) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CYCLOID PATCH FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN LS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HARDSHIFTED, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LUNGE FORWARD ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. JACKSON FORD IN DECATUR, ILLINOIS WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT THE SOURCE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.
CAR GOES INTO FAIL SAFE EACH AND EVERY TIME IT IS DRIVEN. IT DID SO 19 TIMES TODAY. I CONNECTED A CODE READER WHICH IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEMS AS BEING RELATED TO THE THROTTLE CONTROL AND THE THROTTLE BODY. I PURCHASED THE CAR 1 1/2 MONTHS AGO. PRIOR OWNER HAD THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED WITH A NEW MOPAR UNIT 4 MONTHS AGO/ 2000.MILES AGO. DON'T WANT TO REPLACE IT AGAIN SINCE THIS IS LIKELY NOT THE PROBLEM.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN LS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THERE WAS A STRONG FUEL ODOR COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO INDEPENDENT MECHANICS WHO CONFIRMED THE FUEL ODOR ALONG THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A LOT OF PARTS WOULD NEED TO BE REMOVED IN ORDER TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V113000 (FUEL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 68,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN LS. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ENGAGE INTO OVERDRIVE AND THE CHECK TRANSMISSION INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (CASEY JACKSON FORD, 1435 E MAIN ST, ROYSTON, GA 30662) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000. *TT *TR
THE TRANSMISSION HAS PROBLEMS SHIFTING WHILE DRIVING AND MAKES IT DANGEROUS TO OTHER CARS AROUND ME
TOOK TRANSMISSION FOR REPAIR. TRANSMISSION SHOP COULD NOT LOAD NEW LINCOLN SOFTWARE ON NEW COMPUTER MODULE. IT HAS BEEN TWO WEEKS AT ROWLETT TRANSMISSION SHOP AND NOW THE "ENGINE SIDE" OF THE NEW COMPUTER INSTALLED WILL NOT CLEAR. SAYS THERE IN AN ENGINE ISSUE NOW. THERE WAS NO ENGINE ISSUE BEFORE I TOOK IT TO GET THE TRANSMISSION FIXED.
WHEN EVER THE CAR IS DRIVEN ANY LITTLE BUMP OR PATCH IN THE ROAD HAS THE CAR MAKING A LOUD SLAM SOUND EVEN WORSE GOING OVER ANY BUMP AND EVEN WORSE INTO TURNS. ALSO THE WHEEL SEEMS TO PULL AT THOSE TIMES AS WELL, THIS IS ON ANY STREET OR HIGHWAY WHILE DRIVING, FEELS VERY SCARY AND UNSAFE. WE DON'T HAVE FUNDS TO FIX THIS AND IT'S BEEN A PROBLEM ONLY GETTING WORSE.
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.
I PURCHASED MY 2003 LINCOLN LS JUNE/2015. EXCELLENT CONDITION, 35,000 MILES. INTERIOR IMMACULATE CONDITION LEATHER SEATS AND CARPET VIRUTALLY UNTOUCHED. UNDERNEATH HOOD THE SAME, HADN'T LOOK AS IF BEEN DRIVEN. EXTERIOR BODY AND PAINT AGAIN EXCELLENT. THE CAR APPEARED AS IF IT HAD STOOD STILL IN TIME. UPON INVESTIGATION, ONLY ONE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE WHO'D MAINTAINED A FIRST CLASS MAINTENANCE RECORD. OVER THE LAST WEEK THE VEHICLE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING SHE SAID WHILE DRIVING THE VECHICLE BEGAN TO STALL WHILE SHE WAS ACCELERATING IN TRAFFIC. SHE STATED SHE WAS ABLE TO GET IT OUT THE STREET BUT IN DOING SO THE ENGINE REVVED UP AND SHUT OFF. OVER THE PAST FEW DAYS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE REPLICATED THE EXACT SAME TENDENCY WITH ME. STALLING, HESITATING DURING ACCELERATION TO THE POINT OF SHUT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. IN MOTION ON A VERY BUSY CITY STREET. ENGINE LIGHT ALSO CAME ON
COMING TO A STOP APPLIED THE BRAKES PEDDLE WENT TO THE FLOOR MADE A STRANGE NOISE WOULD NOT STOP.ALMOST RAN INTO THE BACK OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME.CHECKED OUT COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG EXCEPT SMALL AMOUNT OF BRAKE FLUID AROUND THE MASTER CYLINDER AT THE CAP. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR IT MISFIRES IT DOESN'T WANT TO GO ON ACCELERATION..IT IS LEAKING OIL INTO THE SPARK PLUG WELLS AND AFFECTING COILS..THERE WAS A EXTENSION WARRANTY ON THESE PARTS.BUT IT WAS 10 YEARS OR 100000 MILE . I DIDN'T PURCHASE THIS CAR TILL AFTER IT ALREADY HAD MORE THAN 100000 MILES SO I WAS UNAWARE OF THESE EXTENSIONS AND TIME FRAMES..I SPOKE WITH FORD/LINCOLN AND BASICALLY TOLD THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER.I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL NOT EXTENDED WARRANTY. *TR
CEL CAME ON, CODE INDICATED TRANSMISSION ISSUE. "E" APPEARED IN THE GEAR INDICATOR, RATHER THAN THE GEAR THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN. TRANS WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO 2ND AND 5TH OF GEARS. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO TRANSMISSION SHOP, WHO TOLD ME THE PROBLEM WAS A BAD TRANSMISSION CASE THAT HAD BEEN DESTROYED AS THE RESULT OF SERVO IMPACT OVER TIME. A BUSHING COULD HAVE RESOLVED THE PROBLEM, HAD LINCOLN INSTALLED ONE AT MANUFACTURE. TECH TOLD ME THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE LINCOLN 5R55 TRANSMISSION. SHOP INSTALLED NEW TRANSMISSION, WITH BUSHING, FOR $3700. NO WAY A MODERN TRANS SHOULD FAIL AT 113K MILES, ESP. FROM SOMETHING LIKE THIS, SO EASILY PREVENTABLE. LINCOLN PURCHASERS, WHO PAY A PREMIUM FOR THE ADVERTISED QUALITY OF A LINCOLN, EXPECT AND DESERVE BETTER, ESPECIALLY SINCE A SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF LINCOLN PURCHASERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM, AND HAVE HAD TO BEAR THE COST OF THE TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT NECESSITATED BY LINCOLN'S MANUFACTURE AND PLACEMENT IN THE STREAM OF COMMERCE OF A PROVEN DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. LINCOLN SHOULD BEAR SOME OF THE COST, BUT HAS REFUSED TO DO SO. *TR
HELLO, I BOUGHT A 2003 LINCOLN LS AND I'M GETTING A MESSAGE ON THE DASH THAT IS SAYING ETC FAIL SAFETY MODE AND THE CAR IS NOT ABLE TO GO OVER 30 MPH, AND HAS VERY SLOW PICK UP AND IS RUNNING VERY HARD. I HAVE FOUND THAT SOMETIMES IF I TURN THE CAR OFF/ON THE MESSAGE DOES NOT COME UP THE CAR DRIVES NORMALLY. I HAVE TRIED REPLACING THE THROTTLE BODY AFTER GETTING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITH TO CODES P0207 AND P02110 AND I'M STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE READ ALLOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WITH FIX. *TR
SHIFTS HARD, WHEN IN 20-30 MPH, IN GEAR 2 AND 3. AFTER DIAGNOSTIC, DEALER SAID IT MAY BE TRANSMISSION, BUT THEY HAVE TO TEAR IT APART. IF BANDS, TORQUE CONVERTER, OR SOLENOID PACK THEY HAVE TO TEAR DOWN AND REBUILD. HE DID SAY THAT ONE OF THE SOLENOIDS WENT OUTER IF BANDS WERE BENT, THEY WOULD HAVE TO REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION FOR A COST OF $2500 - $3500. I HAVE READ ALL OVER THE INTERNET WHERE PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT HARD SHIFTING AND TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. IT SEEMS THAT THE PART WAS DEFECTIVE BY DESIGN. ONE PERSON SAID THAT THEY BOUGHT A KIT THAT FIXES THE DESIGN FLAW - 5RW MASTER SERVO BORE REPAIR KIT (FORD 5R55W/S/N). IT IS NOT MADE BY FORD, IT SEEMS THEY ARE TOO CHEAP TO FIX THE REAL PROBLEM. THEY SHOULD LISTEN TO PEOPLES CONCERNS. I AM ALSO GOING TO CALL THE 800 NUMBER FOR FORD LINCOLN AND SEND THEM A LETTER. WOULD USE WITH ANY TRANNY REBUILD. THE FINAL COST OF THE REPAIR IS NOW AT $4000.00. YIKES. *TR
THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND HAS TO BE REPLACED PER GRAPEVINE FORD IN TEXAS. THESE FORDS HAVE HAD TRANSMISSIONS FAILING FOR YEARS AND YOU LAZY PEOPLE WON'T MAKE THEM RECALL THEM. EXACTLY HAS DOES ONE GET TO OWN A GOVERNMENT AGENCY?? *TR
I BOUGHT A 2003 LINCOLN LS AND IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP MOST OF THE TIME I HAVE OWNED IT. 11,000 DOLLARS WORTH OF REPAIRS. NOW THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT ERRATICALLY AND THE DEALER SAYS IT CAN BE FIXED AND HAS TO HA A NEW ONE. 3800 DOLLARS MORE CMON THE IS NOW ONLY A 3000 DOLLAR CAR. *TR
MY FIANCE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD APPROXIMATELY 35MPH WHEN OUT OF NOWHERE THE AIRBAG IN THE DRIVER SEAT DEPLOYED ON ITS OWN WITH NO IMPACT TO THE VEHICLE. IT RANG HER EARDRUM AND SCARED HER TO DEATH, THE CAR OF COURSE FILLED WITH DUST AND SHE PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY AND CALLED ME. SHE WAS ONLY ABOUT A MILE AWAY FROM HOME SO I INSTRUCTED HER TO SLOWLY DRIVE IT HOME AND PARK IT. I HAVE BEEN READING ABOUT A LOT OF ISSUES WITH THE AIRBAGS IN THESE CARS. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS THING TO OCCUR, HAD SHE BEEN GOING FASTER, IN THE RAIN, BEEN ELDERLY, ECT. SHE COULD HAVE GOTTEN KILLED OR KILLED SOMEONE ELSE. I AM VERY UNHAPPY ABOUT THIS AND WE ARE BOTH SCARED TO DRIVE THE CAR ANYMORE IF SOMETHING LIKE THIS CAN HAPPEN. WHAT IF IT WAS THE STEERING WHEEL NEXT TIME? *TR
I HAVE BEEN HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS FROM DAY ONE SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR. I HAD A BRAND NEW TRANSMISSION PUT IN BY THE LINCOLN PLACE THREE YEARS AGO. NOW MY TRANSMISSION IS ACTING UP AGAIN. 1. TRANSMISSION SHIFTS ROUGH OR JERKY FROM PARK 2. TRANSMISSION SHIFTS ROUGH OR JERKY WHILE DRIVING 3. GEAR CHANGES TAKE TO LONG TO COMPLETE 4. SHIFTS OCCUR TOO EARLY, TOO LATE, TOO OFTEN 5.ALWAYS HAVING TO REPLACE THE SAME PARTS. *TR
MY 2003 LINCOLN LS START SHIFTING WHILE DRIVING AND THE CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON THEN THE E IN THE GEAR BOX CAME ON. *TR
2003 LINCOLN LS V8 ETC ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN LS. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH SHE NOTICED THE PARKING BRAKE/ SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. SEVERAL DAYS LATER WHILE STARTING THE IGNITION SHE NOTICED SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY. A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT SHE HAD AN OIL LEAK FROM THE REAR OF THE ENGINE THAT WAS DRIPPING ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. ALSO THE ENGINE WOULD GO INTO LIMP MODE WITHOUT WARNING; WHICH DRASTICALLY REDUCED THE VEHICLES SPEED. SHE HAD THE THROTTLE BODY REPAIRED AT AN EXPENSE OF $489.00. THE REPAIR DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 77,303. THE STEERING WAS NOISY WHEN THE CONSUMER MADE TURNS, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE OIL PAN WAS LEAKING. ALL OF THE TIRE HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR. THE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS ALSO LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 01/26/10.*JB
ON A 2003 LINCOLN LS, THE BRAKES HAVE FAILED TO ENGAGE PROPERLY ABOUT A DOZEN TIMES OVER THE PAST 2 YEARS. EACH TIME, THE PAVEMENT IS DRY AND FREE OF DEBRIS OR GRAVEL. WITH EACH INCIDENT, THERE HAS BEEN A 25%-75% LOSS OF BRAKING POWER WITH A GRATING, OR METAL-ON-METAL, SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT END. WE HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR TO THREE DEALERSHIPS AND ONE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO TRY TO RESOLVE THIS, BUT NONE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. WITH EACH INCIDENT, THE CAR HAS NOT ILLUMINATED ANY WARNING LIGHTS, NOR HAVE THE LIGHTS INDICATING ENGAGEMENT OF ABS/TRACTION CONTROL ILLUMINATED. THE OBDII MODULE HAS NO CODES RELATED TO THESE FAILURES. ALTHOUGH WE HAVE HAD NO INJURIES DUE TO THIS, TWICE NOW THE CAR HAS BEEN UNABLE TO STOP AT STOP SIGNS AND GONE COMPLETELY THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. WE HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT CONDITIONS TRIGGER THE BRAKE FAILURE. RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET (SEARCHING "LINCOLN LS NOISE BRAKES" OR "LINCOLN LS BRAKE FAILURE") INDICATE A NUMBER OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME SYMPTOMS, AND IN EACH CASE, IT APPEARS NO MECHANICAL CAUSE HAS BEEN FOUND. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN LS. WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE ECT ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING EXCESSIVELY. THE CONTACT MOVED THE VEHICLE FROM THE ROADWAY AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. WHEN RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER ADVISED THERE WAS A FULL THROTTLE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OF THE TRANSMISSION AND THERE WERE NO REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
WHILE DRIVING SUDDENLY THE ABS LIGHT, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND THE PARKING BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. I IMMEDIATELY EXITED THE FREEWAY AND PULLED INTO A PARKING AREA AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. AFTER CALMING MY 87 YEAR OLD MOTHER DOWN I RESTARTED THE CAR AND NONE OF THE LIGHTS CAME ON. I PROCEEDED TO START DRIVING MY CAR HOME AND AGAIN ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON. I CONTACTED THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED MY CAR AND SPOKE TO THE SERVICE MANAGER WHO INFORMED ME THAT THEY KNEW OF THIS PROBLEM WITH THE LINCOLNS AND THAT I SHOULD BRING IT IN WHICH I DID. I WAS INFORMED THAT IT WOULD COST APPROX. $2,000.00 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE LINCOLN ONLY COVERS AUTOMOBILES THAT ARE LESS THAN 10 YEARS OLD OR HAVE LESS THAN 100K MILES. MY CAR HAS 109K BUT I FEEL THAT LINCOLN SHOULD COVER THIS SINCE THEY HAVE KNOWN ABOUT IT LONG BEFORE MY CAR HAD 100K MILES AND THIS IS A VERY BIG SAFETY HAZARD. I HAVE TAKEN EXCELLENT CARE OF MY CAR GETTING EVERY OIL CHANGE ON TIME AND EACH OF THE SERVICES THAT HAVE BEEN SUGGESTED. LINCOLN HAS SAID THEY CAN'T HELP ME AND THE DEALER SAYS HIS HANDS ARE TIED, WHAT RECOURSE DO I HAVE? ALSO I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO HAVE A NEW TRANSMISSION PUT IN MY CAR. *TR
CAR STARTS AND RUNS ROUGH, THEN SURGES FORWARD. HAVE TO HOLD THE BRAKE HARD. CAR THEN STALLS AND GIVES "ETC ENGINE FAILURE". UPON RESTART CAR WILL RUN FINE FOR A WHILE. *TR DEALER CANNOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM, AS IT DOES NOT CONSISTENTLY THROW A CODE, REPLACED THE COILS
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY GOING 65 AND THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG IN THE SEAT DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON AT ALL. I BELIEVE THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE I COULD HAVE WRECKED THE VEHICLE AND I HAD THREE PASSENGERS IN THE CAR WITH ME. FORD REFUSES TO FIX THE AIRBAG BECAUSE IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY CONTINUE TO BLOW ME OFF. *TR
MYSELF, AND JUST ABOUT ALL LINCOLN LS OWNERS ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR COMPUTER SYSTEM. ETC - MESSAGE CAUSE THE CAR TO GO INTO A FAIL-SAFE MODE. BEEN TO THE SHOP SEVERAL TIMES BUT THE SAME PROBLEM STILL EXIST. ON THE WEB IT APPEARS ALL LINCOLN LS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I OWN A 2003 LINCOLN LS. *TR
CLIPS HOLDING THE SEAT BACK IN PLACE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT FAILED, RESULTING IN THE ENTIRE SEAT BACK COMING LOOSE AND FALLING BACKWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS UNOCCUPIED DURING THE FAILURE, HOWEVER IF THE VEHICLE WAS OCCUPIED, THE LARGE PLASTIC SEAT BACK COULD HAVE CAUSED INJURY, ESPECIALLY IF THIS FAILURE OCCURRED DURING AN ACCIDENT OR IF A YOUNG CHILD WAS RIDING IN THE REAR SEAT. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, NO PASSENGERS HAD BEEN RIDING IN THE REAR SEAT FOR OVER 6 MONTHS, SO IT IS UNLIKELY THAT SOMEONE MANIPULATING THE SEAT BACK WAS THE CAUSE OF THE INCIDENT. ADDITIONALLY, APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR PRIOR TO THIS, THE SEAT BACK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT SEAT FAILED IN THE SAME MANNER, UNDER THE SAME CONDITIONS. THE ONLY SOLUTION IS REPLACEMENT OF THE SEAT BACK, AS THE BROKEN RETAINING CLIPS ARE INTEGRAL TO THE PLASTIC MOLDING. A DEALER SEARCH OF EXISTING TSBS AND OF FORD'S OASIS SYSTEM YIELDED NO SIMILAR REPORTS, HOWEVER A SEARCH OF THE INTERNET RESULTS IN MULTIPLE ACCOUNTS OF SEATS ON THE 2003 LINCOLN LS FAILING IN A SIMILAR WAY. THERE SEEMS TO BE SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE TO REQUEST THAT FORD REVIEW SERVICE RECORDS TO DETERMINE IF THIS PART IS FAILING AT AN ABNORMALLY HIGH RATE. *NM *TR
CLIPS HOLDING THE SEAT BACK IN PLACE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT FAILED, RESULTING IN THE ENTIRE SEAT BACK COMING LOOSE AND FALLING INTO THE REAR SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS UNOCCUPIED DURING THE FAILURE, HOWEVER IF THE VEHICLE WAS OCCUPIED, THE LARGE PLASTIC SEAT BACK COULD HAVE CAUSED INJURY, ESPECIALLY IF THIS FAILURE OCCURRED DURING AN ACCIDENT OR IF A YOUNG CHILD WAS RIDING IN THE REAR SEAT. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, NO PASSENGERS HAD BEEN RIDING IN THE REAR SEAT FOR OVER 6 MONTHS, SO IT IS UNLIKELY THAT SOMEONE MANIPULATING THE SEAT BACK WAS THE CAUSE OF THE INCIDENT. ADDITIONALLY, APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR PRIOR TO THIS, THE SEAT BACK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT SEAT FAILED IN THE SAME MANNER, UNDER THE SAME CONDITIONS. THE ONLY SOLUTION IS REPLACEMENT OF THE SEAT BACK, AS THE BROKEN RETAINING CLIPS ARE INTEGRAL TO THE PLASTIC MOLDING. A DEALER SEARCH OF EXISTING TSBS AND OF FORD'S OASIS SYSTEM YIELDED NO SIMILAR REPORTS, HOWEVER A SEARCH OF THE INTERNET RESULTS IN MULTIPLE ACCOUNTS OF SEATS ON THE 2003 LINCOLN LS FAILING IN A SIMILAR WAY. THERE SEEMS TO BE SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE TO REQUEST THAT FORD REVIEW SERVICE RECORDS TO DETERMINE IF THIS PART IS FAILING AT AN ABNORMALLY HIGH RATE. *NM I COPIED THIS COMPLAINT FROM MYCARSTATS.COM BUT THIS SAFETY HAZARD HAS HAPPENED TO BOTH OF MY FRONT SEATS. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN LS. SHE STATES THAT SHE EXPERIENCED NOISES AND/OR VIBRATION WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. SHE IS IN THE PROCESS OF DETERMINING IF HER VIN NUMBER WAS INCLUDED IN RECALL#03V136000 (WHEELS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000. BL
REPEATED FAILURE OF LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARING AND LEFT DIFFERENTIAL SEAL. DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED WHEEL BEARING AND SEAL 2X, SECOND TIME REPLACED LEFT AXLE SHAFT ALSO. FIRST INDICATION OF PROBLEM IS ODOR OF GEAR OIL LEAKING FROM DIFFERENTIAL, PARTICULARLY AFTER HIGHWAY DRIVING. NOTICED IT AGAIN TODAY, (3/15/08) WILL BE RETURNING TO DEALER ASAP. *TR
ABS LIGHT, PARKING BRAKE AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMING ON AND THEN GOING OFF; ONLY TO REAPPEAR AGAIN. AT TIMES, BRAKES ARE NOT PROPERLY WORKING. ENGINE LIGHT WILL ALSO SOMETIMES APPEAR TO BLINK WHEN THIS HAPPENS. I HAVE CALLED THE LINCOLN CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THAT ALL WARRANTIES RAN OUT AT 50,000 MILES SO THIS PROBLEM WILL NOT BE COVERED. ALSO AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE CAR HAS 90K MILES. THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING UNDER 50K MILES BUT THE DEALERSHIP ASSURED ME THAT IT WAS NOT A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND THEY RESET SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE COMPUTER. IT HAS ONLY GOTTEN WORSE. I DID NOT INSIST THAT THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM BE FIXED WHILE UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE I WAS TRUSTING THAT THE DEALERSHIP FOLKS KNEW WHAT THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT WHICH IS A LESSON FOR ME. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN LS. ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 35-65 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND POWER STEERING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FINE EVEN THOUGH THE STABILITY ENHANCING SYSTEM LIGHT CONTINUES TO ILLUMINATE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 110,000.
CAR HAS CONSISTENTLY JUST SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING (ROUGHLY 30 TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR). BEEN INTO THE DEALER NO LESS THAN 10 TIMES. HAD THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OF VALVE COVERS, COILS, PLUGS GASKETS, WINDSHIELD WIPER COMPONENTS REPLACED. NO CHANGE. CAR WILL STILL DIE WHENEVER IT FEELS LIKE IT. LINCOLN/FORD COULD CARE LESS, AND THE DEALER AND FIELD ENGINEERS SEEM TIRED OF SEEING MY CAR. CONSTANT MOVEMENT OF BRAKE PEDAL IN RHYTHM WITH WINDSHIELD WIPERS. DEALER HAS TRIED TO FIX NUMEROUS TIMES AND THE PROBLEM IS WORSE NOW THEN WHEN THEY STARTED. FRONT BRAKE PADS RATTLE. DEALER SAYS IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND I SHOULD JUST DEAL WITH IT. FRONT SEAT BACKS FALL DOWN. DEALER AND FORD BLAME MY KIDS BEING IN CAR SEATS. NEVER HAD A PROBLEM BEFORE THEY TOOK SEATS APART TO REPLACE FAULTY SEAT HEATER. THE TRANSMISSION IS AWFUL. BEEN REPROGRAMMED 3 TIMES AND NEW SERVOS INSTALLED. STILL DOES NOT SHIFT SMOOTHLY, AND VERY ERRATIC. SHIFTS WHEN IT SHOULDN'T AND DOES NOT SHIFT WHEN IT SHOULD. CAR STALLED AND ACTIVATED THE ALARM HORN HONKING, LIGHTS BLINKING IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. CAR RESTARTED. NEXT DAY CAR HAD DEAD BATTERY AND WOULD NOT START. COULD NOT EVEN JUMP IT AS THERE WAS NO POWER TO OPEN TRUNK AND LOCK CYLINDER WAS FROZEN DUE TO LACK OF USE. BATERY IN TRUNK!! WHEELS HAD TO BE BALANCED 3 TIMES THEN FORCE BALANCED TO REMOVE EXCESSIVE VIBRATION. ALL AT MY EXPENSE HAD LEAKY REVERSE LIGHT REPLACED BY DEALER NOW HAVE SOME PIECE OF A FASTENER FLOATING AROUND INSIDE THE DECK LID RATTLING. CLIPS FOR E BRAKE ARE ALWAYS BROKEN AND APPARENTLY 180 BUCKS TO FIX.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN LS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE GOES INTO THE FAIL SAFE MODE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED THREE TIMES WITHIN THE PAST MONTH WHILE DRIVING 40-45 MPH. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS YET TO RESPOND. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000. UPDATED 01-10-08. *KB THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SHIFT ERRATICALLY. THE SHIFTER COVER WAS CRACKING ON THE RIGHT SIDE. UPDATED 01/10/08. *JB
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN LS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR AN OIL PAN GASKET LEAK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WAS OFF CENTERED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED. THE DEALER PERFORMED A WHEEL ALIGNMENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62000. *AK
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE ELEVATED FOLLOWED BY WHITE STEAM ERUPTING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. ADDITIONALLY, THE AUTOMATIC STABILITY TRACTION CONTROL ACTIVATED WHICH CAUSES THE ENGINE TO STALL. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE TRACTION ASSIST CLUSTER SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM PERSISTED.
CLIPS HOLDING THE SEAT BACK IN PLACE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT FAILED, RESULTING IN THE ENTIRE SEAT BACK COMING LOOSE AND FALLING INTO THE REAR SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS UNOCCUPIED DURING THE FAILURE, HOWEVER IF THE VEHICLE WAS OCCUPIED, THE LARGE PLASTIC SEAT BACK COULD HAVE CAUSED INJURY, ESPECIALLY IF THIS FAILURE OCCURRED DURING AN ACCIDENT OR IF A YOUNG CHILD WAS RIDING IN THE REAR SEAT. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, NO PASSENGERS HAD BEEN RIDING IN THE REAR SEAT FOR OVER 6 MONTHS, SO IT IS UNLIKELY THAT SOMEONE MANIPULATING THE SEAT BACK WAS THE CAUSE OF THE INCIDENT. ADDITIONALLY, APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR PRIOR TO THIS, THE SEAT BACK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT SEAT FAILED IN THE SAME MANNER, UNDER THE SAME CONDITIONS. THE ONLY SOLUTION IS REPLACEMENT OF THE SEAT BACK, AS THE BROKEN RETAINING CLIPS ARE INTEGRAL TO THE PLASTIC MOLDING. A DEALER SEARCH OF EXISTING TSBS AND OF FORD'S OASIS SYSTEM YIELDED NO SIMILAR REPORTS, HOWEVER A SEARCH OF THE INTERNET RESULTS IN MULTIPLE ACCOUNTS OF SEATS ON THE 2003 LINCOLN LS FAILING IN A SIMILAR WAY. THERE SEEMS TO BE SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE TO REQUEST THAT FORD REVIEW SERVICE RECORDS TO DETERMINE IF THIS PART IS FAILING AT AN ABNORMALLY HIGH RATE. *NM
WE WERE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH ON I20 IN FORT WORTH, TEXAS LATE AT NIGHT WHEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG OF OUR 2003 LINCOLN LS 8 (56,000 MILES) DEPLOYED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE DEPLOYMENT WAS ACCOMPANIED BY A VERY LOUD EXPLOSION AND WHAT APPEARED TO BE SMOKE IN THE CABIN. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT THE APPARENT SMOKE WAS REALLY SOME KIND OF FINE POWDER USED TO LUBRICATE THE AIR BAG. LUCKILY THE HIGHWAY WAS NOT CROWDED AND NOTHING HAPPENED. HOWEVER THE EVENT WAS VERY SCARY AND POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS UNDER DIFFERENT TRAFFIC CONDITIONS. I HAVE HAD THE LS INSPECTED BY THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULD FIND NO DAMAGE (FROM ROAD DEBRIS, FOR INSTANCE) THAT SHOULD HAVE CAUSED THE PROBLEM. DAMAGE TO THE LS IS EXTENSIVE SINCE THE SIDE-IMPACT AIR BAGS ARE EMBEDDED IN THE SEAT BACK AND TEAR A HOLE IN THE SEAT WHEN THEY DEPLOY. THE LS HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS YET BUT I SUSPECT THAT THE SEAT BACK WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED AS A MINIMUM. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE OCCURRENCES OF FALSE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT THAT THEY HAVE SEEN GENERALLY ARE CAUSED BY ROAD DEBRIS DAMAGE. BUT AGAIN THEY SAW NO SEVERE DAMAGE SO THIS INCIDENT APPEARS TO BE A CASE AN AIR BAG MALFUNCTION. THE LS IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND FORD HAS REFUSED TO FOOT THE REPAIR BILL. I HAVE FILLED WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY TO SEE IF I MY COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE WILL COVER IT, MUCH LIKE A BROKEN WINDSHIELD, BUT HAVE NO ANSWER YET. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD JUST BEEN PARKED WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WENT OVER A CURB, HIT A TREE, AND STOPPED AFTER HITTING TWO OTHER VEHICLES. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAD ACCELERATING PROBLEMS WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. UPDATED 05/30/06. *AK
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN LS. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO WOBBLE FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THE CONTACT THOUGHT SHE HAD A FLAT TIRE, BUT DISCOVERED THAT THE LUG NUTS AND STUDS HOLDING THE WHEEL HAD FAILED. THE DEALER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V136000 (WHEELS). THE CONTACT HAS REPLACED ONE REAR WHEEL, BUT THE SAME ONE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000. UPDATED 09/29/08.*LJ UPDATED 09/29/08. *JB
NUMEROUS RANDOM FAILURES INVOLVING DIFFERENT COMPUTERS WITHIN VEHICLE OVER 1-1/2 YEARS, INCLUDING FAILURE AND REPLACEMENT OF RACK AND PINION SYSTEM. BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE ON 6/03/05 - ABS COMPUTER WAS REPROGRAMMED BUT THEY DID NOT CORRECT WHAT CAUSED CORRUPTION. WARNED THEM OF CONCERN FOR MY SAFETY. JULY 10, 2005 WENT TO TURN STEERING WHEEL, BUT WHEELS DIDN'T TURN. HIT TREE AND TOTALLED CAR. FORD REF #1451272954
DT: THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE HEAD RESTRAINTS ON THE CAR ARE TOO LARGE AND AS A RESULT THEY OBSTRUCT THE CONSUMER'S VISION. AK *NM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN LS. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE WHEELS FELL OFF THE VEHICLE AND THE LUG NUTS FELL OUT OF THE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. ALL FOUR TIRES WERE FLAT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, SHE HEARD A STRANGE NOISE. THE CONTACT WENT TO A LINCOLN DEALER AT THAT TIME AND INFORMED THEM OF THE NOISE SHE HEARD UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. A NOISE WAS ALSO HEARD NEAR THE STEERING COMPONENT. THE DEALER STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. IN ADDITION TO THE TIRES, THE BRAKES HAD TO BE REPLACED AS WELL AND THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHY THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO START. SHE WAS CHARGED TO REPLACE THE THERMOSTAT (ASY) IN THE VEHICLE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,510. UPDATED 04/29/08 *BF THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED
WITH APPROX. 2300 MILES, TRANSMISSION WENT. TOOK 31 DAYS TO REPAIR. LESS THAN 50 MILES UPON IT'S RETURN, IT WENT AGAIN. AFTER 11 DAYS, VEHICLE WAS RETURNED, SO FAR (800 MILES), IT APPEARS TO BE WORKING WELL.
SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED IN PASSENGER SEAT WHILE CRUISING AT A SPEED OF APROX 65 MPH IN LEASED CAR. 2003 LINCOLN LS SEDAN. I WAS IN PASSENGER SEAT AND ARM & EAR WERE INJURED. DID NOT HIT OR RUN OVER ANYTHING. DEALER IS CLAIMING CAUSED BY ROAD DEBRIS OR SMALL ROCKS, AND THEREFORE IS OUR FAULT AND NEEDS TO BE PAID FOR BUY US OR AUTO INSURANCE. CLAIMING AIR BAGS NEVER GO OFF ON THEIR OWN. *JB
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026