Lincoln LS Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Lincoln LS options? We analyzed 7 model years (2000–2006) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
Free VIN check
Found a Lincoln LS? Check that exact car.
Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.
- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Lincoln LS has 1,008 owner complaints and 4 safety recalls across model years 2000–2006. The most reported issue area is SUSPENSION. 2000 drew the most complaints; 2006 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Lincoln
- Model
- LS
- Model years analyzed
- 2000–2006 (7 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 1,008
- Safety recall campaigns
- 4
- Crash-related complaints
- 79
- Fire-related complaints
- 6
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2000 (368 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2006 (18 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- SUSPENSION
- Reliability signal
- Poor
By model year
Lincoln LS: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings
What the complaint data suggests
PoorThe LINCOLN LS has 1,008 NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record. 79 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 1,008 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 4 federal recall campaigns
- 79 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Sep 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
4 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
WHEELS
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2000–2006. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 1,008 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
1,008 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
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, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
WE ARE A DEALER IN SUNNYVALE, CA AND WE HAVE A 2006 LINCOLN LS SPORT IN OUR INVENTORY. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN OUR LOT ON A TYPICAL SUNNY DAY WITH NO ONE INSIDE OR AROUND THE VEHICLE WHEN FOR NO APPARENT REASON THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. WE RAN THE VIN NUMBER ON CARFAX AND THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE FOR LINCOLN BUT THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR SERVICE BULLETINS FOR THE VEHICLE. WE SEARCHED ONLINE IF THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AND WERE SHOCKED TO DISCOVER THAT WE WERE NOT THE ONLY OWNERS TO COME ACROSS THIS ISSUE. BY VISITING THIS WEBSITE, HTTP://CARS-SAFETY.COM/LINCOLN/LS/AIR-BAGS-SIDE-WINDOW.HTM, WE FOUND 26 OTHER CASES WITH THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM. WE CONTACTED LINCOLN'S CORPORATE OFFICE BUT THEY REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEIR IS AN ISSUE, AND OUTRIGHT REFUSED TO OFFER ANY HELP WITH OUR SITUATION. THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS THAT LINCOLN WON'T EVEN STAND BEHIND THE CARS THAT THEY MAKE AND SELL TO THE PUBLIC. I GUESS THE ONE SILVER LINING WITH THIS WHOLE RIDICULOUS SITUATION IS THAT NO ONE WAS INSIDE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME, BECAUSE I SHUTTER TO IMAGINE THE OUTCOME THEN.
AFTER PARKING CAR WOULD START UP BUT WOULD NOT COME OUT OF GEAR, WINDOWS WOULD NOT ROLL UP.RADIO WOULD NOT PLAY
VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCE APPROXIMATELY 6 TIMES THE TRAC CONTROL TURNING OFF WHILE DRIVING. SOON WHILE ACCELERATING ONTO FREEWAY THE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN A LOAD NOISE. THE ENGINE BLEW WITH NO PRIOR WARNING FROM ANY OF THE VEHICLE CONTROLS EXCEPT FOR THE TRAC CONTROL LIGHT. THE CAR CONTINUES TO SIT IN MY GARAGE BECAUSE I DO NOT HAVE $5000.00 TO FIX IT. *TR
WHEN I BE DRIVING GIVE IT THE GAS THE ETC FAILED SAFEMODE JUMPS ON HAVE NO ACCELERATION OR POWER I HAVE TO PULL OVER IN TRAFFIC WERE EVER WE ARE AT INTERSTATE, TOWN IT DON'T MATTER IT IS UNSAFE AND I SEE A LOT OF THESE CARS IN THIS YEAR OR EARLIER HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND DON'T KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LINCOLN LS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ENGAGED INTO SAFE MODE AND LOST ACCELERATION POWER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ETC SAFE MODE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE A FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 184,000. *TR
Read 14 more owner reports
WHEN I BE DRIVING GIVE IT THE GAS THE ETC FAILED SAFEMODE JUMPS ON HAVE NO ACCELERATION OR POWER I HAVE TO PULL OVER IN TRAFFIC WERE EVER WE ARE AT INTERSTATE, TOWN IT DON'T MATTER IT IS UNSAFE AND I SEE A LOT OF THESE CARS IN THIS YEAR OR EARLIER HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND DON'T KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. *TR
DRIVER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG DEPLOYED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. TRAVELING EAST ON I-94, IN MILWAUKEE, WI, ABOUT 9200 EAST. CONDITIONS: 12:45 PM, 37 DEGREES, LIGHT RAIN. WE HAD BEEN DRIVING ABOUT 20 MINUTES. ENGINE WAS COMPLETELY WARM. NO ALCOHOL WAS INVOLVED. DRIVER SUFFERED A SHOULDER INJURY FROM THE FORCE OF THE AIRBAG, BUT REFUSED TREATMENT. DRIVER MANAGED TO RETAIN CONTROL AND PULLED OVER ON THE RIGHT BERM. HE INSPECTED EXTERIOR OF VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF ANYTHING HITTING THE CAR. HE THEN CONTINUED TO DRIVE HOME WITHOUT INCIDENT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LINCOLN LS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED WITH THE GEAR IN NEUTRAL, HE WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL AWAY BUT THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. *TR
STARTED THE CAR UP AT 8 AM. ON MARCH 22, 2013 AND IT BEGAN TO SHAKE HARSHLY. ON THE DASH BOARD IT CAME UP ELECTRIC FAIL SAFE MODE. AS I WAS DRIVING THE CAR SHOOK EVEN HARDER. SO I PULLED OVER, AND SHUT THE CAR OFF. STARTED IT UP AGAIN, AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS STILL ON. *TR
CAR ACT LIKE IT STALLS/SKIPS/MISFIRES AROUND 2200 RPM, ENGINE SHUTS OFF & "ETC ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE" IS INDICATED. DIAGNOSIS AS ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL RESULTING IN AN UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION TYPICALLY WHEN ACCELERATING ON FREEWAY OR CAUSING COMPLETE ENGINE SHUTDOWN. AS INDICATED ON A WED CHAT PAGE THIS LINCOLN LS ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE IS A SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM WHEN THE CAR WON'T GO PAST 20 MPH & THEN YOU GET TO PLAY A GAME OF LETS DODGE 70 MPH TRAFFIC W/ SEMI-TRUCKS (WHERE THE MINIMUM POST INTERSTATE SPEED IS 45 MPH). FROM SEVERAL WEB SITES, IT APPEARS THIS ERROR IS A COMMON SAFETY CONCERN WITH A NUMBER OF LINCOLN LS'S. *TR
WHEN DRIVING THE CAR STALL AND I GET THIS MESSAGE ON TH CAR ETC ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE. *TR
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. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LINCOLN LS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG SUDDENLY DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED ARM INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BUT THE CAUSE OF FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 67,000. UPDATED 12/10/10. *LJ
ENCLOSED IS A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A RECENT MICHELIN TIRE FAILURE ON MY 2006 LINCOLN LS. ON FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2009 I WAS RETURNING TO SOUTH FLORIDA FROM A TRIP TO DALLAS, TX. I WAS DRIVING ON I-10 ABOUT 15 MILES EAST OF LAFAYETTE, LA. I SUDDENLY HEARD A SLAPPING/FLAPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE LEFT REAR OF THE CAR. I LOOKED AT MY OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR AND OBSERVED PIECES OF THE REAR LEFT TIRE PEELING AWAY FROM THE TIRE. THEN THE CAR LURCHED AS THE METAL RIM OF THE LEFT REAR WHEEL MADE CONTACT WITH THE PAVEMENT. I LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO STEER THE CAR INTO THE RIGHT SIDE EMERGENCY LANE. THERE WAS A STEADY STREAM OF VEHICLES RACING BY ME, MANY OF THEM 18-WHEELER SEMI-TRACTOR TRAILERS. AS SOON AS THERE WAS AN OPPORTUNITY I EXITED THE CAR, AS DID MY COMPANION. I WALKED ALONG THE GUARDRAIL AND TO THE REAR OF THE CAR TO VIEW THE LEFT REAR WHEEL. I COULD SEE THAT ALL OF THE TIRE EXCEPT THE SIDEWALLS WERE GONE AND THE RIM WAS BADLY DAMAGED FROM MAKING CONTACT WITH THE PAVEMENT. I CALLED THE LINCOLN EMERGENCY ROAD SERVICE NUMBER ON MY CELL PHONE FOR A TOW TRUCK. MEANWHILE AN LOUISIANA STATE TROOPER ARRIVED AND PARKED BEHIND MY CAR AND WAITED FOR THE TOW TRUCK THAT ARRIVED ABOUT 30 MINUTES LATER. MY CAR WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST AUTHORIZED LINCOLN-MERCURY DEALER IN BREAUX BRIDGE, LA. THE FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT ORDERED AND INSTALLED A NEW REPLACEMENT RIM AND TIRE ON SATURDAY, MAY 30TH. THEY PLACED THE TWO SIDEWALLS STILL ON THE DAMAGED RIM IN MY TRUNK AND I CONTINUED MY TRIP HOME. BASED ON WHAT I HEARD AND WITNESSED WHEN PARTS OF THE MICHELIN TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE SIDEWALL AND RIM IT APPEARS THAT THE TIRE FAILED DUE TO A CONSTRUCTION DEFECT. THE PHOTOS SHOW THE EXTENT OF DAMAGE CAUSED TO THE TIRE THAT SEPARATED THE TREAD CASING FROM THE SIDEWALLS. HERE IS MORE IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR YOUR RECORDS. I HAVE IN MY POSSESSION THE PART OF THE DESTROYED TIRE CONTAINING THE MICHELIN TIRE DESCRIPTION AND THE DOT CODE. IT PROVES BEYOND A DOUBT THAT IT WAS THE MICHELIN TIRE. *TR
MY CAR ROLLED BACKWARD OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AT A MALL. WHEN IT CAME TO REST UPON THE BUMPER OF A TRUCK, IT WAS STILL IN PARK. THE WINDOWS WERE UP AND THE DOORS WERE LOCKED. IT WAS WITNESSED ROLLING BACKWARD WITH NO ONE IN THE CAR. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LINCOLN LS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STARTS INTERMITTENTLY AND HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER APPROXIMATELY 7 TIMES. THE BATTERY HAS BEEN CHANGED TWICE AND THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED ONCE. THE FAILURE HAS NOT RECURRED SINCE THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,572 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50.
IN A SEVERE CRASH WHERE MY 2006 LINCLN LS AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OPENED AFTER THE FACT BUT THE DRIVER AIRBAG OR SIDE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I HAD SEVERE CRUSH DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AS WELL AS THE UNDERCARRIAGE.
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.
Showing 20 of 1,008 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Lincoln LS
These pages show model-year patterns across 7 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Lincoln LS, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Lincoln LS has 1,008 complaints on record across 7 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Lincoln LS has 4 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 79 of the Lincoln LS's 1,008 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Lincoln LS vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Lincoln LS vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Lincoln LS has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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How does the Lincoln LS stack up? Compare complaint history with similar vehicles.
By state
Check a Lincoln LS by state
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Lincoln LS.
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Lincoln LS reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Lincoln LS reliable?
Poor. The Lincoln LS has 1,008 NHTSA owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is SUSPENSION. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Lincoln LS years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2000 (368 complaints), 2001 (253 complaints), 2002 (121 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Lincoln LS problems?
Top reported issues: SUSPENSION (270 complaints); ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (145 complaints); AIR BAGS (142 complaints).
Does the Lincoln LS have recalls?
Yes — 4 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Lincoln LS. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.