2001 Lincoln LS

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 240 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the suspension › front › control arm › lower ball joint. It has been recalled 1 time.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
88,006 milesMedian miles at failure

165 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 75,00090,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint61
401
Suspension19
100
Suspension › Front18
100
Air Bags18
103
Power Train › Automatic Transmission8
100
Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls6
000
Vehicle Speed Control6
201
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine6
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline5
100
Engine and Engine Cooling5
000

1 safety recall

Part 573 reports
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint00V359001
Filed Nov 3, 200082,300 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE NOT TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATIONS WHEN THEY WERE ATTACHED TO THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS.

Risk. IF THE BALL JOINT ATTACHING NUTS ARE NOT ADEQUATELY TIGHTENED, THEY CAN LOOSEN AND, ULTIMATELY, RESULT IN FRACTURE OF THE BALL JOINT STUD. IF THE BALL JOINT FRACTURES, CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE COULD BE AFFECTED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TORQUE ON THE TWO BALL JOINT ATTACHING NUTS. VEHICLES WITH LOOSE BALL JOINT ATTACHING NUTS WILL EITHER HAVE THE FASTENERS TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATION, OR IF NECESSARY, THE BALL JOINTS WILL BE REPLACED.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Suspension
Filed Apr 24, 2023114,000 milesUT

The contact owns a 2001 Lincoln LS. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the front suspension ball joint detached. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic; however, it was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 00V359001 (Suspension). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 114,000.

Suspension
Filed Apr 24, 2023114,000 milesUT

The contact owns a 2001 Lincoln LS. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH the contact heard an abnormal noise. The contact was able to pull over on the side of the road and the contact noticed the front passenger side tire had separated from the joint. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and the mechanic stated that the vehicle was experiencing a similar failure as NHTSA Campaign Number: 00V359001 (Suspension). The dealer was contacted, and the dealer stated that the vehicle was not under any recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not under NHTSA Campaign Number: 00V359001 (Suspension) and advised that contact NHTSA. The failure mileage was 114,000.

Suspension
Filed Mar 29, 2021148,000 milesOR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN LS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL POPPING SOUND COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHCILE BEGAN TO SHAKE BACK AND FORTH VIOLENTLY WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER TO SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO HIS RESIDENCE. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WHO IS A CERTIFIED MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE WITH A FRACTURED BALL JOINT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,000.

Structure › Body › Door
Filed Jan 26, 201899,999 milesNJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN LS. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND STALLED. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S DOOR HANDLE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ANTIFREEZE RESERVOIR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,999.

Air Bags
Filed Sep 9, 201690,000 milesTN

AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING DEFECTIVE. VEHICLE NEEDS CLOCKSPRING REPLACEMENT AS AIRBAGS CURRENTLY WILL NOT INFLATE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT.

Traction Control System
Filed Sep 2, 2016NC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN LS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE, AIR BAG, AND TRACTION WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE SHOOK ABNORMALLY AND HESITATED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 00V359001 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Air Bags
Filed Jun 21, 2016110,000 milesPA

ON TWO OCCASIONS MY CAR SUSPENSION HAD FAILED. I AM JUST LUCKY I WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY OR I COULD HAVE BEEN FATALLY WOUNDED. I CAN NOT BELIEVE I NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTICES ABOUT THE SUSPENSION RECALL. THE FIRST INSTANCE I WAS DRIVING IN MY DRIVEWAY AND THE CAR COMPLETELY DROPPED DOWN ON THE TIRES AND COULD NOT MOVE THE VEHICLE. THE SECOND INSTANCE I WAS DRIVING AND THE SUSPENSION FELL ON A REGULAR ROAD NOT A FAST HIGHWAY. IT HAD COST ME $250.00 TO HAVE IT TOWED BOTH TIMES BECAUSE IT COULD NOT BE MOVED BY DRIVING. IN ADDITION THE SECOND FAILURE COST ME $175.00 BECAUSE THE FRONT TIRES WERE RUINED. FOR THE REPAIR WORK ON BOTH INSTANCES COST ME $125.00 EACH TIME TOTALING ANOTHER $250.00 . SO BECAUSE OF SOMEONE'S FAILURE TO TIGHTEN NUTS IT COST ME $675.00 , AND NOT TO MENTION THE RISK OF LOSING MY LIFE. TERRIFYING TO SAY THE LEAST.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 24, 2016145,000 milesWI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN LS. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE HORN WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO SOUND AND THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 145,000. UPDATED 04/12/16.*JB

Air Bags
Filed Mar 16, 2016142,834 milesAL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN LS. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE A CONNECTOR WAS REPLACED, BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,834.

Structure › Body
Filed Feb 18, 2016TX

DRIVERS SIDE REAR DOOR CAN NOT BE OPENED FROM OUT SIDE THE CAR CAN BE OPENED FROM CABIN SIDE. PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOOR CAN NOT BE OPENED FROM OUT SIDE THE CAR OR FROM CABIN SIDE. FAILURE OCCURED IN EARLY JANUARY 2016. PRESENTS UNSAFE INCONVIENENT SPACE FOR PASSENGERS IF USED. OCCRED PARKED IN DRIVE WAY.

Air Bags
Filed Jan 22, 201690 milesMO

SEAT BELTS MADE POPPING NOISE WHILE DRIVING AND FROZE UP. NOT ABLE TO PULL DOWN. AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON. BOTH HAPPENED WITHIN DAYS OF EACH OTHER

Structure › Body
Filed Jan 2, 2016WV

ON THIS 2001 LINCOLN LS SPORTS PACKAGE , THE ROCKER PANELS, INNER AND OUTER IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT . THESE DEFECTS SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECTS THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE THE LOCAL LINCOLN / FORD DEALERSHIP HAS VERIFIED THESE DEFECTS AND THE WVSP AND DIVISION OF PUBLIC SAFETY HAS INSPECTED AND EXAMINED THIS VEHICLE AND AS AN DIRECT RESULT OF THEIR FINDINGS OF FACT, HAS DEEMED VEHICLE TO BE ROAD UNWORTHY AND POSED TOO SERIOUS RISK FOR ITS DRIVER (MYSELF) , FOR ITS OCCUPANTS (MINE) AND FOR OTHER DRIVERS ON HIGHWAYS AND FOR PEDESTRIANS AND THEREFORE REMOVED IT FROM BEING ABLE TO MOVE, FROM BEING ABLE TO OPERATE , AND REMOVED IT FROM BEING ABLE TO BE DRIVEN ON ANY AND ALL HIGHWAYS.. THE DEFECTS ON THIS VEHICLE IN THEIR FINDINGS OF FACTS ARE SIGNIFICANT AND SERIOUS IN NATURE AND WAS NOT CAUSED BY ME AS THE REGISTERED OWNER OF IT.

Suspension
Filed Jun 11, 2015113,000 milesNV

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN LS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL VEERED OUT OF DIRECTION. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE WHEEL BEARING, HUB ASSEMBLY, AND LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 00V359001 (SUSPENSION); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

Air Bags
Filed May 21, 2015142,000 milesCA

THERE IS A PREVENTITIVE AIR BAG RECALL FOR MY VEHICAL

Suspension
Filed May 21, 2015142,000 milesCA

FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS AFTER INSPETION ARE CRACKED AND LOSE.

Suspension
Filed May 14, 201569,000 milesIA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN LS. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL CRUNCHING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THE BALL JOINTS WERE NOT ATTACHED TO THE CONTROL ARM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONTROL ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL FOR HIS VEHICLE MODEL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.

Structure › Body
Filed Feb 18, 2015123,910 milesWV

THIS 2001 LINCOLN LS SPORTS PACKAGE HAS SUBSTANTIAL DEFECTS THAT IMPAIRS ITS SAFETY , THE SAFETY OF ITS DRIVERS, THE SAFETY OF ITS OCCUPANTS, THE SAFETY OF OTHER DRIVERS ON HIGHWAYS AND ROADS , AND THE SAFETY OF PEDESTRIANS. THE ROCKER PANELS , INNER AND OUTER ARE COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. ANY IMPACT THIS VEHICLE INCURRED WILL LIKELY TO CAUSE DEATH OR SERIOUS BODILY INJURY IF THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AND OR OPERATED ON HIGHWAYS AND ROADS. *TR

Suspension
Filed Feb 9, 2015138,000 milesGA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN LS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING AN ABNORMAL POPPING NOISE OR BUMPING NOISE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 00V359001 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BALL JOINT FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Suspension
Filed Feb 1, 2015191,821 milesPA

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AROUND 11PM TO PICK UP MY HUSBAND, AND THE LEFT DRIVER SIDE R/R DS LOWER BALL JOINT IN FRONT OF THE CAR COLLAPSED TO THE GROUND. I HAD TRAFFIC COMING FROM BEHIND AND FROM A CROSS STREET IN FRONT OF ME. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO SIGNAL EVERYONE BY HORN, ARM WAVING AND DOUBLE BLINKERS BEFORE I WAS HIT BY ANYONE. I WAS ABLE TO PREVENT THE ACCIDENT. *TR

Steering
Filed Feb 1, 2015191,833 milesPA

NOTICE THE STEERING WAS LOOSE WHILE DRIVING AND FELT INHIBITED WHEN I DROVE. *TR

20 of 240 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2000
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
200618000Routine
200590100Routine
200491010Routine
200368100Routine
2002121000Routine
2001 — this page240111Fatalities reported
2000354111Fatalities reported

Compare every LS year →

Reading this record

1 death reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Nov 3, 2000. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.