Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
120–25K
3525–50K
5550–75K
4375–100K
52100–150K
14150K+
211 reports with mileage · 143 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Suspension. Review the 123 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 47 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 42 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
18 crash reports1 fire reports11 injury reports
What owners actually said
354 reports
Mileage unknown · Mar 16, 2001
SuspensionCrash
TURNED STERRING WHEEL TO CHANGE LANES. LEFT FRONT BALLJOINT SNAPPED INTO CAUSING LEFT FRONT WHEEL TO TURN SIDEWAYS WHICH CAUSED LOSS OF STEERING RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE CAUSING VEHICLE TO SPIN INTO AND JUMP GUARDRAIL CAUSING NUMEROUS AMOUNTS OF DAMAGE.THERE WAS A RECALL IN DEC. OF 2000 TO CHECH TORQUE OF BALLJOIN…
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TURNED STERRING WHEEL TO CHANGE LANES. LEFT FRONT BALLJOINT SNAPPED INTO CAUSING LEFT FRONT WHEEL TO TURN SIDEWAYS WHICH CAUSED LOSS OF STEERING RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE CAUSING VEHICLE TO SPIN INTO AND JUMP GUARDRAIL CAUSING NUMEROUS AMOUNTS OF DAMAGE.THERE WAS A RECALL IN DEC. OF 2000 TO CHECH TORQUE OF BALLJOINTS WHICH I HAD COMPLETED THE SAME MONTH. I WAS DEFINITLY LUCKY I DID NOT GET KILLED AS I ENDED UP ACROSS TWO LANES OF I75 .I HAVE TALKED TO SEVERAL BODYSHOP MANAGERS AND THEY EACH HAVE HAD SEVERAL INSTENCES OF THE BALLJOINTS SNAPPING OFF ON THESE VEHICLES. THERE SEEMS TO BE STRUCTURAL DEFECT HERE THAT LINCOLN KNOWS ABOUT,BUT IS NOT DOING ANYTHING TO CORRECT.
NHTSA ODI #742561
Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELIG 35-40MPH AROUND A SMALL CURVE BRAKES WERE APPLIED SLIGHTLY AND LOCKED UP. BRAKES STOPPED THE WHEELS COMPLETELY, BUT VEHICLE KEPT GOING. VEHICLE WAS PULLING TO LEFT & BLEWOUT.*AK
NHTSA ODI #881987
Mileage unknown · Mar 1, 2001
Air BagsInjury
AIR BAG DEPLOYED BY OBJECT UNDER CAR.THERE WAS NO COLLISION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #741774
Mileage unknown · Mar 1, 2001
Air BagsInjury
AIR BAG DEPLOYED BY OBJECT UNDER CAR.THERE WAS NO COLLISION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #741773
Mileage unknown · Feb 21, 2001
Suspension
STEERING COLUMN EXPERIENCES VIBRATION AT A STAND STILL/ IDLING VEHICLE VIBRATES. IT HAPPENS IN REVERSE AND IN DRIVE. DEALER KNEW IT WAS A DESIGN PROBLEM, BUT THERE WAS NO REMEDY.*AK DEALER HAS REPLACED THE FOLLOWING: LEFT EXHAUST MANIFOLD, POWER STEERING PUMP, BELT&TENSIONER, SPRING IN STEERING COLUMN, AND REVISED STEERIN…
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STEERING COLUMN EXPERIENCES VIBRATION AT A STAND STILL/ IDLING VEHICLE VIBRATES. IT HAPPENS IN REVERSE AND IN DRIVE. DEALER KNEW IT WAS A DESIGN PROBLEM, BUT THERE WAS NO REMEDY.*AK DEALER HAS REPLACED THE FOLLOWING: LEFT EXHAUST MANIFOLD, POWER STEERING PUMP, BELT&TENSIONER, SPRING IN STEERING COLUMN, AND REVISED STEERING YOKE, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #880960
Mileage unknown · Feb 21, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHEN DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL BRAKES WOULD MAKE A LOUD NOISE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #880950
Mileage unknown · Feb 13, 2001
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed ControlCrash
UPHILL AT 45 MPH VEHICLE LURCHED/TOOK OFF, APPLIED BRAKE FOR ABOUT 1/8 OF A MILE. BRAKES COULD NOT HOLD VEHICLE.WENT THROUGH TWO INTERSECTIONS BEFORE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO STOP VEHICLE. DEALER HAD VEHICLE FOR 2 WEEKS, COULD NOT FIND CAUSE. CONSUMER NO LONGER FELT SAFE DRIVING VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #880471
Mileage unknown · Feb 5, 2001
Air BagsService Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed ControlCrash
WHEN DRIVING 15-20 MPH AND UPON DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL TO MAKE A GRADUAL STOP VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. VEHICLE HIT A BRICK WALL IN WHICH DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #879779
Mileage unknown · Feb 2, 2001
Power Train
WAS SHIFTING INTO DRIVE WHEN TRANSMISSION STARTED TO WHINE & NOT SHIFT AT ALL. THEN SUDDENLY IT WOULD JERK HARD INTO GEAR. LATER WOULD TRY TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE, IT WOULD JERK HARD GOING INTO OVERDRIVE. COMPLAINED TO DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT NOT TAKEN SERIOUSLY. AFTER LAST COMPLAINTS INFORMED THAT VEHICLE NOT SAFE TO DR…
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WAS SHIFTING INTO DRIVE WHEN TRANSMISSION STARTED TO WHINE & NOT SHIFT AT ALL. THEN SUDDENLY IT WOULD JERK HARD INTO GEAR. LATER WOULD TRY TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE, IT WOULD JERK HARD GOING INTO OVERDRIVE. COMPLAINED TO DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT NOT TAKEN SERIOUSLY. AFTER LAST COMPLAINTS INFORMED THAT VEHICLE NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IN THAT CONDITION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #879707
Mileage unknown · Feb 2, 2001
Structure
ABOUT A MONTH AFTER CONSUMER PURCHASED VEHICLE MANUFACTURER STARTED TO INSTALL SOME EXTRA PROTECTION IN FRONT TO MAKE VEHICLE ABLE TO PASS A TEST. ALSO, GAVE IT MORE PROTECTION. CONTACTED DEALER,AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO PUT THIS NEW SYSTEM ON. *AK
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE NOT TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATIONS WHEN THEY WERE ATTACHED TO THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2000 Lincoln Ls Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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