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2001 Lincoln Ls

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Ls years

Owner complaints for the 2001 Lincoln Ls are substantially higher than the model-year median of 91.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

166 reports with mileage · 74 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 110 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

20 crash reports1 fire reports11 injury reports

Suspension complaints

110 reports
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117,000 miles · Apr 14, 2008
Suspension

BALL JOINTS ON BOTH SIDES ARE DEFECTIVE AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. CAR VIBRATES AT SPEEDS OVER 50MPH, AND CLUNKS AT LOWER SPEEDS. ENTIRE SPINDLES NEED TO BE REPLACED AS BALL JOINT IS PART OF INTEGRATED UNIT. RECALL 00S39 , 00V359 WAS ISSUED FOR THIS MODEL MANUFACTURED IN WIXOM PLANT FROM 8/18/1998 THROUGH 9/29/2000. THIS CAR WAS M…

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BALL JOINTS ON BOTH SIDES ARE DEFECTIVE AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. CAR VIBRATES AT SPEEDS OVER 50MPH, AND CLUNKS AT LOWER SPEEDS. ENTIRE SPINDLES NEED TO BE REPLACED AS BALL JOINT IS PART OF INTEGRATED UNIT. RECALL 00S39 , 00V359 WAS ISSUED FOR THIS MODEL MANUFACTURED IN WIXOM PLANT FROM 8/18/1998 THROUGH 9/29/2000. THIS CAR WAS MANUFACTURED ON 11/21/2000 PRIOR TO THE RECALL REPORT DATE OF 11/1/2000. THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO COVER UNITS MANUFACTURED AFTER 11/1/2000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10224442

130,000 miles · Mar 21, 2008
Suspension

THE LOWER BALL JOINTS SEPARATED FROM THE CONTROLLER ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. PLEASE NOTE THE RECALL WAS SUBMITTED IN 2000; DURING THE TIME FRAME OF WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE THE RECALL HAD EXPIRED. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY AAA THAT, THERE HAS BEEN 3 VEHICLES WITH THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEM. I WAS FORTUNATE THAT I WAS A…

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THE LOWER BALL JOINTS SEPARATED FROM THE CONTROLLER ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. PLEASE NOTE THE RECALL WAS SUBMITTED IN 2000; DURING THE TIME FRAME OF WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE THE RECALL HAD EXPIRED. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY AAA THAT, THERE HAS BEEN 3 VEHICLES WITH THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEM. I WAS FORTUNATE THAT I WAS ALONE AND NOT WITH MY THREE SONS AND MY NEW BORN CHILD, AND I WAS NOT ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THIS ACCIDENT/INCIDENT OCCUR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10221955

131,000 miles · Mar 21, 2008
Suspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN LS. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE BOLT THAT HOLDS THE TIRE IN PLACE DETACHED. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD SCREECHING NOISE THAT ALERTED HER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. WHEN SHE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED THAT THE TIRE APPEARED TO BE IMPROPERLY ATTACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND HE …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN LS. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE BOLT THAT HOLDS THE TIRE IN PLACE DETACHED. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD SCREECHING NOISE THAT ALERTED HER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. WHEN SHE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED THAT THE TIRE APPEARED TO BE IMPROPERLY ATTACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND HE ADVISED HER TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER TO CHECK FOR ANY RECALLS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,899. UPDATED 04/25/08. *LJ RECALL# 00V359001 THE CONSUMER STATED THE LOWER BALL JOINT SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. UPDATED

NHTSA ODI #10221950

90,000 miles · Mar 20, 2008
Suspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN LS. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF THE TIRES FAILED. THE VEHICLE PART WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE SCREW WORKED ITS WAY FREE OF THE LOWER BALL JOINTS, AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V359001 (SUSPENSION:FRONT: CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN LS. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF THE TIRES FAILED. THE VEHICLE PART WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE SCREW WORKED ITS WAY FREE OF THE LOWER BALL JOINTS, AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V359001 (SUSPENSION:FRONT: CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT) WAS REFERENCED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 90,000. UPDATED 04/23/08 *BF THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #10221885

111,000 miles · Mar 17, 2008
Suspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN LS. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED OVER UNEVEN PAVEMENT, THE STEERING WOULD JERK, VIBRATE, AND BECOME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THE VEHICLE MADE A POPPING SOUND WHEN TURNING IN EITHER DIRECTION. WHEN BACKING UP, THE VEHICLE MADE SOUNDS AS IF SOMETHING WAS ROTATING. THE NOISES INCREASED DURING ACCE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN LS. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED OVER UNEVEN PAVEMENT, THE STEERING WOULD JERK, VIBRATE, AND BECOME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THE VEHICLE MADE A POPPING SOUND WHEN TURNING IN EITHER DIRECTION. WHEN BACKING UP, THE VEHICLE MADE SOUNDS AS IF SOMETHING WAS ROTATING. THE NOISES INCREASED DURING ACCELERATION. WHEN THE CONTACT WOULD DRIVE OVER A BUMP OR ON ROUGH TERRAIN, THE VIBRATING, RATTLING, SHAKING, AND NOISES WOULD INTENSIFY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY THE DEALER, BUT IT HAS BEEN INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED. NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 00V359001 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT) WAS REFERENCED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.

NHTSA ODI #10221446

72,000 miles · Feb 6, 2008
Suspension

LOWER BALL JOINTS ON LELF SIDE, NOW ITS THE RIGHT SIDE . ITS SURE BE ON RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10217075

Mileage unknown · Jan 31, 2008
Suspension

2001 LINCOLN LS WITH A RECALL FOR THE LOWER BALL JOINTS. CONSUMER STATES THAT HE WAS EXPERIENCING THIS FAILURE BUT THE MANUFACTURER TOLD HIM IT WAS HIS PROBLEM TO SOLVE BECAUSE HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED HE LOST COMPLETE STEERING CONTROL OF HIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #10217180

74,567 miles · Jan 8, 2008
SteeringSuspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN LS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE LOWER BALL JOINTS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DRIVER SIDE BALL JOINTS AND THE TIE ROD. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN LS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE LOWER BALL JOINTS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DRIVER SIDE BALL JOINTS AND THE TIE ROD. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V359001 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT), ALTHOUGH SHE WAS EXPERIENCING A SIMILAR FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,567 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATED 3/5/08 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED WENT TO JONES FORD AND INFORMED HER THAT SHE DOES NEED REPAIR ON THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 03/05/08 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10214183

81,000 miles · Jan 4, 2008
Suspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN LS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT FRACTURED. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC THAT CONFIRMED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINT HAD FRACTURED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INC…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN LS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT FRACTURED. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC THAT CONFIRMED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINT HAD FRACTURED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V359001 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT). HE WENT TO ANOTHER DEALER AND THE REPRESENTATIVE DID NOT BOTHER TO ENTER THE VIN INTO THE SYSTEM; HOWEVER, THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NEVER A RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

NHTSA ODI #10213730

93,841 miles · Jan 4, 2008
SuspensionCrash

LAST SUMMER I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH BALL JOINTS CONTINUOUSLY COMING LOOSE ON MY USED 2001 LINCOLN LS. I WENT ON THE INTERNET AND DISCOVERED THAT THERE WERE OVER 82300 RECALSS FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM. I TRIED TO GET IT FIXED BUT WAS TOLD THE RECALLS WERE VIN SPECIFIC. OBVIOUSLY THIS EXACT PROBLEM CONINUES TO REOCCUR ON MY C…

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LAST SUMMER I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH BALL JOINTS CONTINUOUSLY COMING LOOSE ON MY USED 2001 LINCOLN LS. I WENT ON THE INTERNET AND DISCOVERED THAT THERE WERE OVER 82300 RECALSS FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM. I TRIED TO GET IT FIXED BUT WAS TOLD THE RECALLS WERE VIN SPECIFIC. OBVIOUSLY THIS EXACT PROBLEM CONINUES TO REOCCUR ON MY CAR AND I HAVE TO CONTINUOUSLY RETIGHTEN THE BALL JOINTS MYSELF. ON 12-29-07 I WAS TRAVELING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH WHEN THE BALL JOINTS COMPLETELY SPLIT IN HALF CAUSING ME TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR, SPUN ME AND 3 RIDERS AROUND IN THE ROAD AND LANDED US IN THE MEDIAN. BUT FOR THE GRACE OF GOD NO ONE WAS INJURED OR WORSE YET KILLED. I CONTACTED FORD HUMAN RELATIONS AND EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM AN MENTIONED THE RECALLS BUT WAS VERY RUDELY TOLD THAT IT WAS UP TO THE CUSTOMER TO MAKE THE REPAIRS. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT THE PROBLEM IS WHEN THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF CAR AND THIS HAS REPORTEDLY BEEN A CONTINUOUS RECURRING PROBLEM FOR ME. FORD DOES NOT APPEAR TO CARE. MEANTIME THE CAR SITS, AND WILL BE SITTING UNTIL THIS GETS RESOLVED SATISFACTORILY AND FORD STANDS BEHIND IT. *CN

NHTSA ODI #10213726

Official recalls

1

00V359001 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint

Nov 3, 2000

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.