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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

What owners actually said

240 reports
112,000 miles · Aug 17, 2010
SuspensionCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN LS. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD, ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END. WITHIN SECONDS, THE ENTIRE FRONT END DROPPED TO THE GROUND AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A ROW OF BUSHES. HE WAS NOT INJURED. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN LS. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD, ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END. WITHIN SECONDS, THE ENTIRE FRONT END DROPPED TO THE GROUND AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A ROW OF BUSHES. HE WAS NOT INJURED. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT BALL LOWER JOINTS WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY. THE MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT THE BALL LOWER JOINTS WERE FRACTURED AND HAD ALSO DAMAGED THE RADIATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

NHTSA ODI #10350118

94,300 miles · Jul 24, 2010
Suspension

2001 LINCOLN LS, LOWER BALL JOINT FAILURE WHILE DRIVING!!!, THERE IS A RECALL RELATED TO THIS ISSUE 00S39, BUT MY VEHICLE ACCORDING TO FORD, BY VIN DID NOT FALL UNDER THE CURRENT RECALL? MY REAL QUESTION IS WHY? SOME BACK GROUND ON MY INCIDENT I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 65 MPH, HEARD AND FELT A CHANGE IN THE STEERING, PULLE…

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2001 LINCOLN LS, LOWER BALL JOINT FAILURE WHILE DRIVING!!!, THERE IS A RECALL RELATED TO THIS ISSUE 00S39, BUT MY VEHICLE ACCORDING TO FORD, BY VIN DID NOT FALL UNDER THE CURRENT RECALL? MY REAL QUESTION IS WHY? SOME BACK GROUND ON MY INCIDENT I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 65 MPH, HEARD AND FELT A CHANGE IN THE STEERING, PULLED OVER AND AS I WAS COMING TO A STOP THE RIGHT LOWER BALL JOINT STUD BROKE IN HALF, IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED 30 SECONDS SOONER (GOING 65 MPH) I COULD HAVE EASILY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AT FREEWAY SPEEDS, I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO MY SHOP, I AM A OWNER OF A REPAIR FACILITY FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS, AND AM A ASE CERTIFIED MASTER TECHNICIAN, WITH OVER 23YRS OF EXPERIENCE WORKING ON VEHICLES. I INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THE HOLES (BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT SIDES) IN THE ALUMINUM LOWER CONTROL ARMS OVER SIZED FROM THE BALL JOINT STUD BEING LOOSE AND MOVING INSIDE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM. THIS IS AN OBVIOUSLY DANGEROUS ENGINEERING/MANUFACTURING ERROR, STEEL BALL JOINT STUDS PASSING THROUGH A ALUMINUM CONTROL ARM WITHOUT A STEEL REINFORCED SLEEVE IN THE CONTROL ARM? WITH THE CONSTANT MOVEMENT AND DISSIMILAR METALS, KEEPING A PROPER TORQUE ON THE BALL JOINT STUD IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. THEY HAVE A NYLOCK/SELF LOCKING NUT ON THE BALL JOINT STUD SO IT WON'T BACK OFF ALL THE WAY, BUT COMING LOOSE/LOSING TORQUE AND MOVING INSIDE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM UNTIL IT SNAPS OFF IS INEVITABLE. MY PROFESSIONAL OPINION FROM MY YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IS THE CURRENT RECALL NEEDS TO BE EXPANDED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED. TO REPEAT AFTER PERFORMING MY OWN INSPECTION AND AS A PROFESSIONAL IN THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY, THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND REPAIRED BY FORD. PLEASE TAKE THIS REPORT SERIOUSLY AS I FEEL MY LIFE WAS IN REAL DANGER AND I KNOW OTHERS ARE IN DANGER AS WELL... JIM OLDHAM, OWNER AUTOMOTIVE SOLUTIONS, ASE MASTER TECHNICIAN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10345034

111,700 miles · Jul 19, 2010
Suspension

THE BALL JOINTS TO MY LINCOLN LS V8 HAVE ON THE SAFETY RECALL SINCE 2000. I HAVE REGISTER MY VEHICLE WITH FORD SINCE I PURCHASED IT. I HAVE BEEN CONTACTED BY FORD SINCE LAST YEAR. WHY HASN'T ANYBODY MADE CONTACT WITH ME. I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR LONG DISTANCE, EXPECT TO MY DOCTOR'S APPT AT THE VA HOSPITAL AND MY WORK AREA SIN…

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THE BALL JOINTS TO MY LINCOLN LS V8 HAVE ON THE SAFETY RECALL SINCE 2000. I HAVE REGISTER MY VEHICLE WITH FORD SINCE I PURCHASED IT. I HAVE BEEN CONTACTED BY FORD SINCE LAST YEAR. WHY HASN'T ANYBODY MADE CONTACT WITH ME. I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR LONG DISTANCE, EXPECT TO MY DOCTOR'S APPT AT THE VA HOSPITAL AND MY WORK AREA SINCE I WAS RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL IN FORT LEWIS, WA. MADIGAN ARMY MEDICAL CENTER OFR INJURIES THAT I RECEIVED IN IRAQ. PLEASE HELP WITH THIS MATTER, PLEASE I NEED YOUR HELP. I DON'T KNOW WERE ELSE TO GO FROM HERE. I AM CONTACTING BEFORE A MAJOR INCIDENT/ACCIDENT OCCUR? [XXX] P.S. I HAVE BAD DREAMS ABOUT THIS, NOT KNOWING THE UNKNOWN JUST BEING OVER SEAS AGAIN. HELP ME PLEASE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10344099

90,000 miles · Jun 30, 2010
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN LS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SQUEAK AT ANY SPEED. THE CONTACT LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS IN THE FRONT WERE DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 00V359001, COMPONENT: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN LS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SQUEAK AT ANY SPEED. THE CONTACT LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS IN THE FRONT WERE DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 00V359001, COMPONENT: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT. HE CHECKED WITH THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS APPROXIMATELY 90,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT.

NHTSA ODI #10340789

99,000 miles · Jun 21, 2010
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN LS. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN ATTEMPTING A TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION, THERE WAS AN UNUSUAL SQUEAKING COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE BALL JOINTS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN LS. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN ATTEMPTING A TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION, THERE WAS AN UNUSUAL SQUEAKING COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE BALL JOINTS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL: 00V359001 (SUSPENSION: FRONT: CONTROL ARM: LOWER BALL JOINT) AND WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

NHTSA ODI #10339375

111,000 miles · Apr 12, 2010
StructureSuspensionWheels

2001 LINCOLN LS--FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL- THERE WAS ALOT OF SQUEAKING NOISES COMING FROM THE WHEEL BEFORE INCIDENT OCCURRED. YESTERDAY, GOING THROUGH A DRIVE-THRU, I HEARD A POP. I GOT OUT AND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE FENDER WAS RESTING ON THE TIRE. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND AS HE WAS TRYING TO PUT THE CAR ON THE TOW TRUCK, HE …

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2001 LINCOLN LS--FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL- THERE WAS ALOT OF SQUEAKING NOISES COMING FROM THE WHEEL BEFORE INCIDENT OCCURRED. YESTERDAY, GOING THROUGH A DRIVE-THRU, I HEARD A POP. I GOT OUT AND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE FENDER WAS RESTING ON THE TIRE. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND AS HE WAS TRYING TO PUT THE CAR ON THE TOW TRUCK, HE SHOWED ME THE DAMAGE. THE BOLT THAT HOLDS THE BALL JOINT AND CONTROL ARM TO THE WHEEL CAME OFF. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS FOR ME, AND CONTACT ME WHEN YOU FIND SOMETHING OUT! THX *TR

NHTSA ODI #10325012

89,300 miles · Apr 9, 2010
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN LS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH AND APPROACHING A DRIVEWAY, THE LOWER BALL JOINTS FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE FRONT PASSENGERS SIDE TIRE TO COLLAPSE OUTWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE REPAIRS WERE MADE ACCORDINGLY. THE MANUFA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN LS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH AND APPROACHING A DRIVEWAY, THE LOWER BALL JOINTS FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE FRONT PASSENGERS SIDE TIRE TO COLLAPSE OUTWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE REPAIRS WERE MADE ACCORDINGLY. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR COMPLAINTS PERTAINING TO THIS ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,300 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,400.

NHTSA ODI #10324697

99,000 miles · Mar 14, 2010
SteeringSuspension

1.SPOUSE COMPLAINED OF SIGNIFICANT CONTROLLABILITY (LOSS OF STEERING) 2. CAR EXAMINED BY FRAME SHOP TO FIND LOWER PASSENGER BALL JOINT LOOSE (SECURING NUT) 3. NUT TIGHTENED BY SHOP AND CONTROLLABILITY RESTORED 4. SPOUSE STARTS ON TRIP AND SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF STEERING RETURNS WITHIN 30 MILES 5. GAVE VIN TO WOODY ANDERSON FOR…

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1.SPOUSE COMPLAINED OF SIGNIFICANT CONTROLLABILITY (LOSS OF STEERING) 2. CAR EXAMINED BY FRAME SHOP TO FIND LOWER PASSENGER BALL JOINT LOOSE (SECURING NUT) 3. NUT TIGHTENED BY SHOP AND CONTROLLABILITY RESTORED 4. SPOUSE STARTS ON TRIP AND SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF STEERING RETURNS WITHIN 30 MILES 5. GAVE VIN TO WOODY ANDERSON FORD APPROX MAY/JUL OF 2009 AND AGAIN MAR 2010; NO OUTSTANDING CAMPAIGNS NOTED. 6. RESEARCH REFLECTS SAFETY CAMPAIGN FOR BALL JOINTS BUT MY VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED VIA FORD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10319548

65,000 miles · Feb 25, 2010
SuspensionVisibility

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN LS. WHENEVER THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE AND BEGAN TO DECELERATE, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT WHICH WAS FOLLOWED BY A GRINDING SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT WHEEL HUB/AXLE BEARING AND HUB ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO B…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN LS. WHENEVER THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE AND BEGAN TO DECELERATE, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT WHICH WAS FOLLOWED BY A GRINDING SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT WHEEL HUB/AXLE BEARING AND HUB ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 65000. UPDATED 5/12/10 *CN THE LEFT WINDOW REGULATOR WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 05/14/10.

NHTSA ODI #10314371

Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 2010
Suspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN LS. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE DRIVERS SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT BROKE WHILE MAKING A TURN AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING A SQUEAKING NOISE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH FORD AND WAS ADVISED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT A PART ANY RELATED RECALLS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE DEMONSTRATED THE SAME TRAITS…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN LS. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE DRIVERS SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT BROKE WHILE MAKING A TURN AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING A SQUEAKING NOISE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH FORD AND WAS ADVISED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT A PART ANY RELATED RECALLS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE DEMONSTRATED THE SAME TRAITS LISTED IN ANOTHER RECALL. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10305446

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.