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2002 Lincoln Ls

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2002 Lincoln Ls do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 91.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

89 reports with mileage · 32 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.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

21 crash reports0 fire reports8 injury reports

Steering complaints

10 reports
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188,000 miles · Jan 23, 2021
SteeringSuspension

BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE LOWER BALL JOINTS HAVE FRACTURED, BEEN REPLACED AND HAVE FRACTURED AGAIN. THE STUD POST ITSELF CONTINUES TO FRACTURE ABOVE THE CONTROL ARM MOUNTING HOLE, DESPITE BOTH BALL JOINTS BEING REPLACED AND RETORQUED TO MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDED TIGHTNESS.

NHTSA ODI #11389611

212,000 miles · May 24, 2016
EngineSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LINCOLN LS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE BALL JOINT WAS LOOSEN CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE STEERING. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM NEEDED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LINCOLN LS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE BALL JOINT WAS LOOSEN CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE STEERING. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THREE MONTHS LATER THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 212,000.

NHTSA ODI #10870567

128,749 miles · Oct 23, 2014
Air BagsSteering

LINCOLN LS 3.9L V8 2002 DASHBOARD AIR BAG LIGHT HAS TURNED ON, AFTER ADJUSTING THE STEERING WHEEL POSITION. NOW THE WARNING LIGHT / DIAGNOSTIC CODE FLASHES AT START-UP AND SHOWS THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY OR FAILED AND THE AIRBAGS ARE DISABLED. THE STEERING WHEEL CLOCKSPRING WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE MECHANIC, AS IT IS A COMMON PRO…

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LINCOLN LS 3.9L V8 2002 DASHBOARD AIR BAG LIGHT HAS TURNED ON, AFTER ADJUSTING THE STEERING WHEEL POSITION. NOW THE WARNING LIGHT / DIAGNOSTIC CODE FLASHES AT START-UP AND SHOWS THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY OR FAILED AND THE AIRBAGS ARE DISABLED. THE STEERING WHEEL CLOCKSPRING WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE MECHANIC, AS IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE MAKE/MODEL OF THE CAR. WHERE IS THE SAFETY RECALL FOR FAULTY AIRBAGS FOR THE LINCOLN LS 3.9L V8 2002? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10649513

100,018 miles · Oct 21, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesSteeringCrash

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH ON THE TRUMAN PARKWAY THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AS FAST AS IT WOULD GO. BRAKES FAILED AND CAR WENT OUT OF CONTROL. AFTER AVOIDING TO HIT 5 O6 CARS IT SIDE SWIPED ANOTHER CAR THEN VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND CAME TO A STOP ON A WET GRASSY AREA. IN 2 PREVIOUS INCIDENTS THE ENGINE REVVED UP AT A RED LIGHT AND …

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WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH ON THE TRUMAN PARKWAY THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AS FAST AS IT WOULD GO. BRAKES FAILED AND CAR WENT OUT OF CONTROL. AFTER AVOIDING TO HIT 5 O6 CARS IT SIDE SWIPED ANOTHER CAR THEN VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND CAME TO A STOP ON A WET GRASSY AREA. IN 2 PREVIOUS INCIDENTS THE ENGINE REVVED UP AT A RED LIGHT AND I ALMOST HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10649041

95,000 miles · May 11, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingSteeringSuspensionCrashInjury

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 50 MPH WHEN I HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE BACK PASSENGER SIDE. THEN I FELT THE CAR GO OUT OF CONTROL AND I MANAGED TO SAFELY GET THE CAR TO THE SHOULDER. MY PASSENGER DOOR SIDE AIRBAG CAME OUT. WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE CAR MY TIRE WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY OF THE RIM. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THE R…

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I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 50 MPH WHEN I HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE BACK PASSENGER SIDE. THEN I FELT THE CAR GO OUT OF CONTROL AND I MANAGED TO SAFELY GET THE CAR TO THE SHOULDER. MY PASSENGER DOOR SIDE AIRBAG CAME OUT. WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE CAR MY TIRE WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY OF THE RIM. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND THEY SAID I NEEDED A NEW AXLE, WHEEL BEARING, CONTROL ARM, ROTOR, RIM AND TIRE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION THEY REALIZED THE RIM WENT THROUGH THE UNDERSIDE OF TRUNK AND DAMAGED BATTERY AND ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. THEY ESTIMATED IT WOULD COST ABOUT $3,000 TO FIX NOT INCLUDING THE BODY DAMAGE. I JUST REPLACED THE RIGHT FRONT HUB ASSEMBLY AND CONTROL ARM IN FEB. 2011. I HAVE REPLACED ENGINE COILS AND VALVE COVERS NUMEROUS TIMES.

NHTSA ODI #10400468

88,000 miles · Nov 4, 2010
SteeringSuspension

STEERING LOSS DUE TO BALL JOINT AND CONTROL ARM FAILURE FOR THE SECOND TIME. PARTS WERE REPAIRED. VIN NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL FOR SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10364075

95,000 miles · Feb 14, 2010
SteeringSuspension

WHILE DRIVING THE LOWER BALL JOINT FELL APART. NO INJURY RESULTED DUE TO A LOW SPEED. AFTER TALKING TO A TECHNICIAN AT THE LOCAL LINCOLN DEALER I FOUND OUT THAT LINCOLN HAD CHANGED THE DESIGN A MONTH AFTER MY CAR WAS BUILT BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEY HAD UNDERBUILT THE CAR. I ASKED THE TECHNICIAN IF I COULD UPGRADE IT TO THE PART THE…

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WHILE DRIVING THE LOWER BALL JOINT FELL APART. NO INJURY RESULTED DUE TO A LOW SPEED. AFTER TALKING TO A TECHNICIAN AT THE LOCAL LINCOLN DEALER I FOUND OUT THAT LINCOLN HAD CHANGED THE DESIGN A MONTH AFTER MY CAR WAS BUILT BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEY HAD UNDERBUILT THE CAR. I ASKED THE TECHNICIAN IF I COULD UPGRADE IT TO THE PART THEY USED AFTER MARCH OF 2002 AND HE SAID HE DIDN'T KNOW HE HAD NEVER TRIED IT BUT AS FAR AS HE KNEW THE PARTS WOULD BOLT UP TO THE CAR THE SAME, AND THE PART THEY USED ON MY CAR WAS FAILING ON A REGULAR BASIS AND THE PART THEY USED AFTER MARCH OF 2002, AS FAR AS HE KNEW NEVER FAILED. I DECIDED TO TAKE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM OFF MY CAR AND TAKE IT TO A MACHINE SHOP AND HAVE THEM MACHINE IT TO FIT THE NEWER/LARGER STUD IN THE BALL JOINT USED AFTER MARCH OF 2002, EVERYTHING WORKED OUT GOOD AND I HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS. THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON MY CAR WERE 14 MM AND AFTER MARCH THEY USED 16 MM IT'S PRETTY SIMPLE TO TAKE IT TO A MACHINE SHOP AND UPGRADE YOUR CAR. THE COST OF THE WORK AT THE MACHINE SHOP WAS ONLY $25 AND WE DID ALL THE REST IN THE DRIVEWAY IN JUST A FEW HOURS. IF YOU HAVE ANY MECHANICAL ABILITY YOU CAN DO THIS JOB, OR YOU CAN PAY ABOUT $1,500 TO A SHOP TO PUT THE 14 MM BACK IN AND HAVE IT FAIL AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10310261

120,000 miles · Jan 8, 2010
Power TrainSteering

I OWN A 2002 LINCOLN LS. THE TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO BE A BIT OF A PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, MY TRANSMISSION DECIDES TO GIVE UP ON ME IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC WHILE DRIVING AT 70MPH. I ALSO LOST MY POWER STEERING AND MY LIGHTS SHUT OFF. SINCE THIS HAPPENED AT NIGHT, THE LAST BIT WAS A BIT OF A PROB…

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I OWN A 2002 LINCOLN LS. THE TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO BE A BIT OF A PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, MY TRANSMISSION DECIDES TO GIVE UP ON ME IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC WHILE DRIVING AT 70MPH. I ALSO LOST MY POWER STEERING AND MY LIGHTS SHUT OFF. SINCE THIS HAPPENED AT NIGHT, THE LAST BIT WAS A BIT OF A PROBLEM. I FEEL THAT THIS CAR IS NOT VERY SAFE AND I FEEL THAT LINCOLN SHOULD DO SOMETHING TO FIX THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10298753

Mileage unknown · Jan 26, 2004
Latches/locks/linkagesSteeringSuspension

MY 02 LINCOLN LS HAS HAD 2 NEW REAR ENDS AND NOW POWER STEERING PUMP AND ACTUATOR IS GONE BAD. I HAVE A LIST OF ABOUT 12 THINGS THAT HAS HAPPENED TO MY CAR IN LAST 12 MONTHS, AND MY CAR ONLY HAS 27,000 MILES ON IT. NOT VERY HAPPY AT ALL. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10054941

Mileage unknown · Jun 6, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicSteering

WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES VEHICLE WILL STALL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. CONSUMER HAD NO POWER STEERING OR BRAKES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10022603

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

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.