Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
120–25K
1225–50K
1350–75K
2475–100K
18100–150K
10150K+
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
What owners actually said
121 reports
39,300 miles · Sep 15, 2005
Air BagsCrashInjury
DT: THE CALLER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHILE TRAVELING 25 MPH WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE PULLED OUT IN FRONT ATTEMPTING TO TURN LEFT. THE CALLER'S VEHICLE HIT THE FRONT CORNER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. CALLER'S WIFE SUSTAINED …
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DT: THE CALLER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHILE TRAVELING 25 MPH WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE PULLED OUT IN FRONT ATTEMPTING TO TURN LEFT. THE CALLER'S VEHICLE HIT THE FRONT CORNER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. CALLER'S WIFE SUSTAINED INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. MANUFACTURER SAID SOMEONE WILL CONTACT THE CALLER IN TWO BUSINESS DAYS. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10136629
64,000 miles · Sep 3, 2005
Electrical System
ALL WARNING LIGHTS IN DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED AT THE SAME TIME ONE DAY OUT OF THE BLUE SKY ONE DAY 2 WEEKS AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ID# [XXX]. ABS WARNING LIGHT, TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT, AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT; LIGHT BULB WARNING LIGHTS.*JB UPDATED 07/19/2012*JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMA…
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ALL WARNING LIGHTS IN DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED AT THE SAME TIME ONE DAY OUT OF THE BLUE SKY ONE DAY 2 WEEKS AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ID# [XXX]. ABS WARNING LIGHT, TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT, AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT; LIGHT BULB WARNING LIGHTS.*JB UPDATED 07/19/2012*JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA ODI #10135240
83,000 miles · Aug 16, 2005
Visibility
I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDOW MECHANISM IN MY LINCOLN LS. SEVERAL DEALERSHIP SERVICE CENTERS INFORMED ME THAT A LOT OF THE LINCOLNS WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH A FAULTY WINDOW MECHANISM BUT THEY WOULD NOT COVER IT BECAUSE THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I SPOKE TO FORD AND THEY AGREED THAT BECAUSE OF THE FAULTY MECHAN…
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I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDOW MECHANISM IN MY LINCOLN LS. SEVERAL DEALERSHIP SERVICE CENTERS INFORMED ME THAT A LOT OF THE LINCOLNS WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH A FAULTY WINDOW MECHANISM BUT THEY WOULD NOT COVER IT BECAUSE THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I SPOKE TO FORD AND THEY AGREED THAT BECAUSE OF THE FAULTY MECHANISM THEY WOULD FIX THE WINDOW FOR A DISCOUNT. I PAID 40 DOLLARS FOR A 270 DOLLAR REPAIR. RECENTLY THE CAR HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE FAULTY WINDOW MECHANISM. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP EXPECTING IT TO BE COVERED THE SAME AS THE LAST TIME. THEY TOLD ME THEY COULD NOT COVER THE COST OF THE WINDOW AGAIN. I CONTACTED FORD WHO TOLD ME THEY DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEMS WITH THE FAULTY WINDOW MECHANISMS. THIS PROBLEM CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE INSIDE OF THE CAR AND MAKES THE CAR VULNERABLE TO BREAK INS. I AM UNABLE TO FEEL SAFE IN THE CAR NOW BECAUSE THE WINDOW WILL NOT ROLL ALL THE WAY UP. I WOULD LIKE AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS ISSUE FOR MYSELF AND ALL THE OTHER LINCOLN OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10133013
Mileage unknown · Jul 13, 2005
Power Train
DT: CONSUMER STATES THE CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE. THE SERVICE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DULPICATE THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER IS NOT HAVING ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10128580
Mileage unknown · Jun 24, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
I WAS SLOWING DOWN TO TURN RIGHT ONTO THE ON RAMP OF THE HIGHWAY WHEN MAKING THE RIGHT HAND TURN AND PRESSING ON THE BRAKE THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF. I LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKE POWER. AFTER I USED TO EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR, I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR AND CONTINUE ON. THE NEXT TIME I DROVE THE CAR, IT MYSTERIOUSLY…
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I WAS SLOWING DOWN TO TURN RIGHT ONTO THE ON RAMP OF THE HIGHWAY WHEN MAKING THE RIGHT HAND TURN AND PRESSING ON THE BRAKE THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF. I LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKE POWER. AFTER I USED TO EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR, I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR AND CONTINUE ON. THE NEXT TIME I DROVE THE CAR, IT MYSTERIOUSLY OVERHEATED. I TOOK THE CAR IN AND EXPLAINED THE SUDDEN ENGINE STOPE AND THE OVERHEATING...AND THE DEALER ONLY ADDRESSED THE OVER HEATING PROBLEM. NOTHING WAS SAID OR DISCUSSED ABOUT THE CAR JUST TURNING OFF FOR NO REASON.
NHTSA ODI #10126532
47,530 miles · Jun 10, 2005
Service BrakesCrash
IN PAST MONTH LINCOLN LS 2002 VIN [XXX] EXPERIENCED TWO LOW-SPEED (LESS THAN 10 MPH) BRAKE FAILURES.ONE RESULTED IN A MINOR ACCIDENT.THE FIRST OCCURRED APPROX. MAY 1, BUT NO ACCIDENT RESULTED.WHILE I WAS ATTEMPTING TO STOP AT AN INTERSECTION, BRAKES FAILED TO HOLD AND CAR ROLLED THROUGH A STOP SIGN INTO THE CROSS STREET.THERE WA…
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IN PAST MONTH LINCOLN LS 2002 VIN [XXX] EXPERIENCED TWO LOW-SPEED (LESS THAN 10 MPH) BRAKE FAILURES.ONE RESULTED IN A MINOR ACCIDENT.THE FIRST OCCURRED APPROX. MAY 1, BUT NO ACCIDENT RESULTED.WHILE I WAS ATTEMPTING TO STOP AT AN INTERSECTION, BRAKES FAILED TO HOLD AND CAR ROLLED THROUGH A STOP SIGN INTO THE CROSS STREET.THERE WAS ONCOMING TRAFFIC BUT NO ACCIDENT RESULTED.I IMMEDIATELY HAD CAR EVALUATED BY MY PERSONAL MECHANIC AND SERVICE DEPT AT CENTRAL FORD IN HOUSTON. NEITHER SHOP WAS ABLE TO DIAGNOSE AND FIX PROBLEM.ON MORNING OF MAY 31, MY SON WAS DRIVING TO HIS OFFICE IN GALVESTON WHEN BRAKES AGAIN FAILED TO HOLD DURING TRAFFIC STOP.THERE WAS A MINOR ACCIDENT WHEN LINCOLN REAR-ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE.LINCOLN WAS TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP IN GALVESTON EVEN THOUGH THE BRAKES APPEARED TO FUNCTION AFTER THE ACCIDENT-POLICE INVESTIGATOR DID NOT BELIEVE LINCOLN WAS SAFE TO OPERATE GIVEN HISTORY OF BRAKE FAILURE.THERE WAS MINOR DAMAGE TO THE FRONT BUMPER OF LINCOLN AND ALSO THE BACK BUMPER OF VAN THAT WAS REAR-ENDED.ON JUNE 1 HAD LINCOLN TOWED FROM GALVESTON TO SOUTHWEST LINCOLN IN HOUSTON.AGAIN SERVICE SHOP HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO IDENTIFY AND CORRECT ROOT CAUSE OF BRAKE FAILURE INCIDENTS.SERVICE DEPT ADVISED ME THEY CAN FIND NO PROBLEMS WITH LINCOLN.I SPOKE WITH A SENIOR SERVICE CONSULTANT AT CENTRAL FORD.HE SAID THERE IS NO HISTORY OF BRAKE FAILURE WITH LINCOLNS OF THIS MODEL TYPE.I TOOK LINCOLN AGAIN TO SOUTHWEST LINCOLN ON MONDAY MORNING AND PICKED IT UP LATE TUESDAY AFTERNOON FOR DIAGNOSIS AND AGAIN THE SERVICE SHOP HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO IDENTIFY PROBLEM.INFERENCE IS THAT I SHOULD BE ABLE TO SAFELY DRIVE IT, BUT THE FAIL-TO-BRAKE INCIDENTS HAVE CONVINCED ME THAT CAR IS TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE.I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH LINCOLN AND WAS TOLD THAT IT IS UP TO THE INDIVIDUAL DEALERSHIP TO FIND PROBLEM AND NOT LINCOLN'S RESPONSIBILITY.I WAS TOLD BY THE SENIOR SERVICE ADVISOR THAT AS LONG AS THE BRAKE FAILURE CAN'T BE DUPLICATED THERE IS NOTHING MORE THAT CAN BE DONE. *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORM
NHTSA ODI #10124966
Mileage unknown · Feb 7, 2005
Air Bags
WHEN CONSUMER DROVE OVER A SPEED BUMP IN A PARKING LOT THE PASSENGER SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG DEPLOYED. *BF THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THERE WERE SCRATCHES ON THE FRAME UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND THAT SOME OBJECT WHICH TRIGGERED THE AIR BAG. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE DEALER AND MANU…
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WHEN CONSUMER DROVE OVER A SPEED BUMP IN A PARKING LOT THE PASSENGER SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG DEPLOYED. *BF THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THERE WERE SCRATCHES ON THE FRAME UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND THAT SOME OBJECT WHICH TRIGGERED THE AIR BAG. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER ARE AWARE OF THE AIR BAG PROBLEM BUT REFUSE TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10111417
62,000 miles · Oct 28, 2004
Air Bags
WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE SIDE AIR BAG ON THE DRIVER SIDE INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY REASON/WARNING. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10097914
17,482 miles · Aug 26, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
CAR ACCELERATES WITH NO PRIOR WARNING ENGINE HIT 3000 RPMS HAD TO SLAM ON BRAKES DID NOT HOLD CAR HAD TO TURN MOTOR OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE. DEALERSHIP COULDN'T REPRODUCE THIS THEY REPLACE IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE THEY THINK THIS IS THE PROBLEM? I'M NOT HAPPY WITH THE FACT THEY ARE NOT SURE IF THIS IS IT WHAT IF IT HAPPENS AG…
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CAR ACCELERATES WITH NO PRIOR WARNING ENGINE HIT 3000 RPMS HAD TO SLAM ON BRAKES DID NOT HOLD CAR HAD TO TURN MOTOR OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE. DEALERSHIP COULDN'T REPRODUCE THIS THEY REPLACE IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE THEY THINK THIS IS THE PROBLEM? I'M NOT HAPPY WITH THE FACT THEY ARE NOT SURE IF THIS IS IT WHAT IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN?*AK
NHTSA ODI #10088621
29,000 miles · Jul 12, 2004
Tires
WE PURCHASED A 2002 LINCOLN LSE ABOUT 15 MONTHS AGO. ABOUT A WEEK AGO WE TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING THEN 3 DAYS LATER BROUGHT IT IN WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND NEW BRAKES WERE INSTALLED AN WE WERE TOLD WE WOULD BE NEEDING NEW TIRES. WE ASKED IF NEEDED TO BE DONE THEN BUT THE SERVICE PERSON SA…
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WE PURCHASED A 2002 LINCOLN LSE ABOUT 15 MONTHS AGO. ABOUT A WEEK AGO WE TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING THEN 3 DAYS LATER BROUGHT IT IN WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND NEW BRAKES WERE INSTALLED AN WE WERE TOLD WE WOULD BE NEEDING NEW TIRES. WE ASKED IF NEEDED TO BE DONE THEN BUT THE SERVICE PERSON SAID SOON. 7 DAYS LATER WHILE DRIVING ON THE FLORIDA TURNPIKE IN THE FAST LANE OUR LEFT REAR DRIVERS SIDE TIRE LITERALLY BLEW OFF THE CAR LEAVING NOTHING BUT THE RIM. THANK GOD THE CAR BEHIND US WITNESSED IT ALL AND STAYED BEHIND US TILL WE WERE SAFE ACROSS 3 LANES TO THE SHOULDER. HE SAID HE NEVER SAW SOMETHING LIKE THAT HAPPEN. WE HAVE HAD MANY CARS AND HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR AT LEAST 26 YEARS AND NEVER NEVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE THIS. I THANK GOD WE WERE SAFE BUT I DO THINK THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO. TIRES SHOULD NOT JUST EXPLODE OFF A RIM AND DISINTERGRATE. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS, AS THIS WAS A VERY FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE. AFTER TOWING THE VECHICLE INTO THE LINCOLN MERCURY SHOWROOM WE ARE TOLD WE NEED 4 NEW TIRES AND A RIM -- $1600. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10080901
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.
2002 Lincoln Ls Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year