2000 Lincoln LS Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe front suspension problems, particularly lower ball joints and control arms that loosen, crack, or separate, sometimes at speeds under 30 mph. A second group of complaints covers airbag warning lamps tied to the clock spring in the steering column, and a third covers transmission and engine issues such as harsh or erratic shifting, misfires from failed ignition coils, and stalling. Many complaints are filed between roughly 50,000 and 150,000 miles, and several owners note that their vehicle was not covered by the ball joint recall because of its VIN.

1. 1
   Suspension

   Front lower ball joint / control arm failure

   • 104 complaints (29%)
   • median 92,000 mi at 8.4 yrs old (83 state mileage)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,400 (median of 11 quotes)
   • filed 2001–2019

   Complaints describe front lower ball joints and control arms that loosen, crack, or break away from the vehicle, producing a clunking or squeaking noise over bumps, pulling to one side, and wandering steering. Some owners report the wheel dropping or jamming under the fender, while others say a mechanic found the joints loose or damaged during routine service. Several owners state the dealer told them their VIN was not covered by the ball joint recall even though the symptoms matched it, and some paid for the repair themselves. Reported across a wide mileage range, roughly 30,000 to 170,000 miles, often noticed as noise over bumps or while turning.

   Recall 00V359001

   What to check: Have a mechanic inspect the front lower ball joints and control arms for looseness, cracks, or play, and ask whether the vehicle was ever serviced under recall 00V359001.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was turning the corner of day avenue and 2nd street sw. As I turned the tire came all the way off. I looked online and researched and seen that this vehicle has been recalled due to the suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint. I need to know what I need to do? Nhtsa campaign #00v359001.”

   NHTSA complaint #10586172, filed 2014-05, 156,785 miles

   “My 2000 Lincoln LS had a safety recall regarding the lower control arm and ball joint assembly in 12/2000. My vehicle was inspected by the dealer at that time but no repair or replacement was done. In 2004, I had the vehicle repaired for a similar issue with the suspension and steering but the dealer did not notify me of any recalls that could have affected the suspension. Yesterday, 10/08/2008, I became aware of the recall from a retail store after trying to get my car to align properly, after several failed attempts. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10244944, filed 2008-10, 107,433 miles
2. 2
   Air bags

   Airbag warning light / clock spring fault

   • 47 complaints (13%)
   • median 73,500 mi at 6.8 yrs old (22 state mileage)
   • 12 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2019

   Owners describe the airbag or restraint system warning light staying on or coming on intermittently, sometimes along with the horn and cruise control quitting. Complaints say dealers diagnosed an open circuit in the clock spring in the steering column and replaced the clock spring, wiring harness, or restraint control module. Some owners were told the airbags would not deploy while the light was on; one report describes a collision in which the airbags did not deploy. Typically reported between about 60,000 and 140,000 miles, often noticed as an intermittent dash light.

   What to check: Turn the key on and confirm the airbag light comes on and then goes out, and have the stored airbag codes read to check for clock spring or circuit faults.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The horn and cruise control just suddenly quit working does a master automotive technician ase-certified I decided to check it out before I contacted the dealer the problem is in the clock spring the clock spring has failed without an accident or anything to cause it to file this seems like it should be an issue that's a national highway traffic and safety administration should be interested in as it is a safety issue because of clock spring that will fail without stop the airbag it says car is in an accident the airbags will not deploy …”

   NHTSA complaint #11187187, filed 2019-03, 97,000 miles

   “While driving 45 MPH vehicle was involved in a head on collision and the air bags did not deploy. The seat belt light was on and was on at the time of the accident.”

   NHTSA complaint #10050428, filed 2004-03, 52,000 miles
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Rough shifting and transmission faults

   • 44 complaints (12%)
   • median 68,050 mi at 6.3 yrs old (30 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $3,000 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2000–2015

   Complaints describe harsh or jerky shifts, the transmission hunting between gears at highway speed, delayed engagement, and occasional stalling or loss of power. Some owners report repeated dealer visits without a lasting fix, and others say the transmission had to be rebuilt or replaced. A few reports tie the symptoms to warning messages for the engine and transmission. Mostly reported from about 40,000 to 160,000 miles, often during acceleration, on inclines, or at steady highway speed.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Drive at steady highway speed and through light and full throttle to feel for slipping or hunting, and ask whether the powertrain control module has been reprogrammed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Timing belts had to be replaced it was $3500.oo. August 2008 transmission had to be rebuilt n updated cost was $1989.00. August 2013 both lower ball joints was replaced the right outer tyrod and left inner tyrod was replaced had to get new brakes and tires n it cost me $1200.00. I gave $5000.00 for the car so I have a grand total of $11,689.00. Nothing but a piece of junk and now my security system is going crazy it goes off every few times u open the door so im sure its a electrical problem and thats lovely.”

   NHTSA complaint #10716810, filed 2015-05, 95,000 miles

   “Car has been back to dealer at least 6 times for transmission not shifting properly and jerking into gear harsly- I am being put off by dealer..car has done this continuous..has been to three dealerships and none can resolve this problem. I feel this is such a safety problem for me and my child. There could have been an accident on three different occassions. I have begged the dealer to just put me in another 2000 Lincoln LS. I bought the car june of 2002- car immediately started this problem and has continued. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10004933, filed 2003-01, 40,935 miles
4. 4
   Engine cooling

   Engine misfire from failed ignition coils

   • 31 complaints (9%)
   • median 60,500 mi at 6.3 yrs old (24 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $2,000 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2000–2015

   Owners describe intermittent misfiring, rough idle, hesitation, and bucking, and in some cases the engine stalling or losing power while driving. Complaints say the dealer or an independent mechanic identified failed coil-on-plug ignition coils and replaced one or more of them, sometimes repeatedly. A few reports also mention engine oil leaks reaching ignition components or a check engine light with lean codes. Reported from roughly 30,000 to 70,000 miles in the sampled complaints, often after driving in mountains or at highway speed.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Watch for a flashing or steady check engine light and rough running on a test drive, and ask whether the ignition coils and spark plugs have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I just had to replace the 4th electrical spark plug coil (out of 8) in my 2000 Lincoln LS. Coils usually don't fail. This one did when I was driving up into the mountains. Thankfully, I wasn't passing anyone at the time, otherwise, things may have gotten ugly. Each repair costs about $300, so for all eight cylinders, I may end up spending $2400. I've never had a car go through coils before.”

   NHTSA complaint #10144898, filed 2005-12, 64,000 miles

   “Car slowed on highway in high speed traffic causing cars to have to just miss me from behind. I was totally freaked, had to have 3 engine ignition coils replaced. I've had 2 more since then.just replaced a fuel tank also, this car has less than 46,000 miles on it and has cost me over $4500 in 2 years. I am on ss and 76 years old, I'm afraid to even drive this car, what have you done about this? I've owned fords all my life before purchasing this awful machine calling itself a car. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10502509, filed 2013-03, 40,000 miles
5. 5
   Vehicle speed control

   Sudden or unintended acceleration

   • 28 complaints (8%)
   • median 62,000 mi at 7.6 yrs old (13 state mileage)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2018

   A number of owners describe the engine speeding up without their foot on the accelerator pedal, sometimes in traffic or on the highway, and in one report the pedal appeared to move down on its own. Complaints mention difficulty stopping with the brake applied during the event. One separate report describes the accelerator cable breaking and the vehicle losing power. Reported from roughly 15,000 to 115,000 miles, often at low speed in traffic or at steady highway speed.

   What to check: Ask whether the throttle body, pedal assembly, or accelerator cable has been serviced, and have the throttle linkage and cable checked for binding or fraying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a 2000 Lincoln LS 3.9l v8 with approximately 115,000 miles and I have been experiencing unintended acceleration in my vehicle. Although the experience is different than the toyotas that accelerated to 100+ MPH it may be able to provide some insight upon what is going on with the current problem at hand. First I have to note that my vehicle does not have a check engine light on and seems to be in good working order being that I drive it every day to and from school. I am very attached to my car and service it regularly. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10322793, filed 2010-03, 113,000 miles

   “On three occasions, my 2000 Lincoln LS (v6) had a sudden acceleration. The first two incidents happened on the highway. The last incident was on 03-29-04 in the city limit. I was driving down the street doing about 30 MPH when the traffic light turned red and the cars in front of me came to a stop. When I began to take my foot off of the accelerator, I felt the accelerator pedal go downward. The car began to increase speed without my foot on the accelerator. I placed my foot firmly on the brake pedal but the car would not stop. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10064257, filed 2004-03, 63,000 miles

Buying note. A pre-purchase inspection focused on the front suspension and ball joints is worthwhile, along with asking whether the vehicle was serviced under recall 00V359001 since coverage depended on the VIN. Also confirm the airbag warning light behaves normally and check for stored engine and transmission codes before buying.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.