2003 Lincoln LS Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 9%of 68 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 61,450miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 Lincoln LS, 9% of the 68 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 61,450 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving down the highway going 65 and the driver side airbag in the seat deployed for no reason at all. I believe this is a major safety issue because I could have wrecked the vehicle and I had three passengers in the car with me. Ford refuses to fix the airbag because it was not under warranty and they continue to blow me off.”
NHTSA complaint #10246547, filed 2008-10, 66,400 miles“My fiance was driving down the road approximately 35mph when out of nowhere the airbag in the driver seat deployed on its own with no impact to the vehicle. It rang her eardrum and scared her to death, the car of course filled with dust and she pulled over immediately and called me. She was only about a mile away from home so I instructed her to slowly drive it home and park it. I have been reading about a lot of issues with the airbags in these cars. This is a very dangerous thing to occur, had she been going faster, in the rain, been elderly, ect. …”
NHTSA complaint #10401198, filed 2011-05, 85,000 miles“We were traveling at approximately 65 MPH on i20 in fort worth, texas late at night when the driver's side impact air bag of our 2003 Lincoln LS 8 (56,000 miles) deployed for no apparent reason. The deployment was accompanied by a very loud explosion and what appeared to be smoke in the cabin. I have since learned that the apparent smoke was really some kind of fine powder used to lubricate the air bag. Luckily the highway was not crowded and nothing happened. However the event was very scary and potentially very dangerous under different traffic conditions. …”
NHTSA complaint #10158910, filed 2006-06, 56,500 miles“Left side airbag spontaneously deployed in 2003 Lincoln LS injuring rotator cuff of driver. There was no impact, side or otherwise. Talc blinded the driver, the explosion was loud and burning on arm and shoulder made driver think the car had exploded and caused panic trying to get off the road and get the car stopped. Was on lightly travelled, smooth road, little traffic.”
NHTSA complaint #10056949, filed 2004-02, 5,002 miles“Side air bag deployed in passenger seat while cruising at a speed of aprox 65 MPH in leased car. 2003 Lincoln LS sedan. I was in passenger seat and arm & ear were injured. Did not hit or run over anything. Dealer is claiming caused by road debris or small rocks, and therefore is our fault and needs to be paid for buy us or auto insurance. Claiming air bags never go off on their own.”
NHTSA complaint #10086640, filed 2004-08Air bags: other model years
Other parts of the 2003 Lincoln LS
20 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsEngine cooling
8 complaintsEngine
7 complaintsSuspension
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsSeats
6 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsWheels
6 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsEquipment
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Lincoln LS
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology