2003 Lincoln LS Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 20about this part
- Share
- 29%of 68 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 78,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 20 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 Lincoln LS, 29% of the 68 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 78,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Car goes into fail safe each and every time it is driven. It did so 19 times today. I connected a code reader which identified the problems as being related to the throttle control and the throttle body. I purchased the car 1 1/2 months ago. Prior owner had the throttle body replaced with a new mopar unit 4 months ago/ 2000.miles ago. Don't want to replace it again since this is likely not the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #11043120, filed 2017-11, 75,100 miles“I bought a 2003 Lincoln LS and it has been in the shop most of the time I have owned it. 11,000 dollars worth of repairs. Now the transmission shift erratically and the dealer says it can be fixed and has to ha a new one. 3800 dollars more cmon the is now only a 3000 dollar car.”
NHTSA complaint #10415279, filed 2011-07, 78,000 miles“Cel came on, code indicated transmission issue. E appeared in the gear indicator, rather than the gear the transmission was in. Trans would not shift into 2nd and 5th of gears. Had the car towed to transmission shop, who told me the problem was a bad transmission case that had been destroyed as the result of servo impact over time. A bushing could have resolved the problem, had Lincoln installed one at manufacture. Tech told me this was a known problem with the Lincoln 5r55 transmission. Shop installed new transmission, with bushing, for $3700. …”
NHTSA complaint #10682272, filed 2015-02, 113,000 miles“While driving suddenly the ABS light, traction control light and the parking brake light came on. I immediately exited the freeway and pulled into a parking area and turned the car off. After calming my 87 year old mother down I restarted the car and none of the lights came on. I proceeded to start driving my car home and again all the lights came on. I contacted the dealer where I purchased my car and spoke to the service manager who informed me that they knew of this problem with the lincolns and that I should bring it in which I did. I was informed that it would cost approx. …”
NHTSA complaint #10267898, filed 2009-05, 109,300 miles“Took transmission for repair. Transmission shop could not load new Lincoln software on new computer module. It has been two weeks at rowlett transmission shop and now the engine side of the new computer installed will not clear. Says there in an engine issue now. There was no engine issue before I took it to get the transmission fixed.”
NHTSA complaint #10875443, filed 2016-06, 80,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10014086Dec 13, 2004General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures.
- 10013369Nov 1, 2004General power train control module (pcm) programming procedures.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2003 Lincoln LS
11 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsEngine cooling
8 complaintsEngine
7 complaintsSuspension
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsAir bags
6 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 30, 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