2001 Lincoln LS: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 240 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is suspension (42% of complaints); the 2002 and 2003 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Nov 2000
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 240 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2001 Lincoln LS. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the front suspension ball joint detached. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic; however, it was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 00V359001 (Suspension). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 114,000.”Owner report · Suspension · Apr 2023
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 lincoln ls. The contact stated while driving 45 mph, the contact heard an abnormal popping sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehcile began to shake back and forth violently which caused the contact to pull the vehicle over to side of the road. The contact had the vehicle towed back to his residence. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact who is a certified mechanic diagnosed the vehicle with a fractured ball joint. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 148,000.”Owner report · Suspension · Mar 2021
“Air bag clockspring defective. Vehicle needs clockspring replacement as airbags currently will not inflate in the event of an accident.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2016
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 lincoln ls. The contact stated that the brake, air bag, and traction warning indicators illuminated. In addition, while driving at any speed, the vehicle shook abnormally and hesitated to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 00v359001 (suspension). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Apr 2016
“Drivers side rear door can not be opened from out side the car can be opened from cabin side. Passenger side rear door can not be opened from out side the car or from cabin side. Failure occured in early january 2016. Presents unsafe inconvienent space for passengers if used. Occred parked in drive way.”Owner report · Structure · Jan 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 lincoln ls. While driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal crunching noise coming from the front driver and passenger side of the vehicle. The contact discovered the ball joints were not attached to the control arm. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the control arm needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not included in the recall for his vehicle model. The failure mileage was 69,000.”Owner report · Suspension · Apr 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 lincoln ls. While driving approximately 15 mph, the steering wheel veered out of direction. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The wheel bearing, hub assembly, and lower ball joints were replaced. The failure recurred. The contact was made aware of NHTSA campaign number: 00v359001 (suspension); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 113,000.”Owner report · Suspension · Feb 2015
“Tl*the contact owns a 2001 lincoln ls. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 15 mph, the vehicle was making an abnormal popping noise or bumping noise. The failure recurred on multiple occasions. The contact believed that the failure was related to NHTSA campaign number: 00v359001 (suspension). The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the ball joint failed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 138,000. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Suspension · Dec 2014
“I got this car in july & shortly thereafter I started hearing a pop here & there in the front end. And its gradually getting worse. I was told to check to see if there may be a recall for the ball or u joints. I need to know if this car is included in a recall or not. And if so how do I go about getting it fixed. *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Oct 2014
“This 2001 lincoln ls sports package has substantial defects that impairs its safety , the safety of its drivers, the safety of its occupants, the safety of other drivers on highways and roads , and the safety of pedestrians. The rocker panels , inner and outer are completely rusted out. Any impact this vehicle incurred will likely to cause death or serious bodily injury if the vehicle is driven and or operated on highways and roads. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2014
When filing, owners marked a crash in 20 of these complaints and injuries in 13 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE NOT TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATIONS WHEN THEY WERE ATTACHED TO THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TORQUE ON THE TWO BALL JOINT ATTACHING NUTS. VEHICLES WITH LOOSE BALL JOINT ATTACHING NUTS WILL EITHER HAVE THE FASTENERS TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATION, OR IF NECESSARY, THE BALL JOINTS WILL BE REPLACED.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
How other years compare
Check your exact LS by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2001 Lincoln LS reliable?
NHTSA has 240 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2001 Lincoln LS. The most complained-about area is suspension (42% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2001 Lincoln LS problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 88,503 miles or less.
Does the 2001 Lincoln LS have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.