2003 Lincoln LS: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 68 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (19% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2003
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 68 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2003 Lincoln LS. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle was vibrating abnormally. The contact stated that the chrome wheels were leaking air which caused the tires to become flat. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact stated that the failure was like NHTSA campaign number: 03V136000 (Wheels). The failure mileage was 120,000.”Owner report · Tires · Jul 2021
“Car gets to hot my fill bucket for the radiator keeps getting a hole in the bottom of it or some where I have replaced it twice and again the same problem with this car. And it has over heated and goes all the way to h now because of this problem it mite now need head gaskets y can't you make this car better then it is and make it with no problems there junk I won't even tell anyone to buy this piece of junk.and it saying safe fail mode over and over like this car is problem after problem can someone fix my car for me at no cost please.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Aug 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 lincoln ls. While driving various speeds, the gear shifter became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to autofarm ford lincoln (221 mall rd, logansport, in 46947, 574-753-6294) where it was diagnosed that the cycloid patch failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 lincoln ls. While driving various speeds, the transmission malfunctioned. The contact stated that the transmission hardshifted, which caused the vehicle to lunge forward on more than one occasion. Jackson ford in decatur, illinois was made aware of the failure, but the source of the failure could not be determined. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2017
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 lincoln ls. While the vehicle was parked, there was a strong fuel odor coming from the rear passenger side of the vehicle. In addition, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to two independent mechanics who confirmed the fuel odor along the rear passenger side wheel. The contact was informed that a lot of parts would need to be removed in order to diagnose the failure. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 05v113000 (fuel system). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · May 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 lincoln ls. While driving unknown speeds, the vehicle failed to engage into overdrive and the check transmission indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The contact called a local dealer (casey jackson ford, 1435 e main st, royston, ga 30662) and was informed that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The failure mileage was 78,000. *tt *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2017
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2016
“While driving this car on a highway or street any time it encounters small bumps the wheel turns and there's a loud slamming sound from the front passenger and driver side of the car. It's worse going into turns speed does not matter you can go slow or fast and the loud slamming sound is there. It feels very unsafe and dangerous. But me being a senior citizen with a son who as a disability we cannot afford to get this fixed our selves. It started a while ago but was not that bad but it just progressed and got worse. We need this car for doctors appointments and food shopping. We cant travel far for fear of being in a crash or being stranded.”Owner report · Suspension · Feb 2016
“When ever the car is driven any little bump or patch in the road has the car making a loud slam sound even worse going over any bump and even worse into turns. Also the wheel seems to pull at those times as well, this is on any street or highway while driving, feels very scary and unsafe. We don't have funds to fix this and it's been a problem only getting worse.”Owner report · Suspension · Feb 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 17 INCH CHROME WHEELS, THE CHROME WHEELS WERE NOT HEAT-TREATED. THESE WHEELS MAY CRACK AT THE LUG-NUT HOLES, WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE LOSS OF THE LUG-NUT TORQUE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WHEELS TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL THE WHEELS HAVE BEEN HEAT-TREATED. ANY WHEEL THAT HAS NOT BEEN HEAT-TREATED WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 14, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT LINCOLN AT 1-800-521-4140.
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 2003 Lincoln LS reliable?
NHTSA has 68 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2003 Lincoln LS. The most complained-about area is power train (19% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2003 Lincoln LS problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 66,400 miles or less.
Does the 2003 Lincoln LS have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning wheels. 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.