2004 Lincoln LS: problems, recalls and reliability
0 recalls and 91 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (18% of complaints).
Data updated weekly
0
recalls
91
owner complaints
1
fire reports
64,000
typical failure mileage, mi
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Among the quietest LS years (#5 of 6 by complaints, age-adjusted)No recall campaigns1 fire report
Common problems
Computed from 91 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
Engine And Engine Cooling (engine, radiator, overheating)18% · 16 complaints
Power Train (transmission, axles, driveline)14% · 13 complaints
Air Bags (airbags and crash sensors)13% · 12 complaints
Electrical System (battery, wiring, electronics)12% · 11 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control (unintended acceleration, cruise control)11% · 10 complaints
Fuel System, Gasoline (fuel pump, tank, lines)6% · 5 complaints
“The transmission in these cars go out without warning. They will stop the vehicle from accelerating when driving down the road. You will have to pull over and once you pullover and come to a complete stop it will not let the car engage into gear and move.”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2019
“While driving in the evening, on a slightly winding, smooth, gravel road at about 30 to 35 mph, temperature about 34 degrees f, the airbag in the passenger seat deployed. There was not any form or type of collision. During the time I have had the car, about 2 years, there has not been any form of collision damage, as far as I know there was not any prior history of any type of collision damage. There was an occupant in the seat, his shoulder felt sore and his hearing was affected at the time.”Owner report · Seats · Dec 2017
“Normal clear weather driving down busy street when care suddenly slowed down almost resulting in a collision with vehicles behind me. The engine stopped , I restarted with very limited drivability the etc failsafe mode kicked in for no apparent reason this issue must be addressed before someone is seriously injured.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jan 2016
Show 7 more owner reports
“Was coming home from the store I was going 55mph and out of no where the headlights turn off....pulled over turned off the car then back on and work for like a min then again I almost crash because no light..a 15min drive home became 50min had to be pulling over all the way home....due to the lights turning off on there own... *tr”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jan 2015
“While driving 5 mph on a driveway, the passenger ceiling air bag deployed from the front seat to the back seat. The car didn't hit anything. Passenger was injured. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 lincoln ls. While accelerating from a stop, the vehicle experienced a reduction in engine power. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road and the engine was turned off. Upon restarting, the wrench warning symbol displayed continuously until after the vehicle was turned off and restarted multiple times. The failure occurred three times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 57,900.”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2014
“Brand new battery in car. Come out to start car. Battery is dead. My mechanic has car for three days. He tried to find a short. He instructed me to make sure all doors are completely closed and lights are all out. This was after multiple dead batteries. I made sure of all the above and still came out to dead batteries. I manually turn off the lights as I came out to them being on after I had watched them dim and go out. I replaced the new battery with another new battery and I am still having problems. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2014
“While traveling at 40 mph on flat, smooth two lane roadway the driver side curtain and side seat airbags deployed striking driver on left shoulder and facial area. There was no side impact or rough road prior to deployment. Driver was able to keep control of vehicle and move to berm. Driver suffered soft tissue trauma to left shoulder, upper arm and face. Side curtain airbag damaged interior roof header upon deployment. Driver seat side airbag appears to have not fully deployed and expanded inside the seat ripping out a 3 foot area of stitching and tearing the leather seating material in the immediate area. Contacted ford motor company and they refused responsibility. *js”Owner report · Seats · Apr 2014
“No brakes till engine warms up. Pedal good but no brakes. New pads and rotors. No idiot lite. Mechanic can't figure out why it does this. *js”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jan 2014
“Tl- the contact owns a 2004 lincoln ls. The contact stated that when driving at various speeds, the vehicle began to shake violently, the ect engine fail safe mode warning light illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis and the contact was informed that the throttle body would need to be replaced, and the tcm would need to be reprogrammed. The vehicle was repaired however, two weeks later the failure recurred. The vehicle was returned to the dealer and the contact was informed that there was a coil failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure and current mileage was 122,448. Kmj”Owner report · Jul 2013
When filing, owners marked a crash in 8 of these complaints and injuries in 12 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
How other years compare
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Is the 2004 Lincoln LS reliable?
NHTSA has 91 owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns on record for the 2004 Lincoln LS. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (18% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2004 Lincoln LS problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 64,000 miles or less.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.