2002 Lincoln LS review from North America

Purchased at 53,000 miles.

After 55,000 miles the driver side heated seat malfunctioned. Followed by the back window defroster. This happend once winter hit. (Go figure) These I have not had fixed yet.

Once winter hit the driver side ball joint area began to creek when turning. I had this diagnosed and the dealer suggested replacing the lower ball joint at about $700.00, reason being that the ball joint system is sealed and the only way to replace it is by replacing the entire lower arm. I refused and dealt with it however when temperatures warmed up the sound went away and has not been back since.

As soon as 63,000 miles hit the cruise control button malfunctioned and the air bag light illuminated. The culprit is the cheaply made plastic clock spring installed behind the air bag. As usual, dealer only item at $147.00. I have yet to find one anywhere on-line.

By 65,000 miles my transmission began showing symptoms of leaking. I have tranny fluid dripping down the driver side and during diagnosis at the shop the minimum cost to see what it may be will be around $600.00 since the transmission has to be removed from the Axel and engine to even see what it might be. (Also you cannot add fluid it is sealed down below)

Just recently I had new tires installed and the center caps on the premium rims are the very cheap plastic that cost around $80.00 to replace. Honestly I've seen Pez dispensers put together with more quality plastic than these center caps.

Another big peeve of mine with this vehicle is the lug nuts. When I work on it myself I am very careful at removing the lug nuts. However I believe that Lincoln happily choose to use these aluminum / tin capped lug nuts because over time they will strip thus resulting you to buying them from a dealership at $7.00 a piece. You cannot buy after market heavy duty chrome lugs anywhere not even tire places, on-line wholesale or e-bay.

As of now I'm praying nothing else happens. When I purchased the vehicle I bought a dealer service CD (The same info that Service Techs use at the dealership) I'm a car nut, I've restored vehicles and avoid the dealership at all cost because as you know they're very expensive if you do not have the warranty.

Although the many defaults I've had with it after driving it for 20,000 miles I really expected a lot more from the vehicle. Expensive cars like this should be build like the space shuttles. I love riding in it on road trips, and the attension it brings because lets face it these car are not everywhere. As it sits now I see that this car is a money pit, concealed by the LS's beautiful looks, luxury finish, and clean stainless underside the relaxes well on the jaguar chassis. I saw it as a masterpiece and with it's high performance abilities I love it. But my relationship with this car has not been a healthy one, therefore I will be divorcing it and once it's gone I will not be looking back.