2000 Lincoln LS from North America - Comments

Wow! Never knew this site existed.

I have owned a 2000 LS V8 Sport Package for 7 years, with 87K. I have not had the overheat, seat warmer, seatback, air bag problems, but I have done the ball joint thing, leaked goop from the rearview mirror, stripped lug nuts, and replaced both rear window regulators just a week after I had to have it towed due to O2 sensor problem. Tow driver asked me if I had replaced rear window regulators as it was known problem. He cursed me!

Anyway, I suspect I have a coil problem now, as it has skipped/hesitated a few times while accelerating on onramps. Dealership is recommending a tranny flush. Anyone think it's worth it?

2000 Lincoln LS V8 with 67k miles, bought in 2004 with 52k miles.

I knew there were a lot of problems with the 2000 before purchasing, all of them mentioned extensively here. I still made the purchase because come on, the LS is pimp! For the most part it's still running and looking great. Here's the list of issues I've had in chronological order:

1) Airbag light was on dash when I bought the car, faulty clockspring. Finally getting that part replaced right now and hopefully the light goes away. I hate dash lights. This is a very common part to go bad on the LS. Part is about $125.

1) Emissions light came on the dash a few months after getting the car home, had the error code pulled, culprit was an O2 sensor "operating below threshold". Didn't really trust Autozone so paid my mechanic $75 to run his diagnostic, he pulled the same code, lol. He didn't give me a definite answer as to what the actual problem was and I didn't want to get caught up in a costly trial-and-error repair process so I just let it slide and the light eventually went off (and came back on... and went back off...) still don't know what the issue is and don't care until I have to.

2) Brake light bulb melted into the passenger-side rear tail light. Impossible to take out, whole assembly needs to be replaced, $225ish factory, $125ish eBay. Also it was leaking moisture inside (like every other light on this car) so double-whammy. D'oh!! New one is on the way eventually. Another common LS problem. Some say it's bad voltage running through the electrical wires other say it's the moisture, whatever it is, there is no permanent fix for it unless you completely rewire your car and get all new lights. Forget that...

3) Inside door handle broke, what a piece of crap that thing is. Driver's side of course. Too late I realized I totally overpaid my mechanic something like $170 for part & labor. Found another person that would have done it for $60. D'oh!!

4) The dreaded thermostat. Getting my first replacement right now in the shop. Thermostat was sticking so the coolant was not properly cooling the engine. Received "Engine power reduced" and "Check engine temperature" messages on the dash off and on. Only $100 for the thermostat though so not a huge gamble, but I know this won't be the end of it. The cooling system in this car sucks.

5) Rotors get worn down pretty quick. I had new brakes & wheels put on three years ago and already rotors are at about 10% life. And the next most common LS problem, the rotor/pad squeak... anyone know of an aftermarket combo that does NOT squeak?? Cause even the factory stuff doesn't seem too great...

That's it... to me it's just the basic wear and tear of a used car that gets driven not too kindly sometimes... also realize you people bought a luxury car so there are going to be tons of electrical components, computer chips, regulators and cable harnesses and all that, all coming with their own unique issues. It's a difficult car to work on and count your lucky stars if you find a knowledgeable and affordable mechanic (or if you are gifted yourself, I'm not).

Oh and to the person above asking about the tranny flush... you definitely should consider getting a transmission service every 30k or so. Mine was in desperate need of one... had some clunkiness between park and reverse, and park and first, the service will clean that right up. I would take it to a good mechanic though and not some crappy EZ Lube who thinks it's just a "flush"... there's more to the service than just that, lots of other parts should be inspected.

Words on LS misfiring:

I'm currently working on a 2002 Lincoln LS 3.9 V8. It has the seemingly famous "misfiring" problem, when the engine is revved to 3000 rpm.

It had oil in the spark plug holes due to failed valve cover gaskets, and the OBDII said it had a misfire on #2 cylinder. I replaced the valve cover gaskets, put in new spark plugs, and cleaned up all oil soaked parts. FYI, the coil packs can be cleaned, as the rubber boots come off, and the springs are just pushed over an electrical spade connector in the coil. So I twisted the spring clockwise to remove.

Anyway, all was cleaned and put back, but I put the coils back in random locations. If the coil is really bad, the computer will find it again and report it. I reset the computer, and sure enough it found it again, only on #4 this time. So I figured it was a bad coil and replaced it. It did NOT fix the problem.

I've seen people posting that having oil in the spark plug holes will "short out" the coils to the cylinder head, causing failure. This theory does not hold (oil), as motor oil is non-conductive, and would not be responsible for the failure of a solid state, factory sealed electronic coil pack.

Not to mention that if they were all truly bad, the car wouldn't run at all. My car run great until the 3000 RPM mark, then starts missing.

I keep reading about dealers wanting to replace all the coils at once. Ignition coils don't blow 6 or 8 at a time, lets get real! In fact, I think the random misfire reports on the computer are false, due to the engine misfiring from lack of fuel, and it's tricking the computer.

In the old days of a single ignition coil and plug wires, this symptom could be caused by a faulty coil, failing under a load. The old test was to run the engine at night, and just watch the coil! If it had hairline cracks in it, you could see the sparks jumping from coil to ground.

The misfiring symptoms certainly act like a lack of fuel. Running great until higher RPMs, when it starts needing more fuel. Mine is failing just sitting in the driveway, revving the engine, so it's not a torque load on the motor, which is the "load" that would cause ignition coil breakdown.

The reported fuel pump or jet pump failure, causing low fuel pressure makes more sense, based on the symptoms I've described. In another blog, a guy spend weeks and thousands on this misfiring problem, only to find a bad fuel pump relay was bad.

Today I'll put a fuel pressure gauge on it and test with engine off, key on. then test with engine running. If readings are low, then it's likely a fuel problem. I'll go for the fuel pump relay first, and throw in a fuel filter while I'm at it. If that doesn't do it, then the fuel pump/jet pump.

If you try also, remember to DISCONNECT THE BATTERY before doing any fuel tank related work!!

I always recommend "stepping back" and thinking about the problem, and applying some common sense troubleshooting to any problem before listening to any dealer mechanic. Their answer is always "do everything" and see what happens.

Does anyone know how hard it is to replace the valve cover gaskets? I know mine need to be replaced and would like to try and do it myself.

I have a 2002 LS. I have had most of the same problems.

Ford dealer replaced our computer, but it was not the computer; go figure. Turned out it was an EGR problem, but still had to pay.

Also front and rear window regulators, front speaker, coils replaced, ball joints, have a loud clunking in the front, VALVE COVER GASKETS, I think it is the sway bar links. O2 sensors, cats, now today the air bag light is on.

HAVE TO SAY I WISH I NEVER GOT THIS CAR.

ALSO MY F-250 V10 HAS BLOWN TWO SPARK PLUGS OUT.

For the question about the valve cover gaskets; if you can change spark plugs, you can change the valve cover gaskets. Just mark all your vacuum lines. It took me some 2 - 4 hours.

2002 Lincoln LS V8 64,000 miles.

1) Since purchased in August of 2005 several repairs of engine misfires.

2) Both front windows bad regulators and motors.

3) Alpine audiophile 6 disc changer faulted twice.

4) Left rear brake light faulted once.

5) Third brake light faulted twice.

6) Driver side rear door jammed close.

7) Oil pan gasket leak.

8) 5 Beeps a set for 5 sets every time I turn the car on. I have been told by the dealership today this is due to 3 faulty ignition coils and to replace all 8 because the others will fault if I do not. Also the dealership said that I should not use aftermarket ignition coils because that just opens and I quote "a hole new bag of worms". Like 800 and some odd dollars to replace.

9) Creaking noise coming from the brakes and suspension.

10) suspension seems extremely loose.

11) My car has also just completely shut down while moving three times.

12) I have also had the interior light dimming problem as stated in earlier comments.

13) Also an outside mechanic informed me that my tie rod ends were going bad.

Does anyone have any advice on what can be done about all these problems I have had with my vehicle.

For the ones that are having O2 sensor problems. There is a good chance that it isn't the O2 sensors. What I had found at about 50.000 miles is that there is a vacuum hose under the intake plenum about 3/4" x 4" that develops a hole in it and will give you a code that it's O2 sensors. It's not the sensors, 4 cannot go bad all at once. Replaced the hose and have never had a problem again with it.

I have also found other vacuum hose leaks as well that will give you a rough idle or hesitation. Most mechanics are not bright enough to figure this out because the computer tells them different. Doesn't matter if they are a Lincoln/Ford mechanic. Some of them don't know squat. I'm just an old school mechanic, but at least I have common sense to figure out something as simple as this.

Seems like 2000 and 2001 seem to have lots of problems, just like their sister car the Jaguar S-type. Hubby wants to buy a 2006 with 23k. Anybody have one or know if the 2006 LS seems to have the kinks worked out?

Thanks!

dj in pa

I too own a 2000 Lincoln LS (V8) and continue to have the overheating problem. Paid $13 for a new thermostat; took 15 minutes to replace as well as a new water pump; $90, and it took 1 hour to replace.

Followed the manufacturer's guidelines to bleed all the air from the system and it is still overheating. I have done everything by the book, and re-done and re-done; still overheating.

I truly recommend to car buyers that this model of car is an absolute lemon through and through. Many many many more problems that I won't go into, but for the life of me, I cannot figure out the overheating problem. Absolutely no leaks anywhere of antifreeze. Any help with this would be greatly appreciated...

Also had the "reduced engine power" and "check engine temp" in January. I replaced all the plugs and it was fine for 3 weeks. Then it happened again, this time realizing that oil was on the plugs, so I guess it's the valve cover gaskets. I also just started smelling oil yesterday. I'd like to replace them myself, does anyone have any recommendations or website references with step by step directions? Also, to top it off my rear passenger side window "almost" rolled up, but not quite, so I get a whistle on the highway. Does anyone know if the regulator or track is rivited or bolted onto the door? Any help would be appreciated. Also, any idea how to fix the heated seats and get the air bag light to turn off. I know that nobody has had these unique problems, but thanks for any help!

I have a 2002 ls v8 and I have had some problems for the past year with when you go to take off it wants to like jerk really badly and I have taken it to the dealer and can't tell me what is wrong. I was wondering if anyone has had that problem... also if you have a car charger DO NOT put it in the front outlet because it will burn the eletrical system up and cost me 7,200 dollars...

Have experienced some of the same problems on my '01 Lincoln LS as everyone else seems to have on this site.

The car stared driving, or I should say floating all over the road. Went to the Goodyear thinking it was a tire issue. They showed me the problem, stating they have never seen this happen. The locking nut on the lower ball joint had backed almost completely off. They checked, and found a recall 00V359001. It deals with ball joint fractures because the locking nut had become loose. I contacted the dealer and Ford; both said the problem was vin number specific, and mine was not covered. Same nut, same problem, but Ford refused to resolve the issue. They did not care that I had planned to buy another Lincoln, or that I had purchased three other Lincoln before the LS. Yes, all cars have problems, but when I told them they lost a valued customer whom would never own another one of their products, they did not seem to care. No wonder Ford continues to see a declining market share.

Good news: I contacted the National Highway Safety Administration Auto Safety Hotline and filed a complaint. As I understand, if anyone experiences the same problem, and reports it to them (NHSA) they will take action. ie: Given, the existing recall, and problem with the lock nut, another complaint and the NHSA notifies Ford, and they are responsible for the repair and will have to reimburse me, or anyone that has paid to have the problem fixed. If you have, or end up having this problem with the lock nut on the lower ball joint loosening, PLEASE, call the NHSA (1-888-327-4236) and file a complaint.

The repair cost is in excess of 1000.00 dollars, and failing to fix the problem could lead to a very serious accident. The only way to make a company like Ford take action is to be pro-active and to take action ourselves.

Wow. Same LS as y'all. Same Story.

I won't get into exact repairs (as they have been represented 100-fold in previous posts)... but I am ready and willing to sign on to any class action suit that's kicked off.

Let me know! yupyuponesix@yahoo.com.