Comments: 1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-58
I own a 2000 Lincoln LS and have probably put about 7000.00 in repairs in this car. It is in the shop again now. Does anyone have a lawyer friend that could get us a class action lawsuit going like they do about medications? These cars are lemons and we should be able to demand a recall.
I have had ball joint problems, windows crashing down on their own numerous times, check engine light, suspension problems, hot air problems, had to replace coil packs that the Lincoln place charged me over 3500.00 for.
If I ever get out of this Ford I will NEVER BUY ONE AGAIN!! I SAY LAWSUIT; SOMEONE HAS TO KNOW SOMEONE THAT CAN HELP ALL OF US.
Wow... I wish that I would have read all of these comments before I purchased my 04 LS... I'm on my way to the dealership today as a matter of fact...I'm getting the car towed of course because for the third time in two years the piece of junk will not start... coil replacement, A/C blowing hot air, losing speed after turning, stalling, and an engine that sounds like a dump truck... you name it and this car does it... but hey Ford finally sent me a letter owning up to some of these issues... Customer Satisfaction Program 08N01... a promise to replace your PCV valve... they believe that it is causing a leak which could explain the need for coil replacement... the first time my coils were wet and the mechanic had no idea why... this might explain it...
I have a 2002 T Bird which is on the LS frame. I have had to replace some coils due to misfiring. I've had no valve cover leakage though. I find the car runs much better around town with the transmission in 4 rather than 5. The transmission seems to hunt between 4 and 5 when in 5. The engine rpms are usually over 2K in 4 compared to 1800 in 5 but the car runs much better.
I have a 2001 V8 which like everyone seems to agree, is a beautiful car. I've driven it out of state and back and it has about 95K on it. The problem started one day when my engine light came on, then my brake light, then my traction control and air bag lights followed. Apparently, there's some sort of electrical problem with the car in general.
As far as those who experience wet spark plugs / coils, a Lincoln Service tech told me this is a defect in the valve cover gasket. The repairs that I've found DIY (do-it-yourself) are the fuel filter, cabin a/c filter, spark plugs (about 2 hours without advanced tools). The rear wheel bearings are next; any repairs that can be done at home should be done at home. If you have the money to "rebuild" the car then that's the best option; otherwise, prepare for a car that tends to look better than it runs.
I have a 2002 Lincoln LS (BUILT ON THE JAGUAR CHASSIS DESIGN) BRITISH ENGINE, FORD TRANNY... Like most of you have said, it's a beautiful car, handles wonderful, good on gas too. We bought it used, was a lease turn-in. Had 32,000 miles on it then. We now have 87,000 on it now. We have experienced many of the same problems reported in above posts including:
1. The left side A/C started blowing hot air. Left side was OK, blowing cold air. The problem was a defective hot water control valve, which modulates to maintain setpoint temperature when set for heating or cooling. This cost us 340.00 at dealership.
2. The next failure was the brakes. Considering the mileage, not too upset about that, just normal wear and tear. Put 4 new rotors, and pads. I replaced the standard pads, with the newly released pads that are made from, CERAMIC, the same materials that railroad cars uses for their brake shoes... The best advantage I've found is that there is no black brake dust on wheels, no break squealing, and longer life from pads, which has a lifetime warranty from Autozone or NAPA. The cost for all parts was appx. 400.00.
3. OIL FILLER CAP!! PLEASE TAKE NOTE: RECALL ON OIL FILLER CAP. Have you guys noticed oil on the valve covers underneath the oil fill cap? Initially, I thought the oil on the engine, was from the careless techs at quick lubes, which may have spilled oil everywhere. I went to a web site which gives info about recalls on autos. There I found information stating the oil filler caps are defective on the Lincoln LS models. I purchased a new oil filler cap for less than $5.00 at autozone. The left drivers' side is where I've had my problems. Oil blows off the filler cap, down onto the valve cover, and into the hole where the plug, boots, etc. are located.
Next, all the mis-firing starts. I did not use a new Ford valve cover gasket, as they leak, I bought a tube of high temp silicone and made a nice gasket, that works better. Sound familiar? How about this good stuff, Ladies and Gents.. now this is the reason we need a class action law suit! There must be a good attorney out there that has bought one of these money pits, right? I did not replace any of the coil packs, as they checked out OK. The problem is coming from the oil and water which is causing the mis-firing of the plugs. The coil packs are sealed very tightly. I replaced all the plugs, as they were all worn out and had close to .060 of an inch gap on them. Should be around .043.
4. We have had car into shop numerous times trying to get dealership to address the hard shifting problems with the transmission. It slams hard when taking the car out of park and placing it into the "D" position. Even harder when going from Drive to Reverse. We had them look at this numerous times, only to be told that they all do THAT! Well, just because ALL of them do that, does that make it RIGHT? No of course not. But like all the other things we are stuck with it for now anyway.
5. The radiator recovery tank sprung a leak and had to be replaced. The cost of the part was approx. $145.00. I installed it myself. Saved a few hundred there.
6. The most recent thing to wear out is the seat heater, radio controls, air bag device, and horn. Well I've found out that all of these are having same problem. The "Clock Spring" located behind the steering wheel, controls all the buttons on the steering wheel and steering column. Also controls the cruise controls and other functions like air bag, radio button located on steering wheel etc. All of these are now failing. I still have to replace mine. It broke two weeks ago. So when you notice the nice features that quits working.. you can suspect the clock spring. It's like a reel that winds and unwinds a ribbon cable, that sends and receives various signals from controls on the steering wheel. I've been told they are not very hard to replace.. so guess I will find out about that too.
I'm probably leaving off a few other things that have gone wrong.. but cannot remember all of them right now. Maybe all of us together can help each other with the problems.
Hope this helps, and together, perhaps we can get some help with these great, handling and performing cars. Even with these few problems, I do love driving the car, as it has plenty of power, good stability, and good braking performance as well. The exterior and interior is still like new. I guess that about sums it all up for now.
One good thing about the battery being located in the rear of auto, is that its cooler, and therefore the batteries last longer. We are still on our first Autolite factory battery.
Larry
The biggest problem with the oil getting on the spark plug boots is the 4 o-rings on the underside of the valve cover gasket. It is useless to put a new valve cover gasket on without replacing the spark plug tube seals.
Another problem is the plug chamber is usually filled with oil and when the plug is taken out all the oil goes directly into the combustion chamber. Whether it is enough to cause damage when the engine is started, dunno but I wouldn't risk the chance with this motor.
Either turn the motor over with the plugs out or before removing the plugs stick the spark plug socket inside and pull it out a few times wiping the oil off after each time. And use 3m super weatherstrip adhesive to hold the v/c gasket in place also.
Other than the airbag clock spring and the valve cover gaskets leaking, the only other real problem (70,000 miles 02 LS V8) was stalling going down the highway, which was a battery going bad.
I have a 2000 LS V8 that I bought with 49k on it. Now it has 130k due to heavy highway driving. Like everyone else has said, it's a beautiful car, but not worth all the maintenance. Ford should step up to the plate and own up to all the issues that thousands of lS owners are having.
Before the LS, I had a 2000 Lexus ES300 that I bought with 33k, and had 174k on it before I sold to a friend that is still driving it with no problems (stupid me), not one problem with the car other than regular tune ups, normal wear and tear.
This is one of the reasons people don't want to buy American cars, they are not built with the same quality and don't come with the same warranties as foreign. This is why all the US automakers are going under.
My next car in a few moths will be a Lexus, Infiniti, or Nissan Maxima. I wanna keep my money instead of making these inconsiderate people richer by bringing back my car to the dealer every 2 months, and shelling out at least over $300 per trip while they are flying around corporate jets!
I currently have a 2003 Lincoln LS. I have had one issue and that was the coil packs, but Ford has a TSB and will take care of them on my vehicle for up to 100,000 miles. Other than this, I haven't had any real problems with the car. If they made this car now, I would buy another one.
I sadly own a 2001 Lincoln LS. Let me tell you at first it was a great car until PROBLEMS started...
My driver side regulator went out. Had to replace it.
Had to replace ball joint on passenger side.
I live in Utah and SUCKS in snow! Even with traction control, POINTLESS!
A nightmare happened last Spring; driving I hit a pothole at 35 m.p.h, and the next thing the back rear passenger tire sounded weird? Next thing thing the whole rim came OFF!! I luckily made it to side of road! Had to replace everything, even the wheel!
What CRAP the LINCOLN LS is!!! WE NEED TO SUE FORD/LINCOLN.
Now starting to overheat! What's NEXT?? I think the Yugo would have been better!
I own a 2002 Lincoln LS with 77,000 miles. I drove it brand-new off the lot. Love the car - hate the repairs! It is in the shop, again. No hot air coming from the defrosters. Anyone have this problem? Heating has already been repaired twice. Ford paid for the new transmission at 52,000 because of an extended warranty. Seat belt light fixed twice. First time, a spring coil replacement for $625.00, then the real culprit was discovered... a loose wire under the driver's seat only $285.00. There are so many other repairs, I have lost track. While my luxury Lincoln is in the shop, I am driving a 1993 Honda Accord that has never had any service rather than normal maintenance.
Dam2cook: My 2002 Lincoln LS after replacing the valve gaskets with the upgraded version with boots, new injectors and coil packs is still knocking/misfire under load at 40 to 50 MPH. I use premium gas. The dealer has basically told me they give up and don't know what it is. I am floored. How can this be. I like the car and want to fix it. Can anyone point me in the right direction?
I got my LS V8 2001 from my brother. It had 37K. On my way home engine light went on. Mechanic replaced one coil (37K).
Last year it had misfiring problems. I had to paid to dealer over 2500 dollars repairs. They changed other 6 coils, cover valve gasket + plastic reservoir for coolant had to be replaced because there was a small hole. 45 days later (December 08) there is problem with transmission. Dealer told me there is transmission failure, hard part failure and transmission has to be replaces (at 67000 miles!!!)
Estimate for new tranny is 3650 dollars. This is too much. Over 7000 dollars in repairs in one year???!!!
This car is lemon. I have feeling that there is something wrong with front suspension. There is an increase in noise and I feel something is loose there. Frankly, this car became a nightmare for me. Can anybody suggest something to me in this precarious situation?
Thanx, Paul.
Well I guess I can officially join the club of disappointed LS Owners. I have a 2002 V6 with 74,000 miles on it. I purchased the car new in November 2002. I too have had the window regulators replaced multiple times under warranty. Headlights replaced due to moisture (under warranty). Two CD changers replaced. Now I'm going the the clock spring drill, the valve cover leak, the misfire coil changes, oil in the plugs and another window regulator. I almost cried when the dealership told me $2200.00 This is after dropping $1500 three months ago when the harmonic balancer went bad and threw the serpentine belt through the engine, chewing up the hydraulic pump. I'm a tried and true Ford man, but this is too much. I traded in my 96 SHO for this car. The SHO had to have a new engine as the Yamaha engines they put in were of faulty design and would send the cam shaft trashing up the motor.
Ford does not know how to treat it's most loyal owners. I'm buying the Hyundai Genesis after 25 years of Ford products.
I own a 2000 Lincoln LS. It has 197000 on it... it runs really good except for a speed sensor replacement... but today I put the pedal down and it shut down... I need answers.
I just purchased a 2000 Lincoln from a friend about 2 weeks ago. When I bought the car he did repairs on a lot of the problems you all are complaining about. He replaced the cooling fan, did a complete tune-up replacing the coils and the plugs and a few other things. So I was pleased with the purchase.
But 2 weeks later the car is jumping and misfiring. I now am wondering if I made the right decision. I thought I was getting a reliable car, but we will find out.
Also, if you want to be heard and still want to make Ford more accountable you should look www.consumeraffairs.com. They will show you how to contact a lawyer to consider a class action suit. I wish I would have found this forum before I purchased this car.