2001 Lincoln LS: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Sep 26, 2013 · Electrical, Engine · 120,000 miles · CA · fire

My 01 lincoln ls 3.9 v8 caught fire while it was sitting in my driveway at 11:30 pm. By the time it was noticed, the entire front half was engulfed. It exploded about 3 times (possibly the airbags exploding). The fire department put the fire out before it reached the fuel tank. I had driven it around an hour before. The most damage was near the driver side front of car near where the headlight and air filter were located. The passenger side of the engine compartment had not burned as intense as the driver side. (the driver side front of the hood had completely burned away..) the fire dept said it possibly started in the engine but the fire had burned so much that they could not be sure. No investigation since I only had liability insurance. I have owned the car since 2008 and have noticed different electrical malfunctions such as radio volume increasing, indicator lights randomly coming on/off (atc, ABS, air bag, ect). About one month before fire the car was having issues with not starting and randomly dying as I was driving. The battery was tested and was not the issue. I loved my car but I don't think it was ever free of issues. (window regulators/clips replaced each window twice, oil in cylinders-replaced all cylinders/coils/ect twice, car would lose power/hesitate over 40mph, gas pedal would get stuck if pressed to quickly causing rpms to surge but car would not go over 25-30 MPH and would be extremely hard to stop (it would surge forward and I would have to put all my weight on the brake pedal to keep it from hitting whatever was in front of it) I would temp fix this issue by flicking the idle control lever (which I noticed one of the "e clips" had come off of one of the arms) near the throttle body (which would also get stuck open/closed and have to be cleaned on reg basis.) many more issues not listed here... Beautiful car but definitely a lemon...

Filed Sep 19, 2005 · Lights, Visibility · 30,000 miles · AZ

Window regulator failure. All regulators on vehicle have been replaced at least once over the last 3 years, and now one of those replaced previously is in need of replacement again. Failure renders window completely inoperative. Additionally, the front headlamps continue to build up moisture/condensation in them. These item have been replaced at least twice in the last 3 years and are in need of replace yet again.

Filed Oct 21, 2003 · Acceleration, Lights · 27,208 miles · NY

While backing out of driveway and without prior warning vehicle suddenly accelerated. Both feet were on the brake pedal but vehicle continued to run. *ak the tires were spinning while the brake was applied. Mechanic checked for pedal binding and ran all self test. There were no trouble codes stored in the computer system. The vehicle was road tested in warm and cold conditions. The technician determined that everything was working according to manufacturers specifications. The passenger side headlamp had water inside it. The dealer replaced the headlamp assembly. *ph

Filed Sep 12, 2003 · Lights, Locks · CA

While driving the head lights went out without warning. *nlm the seat belts would bind and did not retract, the windshield cracked (across) due to stress and was replaced, the vehicle lock system was replaced twice, the front headlamp was replaced twice due to condensation, and the windshield wiper system failed and was replaced as well. *scc

Filed Jul 23, 2003 · Lights · OK

My headlights fill up with water whenever any water is present. If it rains or I wash the car both headlights leak water in the assembly. I have had as much as 1/2" of water in the headlight assemblies. I have to remove the assemblies and drain the water through the bulb socket holes then reinstall them. This is a safety problem and someone is going to have an accident because of this. There is a possiblity of someone having water in the light assemblies and while driving at night they could hit a bump and cause the headlights to fail because of the water splashing on the bulbs and burning out, I had this experience, with one bulb. Someone is going to a fatal crash because of this, it's just a matter of time. Lincoln customer service center is not concerned about the problem and told me to pay to have their poor design replaced with new lenses as recommended by my dealer.

Filed Nov 19, 2002 · Lights · NC

The consumers washed the vehicle and the next day noticed that water was behind the right headlamp indicating that it was leaking. They then notified the dealer and was told that they are aware of this problem, and under warranty, the consumers were instructed to leave the headlights on for 15 minutes, and this should take care of the problem, however it did not. The consumer then called ford to inform them that the problem still existed and wanted ford to replace the headlamp., ford in return stated that their policy on this problem was to turn on the headlights not replace the leaking headlamp. The consumer turned the lights on again for another 45 minutes,but there was still water behind the headlamp cover. The consumer feels that the water condensation on the headlight lamp cover will reduce the amount of light that is transmitted by the headlight to the roadway, limiting vision for night driving. *scc