We have owned this car for about 3 years and it has been one problem after another and see same problems on line 1) Will start over heating sometimes at idle sometimes while driving (try being in DFW rush hour traffic and deal with that 2) Wife was driving one day and a bolt on right lower control arm broke sending her across 4 lanes of traffic including on coming. 3) All of a sudden when brake pedal was depressed started hearing vacuum leak under dash, brake pedal real hard , and couldn't hardly get car to stop, traction control light started flashing. Found bad brake booster and sensor located on it (both unavailable from manufacturer), also found on line that to get light to stop flashing you have to take to dealer and have reprogrammed (nobody else has the ability) 4) Have constantly had problem with check engine light staying on and running rough, no power, and having to replace ignition coils 5) While wife was driving with no advance notice of any kind heading home on farm market road with no shoulder to pull off on transmission went out completely and stopped pulling 6) Rear control arm bushings go from ok to extremely bad causing back end to drift from side to side going down the highway in a blink of an eye 7) Right front sway bar link keeps wearing control arm and snapping stud off 8) Sunroof drain hoses constantly failing and allowing water to get to electrical components The list goes on but all you have to do is a online search of the LS sport with the 3.9 v-8 and see all the problems. I was in automotive for over 16 years and every vehicle generally has its know couple problems but this is way beyond that. There hasn't been any accidents or injuries but real close to it.
The worst 2003 Lincoln LS problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Transmission20
- Engine15
- Electrical11
- Brakes8
- Acceleration7
- Suspension7
- Airbags6
- Seats6
- Steering6
- Wheels6
- Fuel system5
- Driver assistance3
- Tires3
- Body1
- Visibility1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Lincoln LS
Recalls 1
Wheels
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger vehicles equipped with 17 inch chrome wheels, the chrome wheels were not heat-treated. These wheels may crack at the lug-nut holes, which could result in the loss of the lug-nut torque.
- Risk
- If this condition occurs, the driver may experience noise and/or vibration while driving the vehicle. Continued operation of the vehicle could result in the wheel separating from the hub, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the wheels to make sure that all the wheels have been heat-treated. Any wheel that has not been heat-treated will be replaced. Owner notification began april 14, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact lincoln at 1‑800‑521‑4140.
Recall number 03V136000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2003 Lincoln LS 81
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This article supersedes TSB 19-2026 to update the vehicle model years affected
- Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit...
- Ford/lincoln/mercury: may have sludge buildup in throttle body leading to less airflow or engine idling...
- Ford/lincoln mercury: certain 2003-2005 model year lincoln ls and ford thunderbird vehicles equipped with...
- Lincoln service campaign: certain 2003-2005 lincoln ls vehicles equipped with duratec 3.0L 4V engine. pcv...
- Parking aid system is inoperative - DTC C1983. kb
- Certain 2003 model year lincoln ls and ford thunderbird vehicles equipped with 3.9L engine - extended...
- Parking aid system inoperative - DTC C1983. kb
- Excessive electrical system current draw which could result in a discharged battery and a no crank...
- Wds cop kit diagnostic tip - coil on plug (cop) ignition systems - engine misfire or rough running. tt
2003 Lincoln LS fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6‑cyl | RWD | 17-18 | 24-25 | 20-21 |
| 3.9L 8‑cyl | RWD | 16 | 22-23 | 18 |
What 2003 Lincoln LS owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2003 Lincoln LS. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle was vibrating abnormally. The contact stated that the chrome wheels were leaking air which caused the tires to become flat. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact stated that the failure was like the federal safety agency campaign number: 03V136000 (Wheels). The failure mileage was 120,000.
Car gets to hot my fill bucket for the radiator keeps getting a hole in the bottom of it or some where I have replaced it twice and again the same problem with this car. And it has over heated and goes all the way to h now because of this problem it mite now need head gaskets y can't you make this car better then it is and make it with no problems there junk I won't even tell anyone to buy this piece of junk.and it saying safe fail mode over and over like this car is problem after problem can someone fix my car for me at no cost please.
While driving this car on a highway or street any time it encounters small bumps the wheel turns and there's a loud slamming sound from the front passenger and driver side of the car. It's worse going into turns speed does not matter you can go slow or fast and the loud slamming sound is there. It feels very unsafe and dangerous. But me being a senior citizen with a son who as a disability we cannot afford to get this fixed our selves. It started a while ago but was not that bad but it just progressed and got worse. We need this car for doctors appointments and food shopping. We cant travel far for fear of being in a crash or being stranded.
When ever the car is driven any little bump or patch in the road has the car making a loud slam sound even worse going over any bump and even worse into turns. Also the wheel seems to pull at those times as well, this is on any street or highway while driving, feels very scary and unsafe. We don't have funds to fix this and it's been a problem only getting worse.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 lincoln ls. While driving various speeds, the gear shifter became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to autofarm ford lincoln (221 mall rd, logansport, in 46947, 574‑753‑6294) where it was diagnosed that the cycloid patch failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 lincoln ls. While driving various speeds, the transmission malfunctioned. The contact stated that the transmission hardshifted, which caused the vehicle to lunge forward on more than one occasion. Jackson ford in decatur, illinois was made aware of the failure, but the source of the failure could not be determined. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 lincoln ls. While driving unknown speeds, the vehicle failed to engage into overdrive and the check transmission indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The contact called a local dealer (casey jackson ford, 1435 e main st, royston, ga 30662) and was informed that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The failure mileage was 78,000. *tt
Car goes into fail safe each and every time it is driven. It did so 19 times today. I connected a code reader which identified the problems as being related to the throttle control and the throttle body. I purchased the car 1 1/2 months ago. Prior owner had the throttle body replaced with a new mopar unit 4 months ago/ 2000.miles ago. Don't want to replace it again since this is likely not the problem.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 lincoln ls. While the vehicle was parked, there was a strong fuel odor coming from the rear passenger side of the vehicle. In addition, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to two independent mechanics who confirmed the fuel odor along the rear passenger side wheel. The contact was informed that a lot of parts would need to be removed in order to diagnose the failure. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 05v113000 (fuel system). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.
Compare the 2003 Lincoln LS
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Questions about the 2003 Lincoln LS
Is the 2003 Lincoln LS reliable?
Owners have filed 68 complaints about the 2003 Lincoln LS, fewer than a typical LS model year.
What is the 2003 Lincoln LS year score?
The 2003 Lincoln LS scores 81 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Lincoln LS: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 Lincoln LS?
Transmission and drivetrain, with 20 complaints, typically around 78,000 miles. Next is engine (15).
How many recalls does the 2003 Lincoln LS have?
1 recall, covering wheels.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Lincoln LS get?
Official estimates for the 2003 Lincoln LS range from 18 to 21 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.0L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 17-18 city and 24-25 highway.
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