The transmission in these cars go out without warning. They will stop the vehicle from accelerating when driving down the road. You will have to pull over and once you pullover and come to a complete stop it will not let the car engage into gear and move.
The worst 2004 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.
- Engine28
- Transmission19
- Electrical18
- Acceleration15
- Airbags15
- Brakes9
- Fuel system9
- Lights4
- Seats4
- Driver assistance2
- Steering2
- Visibility2
- Body1
- Suspension1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2004 Lincoln LS
Stalling 16Check engine light 9Jerking 9Hesitation 5Won't shift 5Sudden acceleration 5
Recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Technical service bulletins for the 2004 Lincoln LS 68
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...
- The Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic...
- 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
- 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
2004 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 | 15 | 21-23 | 18 |
What 2004 Lincoln LS owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Hi. I bought this car and I kept smelling gas very bad. To the point the whole house smelt and when I park the car I can smell it. I figured there had to be a problem but could not find a leak. I decided to look online and found lincoln had a recall for defective gas tanks which has the symptoms I'm encountering. Its a high safety issue which can start a fire and or have health issues with me and the kids. Well turns out my car with that VIN did not have a recall even though there was a recall for same year and make but not mine for some reason. It is obvious that my vehicle needed to be recalled to fix it. Im in desperate need to have it repaired and dont know what to do. I dont have the funds to fix there mistake. Please help in any way you can. Thank you, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
While driving in the evening, on a slightly winding, smooth, gravel road at about 30 to 35 MPH, temperature about 34 degrees f, the airbag in the passenger seat deployed. There was not any form or type of collision. During the time I have had the car, about 2 years, there has not been any form of collision damage, as far as I know there was not any prior history of any type of collision damage. There was an occupant in the seat, his shoulder felt sore and his hearing was affected at the time.
Normal clear weather driving down busy street when care suddenly slowed down almost resulting in a collision with vehicles behind me. The engine stopped , I restarted with very limited drivability the etc failsafe mode kicked in for no apparent reason this issue must be addressed before someone is seriously injured.
Was coming home from the store I was going 55mph and out of no where the headlights turn off....pulled over turned off the car then back on and work for like a min then again I almost crash because no light..a 15min drive home became 50min had to be pulling over all the way home....due to the lights turning off on there own...
While driving 5 MPH on a driveway, the passenger ceiling air bag deployed from the front seat to the back seat. The car didn't hit anything. Passenger was injured.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 lincoln ls. While accelerating from a stop, the vehicle experienced a reduction in engine power. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road and the engine was turned off. Upon restarting, the wrench warning symbol displayed continuously until after the vehicle was turned off and restarted multiple times. The failure occurred three times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 57,900.
Brand new battery in car. Come out to start car. Battery is dead. My mechanic has car for three days. He tried to find a short. He instructed me to make sure all doors are completely closed and lights are all out. This was after multiple dead batteries. I made sure of all the above and still came out to dead batteries. I manually turn off the lights as I came out to them being on after I had watched them dim and go out. I replaced the new battery with another new battery and I am still having problems.
While traveling at 40 MPH on flat, smooth two lane roadway the driver side curtain and side seat airbags deployed striking driver on left shoulder and facial area. There was no side impact or rough road prior to deployment. Driver was able to keep control of vehicle and move to berm. Driver suffered soft tissue trauma to left shoulder, upper arm and face. Side curtain airbag damaged interior roof header upon deployment. Driver seat side airbag appears to have not fully deployed and expanded inside the seat ripping out a 3 foot area of stitching and tearing the leather seating material in the immediate area. Contacted ford motor company and they refused responsibility.
No brakes till engine warms up. Pedal good but no brakes. New pads and rotors. No idiot lite. Mechanic can't figure out why it does this.
Compare the 2004 Lincoln LS
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Questions about the 2004 Lincoln LS
Is the 2004 Lincoln LS reliable?
Owners have filed 91 complaints about the 2004 Lincoln LS, close to a typical LS model year.
What is the 2004 Lincoln LS year score?
The 2004 Lincoln LS scores 73 out of 100 (average). 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 2004 Lincoln LS?
Engine and cooling, with 28 complaints, typically around 61,000 miles. Next is transmission (19).
How many recalls does the 2004 Lincoln LS have?
No recalls on record.
What gas mileage does the 2004 Lincoln LS get?
Official estimates for the 2004 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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