Total Complaints
319 filings
LINCOLN LS · model year
319 NHTSA complaints, 31 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2001LINCOLNLS carries 319 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 31 crashes, 3 fires, 17 injuries, and 3 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2001 LS is suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint with 67 filings, followed by suspension (23) and air bags (22). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 15 investigation files overlapping the 2001 LS, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
319 filings
Crashes Reported
31 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT | 67 |
| SUSPENSION | 23 |
| AIR BAGS | 22 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 21 |
| STEERING | 10 |
| VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS | 10 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 9 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 8 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 6 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 6 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 6 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 5 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 5 |
| POWER TRAIN | 5 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS | 5 |
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE NOT TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATIONS WHEN THEY WERE ATTACHED TO THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS.
The contact owns a 2001 Lincoln LS. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the front suspension ball joint detached. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic; however, it was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 00V359001 (Suspension). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 114,000.
Mileage: 114,000
The contact owns a 2001 Lincoln LS. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH the contact heard an abnormal noise. The contact was able to pull over on the side of the road and the contact noticed the front passenger side tire had separated from the joint. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and the mechanic stated that the vehicle was experiencing a similar failure as NHTSA Campaign Number: 00V359001 (Suspension). The dealer was contacted, and the dealer stated that the vehicle was not under any recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not under NHTSA Campaign Number: 00V359001 (Suspension) and advised that contact NHTSA. The failure mileage was 114,000.
Mileage: 114,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN LS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL POPPING SOUND COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHCILE BEGAN TO SHAKE BACK AND FORTH VIOLENTLY WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER TO SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO HIS RESIDENCE. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WHO IS A CERTIFIED MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE WITH A FRACTURED BALL JOINT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,000.
Mileage: 148,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN LS. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND STALLED. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S DOOR HANDLE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ANTIFREEZE RESERVOIR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,999.
Mileage: 99,999
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN LS. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND STALLED. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S DOOR HANDLE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ANTIFREEZE RESERVOIR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,999.
Mileage: 99,999
AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING DEFECTIVE. VEHICLE NEEDS CLOCKSPRING REPLACEMENT AS AIRBAGS CURRENTLY WILL NOT INFLATE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT.
Mileage: 90,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN LS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE, AIR BAG, AND TRACTION WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE SHOOK ABNORMALLY AND HESITATED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 00V359001 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN LS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE, AIR BAG, AND TRACTION WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE SHOOK ABNORMALLY AND HESITATED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 00V359001 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
ON TWO OCCASIONS MY CAR SUSPENSION HAD FAILED. I AM JUST LUCKY I WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY OR I COULD HAVE BEEN FATALLY WOUNDED. I CAN NOT BELIEVE I NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTICES ABOUT THE SUSPENSION RECALL. THE FIRST INSTANCE I WAS DRIVING IN MY DRIVEWAY AND THE CAR COMPLETELY DROPPED DOWN ON THE TIRES AND COULD NOT MOVE THE VEHICLE. THE SECOND INSTANCE I WAS DRIVING AND THE SUSPENSION FELL ON A REGULAR ROAD NOT A FAST HIGHWAY. IT HAD COST ME $250.00 TO HAVE IT TOWED BOTH TIMES BECAUSE IT COULD NOT BE MOVED BY DRIVING. IN ADDITION THE SECOND FAILURE COST ME $175.00 BECAUSE THE FRONT TIRES WERE RUINED. FOR THE REPAIR WORK ON BOTH INSTANCES COST ME $125.00 EACH TIME TOTALING ANOTHER $250.00 . SO BECAUSE OF SOMEONE'S FAILURE TO TIGHTEN NUTS IT COST ME $675.00 , AND NOT TO MENTION THE RISK OF LOSING MY LIFE. TERRIFYING TO SAY THE LEAST.
Mileage: 110,000
ON TWO OCCASIONS MY CAR SUSPENSION HAD FAILED. I AM JUST LUCKY I WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY OR I COULD HAVE BEEN FATALLY WOUNDED. I CAN NOT BELIEVE I NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTICES ABOUT THE SUSPENSION RECALL. THE FIRST INSTANCE I WAS DRIVING IN MY DRIVEWAY AND THE CAR COMPLETELY DROPPED DOWN ON THE TIRES AND COULD NOT MOVE THE VEHICLE. THE SECOND INSTANCE I WAS DRIVING AND THE SUSPENSION FELL ON A REGULAR ROAD NOT A FAST HIGHWAY. IT HAD COST ME $250.00 TO HAVE IT TOWED BOTH TIMES BECAUSE IT COULD NOT BE MOVED BY DRIVING. IN ADDITION THE SECOND FAILURE COST ME $175.00 BECAUSE THE FRONT TIRES WERE RUINED. FOR THE REPAIR WORK ON BOTH INSTANCES COST ME $125.00 EACH TIME TOTALING ANOTHER $250.00 . SO BECAUSE OF SOMEONE'S FAILURE TO TIGHTEN NUTS IT COST ME $675.00 , AND NOT TO MENTION THE RISK OF LOSING MY LIFE. TERRIFYING TO SAY THE LEAST.
Mileage: 110,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN LS. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE HORN WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO SOUND AND THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 145,000. UPDATED 04/12/16.*JB
Mileage: 145,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN LS. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE A CONNECTOR WAS REPLACED, BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,834.
Mileage: 142,834
DRIVERS SIDE REAR DOOR CAN NOT BE OPENED FROM OUT SIDE THE CAR CAN BE OPENED FROM CABIN SIDE. PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOOR CAN NOT BE OPENED FROM OUT SIDE THE CAR OR FROM CABIN SIDE. FAILURE OCCURED IN EARLY JANUARY 2016. PRESENTS UNSAFE INCONVIENENT SPACE FOR PASSENGERS IF USED. OCCRED PARKED IN DRIVE WAY.
SEAT BELTS MADE POPPING NOISE WHILE DRIVING AND FROZE UP. NOT ABLE TO PULL DOWN. AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON. BOTH HAPPENED WITHIN DAYS OF EACH OTHER
Mileage: 90
SEAT BELTS MADE POPPING NOISE WHILE DRIVING AND FROZE UP. NOT ABLE TO PULL DOWN. AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON. BOTH HAPPENED WITHIN DAYS OF EACH OTHER
Mileage: 90
ON THIS 2001 LINCOLN LS SPORTS PACKAGE , THE ROCKER PANELS, INNER AND OUTER IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT . THESE DEFECTS SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECTS THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE THE LOCAL LINCOLN / FORD DEALERSHIP HAS VERIFIED THESE DEFECTS AND THE WVSP AND DIVISION OF PUBLIC SAFETY HAS INSPECTED AND EXAMINED THIS VEHICLE AND AS AN DIRECT RESULT OF THEIR FINDINGS OF FACT, HAS DEEMED VEHICLE TO BE ROAD UNWORTHY AND POSED TOO SERIOUS RISK FOR ITS DRIVER (MYSELF) , FOR ITS OCCUPANTS (MINE) AND FOR OTHER DRIVERS ON HIGHWAYS AND FOR PEDESTRIANS AND THEREFORE REMOVED IT FROM BEING ABLE TO MOVE, FROM BEING ABLE TO OPERATE , AND REMOVED IT FROM BEING ABLE TO BE DRIVEN ON ANY AND ALL HIGHWAYS.. THE DEFECTS ON THIS VEHICLE IN THEIR FINDINGS OF FACTS ARE SIGNIFICANT AND SERIOUS IN NATURE AND WAS NOT CAUSED BY ME AS THE REGISTERED OWNER OF IT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN LS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL VEERED OUT OF DIRECTION. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE WHEEL BEARING, HUB ASSEMBLY, AND LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 00V359001 (SUSPENSION); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.
Mileage: 113,000
THERE IS A PREVENTITIVE AIR BAG RECALL FOR MY VEHICAL
Mileage: 142,000
FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS AFTER INSPETION ARE CRACKED AND LOSE.
Mileage: 142,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN LS. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL CRUNCHING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THE BALL JOINTS WERE NOT ATTACHED TO THE CONTROL ARM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONTROL ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL FOR HIS VEHICLE MODEL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.
Mileage: 69,000
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.