LINCOLN LS · model year

2002 LINCOLN LS

179 NHTSA complaints, 31 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2002LINCOLNLS carries 179 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 31 crashes, 0 fires, 11 injuries, and 0 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 2002 LS is air bags with 16 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling:engine (14) and suspension (12). 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.

NHTSA currently has 15 investigation files overlapping the 2002 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.

179
Complaints
31
Crashes
0
Fires
11
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

179 filings

Crashes Reported

31 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS16
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE14
SUSPENSION12
SUSPENSION:FRONT9
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING8
STEERING8
POWER TRAIN8
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION7
SERVICE BRAKES6
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL5
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM5
STRUCTURE:BODY4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC4
WHEELS4

Recent Complaints

20221011VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

The contact owns a 2002 Lincoln LS. The contact stated while driving at 50-55 MPH, the vehicle accelerated unintendedly. The brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that he stood on the brake pedal until the vehicle responded 8-10 minutes later. The vehicle speed was 120 MPH at the time the contact regained control of the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving. The contact shifted into neutral (N) and veered to the side of the road where the vehicle came to a complete stop. The contact then shifted into park (P). However, the RPMs revved up to 5,000 MPH. The contact turned off the vehicle. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 230,000.

Mileage: 230,000

20221011SERVICE BRAKES

The contact owns a 2002 Lincoln LS. The contact stated while driving at 50-55 MPH, the vehicle accelerated unintendedly. The brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that he stood on the brake pedal until the vehicle responded 8-10 minutes later. The vehicle speed was 120 MPH at the time the contact regained control of the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving. The contact shifted into neutral (N) and veered to the side of the road where the vehicle came to a complete stop. The contact then shifted into park (P). However, the RPMs revved up to 5,000 MPH. The contact turned off the vehicle. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 230,000.

Mileage: 230,000

20220317SUSPENSION

I have a 2002 lincoln LS v8 the passenger ball joint came loose and broke had it fixed driver side has now came loose and rattling

20210716TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2002 Lincoln LS. The contact stated that the advanced traction control warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed but was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that they were unable to provide any assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000. The vin was not available.

Mileage: 103,000

20210123STEERING

BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE LOWER BALL JOINTS HAVE FRACTURED, BEEN REPLACED AND HAVE FRACTURED AGAIN. THE STUD POST ITSELF CONTINUES TO FRACTURE ABOVE THE CONTROL ARM MOUNTING HOLE, DESPITE BOTH BALL JOINTS BEING REPLACED AND RETORQUED TO MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDED TIGHTNESS.

Mileage: 188,000

20210123SUSPENSION

BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE LOWER BALL JOINTS HAVE FRACTURED, BEEN REPLACED AND HAVE FRACTURED AGAIN. THE STUD POST ITSELF CONTINUES TO FRACTURE ABOVE THE CONTROL ARM MOUNTING HOLE, DESPITE BOTH BALL JOINTS BEING REPLACED AND RETORQUED TO MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDED TIGHTNESS.

Mileage: 188,000

20200206CrashSERVICE BRAKES

MY DAUGHTER WAS A RESTRAINED DRIVER ON A HIGHWAY ---IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, MOVING ABOUT 55MPH. THE CAR IN FRONT OF HER BRAKED SUDDENLY AND WHEN MY DAUGHTER PUSHED ON THE BRAKE IT WENT TO THE FLOOR AND SHE HAD NO BRAKES. SHE CLIPPED THAT CAR REAR END AND SWERVED RIGHT'HITTING A SECOND CAR AS SHE GOT TO THE SHOULDER. SHE SCRAPPED ALONG THE METAL RAIL FOR A DISTANCE AND THEN WENT OFF THE ROAD IN TO A GULLY AND HIT A POLE AND AN DIRT EMBANKMENT. BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE LIGHT POLE DID NOT LOOK DAMAGED, I THINK THE POLE MUST HAVE HAD A LARGE CEMENT BASE, BASED ON THE EXTENT AND SHAPE OF THE FRONT END DAMAGE. THE CAR IS TOTALED. THE AIR BAGS DID A GREAT JOB. SHE HAS A BAD SPRAIN ON HER ANKLE THAT SHE WAS TRYING TO BRAKE WITH AND SORE EVERYWHERE. A FAMILY MEMBER WORKS AT FORD . HE ASKED ME TO CHECK THE BRAKE FLUID SINCE BOTH FRONT AND REAR BRAKES FAILED. I CHECKED THE BRAKE PEDDLE AND IT WENT TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT ANY RESISTANCE. I CHECKED THE BRAKE RESERV

20191021AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LINCOLN LS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE IF THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING OR UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.*PM*JB

Mileage: 80,000

20190516CrashAIR BAGS

'TAKATA RECALL' I WAS DRIVING AND WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT. THERE WAS MAJOR DAMAGE THE FRONT OF MY CAR AND THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED.

Mileage: 100,000

20190516CrashSTRUCTURE:BODY

'TAKATA RECALL' I WAS DRIVING AND WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT. THERE WAS MAJOR DAMAGE THE FRONT OF MY CAR AND THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED.

Mileage: 100,000

20181031AIR BAGS

PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON. WHEN I TURN THE KEY ON THE LIGHT COME ON THE DISPLAY.

Mileage: 85,251

20180810AIR BAGS

AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON

20180621ENGINE

WHEN I DRIVE APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES, MY 2002 LINCOLN LS WANTS TO OVERHEAT AND SHUT DOWN ON ME. I HAVE TO WAIT TILL IT COOLS DOWN AND THEN START IT UP AND PROCEED ON MY WAY.

Mileage: 35

20180621VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHEN I DRIVE APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES, MY 2002 LINCOLN LS WANTS TO OVERHEAT AND SHUT DOWN ON ME. I HAVE TO WAIT TILL IT COOLS DOWN AND THEN START IT UP AND PROCEED ON MY WAY.

Mileage: 35

20180621UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WHEN I DRIVE APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES, MY 2002 LINCOLN LS WANTS TO OVERHEAT AND SHUT DOWN ON ME. I HAVE TO WAIT TILL IT COOLS DOWN AND THEN START IT UP AND PROCEED ON MY WAY.

Mileage: 35

20180314POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LINCOLN LS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND SHUT DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTARTED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, THE HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 160,000.

Mileage: 160,000

20180314ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LINCOLN LS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND SHUT DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTARTED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, THE HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 160,000.

Mileage: 160,000

20170815FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

CADILAC CONVERTER RATTLE AND MAKE LOUD NOISES. IDLER STAY HIGH, IVE CHANGED IT THREE TIMES DEALER EVEN TRIED, BUT WANTS ME TO KEEP SPENDING MONEY ON OTHER IDEAS THEY HAVE OF WHAT THE PROBLEM IS

20170815SUSPENSION

CADILAC CONVERTER RATTLE AND MAKE LOUD NOISES. IDLER STAY HIGH, IVE CHANGED IT THREE TIMES DEALER EVEN TRIED, BUT WANTS ME TO KEEP SPENDING MONEY ON OTHER IDEAS THEY HAVE OF WHAT THE PROBLEM IS

20170713CrashAIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 LINCOLN LS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE DROVE THROUGH A STOP SIGN AND CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. ONLY THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT, BUT THE FORCE OF THE CRASH INJURED THE CONTACTS NECK, FRACTURED HIS BACK IN TWO PLACES, AND FRACTURED HIS STERNUM. THE CONTACT ALSO SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE PAINS IN THE LOWER BACK AND BUTTOCKS DUE TO NO AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE UPON IMPACT. THE CONTACT HAD TO CONTINUE TREATMENTS AND WAS MEDICATED DAILY BECAUSE OF THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOWED THE VEHICLE TO A YARD AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN IF THEY INVESTIGATED THE FAILURE IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

Compare 2002LINCOLNLS to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2002 LINCOLN LS have?
The 2002 LINCOLN LS has 179 NHTSA complaints, 31 crashes, 0 fires, 11 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 LINCOLN LS?
The most-complained component for the 2002 LINCOLN LS is AIR BAGS with 16 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE and SUSPENSION.
Is the 2002 LINCOLN LS safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

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.