2003 Lincoln LS recalls and problems

The 2003 Lincoln LS has 1 safety recall and 68 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Lincoln dealer.

Recalls

Complaints

Crashes / fires

3 / 0

Injuries / deaths

3 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2003 Lincoln LS vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2003 Lincoln LS recalls

Recall 03V-136: Wheels

Reported Apr 7, 2003 · 1,736 vehicles affected · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

2003 Lincoln LS problems reported by owners

Problem area	Reports
Power Train	21
Electrical System	12
Engine and Engine Cooling	8
Suspension	8
Vehicle Speed Control	7
Engine	7
Steering	6
Air Bags	6
Seats	6
Wheels	6
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	4
Equipment	3

Most reported parts

Air Bags › Side/Window — 6
Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 5
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 3
Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under Dash — 2
Equipment › Electrical › Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc. — 2
Seats › Front Assembly › Head Restraint — 2
Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel — 2
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Auxillary Tank › Selector Devices — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 59,788 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2003 Lincoln LS complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Engine · reported Aug 5, 2022

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…

Wheels · at 120,000 miles · reported Jul 29, 2021

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 NHTSA campaign number: 03V136000 (Wheels). The failure mileage was 120,000.

Engine · at 200,000 miles · reported Sep 16, 2019

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.

Service Brakes · at 58,778 miles · reported Apr 26, 2019

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…

Suspension · at 59,788 miles · reported Apr 23, 2019

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.

Other Lincoln LS years

2006 2005 200420032002 2001 2000

Compare all Lincoln LS years · All Lincoln models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2003 Lincoln LS have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2003 Lincoln LS: 03V-136 (wheels). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2003 Lincoln LS?

Owners report power train problems most often (21 reports), followed by electrical system (12). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 59,788 miles.

Are Lincoln recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Lincoln dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.