Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 368 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Lincoln LS, and it carries 1 recall. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 104 | 28% |
| Air bags | 36 | 10% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 29 | 8% |
| Power train | 27 | 7% |
| Visibility | 15 | 4% |
| Vehicle speed control | 14 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 12 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 12 | 3% |
| Structure | 12 | 3% |
| Tires | 11 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
BALL JOINT BOLTS LOOSEN OR DON'T TIGHTEN TO SPECIFICATIONS WHICH CAUSES A LOT OF WEAR AND TEAR ON THE FRONT END OF MY VEHICLE. I'VE HAD TO HAVE THEM REPLACED TWICE AND TIGHTENED UP OR RE-FIXED SEVERAL TIMES IT'S UNSAFE A
NHTSA complaint: Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2000 LINCOLN LS. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL PULLED TO THE RIGHT AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE INTO A DITCH. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLO
NHTSA complaint: Steering
THE HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL JUST SUDDENLY QUIT WORKING DOES A MASTER AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIAN ASE-CERTIFIED I DECIDED TO CHECK IT OUT BEFORE I CONTACTED THE DEALER THE PROBLEM IS IN THE CLOCK SPRING THE CLOCK SPRING HAS FAI
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 LINCOLN LS. WHILE SLOWING DOWN THE VEHICLE, IT SURGED AND ACCELERATED UNEXPECTEDLY SEVERAL TIMES AND THE TACHOMETER INCREASED. THE CONTACT CONSTANTLY HAD TO APPLY THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SLOW DOWN
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
MY 2000 LINCOLN LS LEAKING FROM THE GAS TANK. THIS WAS IDENTIFIED AS A DEFECT IN 2005 BUT ACCORDING TO LINCOLN MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PERHAPS LIFE THREATENING . WHEN I WAS LA
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 LINCOLN LS. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SWAYED AND THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL SOUND. THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE AND OBSERVED THAT THE AXLE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 LINCOLN LS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE BATTERY WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
I WAS GETTING ON A FREEWAY ON RAMP THAT TURNED NOT GOING MORE THAN MAYBE BETWEEN 30-35 MPH AND WHEN ALMOST GETTING READY TO MERG ON TO THE FREEWAY MY LOWER RIGHT BALL JOINT BROKE. CAUSING MY WHEEL TO TURN SIDE WAYS AND P
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2000 Lincoln LS. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE NOT TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATIONS WHEN THEY WERE ATTACHED TO THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS.
Risk: IF THE BALL JOINT ATTACHING NUTS ARE NOT ADEQUATELY TIGHTENED, THEY CAN LOOSEN AND, ULTIMATELY, RESULT IN FRACTURE OF THE BALL JOINT STUD. IF THE BALL JOINT FRACTURES, CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE COULD BE
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TORQUE ON THE TWO BALL JOINT ATTACHING NUTS. VEHICLES WITH LOOSE BALL JOINT ATTACHING NUTS WILL EITHER HAVE THE FASTENERS TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATION, OR IF NECESSARY, THE BAL
| Reliability raw | 72 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 74 | good |
| Maintenance | 75 | good |
| Depreciation | 52 | average |
| Performance | 59 | average |
| Efficiency | 32 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 368 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and suspension is the most reported area with 104 of them (28%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 72/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 74/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2000 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 65/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.