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 253 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 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 | 87 | 34% |
| Air bags | 22 | 9% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 19 | 8% |
| Vehicle speed control | 11 | 4% |
| Visibility | 10 | 4% |
| Steering | 9 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 9 | 4% |
| Power train | 8 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 8 | 3% |
| Steering | 5 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
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
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
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
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
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 INDEP
NHTSA complaint: Structure
AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING DEFECTIVE. VEHICLE NEEDS CLOCKSPRING REPLACEMENT AS AIRBAGS CURRENTLY WILL NOT INFLATE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
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 ACCE
NHTSA complaint: Traction control system
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
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
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 TAKE
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2001 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 | 74 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 74 | good |
| Maintenance | 75 | good |
| Depreciation | 52 | average |
| Performance | 59 | average |
| Efficiency | 34 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 253 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and suspension is the most reported area with 87 of them (34%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 74/100 (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 2001 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.