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 68 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 11 | 16% |
| Air bags | 6 | 9% |
| Seats | 5 | 7% |
| Electrical system | 3 | 4% |
| Steering | 3 | 4% |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 4% |
| Power train | 2 | 3% |
| Engine | 2 | 3% |
| Power train | 2 | 3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 2 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 an
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
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
NHTSA complaint: Tires
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 N
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
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 DO
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
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
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN LS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE GEAR SHIFTER BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUTOFARM FORD LINCOLN (221 MALL RD, LOGANSPORT, IN 46947, 574-753-6294) WHERE
NHTSA complaint: Power train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN LS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HARDSHIFTED, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LUNGE FORWARD ON MORE THAN ONE OCCAS
NHTSA complaint: Power train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN LS. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ENGAGE INTO OVERDRIVE AND THE CHECK TRANSMISSION INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CO
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2003 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.
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
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. OWNER
| Reliability raw | 78 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 76 | good |
| Maintenance | 75 | good |
| Depreciation | 52 | average |
| Performance | 59 | average |
| Efficiency | 36 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 68 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 11 of them (16%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 78/100 (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 76/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2003 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 67/100. 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.