2005 Lincoln LS

Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.

68/100

Be careful

AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.

What owners actually report

Owners have filed 90 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 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.

Complaints by area, from NHTSA records for this model-year
Area	Complaints	Share
Power train	9	10%
Air bags	8	9%
Electrical system	8	9%
Engine and engine cooling	7	8%
Vehicle speed control	6	7%
Wheels	5	6%
Fuel system	4	4%
Tires	3	3%
Electrical system	3	3%
Fuel/propulsion system	2	2%

In owners' own words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.

Car accident with full left side impaction door will not open doors will not open and I was not able to move out of my seat and yet I was stuck behind the steering wheel behind smashed impacted buckled, steering wheel di
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system

The contact owns a 2005 Lincoln LS. The contact stated all four tires melted and rusted to the ground and the belly of the vehicle fell out. The contact also stated the vehicle was overheated. There were no warning light
NHTSA complaint: Tires

The fuel tank needs replacement due to a crack in the fuel tank is causing fumes in the vehicle. Exactly like the recall of 2005 Lincoln LS, that the dealership cannot find because it is more than 15 years.
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LINCOLN LS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL ODOR COMING FORM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLA
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LINCOLN LS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 15-20 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO NECK AND MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS PROVI
NHTSA complaint: Air bags

BALL JOINTS, OUTER TIE ROD ENDS AND STEERING SECTION GOES BAD, DOING A LOT OF POPPING AND CREAKING. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LINCOLN LS. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF A TIRE BLEW OUT. AFTERWARDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPA
NHTSA complaint: Wheels

OVER HEATS CONSTANTLY THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS CAR DEFFINATLEY MANUFACTURER PROBLEM
NHTSA complaint: Engine

Recalls on record

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2005 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.

Fuel system 05V113000

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL TANK MAY HAVE A LOCALIZED THIN WALL SECTION IN THE LOWER HALF OF THE TANK. THE FUEL TANK MAY CRACK CREATING A POTENTIAL FOR A FUEL LEAK AND FUEL ODOR. THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" INDICATOR MAY ILLUMINATE.

Risk: A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 4, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673, LINCOLN AT 1-800-521-4140.

The seven scores

Reliability raw	80	excellent
Longevity est.	77	good
Maintenance	75	good
Depreciation	52	average
Performance	59	average
Efficiency	36	below average

How it compares in its class

Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.

Reliability: better than 42% of midsize & large cars
Longevity: better than 49% of midsize & large cars
Running costs: better than 51% of midsize & large cars
Value retention: better than 22% of midsize & large cars

Which of these numbers are measured

What stands behind each score for this car:

Reliability 80: from NHTSA recalls and complaints. This one is a raw count: we do not have a sales figure for this model, so a high-volume car looks worse here than it should.
Longevity 77: an estimate from powertrain and brand record. No 200,000-mile population exists for a 2005 car yet, so this is a prior, not evidence.
Maintenance 75: repair-cost data where we have it for this model, otherwise a mechanical-complexity estimate from engine size, cylinder count and drivetrain.
Safety: no score. NHTSA crash testing thins out for older vehicles and we would rather show nothing than guess.

Common questions

What goes wrong with the 2005 Lincoln LS?

Owners have filed 90 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 9 of them (10%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.

Is the 2005 Lincoln LS reliable?

AVOIR scores its reliability 80/100 (excellent) 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.

How long will a 2005 Lincoln LS last?

AVOIR scores its longevity 77/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2005 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.

Should I buy a 2005 Lincoln LS?

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 68/100. 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.