The Lincoln LS spans 2000–2006 with 7 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.0/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 2000, 2001, 2002 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 2006, 2003, 2004. It delivers up to 21 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Lincoln LS is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 2000 to 2006 across multiple generations.
How to read a Lincoln LS VIN — every digit explained
Every Lincoln LS carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Lincoln and the country it was built in.
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this LS.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your LS, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the Lincoln LS have?
The Lincoln LS has 7 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2000–2006. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
2005 Lincoln LS recalls 1
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage
What's wrong. 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.
2003 Lincoln LS recalls 1
Wheels
What's wrong. 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.
2001 Lincoln LS recalls 1
Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint
What's wrong. 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 AFFECTED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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 BALL JOINTS WILL BE REPLACED.
2000 Lincoln LS recalls 1
Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint
What's wrong. 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 AFFECTED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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 BALL JOINTS WILL BE REPLACED.
Best and worst years for the Lincoln LS
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 7 tracked years, the worst years are 2000, 2001, 2002 and the best (fewest complaints) are 2006, 2003, 2004.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 LS | Suspension | Avoid | |
| 2001 LS | Suspension | Avoid | |
| 2002 LS | Engine And Engine Cooling | Avoid | |
| 2003 LS | Power Train | Best | |
| 2004 LS | Engine And Engine Cooling | Best | |
| 2005 LS | Electrical System | Average | |
| 2006 LS | Engine | Best |
What are the most common Lincoln LS problems?
The most-reported Lincoln LS problems are Air (1 reports), Other (7 reports) and Seats (23 reports) — out of 1,008 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Lincoln LS specifications & dimensions
The 2003–2006 Lincoln LS measures 194″ long on a 115″ wheelbase, with a curb weight near 3,812 lb. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Lincoln LS window sticker.
| Years | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003–2006 | 194″ | 73″ | 56″ | 115″ | 3,574 lb |
| 2000 | 194″ | 73″ | 56″ | 114″ | 3,574 lb |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Lincoln LS cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the LS holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 104 cu ft of passenger volume and 13 cu ft of cargo. Seating capacity and legroom vary by trim.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Lincoln LS tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Lincoln LS get?
The Lincoln LS returns up to 21 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $3,650/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 2005 Lincoln LS (3L 6-cyl) gets 20 mpg combined and costs about $3,850/yr to fuel, emitting 444 g/mi CO₂ — about $8,250 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 LS | 17 | 24 | $3,850 | 444 | — | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 2004 LS | 18 | 25 | $3,650 | 423 | 1/10 | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 2003 LS | 18 | 25 | $3,650 | 423 | — | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 2002 LS | 16 | 23 | $4,050 | 468 | — | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 2001 LS | 16 | 23 | $4,050 | 468 | — | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 2000 LS | 16 | 23 | $4,300 | 494 | — | 3L 6-cyl |
The 2006 Lincoln LS (3.9L 8-cyl) gets 18 mpg combined and costs about $4,300/yr to fuel, emitting 494 g/mi CO₂ — about $10,500 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 LS | 16 | 23 | $4,300 | 494 | — | 3.9L 8-cyl | |
| 2005 LS | 16 | 22 | $4,300 | 494 | — | 3.9L 8-cyl | |
| 2004 LS | 15 | 23 | $4,300 | 494 | 1/10 | 3.9L 8-cyl | |
| 2003 LS | 16 | 22 | $4,300 | 494 | — | 3.9L 8-cyl | |
| 2002 LS | 15 | 22 | $4,550 | 523 | — | 3.9L 8-cyl | |
| 2001 LS | 15 | 22 | $4,550 | 523 | — | 3.9L 8-cyl | |
| 2000 LS | 15 | 22 | $4,550 | 523 | — | 3.9L 8-cyl |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the LS stacks up against the most fuel-efficient sedans, or calculate this LS's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Lincoln LS have? Power & range
The Lincoln LS is offered with 2 powertrains — 3L 6-cyl, 3.9L 8-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V6 | 3.0L · 6-cyl | Automatic (S5) | RWD | Premium |
| V8 | 3.9L · 8-cyl | Automatic (S5) | RWD | Premium |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
How much does a Lincoln LS cost to own?
A used Lincoln LS sells for a median of about $3,999 for a 2006 — most listed between $3,999 and $10,000, from 21 real US listings we track. That real market price is what depreciation eats into, so it's the true anchor of the cost to own:
| Year | Typical price | Market range | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 LS | $3,999–$10,000 | 3 | |
| 2005 LS | $2,450–$25,000 | 6 | |
| 2004 LS | $2,250–$9,995 | 3 | |
| 2003 LS | $3,000–$7,000 | 4 | |
| 2002 LS | $3,980–$3,995 | 5 |
For every model year mileage-adjusted, trade-in vs private-party vs dealer pricing and a good-deal check, see what a LS is worth today, or browse used-market prices for sedans.
A Lincoln LS tends to depreciate faster than average. A typical example keeps roughly 37% of its value after five years — losing about 63% to depreciation. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 75% | $22,500 | −$7,500 |
| Year 2 | 63% | $18,900 | −$11,100 |
| Year 3 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 4 | 44% | $13,200 | −$16,800 |
| Year 5 | 37% | $11,100 | −$18,900 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this LS loses about 63% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $18,250 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the LS ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
How much is a Lincoln LS to insure?
A Lincoln LS costs about $1,380 a year to insure for a typical driver on full coverage — roughly 4% below the average car. That's from its real HLDI insurance-loss index (96, where 100 = average car); your own rate moves with state, age, record and coverage.
Estimate = US-average premium × the LS's HLDI loss index. See Lincoln insurance cost by model, cost by state, or compare any car.
Is the Lincoln LS safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the LS yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
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How many miles does a Lincoln LS last?
A well-maintained Lincoln LS typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 4.0/5.
Check your Lincoln LS’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this LS’s VIN free →All Lincoln LS model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Lincoln LS — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 LS | 1 recall | — | |
| 2005 LS | 1 recall | — | |
| 2004 LS | 1 recall | — | |
| 2003 LS | 1 recall | — | |
| 2002 LS | 1 recall | — | |
| 2001 LS | 1 recall | — | |
| 2000 LS | 1 recall | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the LS?
By owner-complaint volume, 2000, 2001, 2002 drew the most reports. 2006, 2003, 2004 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the LS have?
7 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2000–2006. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all Lincoln recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the LS get?
Up to 21 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a LS last?
A well-maintained LS typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the LS reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the LS is 4.0/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Lincoln LS warranty?
New Lincoln models carry a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 4 years / 50,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Lincoln dealer.
Where is the Lincoln LS made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your LS's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Lincoln may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much does a LS weigh?
The LS's curb weight is around 3,812 lb. Its GVWR — the maximum loaded weight — decodes from the VIN.
How much ground clearance does the LS have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.