Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2003 Lincoln LS, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Power train20
- Electrical system11
- Engine and engine cooling8
- Suspension7
- Vehicle speed control7
- Engine7
- Wheels6
- Seats6
- Steering6
- Air bags6
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 3 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 8 2003 LS vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 8 people died inside them, and 1 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2003 Lincoln LS failed the safety check 2.46% of the time — 17% more often than the average 2003 passenger car (2.11%). Median odometer at inspection: 94,639 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 4 variants: combined 11.5–13.1 L/100 km (about 18–20 mpg US), CO₂ 265–301 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| LS Sport · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 13.2 | 9.4 | 11.5 |
| LS · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 13.4 | 9.8 | 11.8 |
| LS Sport · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 14.8 | 10.4 | 12.8 |
| LS · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 15.0 | 10.7 | 13.1 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
1 Transport Canada recall for the 2003 Lincoln LS.
| 2003094 7 Apr 2003 | Wheels Affects certain vehicles equipped with 17" chrome wheels. Of the 275 wheels with heat treatment lot code B1706; approximately 74 may have missed heat treatment… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Lincoln told its dealers about the 2003 Lincoln LS: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 636096 | EXCESSIVE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CURRENT DRAW WHICH COULD RESULT IN A DISCHARGED BATTERY AND A NO CRANK CONDITION. *TT SERVICE TIPS. *TT |
| 612260 | DRIVELINE VIBRATION (A HIGH FREQUENCY BUZZ) THAT IS FELT THROUGH THE SEAT AND FLOORPAN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TT |
| 10177863 | This article supersedes TSB 19-2026 to update the vehicle model years affected. Some 2000 and newer Ford/Lincoln/Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. Panel replacement is recommended. |
| 10156863 | Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. Panel replacement is recommended. Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition |
| 10155551 | Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. Panel replacement is recommended. Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition |
| 10048099 | FORD/LINCOLN/MERCURY: MAY HAVE SLUDGE BUILDUP IN THROTTLE BODY LEADING TO LESS AIRFLOW OR ENGINE IDLING RPM FLUCTUATION AND HARD STARTS OR BATTERY DISCONNECT OR DEAD BATTERY AFTER KEEP ALIVE MEMORY (KAM) CLEAR. MODELS 2003-05 THUNDERBIRD, 05-06 MUSTANG, 06-08 FUSION, 04-05 EXPLORER, 05-06 EXPEDITION, 05-07 F-150; 2003-06 LS, 06 ZEPHYR, 05-06 NAVIGATOR; 06-08 MILAN. *PE |
| 10026402 | FORD/LINCOLN MERCURY: CERTAIN 2003-2005 MODEL YEAR LINCOLN LS AND FORD THUNDERBIRD VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.9L ENGINE WITH EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE ON IGNITION COIL ASSEMBLIES AND ON 2003 MY VEHICLES ONLY , ENGINE VALVE COVER GASKETS. *PE |
| 10025342 | LINCOLN SERVICE CAMPAIGN: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. CERTAIN 2003-2005 LINCOLN LS VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DURATEC 3.0L 4V ENGINE. PCV HOSE ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT. CSC WAS RECEIVED. *PE |
| 10023293 | CERTAIN 2003 MODEL YEAR LINCOLN LS AND FORD THUNDERBIRD VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.9L ENGINE - EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE ON IGNITION COIL ASSEMBLIES AND ENGINE VALVE COVER GASKETS. ALSO HAVE AN OWNER'S LETTER. *NJ |
| 10022299 | PARKING AID SYSTEM IS INOPERATIVE - DTC C1983. *KB |
| 10020702 | PARKING AID SYSTEM INOPERATIVE - DTC C1983. *KB |
| 10018968 | PARKING AID SYSTEM INOPERATIVE. *AK |
| 10018745 | WDS COP KIT DIAGNOSTIC TIP - COIL ON PLUG (COP) IGNITION SYSTEMS - ENGINE MISFIRE OR ROUGH RUNNING. *TT |
| 10017925 | WATER/MOISTURE IN COP WELLS - DTC P0301-P0308 - 3.9L ENGINE - VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 5/1/2004. *TT |
| 10017917 | UNUSUAL ENGINE NOISE OR ENGINE KNOCK CONCERNS DUE TO REGULAR FUEL. *TT |
| 10017908 | INTERMITTENT STUMBLE ON RAPID TIP-IN FROM STEADY SPEED, GENERALLY BETWEEN 20-50 MPH (32-80 KM/H) ACCOMPANIED BY A INDUCTIVE BACKFIRE AFTER THE TIP-IN. *TT |
| 10017903 | NO START, ROUGH IDLE, OR MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS) P0171, P0174, P0173, P2195, P2197, P0420, P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304, P0305, P0306. *TT |
| 10014674 | CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 04B20. REAR SEAT LATCHES AND OWNER GUIDE LABEL FOR VEHICLES THAT MAY HAVE A REAR SEAT LATCH THAT IS DIFFICULT TO LATCH AND SUPPLEMENTAL LATCH VERIFICATION INSTRUCTION LABEL WHICH SHOULD BE AFFIXED TO THE OWNER GUIDE. *TT |
| 10014672 | DAY TIME RUNNING LAMPS. *EH |
| 10014594 | VIBRATION FELT FOR A FEW MILES OF DRIVING AFTER PARKING. *EH |
| 10014165 | ALUMINUM CORROSION - SERVICE TIP. *TT |
| 10014138 | SAFETY BELT RETRACTION SPEED. *TT |
| 10014086 | GENERAL (PCM) POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *TT |
| 10014062 | REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER GRID/INTEGRAL ANTENNA DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR - TERMINAL TAB REPAIR. *TT |
| 10013401 | DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) C1145 AND/OR C1155 STORED IN ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) MODULE. *TT |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)