2003 Lincoln LS recalls and problems

The 2003 Lincoln LS has 1 recall and 68 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is power train.

2003 Lincoln Ls
Photo: 2003 Lincoln Ls by MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
How the 2003 compares
Fewest complaintsMost complaints

Low complaint count among 7 LS model years — 6th most.

1recalls
68complaints
3crashes
0fires
3injuries
59,788median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.
Check your VIN →

1 recall

Wheels

Apr 7, 2003 · NHTSA campaign 03V136000 · 1,736 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Original NHTSA wording

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.

Original NHTSA wording

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.

Remedy & notes

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.

Ford recall no.03S01. Customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Power Train20
Engine15
Electrical System11
Service Brakes7
Suspension7
Vehicle Speed Control7
Air Bags6
Seats6
Steering6
Wheels6

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

Complaints by year filed

2003: 3 complaints20032004: 14 complaints142005: 3 complaints20052006: 4 complaints2007: 3 complaints20072008: 8 complaints2009: 4 complaints20092010: 4 complaints2011: 5 complaints20112012: 1 complaints2013: 1 complaints20132014: 3 complaints2015: 3 complaints20152016: 2 complaints2017: 2 complaints20172018: 3 complaints2019: 3 complaints20192021: 1 complaints2022: 1 complaints20221

2003 vs. other Lincoln LS years

2000: 354 complaints20003542001: 240 complaints20012002: 121 complaints20022003: 68 complaints20032004: 91 complaints20042005: 90 complaints20052006: 18 complaints200618

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2003. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2003 Lincoln LS have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign covering the 2003 Lincoln LS, the latest from Apr 7, 2003 (wheels). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Lincoln LS?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention power train (20), engine (15), electrical system (11). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.