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2001 Lincoln Ls

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Ls years

Owner complaints for the 2001 Lincoln Ls are substantially higher than the model-year median of 91.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

166 reports with mileage · 74 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Suspension. Review the 110 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

20 crash reports1 fire reports11 injury reports

What owners actually said

240 reports
79,200 miles · May 23, 2008
Suspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN LS. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH OR GREATER, THE VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE RIGHT HARD WHEN GOING ON A BUMP. AS A RESULT, THE FAILURE HAS CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE TREAD ON THE TWO FRONT TIRES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 79,200. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS 05/20/2008.

NHTSA ODI #10228757

110,236 miles · May 19, 2008
Suspension

2001 LINCOLN LS HAS A RECALL NOTICE #00V359001 FOR FRONT BALL JOINTS NOT BEING TIGHTENED TO SPEC CAUSING FAILURE. MY VEHICLE VIN NUMBER DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE LISTED, HOWEVER THE BALL JOINTS FAILED CAUSING $1800 WORTH OF DAMAGE. I KNOW THAT MANUFACTURERS CAN NOT DETERMINE EXACTLY WHAT CARS WERE EFFECTED AND WHAT CARS WERE NOT, …

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2001 LINCOLN LS HAS A RECALL NOTICE #00V359001 FOR FRONT BALL JOINTS NOT BEING TIGHTENED TO SPEC CAUSING FAILURE. MY VEHICLE VIN NUMBER DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE LISTED, HOWEVER THE BALL JOINTS FAILED CAUSING $1800 WORTH OF DAMAGE. I KNOW THAT MANUFACTURERS CAN NOT DETERMINE EXACTLY WHAT CARS WERE EFFECTED AND WHAT CARS WERE NOT, SO TO EXCLUDE MY VEHICLE FROM THE REPAIR DOES NOT MAKE SENSE. WITH JUST 100,000 MILES ON A CAR THAT HAS BEEN DRIVEN BY A COUPLE IN THE MID 50'S THE BALL JOINTS SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED TO THE POINT WHERE THE SWAY BAR WAS ALSO DAMAGED. MY WIFE AND I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED IF I DID NOT FIX THE RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10228156

89,000 miles · May 14, 2008
Air Bags

ALL FRONT AIRBAGS AND ALL SEATBELTS HAVE AUTOMATICALLY DISENGAGED AND DO NOT WORK. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THREE DEALERSHIPS AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST ME APPROXIMATELY $1,000 FOR "EXPLORATORY" SEARCHES TO SEE IF IT IS THE MODULE TO THE AIRBAG. I CONTACTED FORD AS I FELT THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY FAILURE IN THE CAR AND NOT A CON…

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ALL FRONT AIRBAGS AND ALL SEATBELTS HAVE AUTOMATICALLY DISENGAGED AND DO NOT WORK. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THREE DEALERSHIPS AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST ME APPROXIMATELY $1,000 FOR "EXPLORATORY" SEARCHES TO SEE IF IT IS THE MODULE TO THE AIRBAG. I CONTACTED FORD AS I FELT THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY FAILURE IN THE CAR AND NOT A CONSUMER RELATED INCIDENT. I WAS TOLD THAT FORD WAS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR AIRBAG FAILURE ISSUES AND THAT FORD WOULD NOT COVER THE CHARGES OR PAY TO HAVE THE AIRBAGS FIXED. THE AIRBAGS ARE INOPERABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10227814

146,000 miles · Apr 29, 2008
Suspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN LS. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL DISENGAGED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THERE WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THEY RECOMMENDED THAT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE LOWER BALL JOINTS BE REPLACED. AS OF APRIL 29, 2008, THE DEALER HAD NOT REP…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN LS. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL DISENGAGED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THERE WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THEY RECOMMENDED THAT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE LOWER BALL JOINTS BE REPLACED. AS OF APRIL 29, 2008, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE SUSPENSION: FRONT: CONTROL ARM: LOWER BALL JOINT (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 00V359001) HOWEVER, THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 146,000.

NHTSA ODI #10226092

87,000 miles · Apr 20, 2008
Suspension

WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, THOUGHT I HAD A BLOWOUT ON A TIRE, SLOWED DOWN AND THEN THE LOWER BALL JOINT SEPARATED FROM THE SUSPENSION. THE CAR WAS NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN. AND STUCK ON THE HIGHWAY. A CITY CREW WAS ABLE TO JACK UP THE CAR, THEY FOUND THAT THE NUT ON THE BALL JOINT WAS STILL ON THE SUSPENSION. THEY RECONNECTED T…

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WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, THOUGHT I HAD A BLOWOUT ON A TIRE, SLOWED DOWN AND THEN THE LOWER BALL JOINT SEPARATED FROM THE SUSPENSION. THE CAR WAS NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN. AND STUCK ON THE HIGHWAY. A CITY CREW WAS ABLE TO JACK UP THE CAR, THEY FOUND THAT THE NUT ON THE BALL JOINT WAS STILL ON THE SUSPENSION. THEY RECONNECTED THE BALL JOINT AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE AWAY. HAVE SINCE REPLACED THE BALL JOINT. IT WAS NOW BAD . YOU CAN PULL UP AND DOWN ON IT. THE BALL JOINT SEPARATED BECAUSE THE NUT BACK OFF, THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO ANY THREADS AND THE CREW WAS ABLE TO REUSE THE SAME NUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10225196

117,000 miles · Apr 14, 2008
Suspension

BALL JOINTS ON BOTH SIDES ARE DEFECTIVE AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. CAR VIBRATES AT SPEEDS OVER 50MPH, AND CLUNKS AT LOWER SPEEDS. ENTIRE SPINDLES NEED TO BE REPLACED AS BALL JOINT IS PART OF INTEGRATED UNIT. RECALL 00S39 , 00V359 WAS ISSUED FOR THIS MODEL MANUFACTURED IN WIXOM PLANT FROM 8/18/1998 THROUGH 9/29/2000. THIS CAR WAS M…

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BALL JOINTS ON BOTH SIDES ARE DEFECTIVE AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. CAR VIBRATES AT SPEEDS OVER 50MPH, AND CLUNKS AT LOWER SPEEDS. ENTIRE SPINDLES NEED TO BE REPLACED AS BALL JOINT IS PART OF INTEGRATED UNIT. RECALL 00S39 , 00V359 WAS ISSUED FOR THIS MODEL MANUFACTURED IN WIXOM PLANT FROM 8/18/1998 THROUGH 9/29/2000. THIS CAR WAS MANUFACTURED ON 11/21/2000 PRIOR TO THE RECALL REPORT DATE OF 11/1/2000. THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO COVER UNITS MANUFACTURED AFTER 11/1/2000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10224442

130,000 miles · Mar 21, 2008
Suspension

THE LOWER BALL JOINTS SEPARATED FROM THE CONTROLLER ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. PLEASE NOTE THE RECALL WAS SUBMITTED IN 2000; DURING THE TIME FRAME OF WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE THE RECALL HAD EXPIRED. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY AAA THAT, THERE HAS BEEN 3 VEHICLES WITH THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEM. I WAS FORTUNATE THAT I WAS A…

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THE LOWER BALL JOINTS SEPARATED FROM THE CONTROLLER ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. PLEASE NOTE THE RECALL WAS SUBMITTED IN 2000; DURING THE TIME FRAME OF WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE THE RECALL HAD EXPIRED. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY AAA THAT, THERE HAS BEEN 3 VEHICLES WITH THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEM. I WAS FORTUNATE THAT I WAS ALONE AND NOT WITH MY THREE SONS AND MY NEW BORN CHILD, AND I WAS NOT ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THIS ACCIDENT/INCIDENT OCCUR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10221955

131,000 miles · Mar 21, 2008
Suspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN LS. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE BOLT THAT HOLDS THE TIRE IN PLACE DETACHED. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD SCREECHING NOISE THAT ALERTED HER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. WHEN SHE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED THAT THE TIRE APPEARED TO BE IMPROPERLY ATTACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND HE …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN LS. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE BOLT THAT HOLDS THE TIRE IN PLACE DETACHED. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD SCREECHING NOISE THAT ALERTED HER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. WHEN SHE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED THAT THE TIRE APPEARED TO BE IMPROPERLY ATTACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND HE ADVISED HER TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER TO CHECK FOR ANY RECALLS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,899. UPDATED 04/25/08. *LJ RECALL# 00V359001 THE CONSUMER STATED THE LOWER BALL JOINT SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. UPDATED

NHTSA ODI #10221950

90,000 miles · Mar 20, 2008
Suspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN LS. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF THE TIRES FAILED. THE VEHICLE PART WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE SCREW WORKED ITS WAY FREE OF THE LOWER BALL JOINTS, AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V359001 (SUSPENSION:FRONT: CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN LS. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF THE TIRES FAILED. THE VEHICLE PART WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE SCREW WORKED ITS WAY FREE OF THE LOWER BALL JOINTS, AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V359001 (SUSPENSION:FRONT: CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT) WAS REFERENCED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 90,000. UPDATED 04/23/08 *BF THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #10221885

111,000 miles · Mar 17, 2008
Suspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN LS. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED OVER UNEVEN PAVEMENT, THE STEERING WOULD JERK, VIBRATE, AND BECOME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THE VEHICLE MADE A POPPING SOUND WHEN TURNING IN EITHER DIRECTION. WHEN BACKING UP, THE VEHICLE MADE SOUNDS AS IF SOMETHING WAS ROTATING. THE NOISES INCREASED DURING ACCE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN LS. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED OVER UNEVEN PAVEMENT, THE STEERING WOULD JERK, VIBRATE, AND BECOME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THE VEHICLE MADE A POPPING SOUND WHEN TURNING IN EITHER DIRECTION. WHEN BACKING UP, THE VEHICLE MADE SOUNDS AS IF SOMETHING WAS ROTATING. THE NOISES INCREASED DURING ACCELERATION. WHEN THE CONTACT WOULD DRIVE OVER A BUMP OR ON ROUGH TERRAIN, THE VIBRATING, RATTLING, SHAKING, AND NOISES WOULD INTENSIFY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY THE DEALER, BUT IT HAS BEEN INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED. NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 00V359001 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT) WAS REFERENCED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.

NHTSA ODI #10221446

Official recalls

1

00V359001 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint

Nov 3, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE NOT TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATIONS WHEN THEY WERE ATTACHED TO THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.