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2003 Lincoln Ls

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Lincoln Ls do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 91.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

57 reports with mileage · 11 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.

  • Power Train. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports0 fire reports3 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

11 reports
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100 miles · Jul 15, 2003
Electrical SystemPower Train

JUST PURCHASED 03 LINCOLN LS V-8 SPORT THREE WEEKS AGO, ALREADY INTO SERVICE. THE TRANNY IS SLOW ON UP AND DOWN SHIFTS. THE SERVICE DEPT. ( NEIL LINCOLN MERCURY @ 1900 RT 112 MEDFORD NY) SAID THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM ON MY INITIAL CALL, JUST BRING IT IN AND THEY WILL REPROGRAM THE TRANNY SHOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM. MY SECOND COMPL…

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JUST PURCHASED 03 LINCOLN LS V-8 SPORT THREE WEEKS AGO, ALREADY INTO SERVICE. THE TRANNY IS SLOW ON UP AND DOWN SHIFTS. THE SERVICE DEPT. ( NEIL LINCOLN MERCURY @ 1900 RT 112 MEDFORD NY) SAID THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM ON MY INITIAL CALL, JUST BRING IT IN AND THEY WILL REPROGRAM THE TRANNY SHOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM. MY SECOND COMPLAINT IS I NOTICED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF UNCOMFORTALBE HEAT UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER SIDE DASH WHILE DRIVING, I SUSPECT THIS IS DUE TO THE LACK OF AN INSULATED COVER. THIS COVER I COME TO FIND OUT WAS IN THE 2000, 2001, 2002, MODEL YEARS. UNFORTUNATELY SOME GENUIS DECIDED TO FORGET IT. THAT'S A PROBLEM, AS IT IS NOT JUST A LITTLE WARM, BUT REALLY HOT, I CAN'T IMAGINE MY COMPLAINT WAS THE FIRST FOR THIS, AS NONE OF THE 03'S ARE EQUIPED WITH THIS PROTECTIVE COVER. THE LINCOLN SUPPORT CUSTOMER SERVICE HAS ADVISED ME I MUST TALK WITH SERVICE, AS THIS IS NOT A PART ON THE 03, AND SERVICE TELLS ME TO SPEAK TO LINCOLN, AS THIS IS A VALID COMPLAINT. WHAT THE HECK AM I SUPPOSE TO DO? OH AND BACK TO THE TRANNY WHAT IF IT DECIDES TO JUST GO TO MUSH WHILE I'M CROSSING AN INTERSECTION. TO LATE TO SAY SORRY THEN! I'VE HEARD THAT THE 30,000 MILE TRANNY TUNE UP WILL OFTEN SOLVE THIS TRANNY ISSUE, CAN I MAKE THEM SERVICE IT NOW I'VE GOT 1,500 LOGGED TO DATE. THANK YOU FOR THE ASSISTANCE, IT IS VERY MUCH APPRECIATED, SORRY FOR THE LONG MESSAGE. BRIAN

NHTSA ODI #10028343

Official recalls

1

03V136000 · Wheels

Apr 7, 2003

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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: 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.

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.