NORMAL CLEAR WEATHER DRIVING DOWN BUSY STREET WHEN CARE SUDDENLY SLOWED DOWN ALMOST RESULTING IN A COLLISION WITH VEHICLES BEHIND ME. THE ENGINE STOPPED , I RESTARTED WITH VERY LIMITED DRIVABILITY THE ETC FAILSAFE MODE KICKED IN FOR NO APPARENT REASON THIS ISSUE MUST BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED.
2004 Lincoln Ls
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2004 Lincoln Ls do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 91.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Ls years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
80 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.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Vehicle Speed Control complaints
15 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN LS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE AND BEFORE SHIFTING GEARS, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT MANUAL FORCE, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO HAVE TO USE THE PARKING BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROB…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN LS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE AND BEFORE SHIFTING GEARS, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT MANUAL FORCE, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO HAVE TO USE THE PARKING BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE WAS 86,000. *TR
DRIVING DOWN THE SIDE STREET AND MY CAR GOES INTO LIMP MODE. READS ETC .START UP WILL MOVE ABOUT 1/4 OF THE BLOCK AND DOES IT AGAIN. HAD TO KEEP TURNING IT OFF AND ON TO GET HOME.ONCE STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION. FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN THIS IS NOT UNUSUAL FOR LS. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN. HAVE NOT GOT MY CAR FIX BECAUS…
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DRIVING DOWN THE SIDE STREET AND MY CAR GOES INTO LIMP MODE. READS ETC .START UP WILL MOVE ABOUT 1/4 OF THE BLOCK AND DOES IT AGAIN. HAD TO KEEP TURNING IT OFF AND ON TO GET HOME.ONCE STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION. FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN THIS IS NOT UNUSUAL FOR LS. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN. HAVE NOT GOT MY CAR FIX BECAUSE IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN LS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE ENGINE FAIL SAFE MODE MESSAGE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY AND COIL PACKS WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN LS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE ENGINE FAIL SAFE MODE MESSAGE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY AND COIL PACKS WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN LS. WHILE DRIVING OVER A SPEED BUMP AND DEPRESSING THE BREAK PEDAL, THE RPMS BEGAN TO INCREASE AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT APPLIED EXCESSIVE FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP ACCELERATING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN LS. WHILE DRIVING OVER A SPEED BUMP AND DEPRESSING THE BREAK PEDAL, THE RPMS BEGAN TO INCREASE AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT APPLIED EXCESSIVE FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP ACCELERATING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED AN ENGINEER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINEER STATED THE THROTTLE HAD TO BE REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY SIX YEARS AFTER THE THROTTLE WAS REPLACED THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE IDENTICAL FAILURE AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000.
I HAVE A 2004 LINCOLN LS WITH A LITTLE OVER 96,000. THIS CAR HAS BEEN GIVING PROBLEM WITH ACCELERATION. WHEN I PUSH THE GAS, THE CAR HESITATE AS IT SWITCH GEAR. I HAVE TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID, IT'S THE TRANSMISSION SO I TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP AND THEY SAID, NO PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION SO I TOOK IT TO A…
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I HAVE A 2004 LINCOLN LS WITH A LITTLE OVER 96,000. THIS CAR HAS BEEN GIVING PROBLEM WITH ACCELERATION. WHEN I PUSH THE GAS, THE CAR HESITATE AS IT SWITCH GEAR. I HAVE TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID, IT'S THE TRANSMISSION SO I TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP AND THEY SAID, NO PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION SO I TOOK IT TO AUTO ELECTRIC SHOP AND THEY SAID, "THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH CAR" BUT I HAVE STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I AM SO FRUSTRATED AND I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER CAR. IS CAR IS A LEMON. *KB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN LS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE BEFORE ENGAGING AND WOULD THEN JERK ABNORMALLY. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSIS AND DETERMINED THAT THE THROTTLE BOX AND TRANSMIS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN LS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE BEFORE ENGAGING AND WOULD THEN JERK ABNORMALLY. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSIS AND DETERMINED THAT THE THROTTLE BOX AND TRANSMISSION WERE DEFECTIVE. THE THROTTLE BOX WAS REPLACED AND THE COMPUTER WAS REPROGRAMMED ALTHOUGH THE DEALER ADVISED HE WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHY THE VEHICLE WAS STALLING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURES RECURRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK EARLY IN THE MORNING WITH MY CHILD IN THE BACK SEAT. WHILE GETTING OFF THE FREEWAY (THANK GOD) MY 2004 LINCOLN LS WENT INTO "ETC ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE". I COULD NOT ACCELERATE OR DRIVE OVER 20. AT THIS POINT, I HAD TO PULL OVER BECAUSE I WAS IN TRAFFIC AND I DID NOT WANT TO GET HIT. ONCE I PULLED OVER, I TUR…
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I WAS DRIVING TO WORK EARLY IN THE MORNING WITH MY CHILD IN THE BACK SEAT. WHILE GETTING OFF THE FREEWAY (THANK GOD) MY 2004 LINCOLN LS WENT INTO "ETC ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE". I COULD NOT ACCELERATE OR DRIVE OVER 20. AT THIS POINT, I HAD TO PULL OVER BECAUSE I WAS IN TRAFFIC AND I DID NOT WANT TO GET HIT. ONCE I PULLED OVER, I TURNED THE CAR OFF FOR ABOUT 5 MINS AND THEN TURNED IT BACK ON. STARTING DRIVING OUT OF THE PARKING LOT AND ONCE I GOT TO THE MAIN ROAD, THE ERROR MESSAGE CAME ON AGAIN. COULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 20 AGAIN. AT THIS POINT, I DID 20 ALL THE WAY TO THE SITTERS HOUSE TO DROP OFF MY DAUGHTER AND TRIED TO DRIVE MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. I HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUE ON TOP OF ISSUE WITH THIS 2004 LINCOLN LS AND BY THE REVIEWS LOOKS LIKE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE. I GOGGLED THE ERROR MESSAGE AND I FIND NOTHING BUT ANGRY CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE SIMILAR LINCOLNS. SOMEONE NEEDS TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS AND HAVE THE COMPANY RECALL THIS CAR OR PAY FOR LABOR AND PARTS FOR EVERYONE. THIS IS A INCONVENIENCE TO EVERYONE WHO OWNS A LINCOLN AND HAVING THESE PROBLEMS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN LS. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN TRAVELING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY SURGE FORWARD THEN CORRECT ITSELF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE IGNITION COIL WAS REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN LS. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN TRAVELING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY SURGE FORWARD THEN CORRECT ITSELF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE IGNITION COIL WAS REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000. UPDATED 09/16-10 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED ON ONE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND HIT THE MEDIUM AT A GAS STATION. THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. UPDATED 09/20/10*JB
2004 LINCOLN LS SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO THROTTLE BODY FAILURE ON THE HIGHWAY CAR WENT INTO A SAFETY MODE AT FULL SPEED ON THE MAIN INTERSTATE AND ALMOST GOT MYSELF AND FAMILY KILLED. *TR
Official recalls
0No recalls in this snapshot.
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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