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Research · Midsize Cars

2000 Lincoln LSRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 354 owner complaints for the 2000 Lincoln LS. Most complaints involve suspension (122) and air bags (47). The EPA rates it 17–18 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
17–18mpg
EPA · 5 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Nov 2000
Owner complaints
354
Top: suspension
Fuel cost / yr
$4,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Suspension: lower ball joint

Free remedy

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

SuspensionReported Nov 3, 2000NHTSA 00V359001
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

354 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2000 – Aug 2019
  1. Suspension122
  2. Air bags47
  3. Engine and engine cooling42
  4. Power train38
  5. Electrical system24
  6. Vehicle speed control21
  7. Service brakes, hydraulic20
  8. Visibility19
  9. Steering15

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each LS model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2000354
2001251
2002121
200368
200490
200590
200618
Crashes reported
18
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
11
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Suspension

122 reports4 crashes1 fire
“BALL JOINT BOLTS LOOSEN OR DON'T TIGHTEN TO SPECIFICATIONS WHICH CAUSES A LOT OF WEAR AND TEAR ON THE FRONT END OF MY VEHICLE. I'VE HAD TO HAVE THEM REPLACED TWICE AND TIGHTENED UP OR RE-FIXED SEVERAL TIMES IT'S UNSAFE AT TIME. I TAKE CHANCES OF MY LIFE SAFETY. I MOSTLY HAVE HAD PROBLEMS ON THE REGULAR STREETS AND TO AFRAID AT MOST TIMES TO EVEN THINK ABOUT GETTING ON A HIGHWAY.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 27, 2019Steering, Suspension, Unknown or otherODI 11246722

Air bags

47 reports7 crashes
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2000 LINCOLN LS. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL PULLED TO THE RIGHT AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE INTO A DITCH. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN LOCATION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES AND RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *BF”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 30, 2019Steering, Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11204822

Engine and engine cooling

42 reports
“THE ENGINE FAILURES BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2005 AND HAVE CONTINUED THROUGH THIS DATE. THIS ENGINE SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. THE TYPES OF PROBLEMS CAUSE THE ENGINE TO CREATE ERRONEOUS MECHANICAL READOUTS PREVENTING THE VEHICLE FROM PASSING STATE'S EMISSION INSPECTIONS. THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN DUE TO FAULTY PLASTIC TENSIONERS CAUSING THE TIMING CHAINS TO BECOME LOOSE, THUS CAUSING ENGINE FAILURES. I'M LUCKY I WAS NOT GOING ANY FASTER WHEN MY ENGINE FAILED TWICE CAUSING ME TO LOSE MY STEERING CAPABILITIES, ETC. MOST MECHANICS ARE REPLACING IGNITION COILS BECAUSE THEY ARE GETTING MISFIRE READINGS ON SPECIFIC CYLINDERS, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM LIES WITH THE TIMING CHAINS THAT GO OUT EVENTUALLY. CURRENTLY, I HAVE FOUR DIAGNOSTIC READINGS ON MY ENGINE STATING THAT NUMBER 4 CYLINDER IS MISFIRING, WHEN INDEED TWO MECHANICS ARE STATING THAT THE TIMING CHAIN IS THE PROBLEM AND ANOTHER EXPERT FAMILIAR WITH THIS PROBLEM SELLS THE SPECIFIC KITS TO TRY TO CORRECT THIS KNOWN PROBLEM OF FORD'S. CHECK OUT THIS WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION: HTTP://STORES.CHRISTOPHERSFOREIGNCARPARTS.COM/-STRSE-TEMPLATE/ABOUT/PAGE.BOK. I HAVE HAD ALL 8 CYLINDER IGNITION COILS CHANGED; SPARK PLUG BOOTS; AND…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 19, 2012Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, gasoline, Electrical systemODI 10467343
All 2000 LS problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

5 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl · 3.9L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 5-spd · Manual 5-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
LS
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162318$4,300494
LS
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, SELECT SFT · Rear-Wheel Drive
152218$4,300494
LS
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, 3 · Rear-Wheel Drive
152318$4,300494
LS
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 3.9 L, SELECT SFT · Rear-Wheel Drive
152217$4,550523
LS
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 3.9 L, 3.9L4V-N · Rear-Wheel Drive
152217$4,550523
  • LS
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    16 city · 23 hwy · $4,300/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • LS
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, SELECT SFT
    15 city · 22 hwy · $4,300/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • LS
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, 3
    15 city · 23 hwy · $4,300/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • LS
    Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 3.9 L, SELECT SFT
    15 city · 22 hwy · $4,550/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • LS
    Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 3.9 L, 3.9L4V-N
    15 city · 22 hwy · $4,550/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2000 Lincoln LS as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2000 LS questions

How many recalls does the 2000 Lincoln LS have?

1 safety recall as of Nov 11, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2000 Lincoln LS problems?

Owners filed 354 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are suspension (122), air bags (47), engine and engine cooling (42). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2000 Lincoln LS get?

The EPA rates the 2000 Lincoln LS at 17–18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026