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Research · Midsize Cars

2002 Lincoln LSRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 121 owner complaints for the 2002 Lincoln LS. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (25) and suspension (24). The EPA rates it 17–19 mpg combined.

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Combined MPG
17–19mpg
EPA · 5 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
121
Top: engine and engine cooling
Fuel cost / yr
$4,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2002 Lincoln LS as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

121 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 2002 – Oct 2022
  1. Engine and engine cooling25
  2. Suspension24
  3. Air bags24
  4. Power train15
  5. Vehicle speed control11
  6. Steering10
  7. Electrical system9
  8. Service brakes, hydraulic9
  9. Visibility8

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
21
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
9
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine and engine cooling

25 reports2 crashes
“VEHICLE IN FIRESTONE, CHECKING WHY HEAT BLOWING COOL AIR, OVERHEATED TWICE SINCE THE REPAIRS CAR HAS OVERHEATED 5 TIMES, EVERY TIME RETURNED TO SHOP THEY CAN'T FIND A PROBLEM. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 9, 2014Engine and engine coolingODI 10578670

Suspension

24 reports3 crashes
“BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE LOWER BALL JOINTS HAVE FRACTURED, BEEN REPLACED AND HAVE FRACTURED AGAIN. THE STUD POST ITSELF CONTINUES TO FRACTURE ABOVE THE CONTROL ARM MOUNTING HOLE, DESPITE BOTH BALL JOINTS BEING REPLACED AND RETORQUED TO MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDED TIGHTNESS.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 23, 2021Steering, SuspensionODI 11389611

Air bags

24 reports6 crashes
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LINCOLN LS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE IF THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING OR UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.*PM*JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 21, 2019Air bagsODI 11270060
All 2002 LS problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 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 · Automatic (S5)
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 Oct 28, 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
162319$4,200468
LS
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162319$4,200468
LS
Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152318$4,400494
LS
Auto (S5), 8 cyl, 3.9 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152217$4,700523
LS
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 3.9 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152217$4,700523
  • LS
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    16 city · 23 hwy · $4,200/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • LS
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    16 city · 23 hwy · $4,200/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • LS
    Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    15 city · 23 hwy · $4,400/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • LS
    Auto (S5), 8 cyl, 3.9 L
    15 city · 22 hwy · $4,700/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • LS
    Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 3.9 L
    15 city · 22 hwy · $4,700/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2002 Lincoln LS as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 4572
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

2002 LS questions

How many recalls does the 2002 Lincoln LS have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Oct 28, 2026.

What are the most common 2002 Lincoln LS problems?

Owners filed 121 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (25), suspension (24), air bags (24). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2002 Lincoln LS get?

The EPA rates the 2002 Lincoln LS at 17–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026