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Vehicle safety record

2004 Lincoln LS Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 90 complaints about the 2004 Lincoln LS with NHTSA, most often about the engine & cooling (28) and the transmission & drivetrain (19). Those complaints describe 8 crashes, 1 fire and 12 injuries. There are no recalls for it. For comparison, the 2003 has 68 and the 2005 has 90.

NHTSA data checked

CAbout as many problems as a typical LS year, for its age

#116 most complained-about 2004 vehicle

Complaints
90
Recalls
0
Crashes
8
Fires
1
Injuries
12
Deaths
0

Most common 2004 Lincoln LS problems

Share of all 90 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

No recalls for the 2004 Lincoln LS

NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2004 Lincoln LS. Recalls can be announced at any time - this page updates daily.

What owners say

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90 complaints about the 2004 Lincoln LS

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 4.

Transmission & drivetrain

The transmission in these cars go out without warning. They will stop the vehicle from accelerating when driving down the road. You will have to pull over and once you pullover and come to a complete stop it will not let the car engage into gear and move.

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 11296640
Fuel system

Hi. I bought this car and I kept smelling gas very bad. To the point the whole house smelt and when I park the car I can smell it. I figured there had to be a problem but could not find a leak. I decided to look online and found lincoln had a recall for defective gas tanks which has the symptoms I'm encountering. Its a high safety issue which can start a fire and or have health issues with me and the kids. Well turns out my car with that vin did not have a recall even though there was a recall for same year and...

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make but not mine for some reason. It is obvious that my vehicle needed to be recalled to fix it. Im in desperate need to have it repaired and dont know what to do. I dont have the funds to fix there mistake. Please help in any way you can. Thank you, [[redacted]] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.S.C. 552(B)(6). *Tr

Filed Incident Fuel system, gasolineNHTSA 11259105
AirbagsSeats & seat belts1 injury

While driving in the evening, on a slightly winding, smooth, gravel road at about 30 to 35 mph, temperature about 34 degrees f, the airbag in the passenger seat deployed. There was not any form or type of collision. During the time I have had the car, about 2 years, there has not been any form of collision damage, as far as I know there was not any prior history of any type of collision damage. There was an occupant in the seat, his shoulder felt sore and his hearing was affected at the time.

Filed Incident Air bags · SeatsNHTSA 11053793
Acceleration & cruise controlDriver assistanceEngine & cooling

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.

Filed Incident Vehicle speed control · Electronic stability control (ESC) · EngineNHTSA 10820770
Lights

Was coming home from the store I was going 55mph and out of no where the headlights turn off....Pulled over turned off the car then back on and work for like a min then again I almost crash because no light..A 15min drive home became 50min had to be pulling over all the way home....Due to the lights turning off on there own... *Tr

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 10678161
Airbags1 injury

While driving 5 mph on a driveway, the passenger ceiling air bag deployed from the front seat to the back seat. The car didn't hit anything. Passenger was injured. *Tr

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 10644305
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 lincoln ls. While accelerating from a stop, the vehicle experienced a reduction in engine power. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road and the engine was turned off. Upon restarting, the wrench warning symbol displayed continuously until after the vehicle was turned off and restarted multiple times. The failure occurred three times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 57,900.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10641184
Electrical systemEngine & cooling

Brand new battery in car. Come out to start car. Battery is dead. My mechanic has car for three days. He tried to find a short. He instructed me to make sure all doors are completely closed and lights are all out. This was after multiple dead batteries. I made sure of all the above and still came out to dead batteries. I manually turn off the lights as I came out to them being on after I had watched them dim and go out. I replaced the new battery with another new battery and I am still having problems. *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 10605031
AirbagsSeats & seat belts1 injury

While traveling at 40 mph on flat, smooth two lane roadway the driver side curtain and side seat airbags deployed striking driver on left shoulder and facial area. There was no side impact or rough road prior to deployment. Driver was able to keep control of vehicle and move to berm. Driver suffered soft tissue trauma to left shoulder, upper arm and face. Side curtain airbag damaged interior roof header upon deployment. Driver seat side airbag appears to have not fully deployed and expanded inside the seat ripping out a 3 foot area of stitching and tearing the leather seating material in the immediate area. Contacted ford motor company and they refused responsibility. *Js

Filed Incident Air bags · SeatsNHTSA 10585623
Brakes

No brakes till engine warms up. Pedal good but no brakes. New pads and rotors. No idiot lite. Mechanic can't figure out why it does this. *Js

Filed Incident Service brakesNHTSA 10582791
Transmission & drivetrain

Cars stalls while driving at high speed on highway or side street. *Tr

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 10531914
Transmission & drivetrain

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 lincoln ls. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate from a traffic stop, the vehicle would not respond. The rpm reading increased and the vehicle proceeded to lunge forward. The wrench warning icon was illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 88,600. *Tr

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 10524170
Acceleration & cruise control

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

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 10522318
AirbagsCrash1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 lincoln ls. The contact stated that while driving in inclement weather, she lost control of the vehicle and drove off the road, crashing into a tree. The air bags did not deploy. The contact suffered injuries to the leg, chest, back and neck. The contact was taken to the emergency room for treatment. The vehicle was not repaired. A police report was filed. The failure mileage was 220,000.

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 10499610
Brakes

Filled car with gas. Pulled up to enter roadway and had to stop for traffic. When I tried to move forward emergency brake came on. Put car in park shut off engine and restarted and emergency brake released. This is the second time this has happened in two days. Leaving gas station. Pulled up to enter road. Had to stop for traffic. Tried to move forward, but emergency brake came on. Put car in park, shut off engine. Restarted and emergency brake came off. This is the second time this has happened. *Tr

Filed Incident Parking brake · Service brakesNHTSA 10486772
Electrical systemAcceleration & cruise controlEquipment & accessories

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

Filed Incident Electrical system · Vehicle speed control · Equipment adaptive / mobilityNHTSA 10478546
Acceleration & cruise control

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.

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 10468225
Acceleration & cruise control

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...

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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.

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 10456661
Suspension

I have been having problems with air suspension - front and rear. It has the tendency to go up and down at will. We have been to the dealer where we had the second one replaced and it is giving constant problems. The first one lasted quite a few years.(At approx 43000 miles) the second one only months, at about 86000. *Tr

Filed Incident SuspensionNHTSA 10448233
Engine & coolingElectrical system

I should have done my homework prior to purchasing this car used. 2 Months after purchase, car started shaking, and jumping, went into limp home mode. Mechanic unable to repair, but replaced coils and car ran "ok" for about 2 weeks and now does exact same thing times 100. Car starts, idles at about 200 rpms, shakes, pops, jumps and then dies. Mechanic said he has no idea what to do except replace coils again and he not even sure if that will fix the car since that is what the code on the computer told him to do...

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in the 1st place. I have a used car that I have made 2 payments on and is now a beautiful, luxurious pile of scrap metal stuck in a parking lot where it last died. From what all I have read, there is nothing that can be done with this car and even ford doesn't know how to fix it. This will be my last ford product. *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Electrical systemNHTSA 10442542
Engine & coolingElectrical system

Going from a stop or accelerating on the high way the car will throw a etc check engine light and wont move over 3-4 miles per hour. Then goes into a very rough idle, until one turns off the car and restarts then drives fine for a few mins the goes right back into the etc engine fail mode.... Very dangers if merging onto traffic. Almost been hit several times cause of the problem. *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Electrical systemNHTSA 10438468
Seats & seat belts

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 lincoln ls. The contact stated that the plastic panel on the rear of the front driver and passenger side seats detached three times. The failure would cause the seat to lean back and expose the electronic wiring in the seat. The manufacturer advised that the part was not covered. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 43,000. If not fixed passanger can get hurt. Updated 10/26/2011 *ln *tr

Filed Incident SeatsNHTSA 10422604
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 lincoln ls. The contact stated that the check engine light would illuminate and the vehicle would experience difficulty accelerating while driving at various speeds. The failure recurred on an intermittent basis. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, where the catalytic converter was replaced on two occasions. The failure continued to occur. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where various unknown repairs were performed. The failure continued. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 67,000. The vin was unavailable.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10422560
Engine & coolingElectrical system

The car loses power and goes into fail safe mode, at 65 and lots of traffic getting over is not safe! I've spent thousands on new coils, computer, gas pedal, you name it but ford does not know how to fix it! *Kb

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Electrical systemNHTSA 10416930
Transmission & drivetrainAcceleration & cruise controlEquipment & accessories

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

Filed Incident Power train · Vehicle speed control · EquipmentNHTSA 10413629

Lincoln LS: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
200618020Engine & coolingA
200590140Engine & coolingC
200490081Engine & coolingC
200368130Transmission & drivetrainB
20021210210Engine & coolingD
20012511234SuspensionF
20003541181SuspensionF
All LS years

2004 Lincoln LS vs rivals

VehicleComplaintsRecallsCrashesGrade
2004 Lincoln LS9008C
2004 Lincoln Navigator8604DCompare
2004 Lincoln Town Car83018CCompare
2004 Lincoln Aviator8102BCompare

More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.

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Questions about the 2004 Lincoln LS

Does the 2004 Lincoln LS have any recalls?

NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2004 Lincoln LS right now. Recalls can be announced at any time, and this page checks NHTSA every day. You can also check your exact vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Lincoln LS?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the engine & cooling (28), transmission & drivetrain (19), electrical system (18).

How many complaints has the 2004 Lincoln LS had?

90 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on February 4, 2004 and the latest on January 2, 2020. Of these, 8 describe a crash and 1 a fire, and together they report 12 injuries and 0 deaths.

Is the 2004 Lincoln LS a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 50 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Lincoln LS year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.

Which Lincoln LS years have the most complaints?

2000 (354), 2001 (251), 2002 (121). See every Lincoln LS year compared.

What should I do if my 2004 Lincoln LS has a problem?

If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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