- The problem
- On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel tank may have a localized thin wall section in the lower half of the tank. The fuel tank may crack creating a potential for a fuel leak and fuel odor. The "service engine soon" indicator may illuminate.
- The risk
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace the fuel tank free of charge. The recall began on april 4, 2005. Owners may contact ford at 1-800-392-3673, lincoln at 1-800-521-4140.
Vehicle safety record
2005 Lincoln LS Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 90 complaints about the 2005 Lincoln LS with NHTSA, most often about the engine & cooling (22) and the electrical system (21). Those complaints describe 4 crashes and 6 injuries. It is covered by 1 recall, the latest in March 2005 for the storage. For comparison, the 2004 has 90 and the 2006 has 18.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical LS year, for its age
#118 most complained-about 2005 vehicle
- Complaints
- 90
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes
- 4
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 6
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2005 Lincoln LS problems
Share of all 90 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2005 Lincoln LS recalls 1
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
What owners say
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90 complaints about the 2005 Lincoln LS
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 4.
Car accident with full left side impaction door will not open doors will not open and I was not able to move out of my seat and yet I was stuck behind the steering wheel behind smashed impacted buckled, steering wheel did not deploy the airbags
The contact owns a 2005 Lincoln LS. The contact stated all four tires melted and rusted to the ground and the belly of the vehicle fell out. The contact also stated the vehicle was overheated. There were no warning lights. The contact put tape underneath the engine to keep it in place. The contact drove the vehicle to the local mechanic which diagnosed the failure with a tire stripped. The vehicle was towed to a junkyard. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000
The fuel tank needs replacement due to a crack in the fuel tank is causing fumes in the vehicle. Exactly like the recall of 2005 Lincoln LS, that the dealership cannot find because it is more than 15 years.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 lincoln ls. The contact stated that there was a fuel odor coming form the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuel tank needed to be replaced. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 125,810.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 lincoln ls. The contact stated while driving at 15-20 mph, the driver's side air bag deployed without warning or impact. The contact sustained injuries to neck and medical attention was provided. The vehicle was towed to a relatives home. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The contact called the insurance company to notify the of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
Ball joints, outer tie rod ends and steering section goes bad, doing a lot of popping and creaking. *Tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 lincoln ls. While driving 65 mph, the vehicle felt as if a tire blew out. Afterwards, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000. The vin was not available.
Over heats constantly this is a known issue with this car deffinatley manufacturer problem
Coils keep failing on low mileage car. Electrical issues with various components and security alarm goes off many times each day.
Drove about 30 miles slow down to a red light when engine went into failsafe mode but did not throw any codes. There was no check engine light at all. It took a couple of tries to get it running again. I am very concerned for my safety while driving extensively on highways without any clue as to how to solve this issue.
When I put the truck in park then when iam ready to pull off it stuck in park plus my airbag light wont go out
The 2005 lincoln ls left the road, hit a ditch, and overturned several times in a field. The vehicle overturned side to side. The airbags did not deploy during the crash. The driver seat and the passenger seat we're both occupied at the time of the crash. We do not believe that the accident was caused by in a faulty mechanisms in the vehicle, however, despite multiple impacts during the accident, the airbags never deployed. The injuries sustained in the crash could have been prevented, or minimized, if the airbags...
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would have deployed as they should have. The insurance company is esurance and the claim number is [[redacted]] and they can be contacted at [[redacted]]. [[redacted]] is the adjuster. Thank you, in advance, for your prompt response and attention to this matter. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.S.C. 552(B)(6). *Tr
The car turns on and runs but loses power randomly. It either sputters dead or stalls and backfires. When I turn it off and turn it back on it repeats the cycle. I have replaced fuel pumps, throttle body and maf sensors. And still no luck I see on the lincoln forums that this is a problem not yet recognized by the nhsta or lincoln.
Etc engine fail safe - electronic throttle control replaced with oe... Continues to produce an etc engine fail safe and no code(s) specifics for faulty coils (or which coils) (3 bad coils & passenger side valve/spark plug cover gaskets) or possible faulty alternator. Also, climate control device failed 3 times and was replaced 3 times. Cheap thin walled anti-freeze and windshield washer fluid reservoir cracked during extreme cold weather conditions.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 lincoln ls. While driving 45 mph, the front driver side curtain air bags deployed without warning or impact. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
Had just come off freeway and parked. Noticed that climate control was blowing hot air (excessively). Turning the control to cooler settings just increased the blast of heat. The dual setting was not working either as most air was being forced to the driver side. The strange thing was that shortly after that, the parking brake service light came on! .After stopping and turning the ignition off and on a couple of times and engaging and disengaging the parking brake a couple of times also, the parking brake service...
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light has turned off. It came back on once or twice, repeated the steps, and 'so far' has not come back on. But the heating/cooling, or lack of cooling is still a problem even through all controls seem to be operating properly, including the passenger side temp control is operational but does nothing as far as heating and cooling. At first it seemed coincidental for both the climate issues and the parking brake issues to occur at the same time. But after a search of the web turned up other people reporting similar 'coincidences' of the same combination of problems and then finding two complains on this site that also report the same basic information, I no longer believe that they are coincidental but may in fact related. In both complaints, 10305448 and 14499467, they talk of the braking brake service light and or issues with the brake actually engaging with one also mentioning the blasting of only heat out of the ducts. I find it very interesting and possibly worthy of notice as the dealers in both complaints relate the cause to interferences between the components, the parking brake electronics and the dual coolant control valve. *Tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 lincoln ls. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 mph, the parking brake, abs, and traction warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was merged to the side of the road, where it was turn off and restarted however, the failure persisted and recurred multiple times. The vehicle was not taken to a mechanic to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 175,000.
I have a repeated problem where excessive corrosion around the wheel rim causes a loss of tire pressure. I have to repeatedly have a mechanic grind and reseal the wheel rim. Bead sealer alone is ineffective due to the level of corrosion. I can lose 15 -20 lbs of pressure in an hour when this occurs. I have had two tires that have been damaged by a rapid loss of pressure. I am concerned to take the car on longer trips because I have to repeatedly check the tire pressure. *Tr
Wheels were found to be delaminating and separating at the base material level. All four wheels . One tire had the seal bead completely missing . Reported to lincoln / ford same date ....They reported that this was not a quality problem and out of warranty . Clearly this is a safety issue as it will allow the tire to come off the wheel and is an inherent defect in the manufacturing process. *Tr
Car lost power on turn into traffic, wrench light and check engine lights went on car, car went on "limp home" mode as I entered onto the highway at very low speed. *Tr
It was driving fine one day until I went to start it. It said etc engine fail safe mode, check parking brake and something about the gears. It starts sometimes, I've had it shut down while doing 50 mph and lose steering and bad braking. This is a potential hazard for my newborn in the car. Now it wont start and no one knows what the problem is. How can they sell a car that they cant find out the problem on themselves and sell it? *Tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 lincoln ls. The contact stated that the ignition coils were replaced frequently before 100,000 miles. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis where it was stated the ignition coils misfired and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the problem persisted. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
EMERGENCY BRAKE STICK . CAN'T GONNA WHERE STUCK. *TR
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 lincoln ls. The contact was driving 15 mph and crashed into another vehicle due to the lack of visibility between the passenger's side window and the windshield. The contact stated that the interior designs width was too large and caused him not to notice the other vehicle. The contact stated that he sustained minor lacerations to the head from the crash. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the incident. The failure mileage was 115,000.
I was completely stopped at a red light with my foot on the brake. The car suddenly lurched on it's own. My reaction was to apply both feet to the brake with force. In spite of that, the vehicle continued to crawl and it rolled into the intersection. I was hit by an oncoming car. My car was totaled. *Tr
Lincoln LS: every year compared
All LS years2005 Lincoln LS vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 Lincoln LS | 90 | 1 | C | |
| 2005 Lincoln Town Car | 119 | 3 | C | Compare |
| 2005 Lincoln Aviator | 51 | 0 | A | Compare |
| 2005 Lincoln Navigator | 48 | 0 | C | Compare |
| 2005 Lincoln Mark LT | 1 | 2 | B | Compare |
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.
Questions about the 2005 Lincoln LS
Does the 2005 Lincoln LS have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2005 Lincoln LS: storage (March 2005). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Lincoln LS?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the engine & cooling (22), electrical system (21), transmission & drivetrain (17).
How many complaints has the 2005 Lincoln LS had?
90 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on June 3, 2005 and the latest on April 11, 2023. Of these, 4 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 6 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2005 Lincoln LS a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 56 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 2005 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