2003 Lincoln LS
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Transmission & Drivetrain
Transmission & Drivetrain leads by volume: 20 of 68 complaints (29%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (3) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 121 in 2002 to 68 in 2003.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | vs. 2003 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 4,100–4,550 | 4,100–4,550 | 3,700–4,300 | 3,700–4,300 | 3,900–4,300 | |
| Combined MPG | 17–19 | 17–19 | 18–21 | 18–21 | 18–20 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 15–16 / 22–23 | 15–16 / 22–23 | 16–18 / 22–25 | 15–18 / 21–25 | 16–17 / 22–24 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 468–523 | 468–523 | 423–494 | 423–494 | 444–494 | |
| Complaints filed | 240 | 121 | 68 | 91 | 90 | |
| Recalls issued | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 20 | 21 | 3 | 8 | 4 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 13 | 9 | 3 | 12 | 6 | |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2003 Lincoln LS have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2003 Lincoln LS?
Transmission & Drivetrain: 20 of 68 NHTSA complaints (29%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Lincoln LS get?
EPA rates it 18–21 MPG combined across 4 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2003 Lincoln LS?
EPA estimates $3,700–$4,300 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 3.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 17 mpg | 24 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,900 | 444 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 3.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 18 mpg (high) | 25 mpg (high) | 21 mpg (high) | $3,700 (low) | 423 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 5-spd | 8 | 3.9L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 16 mpg (low) | 22 mpg (low) | 18 mpg (low) | $4,300 (high) | 494 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 5-spd | 8 | 3.9L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 16 mpg (low) | 23 mpg | 18 mpg (low) | $4,300 (high) | 494 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 6 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (1)
WHEELS · Campaign 03V136000 · Apr 22, 2003
Defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 17 INCH CHROME WHEELS, THE CHROME WHEELS WERE NOT HEAT-TREATED. THESE WHEELS MAY CRACK AT THE LUG-NUT HOLES, WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE LOSS OF THE LUG-NUT TORQUE.
Consequence: IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE NOISE AND/OR VIBRATION WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE COULD RESULT IN THE WHEEL SEPARATING FROM THE HUB, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WHEELS TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL THE WHEELS HAVE BEEN HEAT-TREATED. ANY WHEEL THAT HAS NOT BEEN HEAT-TREATED WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 14, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT LINCOLN AT 1-800-521-4140.