Is the 2001 Lincoln LS a bad year?
240 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other LS years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2001 Lincoln LS are in line with other LS years. Suspension stands out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2001 LS owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 95,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| SuspensionSTANDS OUT | 110 (46%) | 76k–113k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Air bags | 33 (14%) | 76k–121k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine | 25 (10%) | 47k–99k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical system | 14 (6%) | 56k–95k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Steering | 14 (6%) | 75k–127k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 14 (6%) | 51k–117k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Speed control | 11 (5%) | 42k–103k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 16 (7%) | 35k–83k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Brakes | 13 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 11 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Equipment | 9 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Wheels | 9 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 6 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exhaust | 5 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 95,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 240 complaints: 20 mention a crash · 1 mentions a fire · 11 report an injury · 2 say the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Apr 2023.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2001 Lincoln LS: 1
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The front suspension lower ball joints were not tightened to specifications when they were attached to the lower control arms. If the ball joint attaching nuts are not adequately tightened, they can loosen and, ultimately, result in fracture of the ball joint stud.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Lincoln: 2
Repair instructions Lincoln sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2001 Lincoln LS. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Neighbouring years
2000 LS: 352 complaints, keep it · 2002 LS: 121 complaints, keep it.
Every Lincoln LS year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · All LS years side by side
Other Lincoln models: Lincoln Aviator · Lincoln Continental · Lincoln Corsair · Lincoln MKC · Lincoln MKS · Lincoln MKT · Lincoln MKX · Lincoln MKZ · Lincoln MKZ Hybrid · Lincoln Nautilus · Lincoln Navigator · Lincoln Town Car · Lincoln Zephyr. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2001 Lincoln LS a bad year?
240 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other LS years. At 95,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Lincoln LS?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: suspension (110), air bags (33), engine (25), electrical system (14), steering (14).
How many recalls does the 2001 Lincoln LS have?
1 recall campaign list this model year: Suspension (NHTSA 00V359001). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.