AI Damage2005 Lincoln LS: common problems
Owners of the 2005 Lincoln LS filed 90 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and powertrain. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 90
- involving a crash
- 4
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 23% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 19% of all complaints
- 3 Engine and cooling 14% of all complaints
- 4 Air bags 11% of all complaints
- 5 Engine 10% of all complaints
- 6 Vehicle speed control 10% of all complaints
- 7 Fuel/propulsion system 9% of all complaints
- 8 Wheels 9% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 21 complaints (23% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Powertrain: 17 complaints (19% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 13 complaints (14% of all).
- Air bags: 10 complaints (11% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine: 9 complaints (10% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- 3.9 L · petrol · 8 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- automatic, 5-speed
Drive: RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 90 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 21 | 1 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 17 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 13 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 10 | 2 | 0 |
| Engine | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 9 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Parking brake | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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 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 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 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.
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 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.
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
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 3,812 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 10% most complained about).
On average one model year of the LS has 123 complaints (8 years in the data). This year has 90, below average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Lincoln LS?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, powertrain, engine and cooling. Total complaints: 90. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (23%), rollaway, parking brake (10%), stalls while driving (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2005 Lincoln LS?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2005 Lincoln LS from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2005 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.