Engine
3.0L 6-cyl
How to read this file. Complaint records are unverified owner submissions to the federal safety agency. Counts are raw, not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age. Recall campaigns apply to the model; only a VIN check shows whether this car is affected or repaired. Parts shown are named by an editorial note or listed as a search directory; none is a diagnosis. Full methodology.
Fault profile
Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.
When it fails
The timing of this vehicle's reported failures, from the complaint file itself. A cluster tells you what to expect and when; it is shaped by reporting behavior as well as by the vehicle.
Vehicle age when the failure occurred
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 66 of 68 complaints with a usable failure date.
Odometer when the failure occurred
Owner-reported mileage at failure, in 20,000-mile bands. Based on 52 of 68 complaints reporting a plausible odometer (500 to 500,000 miles; unverified).
Known issues
The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.
Power train
21 complaint records
"MY 2003 LINCOLN LS START SHIFTING WHILE DRIVING AND THE CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON THEN THE E IN THE GEAR BOX CAME ON. *TR..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse power train parts in the directory →
Engine & cooling
15 complaint records
"TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN LS. ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 35-65 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND POWER STEERING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING...."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse engine & cooling parts in the directory →
Electrical system
12 complaint records
"CAR STARTS AND RUNS ROUGH, THEN SURGES FORWARD. HAVE TO HOLD THE BRAKE HARD. CAR THEN STALLS AND GIVES "ETC ENGINE FAILURE". UPON RESTART CAR WILL RUN FINE FOR A WHILE. *TR DEALER CANNOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM, AS IT DOES NOT CONSISTENTLY THROW A CODE, REPLACED THE COILS..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse electrical system parts in the directory →
Recall campaigns
Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN. Each campaign number links to the federal record.
| Campaign | Component | Summary | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 03V136000 | Wheels | 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. | Normally free |
Transport Canada recalls
Recalls issued under Canadian law for this model year, from Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database. Matched by model name, so a Canadian-market variant may appear here that was sold under another name in the US. Units are Canadian vehicles affected.
| Recall | System | Units (CA) | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003094 2003-04-07 | Wheels | 168 | Affects certain vehicles equipped with 17" chrome wheels. Of the 275 wheels with heat treatment lot code B1706; approximately 74 may have missed heat treatment during production. |
Service bulletins and warranty extensions
Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| TSB 20-2233 Jul 2020 | Structure | This article supersedes TSB 19-2026 to update the vehicle model years affected. Some 2000 and newer Ford/Lincoln/Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. | |
| TSB 19-2026 Feb 2019 | Structure | Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. Panel replacement is recommended. | |
| TSB-12-8-1 Aug 2012 | Electrical System | FORD/LINCOLN/MERCURY: MAY HAVE SLUDGE BUILDUP IN THROTTLE BODY LEADING TO LESS AIRFLOW OR ENGINE IDLING RPM FLUCTUATION AND HARD STARTS OR BATTERY DISCONNECT OR DEAD BATTERY AFTER KEEP ALIVE MEMORY (KAM) CLEAR. | |
| CSP 07M07 May 2008 | Electrical System | FORD/LINCOLN MERCURY: CERTAIN 2003-2005 MODEL YEAR LINCOLN LS AND FORD THUNDERBIRD VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.9L ENGINE WITH EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE ON IGNITION COIL ASSEMBLIES AND ON 2003 MY VEHICLES ONLY , ENGINE VALVE COVER GASKETS. *PE | |
| 08-N-01 Mar 2008 | Engine And Engine Cooling | LINCOLN SERVICE CAMPAIGN: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. CERTAIN 2003-2005 LINCOLN LS VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DURATEC 3.0L 4V ENGINE. PCV HOSE ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT. CSC WAS RECEIVED. *PE |
Show 55 more bulletins
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0707 Jul 2007 | Engine And Engine Cooling | CERTAIN 2003 MODEL YEAR LINCOLN LS AND FORD THUNDERBIRD VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.9L ENGINE - EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE ON IGNITION COIL ASSEMBLIES AND ENGINE VALVE COVER GASKETS. ALSO HAVE AN OWNER'S LETTER. *NJ | |
| 0295 Nov 2005 | Electrical System | EXCESSIVE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CURRENT DRAW WHICH COULD RESULT IN A DISCHARGED BATTERY AND A NO CRANK CONDITION. *TT SERVICE TIPS. *TT | |
| 041601 Nov 2005 | Engine And Engine Cooling | WDS COP KIT DIAGNOSTIC TIP - COIL ON PLUG (COP) IGNITION SYSTEMS - ENGINE MISFIRE OR ROUGH RUNNING. *TT | |
| 04219 Jun 2005 | Electrical System | MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) AND ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL (ETC) LAMPS ON WITH BOTH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) P2106 AND P2135. *TT | |
| 042421 Jun 2005 | Seat Belts | SAFETY BELT RETRACTION SPEED. *TT | |
| 0597 Jun 2005 | Engine And Engine Cooling | INTERMITTENT STUMBLE ON RAPID TIP-IN FROM STEADY SPEED, GENERALLY BETWEEN 20-50 MPH (32-80 KM/H) ACCOMPANIED BY A INDUCTIVE BACKFIRE AFTER THE TIP-IN. *TT | |
| 02162 Jun 2005 | Structure | WATER/MOISTURE IN COP WELLS - DTC P0301-P0308 - 3.9L ENGINE - VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 5/1/2004. *TT | |
| 18615 May 2005 | Engine And Engine Cooling | UNUSUAL ENGINE NOISE OR ENGINE KNOCK CONCERNS DUE TO REGULAR FUEL. *TT | |
| 0565 Apr 2005 | Vehicle Speed Control | NO START, ROUGH IDLE, OR MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS) P0171, P0174, P0173, P2195, P2197, P0420, P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304, P0305, P0306. *TT | |
| 18505 Mar 2005 | Exterior Lighting | DAY TIME RUNNING LAMPS. *EH | |
| 0531 Feb 2005 | Engine And Engine Cooling | MAF DIAGNOSTIC SERVICE TIP - VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH EGR SYSTEM MODULE (ESM). *TT | |
| 05310 Feb 2005 | Seat Belts | SAFETY BELT WEB STOP BUTTON SERVICE. *EH | |
| 18426 Feb 2005 | Equipment | AM FM AND CELLULAR PHONE RECEPTION INTERFERENCE . *EH | |
| 18383 Jan 2005 | Electrical System | AM/FM AND CELLULAR PHONE RECEPTION INTERFERENCE - SERVICE TIP. *TT | |
| 052308 Jan 2005 | Parking Brake | PARKING AID SYSTEM INOPERATIVE. *AK | |
| 04251 Dec 2004 | Structure | ALUMINUM CORROSION - SERVICE TIP. *TT | |
| 04189 Dec 2004 | Visibility | REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER GRID/INTEGRAL ANTENNA DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR - TERMINAL TAB REPAIR. *TT | |
| 042107 Dec 2004 | Power Train | GENERAL (PCM) POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *TT | |
| 18320 Dec 2004 | Steering | VIBRATION FELT FOR A FEW MILES OF DRIVING AFTER PARKING. *EH | |
| 04B20 Dec 2004 | Latches/Locks/Linkages | CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 04B20. REAR SEAT LATCHES AND OWNER GUIDE LABEL FOR VEHICLES THAT MAY HAVE A REAR SEAT LATCH THAT IS DIFFICULT TO LATCH AND SUPPLEMENTAL LATCH VERIFICATION INSTRUCTION LABEL WHICH SHOULD BE AFFIXED TO THE OWNER GUIDE. *TT | |
| 042213 Nov 2004 | Service Brakes | DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) C1145 AND/OR C1155 STORED IN ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) MODULE. *TT | |
| 04217 Nov 2004 | Power Train | GENERAL POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *TT | |
| 17258 Oct 2004 | Equipment | SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN SWITCHING CLIMATE CONTROL BETWEEN PANEL, FLOOR AND PANEL/FLOOR MODES. *TT | |
| 04174 Sep 2004 | Electrical System | MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ILLUMINATED - SYSTEM LEAN DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTC'S) - SERVICE TIPS. VARIOUS MODELS INCLUDING 2004 F-SERIES. *TT | |
| 18133 Sep 2004 | Tires | P225/55R16 CONTINENTAL TIRES MAY EXHIBIT EXCESSIVE TIRE CUPPING/FEATHER EDGE WEAR AT LOW TIRE MILEAGE (UNDER 24,000 MILES/39,000 KM). OASIS. *TT | |
| 031404 Aug 2004 | Engine And Engine Cooling | ENGINE MISFIRE OR RUNNING - COIL ON PLUG (COP) IGNITION SYSTEMS - WDS COP KIT DIAGNOSTIC TIPS. TO INCLUDE VARIOUS 2005 MODELS. * AR THIS ARTICLE 04161 SUPERSEDES TSB 03-14-04. | |
| 04157 Aug 2004 | Exterior Lighting | MOSITURE IN REVERSE LAMP. *TT | |
| 041514 Aug 2004 | Visibility | REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER GRID/INTEGRAL ANTENNA DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR - TERMINAL TAB REPAIR. *TT | |
| 031501 Jul 2004 | Visibility | INOPERATIVE ELECTRIC REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER (HEATED BACKLITE) GRID LINES, INTEGRAL ANTENNA CONCERNS. *TT | |
| 17929 Jul 2004 | Tires | 16-INCH CONTINENTAL TIRES MAY EXHIBIT TIRE VIBRATION CAUSED BY FLAT SPOTTING. *TT | |
| 17942 Jul 2004 | Electrical System | KEY-IN-IGNITION WARNING CHIME SOUND WHENEVER THE DRIVER'S DOOR IS OPEN (EVEN WITH NO KEY IN THE IGNITION), THE EASY EXIT FEATURE INOPERATIVE WHEN THE KEY IS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION, OR THE STEERING COLUMN (AND SEAT IF APPLICABLE) MOVING BACK AND FORTH WHEN THE KEY IS REMOVED... | |
| 17946 Jul 2004 | Service Brakes | ABS WARNING INDICATOR ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE C1145 AND/OR C1155. *TT | |
| 04L21 Jun 2004 | Equipment | VEHICLE EMISSION CONTROL INFORMATION (VECI) LABEL REPLACEMENT. *TT | |
| 04101 May 2004 | Steering | STEERING GEAR SQUEAK WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, ESPECIALLY DURING LOW SPEED PARKING MANEUVERS. *TT | |
| 17803 May 2004 | Equipment | VECI LABEL INSTALLED THAT INCORRECTLY INDICATES THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A SECONDARY AIR INJECTION SYSTEM (AIR). SERVICE TIP. *TT | |
| 17740 Apr 2004 | Electrical System | ELECTTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL WARNING MESSAGE OR LAMP ON - MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) P2106 - POSSIBLE DRIVEABILITY SYMPTOMS. *TT | |
| 17756 Apr 2004 | Steering | STEERING GEAR NOISE. *TT | |
| 17758 Apr 2004 | Visibility | UNINTENDED OPENING OF THE SIDE DOOR WINDOW GLASS AND MOONROOF WHILE VEHICLE IS PARKED (FALSE GLOBAL OPEN). *TT | |
| 03133 Mar 2004 | Seats | ONE OR BOTH CLIMATE CONTROLLED SEATS TURNING OFF SHORTLY AFTER INITIALIZATION WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE B2729 (CUSHION OVER-TEMP DETECTED) PRESENT IN THE CLIMATE CONTROLLED SEAT MODULE (CCSM). | |
| 17634 Mar 2004 | Equipment | KEYLESS ENTRY KEYPAD INOPERATIVE. *TT | |
| 17638 Mar 2004 | Parking Brake | PARKING BRAKE WARNING MESSAGE AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) U1040. *TT | |
| 17666 Mar 2004 | Engine And Engine Cooling | DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) U0300 (INTERNAL CONTROL MODULE SOFTWARE INCOMPATIBILITY) STORED IN THE PCM WITH NO OTHER DTC'S PRESENT. *TT | |
| 17673 Mar 2004 | Parking Brake | SERVICE PARK BRAKE MESSAGE WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) B2477 IN THE ELCTRONIC PARK BRAKE MODULE. *TT | |
| 17541 Feb 2004 | Seats | FRONT SEATBACK TRIM PANEL J-HOOK FAILURE IN HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES. *MJ | |
| 17583 Feb 2004 | Visibility | UNINTENDED OPENING OF THE SIDE DOOR WINDOW GLASS AND MOONROOF WHILE VEHICLE IS PARKED. *TT | |
| 17479 Jan 2004 | Electrical System | MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ON WITH IGNITION COIL RELATED DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (P035X). *TT | |
| 17512 Jan 2004 | Electrical System | AN INTERMITTENT MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) P0462 (FUEL LEVEL SENSOR A CIRCUIT LOW) OR P2067 (FUEL LEVEL SENSOR B CIRCUIT LOW) CAUSED BY AN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED REMOTE START SYSTEM. *TT | |
| 040402 Jan 2004 | Seats | CLIMATE CONTROLLED SEATS TURNING OFF SHORTLY AFTER INITIALIZATION - DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES B2729, B2730, B2731. *TT | |
| 17314 Nov 2003 | Vehicle Speed Control | HIGH AND/OR ROLLING IDLE AT LOW MILEAGE. *TT | |
| 17315 Nov 2003 | Electrical System | ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL (ETC) WARNING LAMP ON OR ETC ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE MESSAGE DISPLAYED WITH MULTIPLE DRIVEABILITY SYMPTOMS AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS). *TT | |
| 17338 Nov 2003 | Electrical System | DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) P2106 STORED IN THE PCM (POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE). *TT | |
| 17382 Nov 2003 | Electrical System | DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) P0300-P0308 OR P0350-P0358. *TT | |
| 03203 Oct 2003 | Electrical System | MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ILLUMINATED WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS) P0442, P0455, P0456, P0457 OR P1442 OR A CHECK FUEL CAP LAMP ILLUMINATED WITH DTC P0457 FOR THE EVAPORATIVE EMISSION SYSTEM. *TT | |
| 17279 Oct 2003 | Equipment | NGS SERVICE CARD VERSION 11.0 OR HIGHER MUST BE USED FOR ADVANCETRAC (IVD) CALIBRATION. *TT | |
| 03181 Sep 2003 | Electrical System | REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE) - SERVICE TIPS. *TT |
Showing 60 of 80 distinct bulletins on file for this vehicle.
Before you buy this vehicle
A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.
- Drive it from a dead stop, twice, on a hill if you can.Shudder, hesitation, or a lurch under light throttle is how this vehicle's largest complaint cluster shows itself. Then ask for the transmission service history in writing; repeat repairs are a pattern, not a fluke.
- Cold-start it yourself and listen for the first thirty seconds.Knocking, ticking that fades as it warms, or blue or white smoke on startup are the sounds of this vehicle's engine cluster. Check the oil level and the coolant color, and ask whether the engine or its head gaskets have ever been out.
- Sit in it with the engine off and test everything that has a switch.Windows, locks, lights, the cluster, the radio. Electrical faults are this vehicle's story and the hardest to see on a drive: an intermittent no-start waits for the second week of ownership. Ask for the battery's age and whether any control module has been replaced.
- Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 1 recall campaign on file. An open recall needs VIN-specific confirmation. Many are quick, no-charge fixes and worth negotiating over; an unresolved do-not-drive advisory, or a remedy the manufacturer has not yet made available, should stop the purchase until it is resolved.
- Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.
Parts search directory
The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.
Open the parts directory for this Lincoln LS →