Model year record

2001 Lincoln LS

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 319 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V359001

Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint

Component
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
82,300
Reported to NHTSA
2000-11-03
Owners notified
2000-11-24

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE NOT TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATIONS WHEN THEY WERE ATTACHED TO THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS.

Safety risk

IF THE BALL JOINT ATTACHING NUTS ARE NOT ADEQUATELY TIGHTENED, THEY CAN LOOSEN AND, ULTIMATELY, RESULT IN FRACTURE OF THE BALL JOINT STUD. IF THE BALL JOINT FRACTURES, CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE COULD BE AFFECTED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TORQUE ON THE TWO BALL JOINT ATTACHING NUTS. VEHICLES WITH LOOSE BALL JOINT ATTACHING NUTS WILL EITHER HAVE THE FASTENERS TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATION, OR IF NECESSARY, THE BALL JOINTS WILL BE REPLACED.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint6790,000 mi
Suspension23113,000 mi
Air bags2289,000 mi
Suspension: front2199,000 mi
Steering1098,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls1065,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling986,820 mi
Power train: automatic transmission881,000 mi
Air bags: frontal686,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine665,000 mi
Vehicle speed control663,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition578,000 mi
Engine5120,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline5
Exterior lighting: headlights527,208 mi
Power train5120,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic420,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip41,500 mi
Wheels499,500 mi
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs434,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module378,502 mi
Electrical system3120,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers3
Equipment330,000 mi
Seats331,652 mi
Structure3108,000 mi
Structure: body3123,910 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint3106,000 mi
Unknown or other343,530 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal318,000 mi
Air bags: side/window213,000 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator2
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash2
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control257,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner272,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor223,000 mi
Structure: body: door299,999 mi
Structure: frame and members276,000 mi
Suspension: rear271,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer254,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring110,758 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1108,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe173,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: concealment devices1
Fuel system, gasoline1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system173,000 mi
Interior lighting1
Latches/locks/linkages1
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch1
Seat belts185,000 mi
Seat belts: front135,000 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor1
Seats: front assembly: power adjust1
Service brakes1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder127,000 mi
Steering: column120,000 mi
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device1
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly174,567 mi
Steering: rack and pinion1
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields1122,650 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm190,000 mi
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs190,000 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing165,000 mi
Tires136,333 mi
Tires: sidewall1
Traction control system1
Vehicle speed control: cruise control198,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: linkages1
Visibility: glass, side/rear190,000 mi
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer: motor130,000 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior1
Visibility: windshield1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor1
Wheels: rim173,000 mi

The 2000 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2002 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.