RoadVitals

2002 Lincoln LS Brakes Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Brakes reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
15
Latest Oct 11, 2022
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
12%
of 121 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
7
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
2

What this page shows

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2002 Lincoln LS submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 15 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming brake

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Oct 11, 2022

The contact owns a 2002 Lincoln LS. The contact stated while driving at 50-55 MPH, the vehicle accelerated unintendedly. The brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that he stood on the brake pedal until the vehicle responded 8-10 minutes later. The vehicle speed was 120 MPH at the time the contact regained control of the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving. The contact shifted into neutral (N) and veered to the side of the road where the vehicle came to a complete stop. The contact then shifted into park (P). However, the RPMs revved up to 5,000 MPH. The contact turned off the vehicle. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 230,000.

NHTSA ID
11488849
Incident
Oct 4, 2022
Mileage
230,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 6, 2020
Crash reported2 injuries reported

MY DAUGHTER WAS A RESTRAINED DRIVER ON A HIGHWAY ---IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, MOVING ABOUT 55MPH. THE CAR IN FRONT OF HER BRAKED SUDDENLY AND WHEN MY DAUGHTER PUSHED ON THE BRAKE IT WENT TO THE FLOOR AND SHE HAD NO BRAKES. SHE CLIPPED THAT CAR REAR END AND SWERVED RIGHT'HITTING A SECOND CAR AS SHE GOT TO THE SHOULDER. SHE SCRAPPED ALONG THE METAL RAIL FOR A DISTANCE AND THEN WENT OFF THE ROAD IN TO A GULLY AND HIT A POLE AND AN DIRT EMBANKMENT. BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE LIGHT POLE DID NOT LOOK DAMAGED, I THINK THE POLE MUST HAVE HAD A LARGE CEMENT BASE, BASED ON THE EXTENT AND SHAPE OF THE FRONT END DAMAGE. THE CAR IS TOTALED. THE AIR BAGS DID A GREAT JOB. SHE HAS A BAD SPRAIN ON HER ANKLE THAT SHE WAS TRYING TO BRAKE WITH AND SORE EVERYWHERE. A FAMILY MEMBER WORKS AT FORD . HE ASKED ME TO CHECK THE BRAKE FLUID SINCE BOTH FRONT AND REAR BRAKES FAILED. I CHECKED THE BRAKE PEDDLE AND IT WENT TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT ANY RESISTANCE. I CHECKED THE BRAKE RESERVOIR AND IT WAS FULL. MY FAMILY MEMBER TOLD ME TO SUBMIT THIS REPORT.

NHTSA ID
11307612
Incident
Feb 3, 2020
AirbagsBrakes
Filed Aug 11, 2016

2002 LINCOLN LS , AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CONTINUES TO STAY ON. HAVE HAD TO DRIVE CAR FOR 3 YRS LIKE THIS WHILE HAVING FEAR OF AIR BAG NOT WORKING IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. 3 MECHANICS HAVE TRIED TO FIX AND IT ONLY TURNS OFF FOR A FEW MIN.S AFTER THEY ATTEMPT A FIX WITH THE WIRING. THE MILEAGE THEN BEGAN ABOUT 80,007. ABOUT 1.5 YR AGO (MAY 2014) MY AC /HEATER CORE FLUID BEGAN LEAKING. IT WORSENED WHEN AC WAS TURNED HIGH, TOOK ABOUT 2 MONTHS BEFORE BURNING SMELL WAS CONTINUOUSLY COMING FROM ENGINE AFTER RUNNING AC AND FLUID WAS ALWAYS DRIPPING. 6 MONTHS (JAN 2016) AGO MY BRAKE PEDAL BEGAN FLUTTERING WHEN DEPRESSED. I HAD THE CONTROL ARMS, BALL JOINTS AND BRAKES/ROTORS REPLACED. THE BRAKE PEDAL STILL FLUTTERS WHEN SLOWING FROM 30 MPH QUICKLY. MY LINCOLN LS MILEAGE IS 86,605

NHTSA ID
10895177
Incident
Jan 4, 2016
Mileage
85,901 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed May 19, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LINCOLN LS. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE EMERGENCY BRAKES ALSO FAILED TO SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO SLOW DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA ID
10865837
Incident
May 19, 2016
Mileage
200,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceSteering
Filed Oct 21, 2014
Crash reported

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH ON THE TRUMAN PARKWAY THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AS FAST AS IT WOULD GO. BRAKES FAILED AND CAR WENT OUT OF CONTROL. AFTER AVOIDING TO HIT 5 O6 CARS IT SIDE SWIPED ANOTHER CAR THEN VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND CAME TO A STOP ON A WET GRASSY AREA. IN 2 PREVIOUS INCIDENTS THE ENGINE REVVED UP AT A RED LIGHT AND I ALMOST HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. *TR

NHTSA ID
10649041
Incident
Oct 17, 2014
Mileage
100,018 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Oct 20, 2014
Crash reported

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH ON THE PARKWAY THE CAR ACCELORATED AS FAR AS IT WOULD GO, BRAKES FAILED AND CAR WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND SIDE SWIPED ANOTHER CAR THEN WENT ON A GRASSY STRIP AND CAME TO A STOP.

NHTSA ID
10654415
Incident
Oct 17, 2014
Mileage
100,018 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Feb 2, 2006
Crash reported

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ALSO PUSHED WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LURCH FORWARD AND STRIKE ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM BEHIND AT 45MPH. ALTHOUGH THERE WAS A CRASH, NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MINOR DAMAGE. THE POLICE WERE ON THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE PLACEMENT OF THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS WERE ACCURATE AND SUGGESTED THE CRASH WAS NOT DUE TO ANY DEFECT. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, NO REPAIRS WERE MADE CONCERNING THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS.

NHTSA ID
10149297
Incident
Jan 12, 2006
Mileage
19,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Dec 27, 2005
Crash reported

BRAKE FAILURE. AFTER 36 MONTHS OF LEASING A 2002 LINCOLN LS, MY WIFE AND I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE WITH IT HAVING APPROXIMATELY 28,000 MILES IN SEPTEMBER 2005. IN DECEMBER OF THAT YEAR WITH LESS THAN 30,000 MILES, MY WIFE HAD A MINOR TRAFFIC ACCIDENT WHEN WHILE BRAKING THE CAR FAILED TO STOP. THE BRAKES HAD BEEN SERVICED IN AUGUST FOR A SQUEAL. THERE WAS NO EXCESSIVE WEAR BUT THE ROTORS WERE RE-SURFACED. PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT THERE HAD BEEN NO OTHER BRAKING PROBLEMS. *NM

NHTSA ID
10146182
Incident
Dec 20, 2005
Brakes
Filed Oct 24, 2005
Crash reported

BRAKE FAILURE. MY WIFE AND I PURCHASED THE 2002 LINCOLN LS IN AUGUST, 2005 FROM OUR LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. LATER THAT MONTH ON TWO OCCASIONS MY WIFE REPORTED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED DURING LOW SPEED STOPS. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOUND NOTHING WRONG. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SUGGESTED SHE MIGHT BE DRIVING WITH TWO FEET AND ASKED THAT SHE ALLOW HER SPOUSE TO DRIVE IT FOR A WHILE TO SEE IF IT HAPPENED TO HIM. ON OCTOBER 5, 2005 DURING A LOW SPEED STOP AT AN INTERSECTION, THE BRAKES FAILED AGAIN CAUSING A MINOR TRAFFIC ACCIDENT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES BUT A CLAIM WAS FILED WITH OUR INSURANCE COMPANY. AGAIN, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO OUR PERSONAL MECHANIC AND HE WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM. ON OCTOBER 17, THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE AGAIN WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING BUT DID NOT RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. ON OCTOBER 24, 2005 I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND BEGINNING TO STOP DURING SLOW SPEED TRAVEL AND DEPRESSED THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE FELT ALMOST AS IF IT ACCELERATED AND I DID WHAT I SUGGESTED THAT MY WIFE DO IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN AND THAT WAS TO SLAM THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL OR REVERSE TO STOP IT. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THIS DID NOT RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT AS NO OTHER VEHICLES WERE IN FRONT OF ME. I CHECKED THIS WEBSITE TO FIND THAT OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM, REPORTED IT TO THE DEALERSHIPS AND RECEIVED THE SAME RESULTS FROM FORD. "NOTHING FOUND" I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AGAIN, CONTACTED THE FORD COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONS DIVISION AND ALSO FILED THIS COMPLAINT. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DEADLY DEFECT AND SO FAR FORD CONTENDS THEY CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG. THE VEHICLE WILL BE LOOK AT AGAIN AT THE DEALERSHIP. *NM

NHTSA ID
10140631
Incident
Oct 23, 2005
Mileage
60,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 30, 2005

DT: 2002 LINCOLN LSE. HAD THREE INSTANCES WHERE THE CONSUMER TRIED TO BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AND DID NOT STOP. THIS HAS BEEN OVER THE LAST NINE MONTHS. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THEY DID NOT HAVE A CODE. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY, AND THEY SAID THEY HAD NO OTHER INSTANCES WITH THIS MODEL CAR. THE CONSUMER BOUGHT VEHICLE NEW IN AUGUST 2002. HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES BEFORE NINE MONTHS AGO. THERE HAS BEEN NO ACCIDENTS. *AK

NHTSA ID
10138273
Incident
Jan 1, 2005
Brakes
Filed Jun 10, 2005
Crash reported

IN PAST MONTH LINCOLN LS 2002 VIN [XXX] EXPERIENCED TWO LOW-SPEED (LESS THAN 10 MPH) BRAKE FAILURES.ONE RESULTED IN A MINOR ACCIDENT.THE FIRST OCCURRED APPROX. MAY 1, BUT NO ACCIDENT RESULTED.WHILE I WAS ATTEMPTING TO STOP AT AN INTERSECTION, BRAKES FAILED TO HOLD AND CAR ROLLED THROUGH A STOP SIGN INTO THE CROSS STREET.THERE WAS ONCOMING TRAFFIC BUT NO ACCIDENT RESULTED.I IMMEDIATELY HAD CAR EVALUATED BY MY PERSONAL MECHANIC AND SERVICE DEPT AT CENTRAL FORD IN HOUSTON. NEITHER SHOP WAS ABLE TO DIAGNOSE AND FIX PROBLEM.ON MORNING OF MAY 31, MY SON WAS DRIVING TO HIS OFFICE IN GALVESTON WHEN BRAKES AGAIN FAILED TO HOLD DURING TRAFFIC STOP.THERE WAS A MINOR ACCIDENT WHEN LINCOLN REAR-ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE.LINCOLN WAS TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP IN GALVESTON EVEN THOUGH THE BRAKES APPEARED TO FUNCTION AFTER THE ACCIDENT-POLICE INVESTIGATOR DID NOT BELIEVE LINCOLN WAS SAFE TO OPERATE GIVEN HISTORY OF BRAKE FAILURE.THERE WAS MINOR DAMAGE TO THE FRONT BUMPER OF LINCOLN AND ALSO THE BACK BUMPER OF VAN THAT WAS REAR-ENDED.ON JUNE 1 HAD LINCOLN TOWED FROM GALVESTON TO SOUTHWEST LINCOLN IN HOUSTON.AGAIN SERVICE SHOP HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO IDENTIFY AND CORRECT ROOT CAUSE OF BRAKE FAILURE INCIDENTS.SERVICE DEPT ADVISED ME THEY CAN FIND NO PROBLEMS WITH LINCOLN.I SPOKE WITH A SENIOR SERVICE CONSULTANT AT CENTRAL FORD.HE SAID THERE IS NO HISTORY OF BRAKE FAILURE WITH LINCOLNS OF THIS MODEL TYPE.I TOOK LINCOLN AGAIN TO SOUTHWEST LINCOLN ON MONDAY MORNING AND PICKED IT UP LATE TUESDAY AFTERNOON FOR DIAGNOSIS AND AGAIN THE SERVICE SHOP HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO IDENTIFY PROBLEM.INFERENCE IS THAT I SHOULD BE ABLE TO SAFELY DRIVE IT, BUT THE FAIL-TO-BRAKE INCIDENTS HAVE CONVINCED ME THAT CAR IS TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE.I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH LINCOLN AND WAS TOLD THAT IT IS UP TO THE INDIVIDUAL DEALERSHIP TO FIND PROBLEM AND NOT LINCOLN'S RESPONSIBILITY.I WAS TOLD BY THE SENIOR SERVICE ADVISOR THAT AS LONG AS THE BRAKE FAILURE CAN'T BE DUPLICATED THERE IS NOTHING MORE THAT CAN BE DONE. *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORM

NHTSA ID
10124966
Incident
May 1, 2005
Mileage
47,530 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Jul 17, 2003

2002 LINCOLN LS EXHIBITING RECURRING BRAKE SYSTEM DEFECTS.*MR BRIEFLY, THE WARNING LIGHTS FOR THE BRAKE SYSTEM, ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM AND THE ADVANCED TRAC SYSTEM ILLUMINATED UNDER NORMAL DRIVING, WHICH WAS FOLLOWED BY A HARD BRAKE WITH A SEVERE PULL TO THE SIDE. THE DEALER FOUND FAULTY GROUND WIRE CAUSED A LOSS OF BATTERY VOLTAGE TO THE ABS MODULE, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED WHILE DRIVING, THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH BOARD, THE VEHICLE MADE A HARD TURN TO THE RIGHT AND A HARD BRAKING FORCE WAS APPLIED, THE CONSUMER HAD GREAT DIFFICULTY TRYING TO KEEP THE VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL, MINUTES LATER THE ENGINE SHUT OFF BY ITSELF AND THEN RESTARTED BY ITSELF, THE DEALER REPLACED NUMEROUS PARTS, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. ALSO THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO ACTIVATE DURING NORMAL HIGHWAY DRIVING. *JB

NHTSA ID
10029619
Incident
Sep 16, 2002
Mileage
1,808 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 11, 2003

THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS TOO CLOSE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO DRIVE AT TIMES. *NLM. *AK *CB *JB

NHTSA ID
10021632
BrakesEngineSteering
Filed Jun 6, 2003

WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES VEHICLE WILL STALL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. CONSUMER HAD NO POWER STEERING OR BRAKES. *AK

NHTSA ID
10022603
Incident
Jun 6, 2003
Brakes
Filed Mar 18, 2003

WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH THE VEHICLES BRAKES FAILED RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH IN WHICH THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER NOTIFIED. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10011973
Incident
Mar 11, 2003
Mileage
28,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .