Love car but here's my list of problems

My 2000 LS (V8) is now at Lincoln service because it would not start, no diagnosis yet. The car has 1 week left on its warranty. I'm considering buying an extended warranty but not thru Lincoln (they want $3,000)
I really like the car BUT my Jeep and Maxima had far less problems !

1. replaced engine thermostat (check engine light came on)
2. rear license plate lights were loose
3. front seat electric switch broke
4. thermostat replaced (engine temp gauge went to hot)
5. water in headlamp
6. driver's side window broke
7. trunk leaked (changed seam) , causing the need for new battery
8. turnk leaked again several months later (changed seams again)
9. rubber piece by passenger door loose

How did your LS make out with the no starting issue?

Sorry to hear about your list of issues, the only one that looks like a real problem to me is the thermostat issue, the rest are just general iritable car things.

$3000 is alot of money for an extended warrenty, but consider how much replacing an engine, or tranny will be for our rides.

Love 'em, but hate 'em too, right :cool:?

The diagnosis is the "computer chip" needs to be replaced. I'll find out more in a few days when I get the car back.

Overheating can be caused by air in the system. It's VERY common on V8s (which I bet you've got) that have been opened up. Make sure the dealership purges the system thoroughly.

The other problems you listed are all fairly common. I've dealt with #2,5,7,8,9 personally and heard MANY stories about the others. Once you get through the overheating issue, you can expect the other windows to fail before you're home free virtually for the life of the vehicle. Don't give up and shoot your dealer for offering you an ESP for $3k. Was that bumper-to-bumper coverage for 100K and $0 ded.? You know there are different coverage levels, deductibles, and terms; just like insurance? Call him and insist he get it down to $1500 or less. If he balks, walk; then call somebody else. They rob people with these things; they're a huge cash cow for dealerships.

Much like the rest of you, I have a 2000LS with about 70k miles on it, the list of items replaced include
1) Windows (multiple times all of them)
2) Coils (ouch!)
3) They're stating my valve cover gasket is leaking causing the coils to go bad (Another OUCH, think I'm going to have to replace it myself)
4) Thermastat
5) Butt Warmers
6) Coil boots?! (Another condition they state due to the oil leak)

In summary, I love the car and man it's a quick car but it appears that none of the dealers in the area have a clue. Currently it's in the shop with them replacing item 2, but they say it's all due to oil leaks.

So that brings up the next question, has anyone replaced the valve cover gaskets, and if so, how difficult is it? I've replaced many old ford gaskets in my life as I've owned and still own a late 60's mustangs but before shelling out 300+ dollars for this, would like a consensus from someone who has done this before...

Parts are about $75 and the process isn't much different than any other VC job. Moving the various obstructions is the biggest problem. If I wasn't under warranty, I'd do it myself as mine is leaking as well.

How much were your lights to fix?


My 2000 LS (V8) is now at Lincoln service because it would not start, no diagnosis yet. The car has 1 week left on its warranty. I'm considering buying an extended warranty but not thru Lincoln (they want $3,000)
I really like the car BUT my Jeep and Maxima had far less problems !

1. replaced engine thermostat (check engine light came on)
2. rear license plate lights were loose
3. front seat electric switch broke
4. thermostat replaced (engine temp gauge went to hot)
5. water in headlamp
6. driver's side window broke
7. trunk leaked (changed seam) , causing the need for new battery
8. turnk leaked again several months later (changed seams again)
9. rubber piece by passenger door loose

I believe there was a TSB out on those lights quite some time ago. The dealer fixed mine under the original warranty. As for the extended warranty, your dealer is taking you for a ride, so to speak. I'm not sure if I got the absolute best deal, but I shopped several places online and then asked my dealer to match the price. My ESP Premium was a little under $2K and takes me to 100K. I recently noted a little oil around the valve cover gaskets, so they're replacing those next week at no cost to me, due to the extended warranty. The coils are covered too, but I'm in hopes that they haven't been impacted by the oil as of yet. Good luck!

The coil issue is annoying and happened the my 2000 LS8, i ended up declining paying 350 for a shop to do it and did it myself, the job was pretty easy i just had to move a lot of stuff around which was a pain, but it ended up costing me like 120 in parts, and was a LOT faster after that!!

I have owned my 2000 Lincoln LS V-8, with Alpine Stereo, Leather Seats etc. since Jan 2007 when I bought it used (from an elderly lady) with only 8K miles on it. With 33,600 miles on it currently (March 2011), I have had to replace four window actuators, 4 tires, the Cabin Air filter (Previous owner smoked tips), A/C compressor and associated parts, Transmission and rear end flush and refill, and of course scheduled oil changes, filter replacements and tire rotations. This is in addition to purchasing an extra programmable key and FOB since the car only came with one. Yesterday the check engine light came on, and the dealer maintenance here in SA told me to bring it back by as the recent reprogramming of the key and FOB may have something to do with it. More on that in a bit.

NOW, although this is what I personally feel to be excessive maintenance for a used car with 33K miles on it, (especially when you add in that you will HAVE to use Supreme Gasoline to drive it), I LOVE this Lincoln LS. It is my first Luxury Sports Sedan, (and quite a step up from a loaded Toyota Camry with Faux leather I enjoyed years ago), and let me tell you, this car runs like Secretariat at the Belmont Stakes! It is hard to keep the vehicle under 70 mph on the highway, and if you are not on cruise control, watch out, it creeps up on you even further and you don’t even realize it! I have enjoyed a few run in's with younger guys in their Camaro’s, Trans-Am’s and BMW’s, and so far, the Lincoln has held its own every time. From both a stand-still, and at highway speeds, the Lincoln is fast off the jump. Although I have not top ended it yet, (I have not reached Car & Drivers impressive 142 mph yet either), the speedometer pleasingly goes to 160 mph and I smile when I see that every time. This is NOT your Grandpa's car, more of an American BMW 300 series on steroids as I like to call it.

The “Long Term Road Test” write up in Car & Driver by Frank Markus in March 2001 is dead on in with its Pros and Cons evaluation with few exceptions. If you can get by without putting in a 42 inch TV in the trunk, and your GPS, cell phone and MP3 player in the glove box or center console, you will be pleased with this vehicle both inside and out.

Outside, the engine offers every bit of power you desire to muster through the pedal when you need it, but the transmission IS a bit sluggish to shift down unless you get on it hard or down shift yourself. The handling in turns is very remarkable for a car this heavy, and there is very little “lean” in turns (rather it dives into most turns you will find). The outside noise/whine of the transmission/rear-end, and tires is present, but only slightly noticeable without the stereo on. The “cop-stealthy” beige paint (Gold) at eleven years old is near flawless, and the rims, chrome and accents are still very clean with little noticeable element wear. There is no water intrusion anywhere.

Inside, the Alpine stereo with 6 Disc Cd changer in the glove box, built in trunk Amplifier, subwoofer, and large back deck speaker’s, sounds better than my home Bose :Life Style” system. The front electric reclining leather seats are amazingly comfortable, and the driver’s seat wraps you securely while manuerving. On long trips, little sitting adjustment is required to stay comfortable. The back seats are surprisingly comfortable, even for my 6’ son riding in the back. The interior driver/passenger split environmental control system works wonderfully, as does the heated seats, on board vehicle management system, power seat, mirror and steering wheel memory systems. Unlike the Car & Driver evaluation however, there is NO door or interior rattling in my cabin, so sitting quietly talking at highway speeds is enjoyable. At night, there is just enough cabin illumination with all the lighted buttons on the doors and console to please even the finickiest disco light enthusiast. Dim them down a bit, and you are in a cabin much like an airplane, without the expensive headphone charge or fat guy sitting next to you!.

I am pleased to see on the internet now you can purchase optional aftermarket equipment such as rear deck spoilers, ground effects, trick lighting and other fun stuff that, when ready, I can have this car looking spiffy enough for my son to take his date to the prom in style and with all the fun teenage stuff in place.

All in all I love my 2000 Lincoln LS. It was certainly NOT what I had in mind when I went to look for a used luxury sedan. I had wanted the full blown Lincoln Town Car Signature Series, (Grandpa’s edition), but when I saw this one sitting street side with its pouncing disposition, I couldn’t pass it up, (and the low mileage was a deal maker)! I have not been disappointed for passing on the larger model.

When I bring it to the local Lincoln dealership day after tomorrow for the check engine light, I expect that it will need an O2 Sensor, coils for all eight cylinders, or something similar to do with the engine. I am prepared for it to be a bit costly in any event. Luxury Sports Sedans are traditionally expensive to maintain I have found out over months of research and years of ownership (even when you baby it with low mileage and garage storage), and the 2000 Lincoln LS is no exception. Until then, I look forward to the maintenance rep handing me back my keys after the repairs are complete, getting in, easing to the end of the service driveway, and finding the first BMW I can pounce on…….

5-11-2011 I passed on the local Lincoln Dealership repair after a short and rather negative phone call from their service manager just to schedule the repair and for me to authorize the (perceived) $2K repair!. I parked the car for five weeks (I am retired so no big deal), and decided to take a shot at repairing this myself. I ordered the parts and OBDII meter off Ebay, and last night, my wife, son and I replaced the #1 and #6 cylinder coils and the car runs wonderfully!! I bought the OBD II meter on Ebay for $14 and it told me exactly what was wrong with the car. Lincoln would have charged me $1.5K+ to change these two parts out, so I am pleased with my OBDII purchase and two coils purchased on Ebay for $15 bucks each. I took it for a test drive today to reset the computer after disconnecting the battery last night to clear the CEL lights, and finally had the nerve to get it to 100 mph; but the damn car wanted to keep going!! As Rowdy Burns told Harry on “Days of Thunder”, “This b%$#& is ready to run”! I slowed down; not only can I NOT afford a ticket, but I know it can do better than that anyway based on the Car and Driver report.

Since my initial write up in March, I have added a rear deck spoiler with LED brake light for $99 dollars off Ebay that my wife bought me for my birthday, changed all interior lights to LED blue bulbs (10 bucks total and what a difference in mood setting), and now have three Xenon HID light conversion kits on order for the high/low beams and the front fog lights. All in all, a fun vehicle to play with and add after-market items to. It still looks good after 11 years and the paint match on the spoiler off Ebay is an EXACT match! Lincoln did its job wrt the paint it used on these vehicles, mine has held up very nicely, even after 11 years! I have seen Fords, Chevy’s and Dodges with rust and paint peeling on this age of a vehicle!

I’ll be keeping my 2000 Lincoln LS for another 100K miles, at which point I will probably buy another Lincoln. Not because I am sold on the brand mind you, Lord knows I can do better wrt to maintenance and operational costs; but because I LOVE the uniqueness of this vehicle, and the power under the hood has me intrigued as to what Lincoln will come up with next…..

Email me for repair or after market info, I am happy to share my school of hard knocks!!!.
:bananasmi