Known Problems (Consistent only please)

[medisconna]

I'm heavily considering the purchase of a low mileage (<40k), pre-owned V8 LS in the next few days. I love the styling, crave the comfort, and need a great car for my 65 mile daily commute.

Besides the rear window issue, are there any other COMMON known problems for the LS? I'd like to know if a $18-20,000 investment is gonna hurt me in the future.

Thanks for any help you can offer!

[518cul]

I bought my 2000 V8 LS almost a year ago and I have enjoyed it 98% of the time. On the open highway the V8 is powerful and quick. Using the cruise to control to increase speed feels like your heavy on the pedal, very responsive. On winding roads and mountains its nimble and has tight handling. The interior is comfortable, quiet and the buttons and controls are easy to understand. The trunk has alot of room and the spare tire compartment and equipment is easy/almost effortless to use (aside from the actual loostening of the bolts with some elbow grease).
The only problems I have had with it is the problem that many have complained about including the rear window mechanisms breaking. They were covered under warranty, and you should ask the dealer whether it has already been fixed on the car your looking at. I also had to have the 6 disc changer replaced (also under my warranty) because the fuse ended up blowing leaving the radio useless and shorted out. Also im not sure how many miles are on the car that you are looking at, but ask about the brakes. I just had to put new breaks in (around 316$) after I heard squeaking that was misdiagnosed by two mechanis before bing fixed by the third (also a problem stated by others).
In general I think that youll really enjoy this car. I already have been back to my dealer in the last couple of weeks to look at buying a used 2002 LSE (the ls sports model). I would definatly buy a used LS with low miles than look at a brand new one. Youll get alot of enjoyment out of both driving the LS and with the few amount of problems.

[medisconna]

Thanks for the reply. I'm glad to know that somebody really enjoys the LS, especially enough to buy another one. And I agree, I do not consider the purchase of a new vehicle to be worthwhile - in any case.

[CGGorman]

I LOVE my LS!!! So does my wife. We will be getting a second one (for her) when mine is paid-off. Mine is a 2000 V8 Sport and has been flawless. At this point, I can't imagine owning any other car. Seriously.

Common problems are leaky headlights, slow/harsh shifting, window regulators. All three of those have been addressed by Lincoln engineering and have permanent fixes available. High-dollar problems are rare. I've heard of a few folks with electrical problems that never seem to get solved and usually result in either a buyback or lawsuit. If your test driver has any electrical "bugs", run away. Other than that, I can't recommend it more.

[518cul]

Yeah i had the headlight problem too...easily fixed and hasnt happened again in over a year. When i bought it the driver side had moisture in the lense...the dealer changed it.. ta da!

[CGGorman]

I forgot that the early cars with heated seats had a tendency to fail. The constant flexing caused the elements to break. This was addressed with revised parts as well. Be warned that most dealerships are far from experts at upolstery work and your seats may look horrible when you get them back. Make sure they know what they're doing before they tear into it.

[MercCougarXR7]

Yup, my 2000's heated seats are broke too, and will stay that way. The upholstery is much too nice for me to start carving them up - and it isn't a feature that is terribly important to me.

Problems so far - my power steering lines rubbed through, and my computer sent a bad signal to cylinder #6 causing a mis-fire. Both were replaced under warrenty.

Other problems - yes, headlamps on most LS's get wet. Simply open them, silicone the grove, and reseal them.

Another that isn't listed above is a driveline 'howl', caused by defective half-shafts.

Overall, I'm not likely to get anything other than an LS or Jag S type for my next vehicle, I live my LS that much

[eringrenon]

Hello All, I'm both a newbie to the forum and also to major problems with my 2000 LS8. While still under warranty, I had some of the minor problems mentioned in several posts (rear window regulators replaced, driver heated seat coil replaced) I also had the passenger seat belt retractor replaced as it was no longer working. Not major...it was under warranty so the only hassle was getting it to a dealer to fix.

Which brings me to a new set of problems...At 59K miles it's no longer under warranty, and 2 weeks ago wouldn't start. Got it towed to my mechanic (not the dealer). Spark plugs were oil-soaked due to leaky valve cover gasket. $550 to fix including all new spark plugs. I also had him clean transmission system and replace fluid ($724 total, after taxes)

Drove the car to Destin the day I got it back, ran fine, just as always. One week later, it was jerking between approx. 42-48 mph. Then it progressed to jerking all the time including idle. Computer says it's a misfire in the #6 cylinder. My mechanic took the boot/coils out and they are still soaked with oil, though he said he did his best to clean them from the gasket leak. He's putting 8 new coils on today for $550. Will this fix the problem? Is it even related? I read about a # 6 mis-fire on this thread but there was no mention of the problem being related to the leak/coils..etc. Any advice??? Please help!

[jmendoza]

I'm new hear as well and I've owned my LS for about 3 months now. Black 2000 LS with Sport Package. Problems I've had and fixed

Rear window regulators bad: Replaced under warranty
Sluggish slow shifting: PCM reflash under warranty
Leaky valve cover : Replaced under warranty

If you do purchase an LS check to see if those fixes have been done or can be done under warranty. Without warranty the bill for the aforementioned fixes would've run around $600.

[CGGorman]

Oil soaked coils due to leaking covers are just as common as the leaks, obviously. Replacing the coils and gaskets should solve the problem.

[MercCougarXR7]

eringrenon, my #6 misfire wasn't related to anything on or around the engine, it was a computer error. We probed the wiring at the computer and discovered that no signal was being sent to the #6 cylinder (which would throw that code).

Your problem seems to be more about seepage, but it should only affect the cylinders that are on the side of the engine where the leak is.

I'm sorry to say, but it sounds like you are getting hosed by your dealer. After already paying $550 to fix the faulty gasket, they want another $550 to replace all 8 coils (which probably don't need doing!) when their 'fix' doesn't fix the initial problem? And $725 for a tranny fluid flush? The $150 my dealer charges is already a rip-off.

Plugs and coils could simply be cleaned off and work properly assuming that the gasket was fixed properly in the first place.

Best of luck with these problems Sir, and do look for another dealer.

[giveortake]

I bought a 2000 LS V8 Sport with 64,000 miles.. I now have 79k miles. Since then I have had the following issues:

1. Total Climate Control Module Failure: $850
2. Heated Seats: Crazy. Burn my butt sometimes othert timers don't work at all. Never looked into having them fixed.
3. Crazy engine/trans issue. Both check engine and trans light would come on periodically while excellerating at which time the car was puking. Answer: Dealership said 7 of 8 "coils" bad. Wanted $700 to replace them all. Upon further conversations and computer record reviews, they determined 3 of the 8 coils were actually mis firing. Had those three replaced 2 weeks ago for $400. Seems to be O.K. now, but I am leary that it isn't as smooth as it used to be. Not sure if that is perception or reality. Dealership coil tester apparently reads either good or bad under stress testing. Apparently 7 of mine were reading bad. What a fricken joke. Give me a good ole distributer........
4. Rear Brake Caliper needed to be replaced due to malfunction that burned through pad and router. Thus total brake job for $350 including caliper.
5. Damn car locks the doors randomly. No rhyme or reason. This is not user error. This is a car electrical issue. Thus after being locked out of the car twice at gas stations, I no longer EVER leave the keys in the car.
6. Leaky valve gaskets. $400 to fix. Leaving it alone.
7. Leaky headlights. Leaving it alone.
8. Random beeps peridoically while driving God knows from what. Beeps once then nothing. No idea.
9. Blows cold while idling. Dealer now says "thermostat" and is happy to replace the $13 part for $400 of labor.

Probably several other items I have forgotten at the moment that irk me.

So lets see other than not having any type of climate control in the cabin, the fact that I don't trust the engine & transmission, and with half of the lousy "luxary" items non working I don't see any reason why anyone would buy this car ever........... Especially with a 40k plus price tag. Who are they kidding? But hey I could continue to spend $500 a month in repairs/maintenance to the local dealership or I can throw this thing away and put a turnequte on to stop the hemmorenging.

Plus side. Car is dang fast and has nice radio. Oops forgot to mention that when I use the up/down volume controls on the steering wheel it will often times randomly change the station to the next preset...

End result. I got hosed. This car is junk. I sure wish I had my 1997 sable with 130k miles back........

[CGGorman]

Spam from Giveortake?

[Nand12]

Yes i definetely think that giveortake is spamming. $400 labor to replace a $13 dollar thermostat is impossible. All you have to do is remove the upper radiator hose where it meets with the engine cooling lines, and you will find the thermostat located there.

[PaulyV]

I am considering purchasing a used 2000 LS with a 5-speed manual trans. Anybody have any thoughts on the manual. Also aside from the leaky lights, rear window and seat gigs is there anything else I should look into before I buy this thing?

Thanks!