Lincoln LS Transmission Issues

I own a 2000 Lincoln LS v6 (automatic) with 79k miles on it. Just recently, I have noticed some lag in the time it takes for the transmission to change gears - since yesterday it does not want to switch into the 4th or 5th gears - unless I do it manually with the shifter. It gave me a E once, then went away after I switched car off/on again. Me and my father switched out the transmission fluid, which by the way, is a pain to do, and have noticed no change in gear shift - still lags. The transmission components on the inside looked fine, but I was wondering if anyone else has had this problem, and what was done to correct it. I have an appointment with the Lincoln dealership tomorrow, but wanted some advice before I took it in - at least sound like I know what is going on. I just pray I don't need a new transmission, as I just bought a new HOUSE!! ugh! Bad timing uh...

Thanks for any help!!

Let us know what you find. There are posts here on transmission problems if you do a search, but you will not find a direct answer to your question. They will have to diagnose the problem for you.

Good luck!

I developed the same problem yesterday (5/10) with my 8 Cyl. 2000 LS. Same problem upshifting and "E" warning and "Check Transmission" warning. Only 60,000 miles! Brought to local tranny guy who is charging $2,500 for a rebuild! Estimate only, could be more! Want to hear other experiences and hope I'm not getting ripped off.

I developed the same problem yesterday (5/10) with my 8 Cyl. 2000 LS. Same problem upshifting and "E" warning and "Check Transmission" warning. Only 60,000 miles! Brought to local tranny guy who is charging $2,500 for a rebuild! Estimate only, could be more! Want to hear other experiences and hope I'm not getting ripped off.


Ok, finally heard back from the Lincoln Dealership, and this was their response. They could replace the solenoid & do the PCM Reprogramming for $1000 (but this might not work) - if this did not work, they would try to rebuild which was $2800 (and this may not work either) - so, their final recommendation was to completely replace the transmission for $3400 which came with a 3yr, 36k warrantee. All this, not what I wanted to here but what can I do. Apparently, this problem is not uncommon with the LS.

FYI - I am in the process of gathering information on transmission issues with the Lincoln LS's, because I feel it's time someone wrote to the high command at Ford about all these problems with the transmissions. So, if you have anyone who has had problems in the past with their transmission, write to me, as I want all data I can get my hands on. It's time they issue some type of recall on these defective transmissions.

CT

Mine failed, requiring a complete replacement, at about 50k miles.
Recalls are generally only issued for safety-related failures. Good luck.

Heard back from the Tranny guy. Now up to $3,500 (could be more)! I'm paying him $275 to rescue the car and tow to dealer who says "about" $3,000 to install rebuilt with 3/36,000 warranty. Tranny guy only warrants his rebuild for 1/12,000. He said installing rebuilt would be more?! This is a miserable experience. Use my story for writing Lincoln.

I went through several, 4 in all, component level replacements under the same conditions and considering the costs I have incurred I would strongly suggest a replacement and walk away with the benefit of the 3/36 warranty.

The fourth repair seems to have done the trick but considering the history of this car I would not say it is an absolute. The last repair involved the replacement of the solenoid pack and valve body plus the tranny fluid. I think the total was about 1200 +/-. But I bought my own parts so I did not pay dealer mark up.

My tranny sucks too. It seems temperamental. When driven more aggresively, the check transmission comes on in the computer. It hasn't shifted right for the last 35000 miles. I now have 106,000. Although, addressing the multiple misfire problems did make it shift better for a little while. It seems if you drive it like a granny, it doesn't cry too much. Also, pedal input greatly affects the shifting. If I am cruising and just give a little, it hesitates and and doesn't know what gear to use. If I give it more, it'll downshift but take forever to shift up. Erasing the codes often helps it to shift better. Bottom line, I'm just writing to tell you that you make get away with it for a while if it is similar to my problem.

Transmission problems, specifically the valve body.
At 2500 miles the trans light came on and the dealer told me dont drive the car. When my mom asked for a loaner car, she recieved a snide remark from one of the service guys. I had to go and take care of that. They evenually told me it was the valve body and 45 days later I got the car back.
Three days after I drove the car to NJ and felt a slight bucking between gears. After returning from a 30 mile trip and was back on the street, I felt like I was on a bucking Bronco. The car went back. Again, A fight ensued about a loaner car.
Two weeks later, I got the car back. A short time later I had the car on my lift in my garage and noticed a drip from the tranny plug. The car went back and I was told, "ITS ONLY A LITTLE LEAK" ARGGGHHHHHHHHHH. They say they cahnged the plug but they failed to realize I marked it and they only tightened it, now it leaks more.
The arbitraitor says they will take my case under the Lemon Law and if I win I WANT MY MONEY BACK
NEVER WILL I BY A FORD PRODUCT AGAIN. Gonna stick to my DODGE'S
General comments?
Would never buy another Lincoln or buy anything from Dana Lincoln Mercury again.
!!!!!!!!!I will post this everywhere!!!!!

I once got an undercooked burger from McDonalds. I'll never eat there again.

I caught my kid in a lie once. He'll never have my trust again...evar.

I love it when people speak and think in extremes. We need more extremists!

I can't stand extremist thinking either, however being an owner/enthusiast of many varieties of vehicles (VW, Porsche, Audi, LS, and BMW) I have to admit that the LS has the most extensive self help and solutions forums. I love the LS when it works but I, too, must admit it's not a great engineered car by far.

What can I tell ya. With all the cars I have owned, this is the most trouble I have had.
If you got the undercooked burger, sent it back twice and was still undercooked, would you go back????
As far as the kid lying thing, I think THATS extreme to use as a comparison in this situation.

If I returned the "burger" twice and didn't get satisfaction, I wouldn't blame "Ronald McDonald".

Right-click...Copy...right-click...Paste:rolleyes:

Well, with "RONALD" being the father of the company and in charge of quality control, Yes I would blame him and or complain which I have done.
As for all the complaints with transmissions with this car, Ford should have something in place to take care of this. The company is aware of the problem but does not want to deal with a full out recall. Fine, and understandable. That costs millions. However, the dealership i bought mine from flat out sucks. The double talk they try to feed me is a load of crap. Then the nasty attitude they gave my mom was totally unacceptable. I bought that car for my dad with cash. Then to have a problem at 2500 Mi. NO WAY!!!! Then after writing to FORD " RONALD", the response was less than satisfying. I could handle it if they took care of the problem without a hassle. I dont know about you, but im not a glutton for punishment. If that makes me an extremist, F&^% it.
The one thing that did satisfy me was to see the service manager get bounced from his spot for being a flat out liar. I was a gentleman with him but after lying to my face and catching him red handed. Now he can deal with the pay cut.
Aside from being a moderator on this board, are you a FORD employee???

Not a mod on this board. Not a Ford Employee. In fact, I'm not even a Union employee and I work in the air conditioning industry... Pretty far removed from from having a vested interest in this issue.

I agree that Ford should've stepped up and made some across-the-board accomodation for owners with the older 5R55N transmission ('00-'02 LS's), but like you, I can see the reasoning why they haven't. The car is too far below the radar to matter from a corporate view. Shame is, they are isolating and running off their future and they are apparently blind to it.

Anyway, Ford doesn't own the dealerships. They are not even technically "franchises". They are just hand-shake partners. This is why service and prices can vary so dramatically from one dealership to another and also why you see Dodge/Subaru/Audi/Cadillac/Porsche "super-dealers"

Finding a "good" dealer and learning how to get what you want out of them is an invaluable skill to sucessfully navigate the modern domestic car market.

I am sorry for your troubles, but keep in mind that I've got an '00 LS with 108,000 miles and have had my own share of problems. Yes, my transmission has been replaced. Yes, my window regulators have failed. Yes, I have some rattles. Yes, I've had extensive heated conversations with my service writer and manager. Yes, I've had extended stays inthe service bay...to the tune of 5 consecutive weeks for one problem alone. I also currently own five vehicles: A Mercury, A Lincoln, A Dodge, and Two Chevrolets. They ALL have their own unique issues and if I flew off the handle and said that I'd never buy another product from their respective manufacturers, I'd be relegated to buying an Import...which would ALSO have its own set of issues.

ANY mechanical thing as complex as an automobile is bound to have multiple failure modes. Some will be more irritating than others, but there is no escaping the reality that they WILL break. To avoid the consistently disappointing performance of all dealerships I've encountered, I do most repair work myself.

After buying multiple Sony products across multiple years and products platforms, I've determined that they do not meet my criteria for durability. I no longer buy Sony products. The similarity with your Lincoln issue is obvious. However, I gave Sony at least five chances over a span of ten years to improve their products before finally giving up on them. I never had those recurring issues with ANY of the others brands I used...Panasonic, Onkyo, Pioneer, Yamaha, TEAC, Soundesign, Audiovox, you name it. An occasional failure here and there, sure, but nothing that would indicate a corporate failure or trend.


Copy...paste....

Well i have read many threads about erratic shifting lincoln ls's.I think its about time ALL LINCOLN LS OWNERS DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. I beleive my lincoln ls is unsafe to drive do to the fact that the shifting is erratic. This car has actually cut out on me on the highway all lights power steering everything and gave me an error message. The message stated gear shifting error.I bought an automatic to elevate my bad shifting and now my automatic does not Know how to shift gears c'mon!!!!!!My dealer doesnt know what to do why are they are registered as a lincoln dealer if they cant fix lincolns.Well in my hunt to fix this problem I have found a website in which we all can file claims to the NHSTA about the lincoln ls's unsafe driving habits.We need to join together and over come this injustice to our pockets. I have paid almost two grand in maintenance and have still got the same problem my dealer says it is a computer glitch know and un fixable. Now if you want this problem fixed ALL LINCOLN LS OWNERS MUST go to this website and file a unsafe driving conditions claim on there lincoln ls. This is a government site so with enough of us ford will be forced by the government into issuing a recall and fixing there screw up once and for all. Go to this website and file a claim if you are tired of the run around.
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/
JOIM ME IN MY FIGHT FILE A CLAIM SO FORD CAN ISSUE A RECALL.
WE WILL OVERCOME THIS FINANCIAL BURDEN.Please leave a reply post if you have filed a claim i filed mine today.

Well i have read many threads about erratic shifting lincoln ls's.I think its about time ALL LINCOLN LS OWNERS DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. I beleive my lincoln ls is unsafe to drive do to the fact that the shifting is erratic. This car has actually cut out on me on the highway all lights power steering everything and gave me an error message. The message stated gear shifting error.I bought an automatic to elevate my bad shifting and now my automatic does not Know how to shift gears c'mon!!!!!!My dealer doesnt know what to do why are they are registered as a lincoln dealer if they cant fix lincolns.Well in my hunt to fix this problem I have found a website in which we all can file claims to the NHSTA about the lincoln ls's unsafe driving habits.We need to join together and over come this injustice to our pockets. I have paid almost two grand in maintenance and have still got the same problem my dealer says it is a computer glitch know and un fixable. Now if you want this problem fixed ALL LINCOLN LS OWNERS MUST go to this website and file a unsafe driving conditions claim on there lincoln ls. This is a government site so with enough of us ford will be forced by the government into issuing a recall and fixing there screw up once and for all. Go to this website and file a claim if you are tired of the run around.
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/
JOIM ME IN MY FIGHT FILE A CLAIM SO FORD CAN ISSUE A RECALL.
WE WILL OVERCOME THIS FINANCIAL BURDEN.Please leave a reply post if you have filed a claim i filed mine today.

Mine does not exhibit this behaviour...

Mine does not exhibit this behaviour...
you are contradicting yourself in another thread you stated you had your transmission changed for this same reason which one is it you sure you dont work for ford

Read again soldier-boy.

My transmission was replaced because a glass-tinting shop trashed it. It was shifting fine at 10 am when I dropped it off. It was shaking the whole car and clunking loudly into gear after 10 second delays when I picked it back up at 3 pm.

When the tech dropped the pan, he found shattered bearings, cages, and washers in the oil. I saw them with my own eyes. He said he was surprised the car got me home (50 mile trip at 65 mph)

I have approx. 75,000 miles on the replacement (remanufactured) tranny and it still shifts fine.

I do not work for Ford. I don't even work in the industry. I build residential air conditioner parts for a living. I've had as much trouble with my LS as any of the other guys here, but unlike some of them (the ones who don't hang around, fittingly) I don't piss and moan and cry foul when my car breaks. I fix it and keep driving.

Read again soldier-boy.

My transmission was replaced because a glass-tinting shop trashed it. It was shifting fine at 10 am when I dropped it off. It was shaking the whole car and clunking loudly into gear after 10 second delays when I picked it back up at 3 pm.

When the tech dropped the pan, he found shattered bearings, cages, and washers in the oil. I saw them with my own eyes. He said he was surprised the car got me home (50 mile trip at 65 mph)

I have approx. 75,000 miles on the replacement (remanufactured) tranny and it still shifts fine.

I do not work for Ford. I don't even work in the industry. I build residential air conditioner parts for a living. I've had as much trouble with my LS as any of the other guys here, but unlike some of them (the ones who don't hang around, fittingly) I don't piss and moan and cry foul when my car breaks. I fix it and keep driving.
lol

lol
I had the same tranny issue with my 2000 LS V8 SPORT. Dealer is great, replaced the valve body, issued loaner, I got my LS Back and car works great. I was upset that my car had tranny problems however, I still love the car.

Does anyone know if a new body style "LS" is going to be offered?

Does anyone know if a new body style "LS" is going to be offered?

2006 is the last year for the LS. There are two other cars slated to follow the Zephyr, but details are non-existant.

Re:Lincoln LS transmission Issues
In most cases lost 4th and 5th gears is not a reason for expensive rebuild (about $ 2500). In my case it was broken pre-stroke 4-3 valve spring. That repair cost me $206.

Re:Lincoln LS transmission Issues
In most cases lost 4th and 5th gears is not a reason for expensive rebuild (about $ 2500). In my case it was broken pre-stroke 4-3 valve spring. That repair cost me $206.

Just wanted to give you my feedback on the same thing. I took my car to a ford dealership with 4th and 5th gear problems. They gave me error codes 734, 735, and 795. Said it would cost $600 for them to open the transmission and find the problem. Well I took it to someone else I knew and it was just the 4-3 valve spring. Only cost $165 to get it fixed and runs like a champ again. I am going to call the ford dealership back and say hey you guys told me minimum 600 to get it looked, so either you guys are trying to rip me off or you don't know sh[tuff], so which one is it?

haha later

Ok, finally heard back from the Lincoln Dealership, and this was their response. They could replace the solenoid & do the PCM Reprogramming for $1000 (but this might not work) - if this did not work, they would try to rebuild which was $2800 (and this may not work either) - so, their final recommendation was to completely replace the transmission for $3400 which came with a 3yr, 36k warrantee. All this, not what I wanted to here but what can I do. Apparently, this problem is not uncommon with the LS.

FYI - I am in the process of gathering information on transmission issues with the Lincoln LS's, because I feel it's time someone wrote to the high command at Ford about all these problems with the transmissions. So, if you have anyone who has had problems in the past with their transmission, write to me, as I want all data I can get my hands on. It's time they issue some type of recall on these defective transmissions.

CT
my name is teddi and i just purchased a 2001 ls used a week ago went to new orleans in it this weekend and the E came up and it was shifting kinda hard like it was having trouble shifting out called the lincoln place they just told me to bring it in and cant give me an idea what kind of cost i would be looking at

Well i have read many threads about erratic shifting lincoln ls's.I think its about time ALL LINCOLN LS OWNERS DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. I beleive my lincoln ls is unsafe to drive do to the fact that the shifting is erratic. This car has actually cut out on me on the highway all lights power steering everything and gave me an error message. The message stated gear shifting error.I bought an automatic to elevate my bad shifting and now my automatic does not Know how to shift gears c'mon!!!!!!My dealer doesnt know what to do why are they are registered as a lincoln dealer if they cant fix lincolns.Well in my hunt to fix this problem I have found a website in which we all can file claims to the NHSTA about the lincoln ls's unsafe driving habits.We need to join together and over come this injustice to our pockets. I have paid almost two grand in maintenance and have still got the same problem my dealer says it is a computer glitch know and un fixable. Now if you want this problem fixed ALL LINCOLN LS OWNERS MUST go to this website and file a unsafe driving conditions claim on there lincoln ls. This is a government site so with enough of us ford will be forced by the government into issuing a recall and fixing there screw up once and for all. Go to this website and file a claim if you are tired of the run around.
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/
JOIM ME IN MY FIGHT FILE A CLAIM SO FORD CAN ISSUE A RECALL.
WE WILL OVERCOME THIS FINANCIAL BURDEN.Please leave a reply post if you have filed a claim i filed mine today. i filed my complaint today 11-24-08 complaint number 10249638

i recently had the same transmission problem. i was driving down a highway at 65, when my "check transmission" light came on, and showed an E. it ran fine, i noticed no shifting problems, and the problem seemed to reset after i turned my car off and on. i got the warning light again, so i took it to a local garage. they kept it for a week, told me there was nothing wrong, just low on tranny fluid, but on the test drive got the error message. they brought in some kind of transmission specialist and replaced the selenoid. again, it seemed to run fine after that but then today (the 3rd day i've had it back) i got the warning light again. i shut my car off again, and the problem went away again. it seems to only come on when i'm accelerating, or when in D4, so i'm wondering if it could have anything to do with 4th gear?

I am not sure whether this applies or not to this thread. At about 45k miles, my 2006 LS developed a lag in shifting. I took it to my local Ford for warranty repair. They gave me a loaner and replaced the shift solenoid. Runs and shifts fine now. I bought my LS in West Palm Beach - Maroone. Great dealer and service. I moved to Las Vegas and used Desert Lincoln, poor service. I prefer having my car looked at by the dealership's mechanics. I learned that lesson from my 2001 Suburban 2500. I started taking the LS to Ford Country for oil changes. Then decided to use them for several warranty issues. They give me a loaner car, no questions. My only complaint is they do not clean the car before returning it to me. Maroone always gave me back a clean car, Lincoln or premium Mercury for a loaner. Even if they only rotated the tires (free). Thanks to Rod, I now feel more comfortable performing "some" repair issues myself.

My point is, your relationship with your dealership is extremely important. If you don't trust them, go somewhere else. And, remember it's ultimately a Ford product, don't be afraid to use a Ford dealership for maintenance and repairs.

Hey man,
I just wanted to let you know that we had problems with transmission with LS 2000 since day one. We bought it used, but only a year old. The transmission was intermittently hard shifting when you switch to reverse. You would hear a loud bang and the car would jump back so you had to hold the brakes really hard. This was happening while the car was still under warranty. The Lincoln dealer kept the damn thing for almost a month and could not figure it out. They reprogrammed the transmission and did all kinds of stuff, but since the problem was intermittent - they didn't fix it. After a while, close to the end of the warranty I took it to a ford dealer and they actually listened to me like I wasn't crazy. They did some work and the transmission worked better but not perfect. So I took it back and right after the warranty ran out, the transmission started to make the loud noises when you shift into reverse. I took it to the ford dealer and they tried different things and even though the car was out of the warranty, they were able to file the claim and it was fine. (Lincoln dealer was not the same, they refused to help me even though they tried fixing the transmission many times and knew that transmission was not working properly, I also called Ford and they told me to get lost) So they took it in, replaced the solenoids and it seemed like the problem went away, but now I am getting hard shifts while driving and seriously thinking of running this thing of the cliff. I would never buy ford again - the worst experience ever. I think the engineers there design the parts so they fail at the certain time, right out the warranty. Ford makes tons of money on parts. My friends just bough brand new ford and few days later it was at the dealership for repairs....
Good luck, Ilya