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2005 Lincoln LS

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2005 LS.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2005 Lincoln LS is a passenger car that recorded 90 total owner complaints and a single recall. The power train served as the primary area of owner concern for this model year. Within the 2000-2006 production span, the 2005 model's reliability sits between the peak of 368 complaints in 2000 and the series low of 18 complaints in 2006.

Model year2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 66 · 650 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 66 · 650 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP225-55R16OEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	194.1 in
Overall width	73.2 in
Overall height	55.9 in
Wheelbase	114.6 in
Curb weight	3682 lb
Track (front / rear)	60.6 / 60.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	52/48

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the LS of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.5–9.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.50 sec — 2003 Sport Sedan

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2003	Sport Sedan 3.9L V8	6.50 sec	14.90 sec	280 hp	RWD
2003	Sport Sedan 3.9L V8	6.70 sec	15.10 sec	280 hp	RWD
2003	Sport Sedan 3.9L V8	6.80 sec	15.02 sec	280 hp	RWD
2002	Sport Sedan 3.0L V6	7.80 sec	16.00 sec	210 hp	RWD
2002	Sport Sedan 3.0L V6	7.90 sec	16.10 sec	210 hp	RWD
2000	V8 Sedan 3.9L V8	7.20 sec	15.40 sec	252 hp	RWD
2000	V6 Sedan 3.0L V6	7.40 sec	15.70 sec	210 hp	RWD
2000	V8 Sedan 3.9L V8	7.40 sec	15.70 sec	252 hp	RWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 17.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	11.8
Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Power Steering Fluid	ATF

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	7.4 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	59 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	7.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	13-16 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	18 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	18 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	19.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	17.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	100 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub	221 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-4-2-5-3-6
Cylinder Firing Order	1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Motorcraft
Spark Plug Gap	0.042-0.046 in
Spark Plug Torque	11.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Motorcraft
Spark Plug Gap	0.039-0.0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque	20.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.75 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	7.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	66
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	650 cca
Optional BCI Group Number	66

Service checks

Pressure Test	13-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	13-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	187-194 °F
Pressure Test	13-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	13-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	190-198 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	30.0-55.0
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	30.0-55.0

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	25 ft-lbs / 26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	76 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.118; Rear: 0.118 in
Rotor Minimum Machining	1.13 in / 0.52 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	1.12 in / 0.502 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

17 ft. lbs., Step 2: 32

17 ft. lbs

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

59 ft. lbs., step 2: 720 degrees, step 3: 37 ft. lbs., step 4: 90

59 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 6 stages

Prep Coat bolt threads with clean engine oil.

1	22.0 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees	90 degrees
3	Loosen bolts 360 degrees	360 degrees
4	22.0 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
5	90 degrees	90 degrees
6	90 degrees	90 degrees

Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

11 ft. lbs., Step 2: 81

11 ft. lbs

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

Bolts 1-8

18 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 mi	Brake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Steering System (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Temperature Controlled Seat Air Filter (replace)
Every 50,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 100,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · PCV Valve (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 mi	Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Drive Belt (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2005 Lincoln LS sits near the tail end of a generation that saw dramatic improvement from the problematic 2000 model year, when complaints reached 368. The trend shows consistent complaint reduction through 2003 (68 complaints), followed by a stabilization at 90 complaints in both 2004 and 2005. Notably, TSBs dropped sharply from 68 in 2004 to just 31 in 2005, indicating the manufacturer had resolved many technical service bulletin issues. The target year recorded one recall, zero investigations, and zero fire complaints, with the top complaint areas being Power Train (9), Air Bags (8), and Electrical System (8). With 4 crash-related complaints and a substantial decline in technical service bulletins, the 2005 model represents a mature and refined version of this generation. **The 2005 Lincoln LS is a good year to buy within this generation**—it benefits from the extensive fixes implemented over the preceding five years while avoiding the significant reliability issues that plagued the 2000-2001 models.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

4 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’04’05’06

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 90 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train9

Air Bags8

Electrical System8

Engine & Engine Cooling7

Vehicle Speed Control6

Wheels5

Fuel System, Gasoline4

Tires3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

05V113000Fuel System, Gasoline:StorageReported 18/03/2005

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL TANK MAY HAVE A LOCALIZED THIN WALL SECTION IN THE LOWER HALF OF THE TANK. THE FUEL TANK MAY CRACK CREATING A POTENTIAL FOR A FUEL LEAK AND FUEL ODOR. THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON"… Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 4, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673, LINCOLN AT 1-800-521-4140.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 31 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
TSB 20-2233	2020-07-13	Structure	This article supersedes TSB 19-2026 to update the vehicle model years affected. Some 2000…
TSB 19-2026	2019-02-07	Structure	Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels…
TSB 19-2026	2019-02-07	Structure	Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels…
SSM 46085	2016-09-21	Engine And Engine Cooling	The Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing…
TSB-12-8-1	2012-08-01	Electrical System	FORD/LINCOLN/MERCURY: MAY HAVE SLUDGE BUILDUP IN THROTTLE BODY LEADING TO LESS AIRFLOW OR…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific LS. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 66 battery

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

Does the 2005 LS have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.