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2002 Lincoln LS

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2002 LS.

Body PASSENGER CAR

Classified as a passenger car, the 2002 Lincoln LS utilizes an engine requiring 6.0 qt of 5W-20 API oil. This model year recorded 121 total owner complaints primarily within the Engine & Engine Cooling area, yet it maintained a record of zero recalls. Situated within the 2000-2006 model history between the peak of 368 complaints in 2000 and the low of 18 in 2006, the 2002 LS occupies a middle reliability ground that reflects a significant decrease from the initial 2000 figure without reaching the final 2006 count.

Model year2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified

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

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	194.1 in
Overall width	73.2 in
Overall height	56.3 in
Wheelbase	114.6 in
Curb weight	4519 lb
Track (front / rear)	60.6 / 60.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	51/49

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.

7.8–7.9 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.80 sec — 2002 Sport Sedan

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
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
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
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 holds 6.0 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, 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

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Oil	5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	6.0 qt
Engine Oil	5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	6.9 qt
Power Steering Fluid	ATF

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	DOHC Step 1: 74 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	7.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	13.0-16.0 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	18.0 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	18.0 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
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	740 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	760 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	10 rpm
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Motorcraft
Spark Plug Gap	0.042-0.046 in
Spark Plug Torque	7.0-15.0 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)	30.0-65.0
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	30.0-65.0

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	76 ft-lbs / 25 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	95 ft-lbs / 76 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.080; Rear: 0.040 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0004 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.003 in / 0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	1.181 in / 0.787 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	1.181 in / 0.787 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	1.102 in / 0.728 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

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

37 ft. lbs., step 2: 90

37 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

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 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 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 (leak inspection) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Exhaust System Heat Shield (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace)
At 45,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 mi	Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 100,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · PCV Valve (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 mi	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 2002 Lincoln LS represents a notable inflection point in the generation’s federal record, with complaints dropping sharply to 121 from 253 in 2001 and 368 in 2000—a trend that continues through 2003 (68 complaints) before stabilizing. Unlike the preceding and subsequent years, 2002 saw no recalls, suggesting either resolved early-production issues or a lull before minor component updates triggered later recalls (e.g., 2003’s single recall). The top complaint areas—engine cooling, air bags, and suspension—mirror broader generational concerns but occur at lower volumes than in 2000–2001, while crash-related complaints (21) remain consistent with the generation’s baseline. The absence of fire complaints and investigations further distinguishes 2002 as a relatively uneventful year in the model’s lifecycle. This data implies that 2002 benefited from refinements introduced after the first two model years, making it a comparatively reliable choice within the generation. **Takeaway: The 2002 Lincoln LS is a strong used purchase, offering the best balance of reduced complaints and no recalls in its production run.**

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

109

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

121

Owner complaints

21 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 121 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling19

Air Bags16

Suspension14

Power Train7

Wheels6

Visibility5

Service Brakes, Hydraulic5

Steering,Suspension3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 109 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…
0295	2005-11-14	Electrical System	EXCESSIVE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CURRENT DRAW WHICH COULD RESULT IN A DISCHARGED BATTERY AND A…
041601	2005-11-14	Engine And Engine Cooling	WDS COP KIT DIAGNOSTIC TIP - COIL ON PLUG (COP) IGNITION SYSTEMS - ENGINE MISFIRE 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 Vehicles taking 6.0 qt

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

How much oil does the 2002 LS take?

6.0 qt of 5W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2002 LS have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.