5LTEW05A52KJ009762002 LINCOLN Blackwood
2002 LINCOLN Blackwood was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. There are 3 open recalls on record — verify these have been repaired before purchase. 8 owner compl...
Executive Summary
2002 LINCOLN Blackwood
2002 LINCOLN Blackwood was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. There are 3 open recalls on record — verify these have been repaired before purchase. 8 owner complaints include 1 reported injury, indicating real-world safety incidents beyond normal wear.
- 3 open recalls — verify these have been repaired before purchase
- 1 injury reported across 8 owner complaints
- Fuel System is flagged in both recalls and owner complaints — double-confirmed failure pattern
- Manufacturer delayed recall by 2.6 years after first complaints — pattern of slow response to known defects
Title Brand Check
Mined from auction damage fields and listing titles — not a DMV title history pull
No auction records available. Title brand status could not be verified — request title history from seller or state DMV.
Vehicle Specifications
Decoded from NHTSA vPIC database
- Make
- LINCOLN
- Model
- Blackwood
- Year
- 2002
- Body Style
- Pickup
- Vehicle Type
- TRUCK
- Drive Type
- 4x2
- Fuel Type
- Gasoline
- Engine
- 8-cyl 5.4L 300 hp
- Manufacturer
- FORD MOTOR COMPANY
- Assembly
- CLAYCOMO, MISSOURI, UNITED STATES (USA)
- GVWR
- Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg)
Assembly Plant Quality
Plant: CLAYCOMO, MISSOURI
No specific quality data available for this plant. No documented recall or complaint concentrations on record.
Safety Intelligence
Composite analysis from NHTSA recall, complaint, and crash data
- ▸Fuel system recall
- ▸2 fuel system recall(s) — potential ignition risk
- ⚠2 recalls on same component: Fuel System
- ⚠Safety system appears in both official recalls and owner complaints
Lemon law eligibility depends on state law, number of repair attempts, and days out of service. Consult an attorney for actual eligibility.
The same components appear in both official NHTSA recalls and owner-filed complaints — a double-confirmed failure signal.
Deferred Failure Risk
Components and defects approaching or past their known service milestones
Worn chain tensioners cause timing chain skip or snap — common on GM 5.3L/6.2L, Ford EcoBoost, VW/Audi EA888, BMW N47/N63. Listen for cold-start rattles.
Water pump failure causes rapid overheating. If the engine overheats even once, head gasket damage is likely — turning a $400 part into a $3,000+ repair.
Degraded transmission fluid destroys clutch packs and solenoids. CVT transmissions are especially sensitive — neglected fluid can result in a $4,000–$8,000 replacement.
Degraded coolant loses corrosion inhibitors and attacks aluminum engine components. Can cause head gasket failure and water pump corrosion.
Worn spark plugs cause misfires that can foul and crack catalytic converters. A $150 tune-up can prevent a $1,200 catalytic converter replacement.
Dirty or failing injectors cause rough idle, reduced fuel economy, and increased emissions. Cleaning costs $100–$200; replacement $800–$1,600.
NHTSA Safety Recalls
3 RECALLSNHTSA VIN-specific recall lookup returned no data for this VIN. The 3 recalls below are model-wide and may or may not apply to this exact vehicle depending on production date. Verify at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Average repair completion across 3 recalls is ~67%. Always ask the seller for dealer service records confirming each repair.
Statistical model based on recall age, component type, and manufacturer. Not a repair confirmation. Demand dealer service records.
LINCOLN completes recalls at a good rate (89%), averaging about 18 months to remedy. Most affected vehicles are fixed.
Avg time to remedy open recall: ~18 months · Source: NHTSA Recall Completion Rate Reports
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING
SummaryFORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN 1997 THROUGH 2003 MODEL YEAR FORD F-150, 2004 MODEL YEAR FORD F-150 HERITAGE, 1997 THROUGH 1999 MODEL YEAR F-250 LESS THAN 8,500 LBS. GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR), AND 2002 AND 2003 LINCOLN BLACKWOOD VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 20, 1995, THROUGH AUGUST 4, 2004, ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO ROAD DEICING CHEMICALS MAY CAUSE SEVERE CORROSION OF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS WHICH SECURE THE TANK TO THE VEHICLE.Read full details...
~31% chance this recall was never fixed
Moderate RiskSource: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
SummaryCERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.Read full details...
~31% chance this recall was never fixed
Moderate RiskSource: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SummaryON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.Read full details...
~36% chance this recall was never fixed
Moderate RiskSource: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type
Recall Intelligence
Detailed analysis of recall history and severity
⚠ One or more recalls have been open for over 5 years — may never have been repaired on this vehicle.
Manufacturer Recall Response Time
Time between first owner complaint and recall issuance
31 months elapsed between first complaint and recall issuance — a significant delay in consumer protection.
1 injuries reported across 8 complaints — elevated injury rate for this class of vehicle.
Complaint Intelligence
8 complaints analyzed across 6 system categories
Owner Complaints
HIGH VOLUME8 safety complaints filed with NHTSA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LINCOLN BLACKWOOD. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT WHEEL AND BRAKE LINE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED HE SHIFTED TO A LOWER GEAR TO STOP THE VEHICLE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
11/23/2015 VEHICLE ENGINE MALFUNCTIONED, OVERHEATED AND STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP REPLACED ENGINE AND RELATED PARTS AND I PICKED UP ON 12/17/15. MILEAGE 2,411 1/1/2016 ENGINE STARTED MAKING A WHINING SOUND AND THE AC STOPPED BLOWING COLD AIR. MILEAGE 2,958 9/27/2016 RATTLING SUNROOF AND TRANSMISSION WAS LUNGING WHEN COMING TO A STOP. 9/14/2017 VEHICLE OVERHEATED WHILE DRIVING TURNS OUT WAS THE COOLING SYSTEM EXPANSION TANK. 1/22/2019 KEYLESS ENTRY LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY . MILEAGE 25,601 6/4/2019 VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND STALLED WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. TURNS OUT AC COMPRESSOR FAILED CAUSING ADDITIONAL BROKEN PARTS.MILEAGE 26,777
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LINCOLN BLACKWOOD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP (SOUTAR'S FORD IN BARSTOW, CA) TWICE WITH AN ISSUE OF HESITATION AND STUMBLING PROBLEMS. I HAD 75,000 BEFORE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. THEY REPLACED ALL COILS WITH SPRINGS AND SPARK PLUGS, CHARGED MY WARRANTY COMPANY AND MYSELF FOR EACH VISIT. I WENT ON A 700 MILE TRIP TO NEW MEXICO, AFTER 100 MILES OR SO I STILL HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS OF HESITATION AND STUMBLING, THEN I BREAK DOWN 88 MILES,FROM FLAGSTAFF,AZ. BABBIT FORD IDENTIFIED THAT A SPARK PLUG WAS EJECTED FROM THE 3RD CYLINDER HEAD. THEY REPLACED THE SPARK PLUG AND COIL WITH SPRING AND CHARGED MY WARRANTY AND MYSELF $644 AND $195. THEY DIDN'T IDENTIFY AND ISSUES WITH MY CYLINDER HEAD AND REINSERTED THE REPLACEMENT SPARK PLUG AND COIL. I DROVE THE VEH BACK HOME ONLY TO IDENTIFY I STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM I WENT IN FOR THE FIRST TIME, HESITATIONS AND STUMBLING. ALL THIS HAPPENED IN A 2 WEEK TIME PERIOD. I'M NOW TOLD BY MY ORIGINAL DEALER THAT THE HEADS AND VALVES SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED BECAUSE OF COMPRESSION STICKING ISSUES. *TR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE CROSSING AN INTERSECTION AT 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL IMPACT COLLISION AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT, BUT MINOR INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE ADJUSTOR DUE TO THE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. THE POLICE WERE ALERTED, AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT ALERTED.
2002 LINCOLN TOWNCAR- WHEN APPROACHING A MAJOR HIGHWAY FROM A SHOPPING CENTER, STOPPED BEFORE ENTERING THE HIGHWAY, ENGINE SUDDENLY RACED WITH WHEELS SQUEELING, AND CAR LUNGED FORWARD, I BRAKED HARD TO CONTROL CAR, SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL, ENGINE CONTINED TO RACE. I TURNED ENGINE OFF, AND RESTARTED CAR. NORMAL OPERATIONS COMMENCED. DEALERSHIP CHECKED CAR THE NEXT DAY. FOUND NO 'DEFECT' AND COULD NOT RECREATE SITUATION. THEY DID NOT INTEND TO DO ANYTHING ELSE TO INVESTIGATE. I INSISTED THEY ESCALATE ISSUE TO MANUFACTURER ON 3/21/04. I AWAIT ANY WORD. LACK OF INJURIES AND DAMAGE ARE PURELY LUCK!*AKI
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK THE DEALER SAID THE VEHICLE WAS FINE, BUT THE CONSUMER FELT OTHERWISE. *SCC *JB
THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THIS ADDED FEATURE ILLUMINATES TIRES FROM SPINNING. CONSUMER STATES' THIS FEATURE CAN BE DANGEROUS BECAUSE WHEN TRACTION CONTROL KICKS IN IT SHUT OFF GAS AND VEHICLE ENGINE GOES OUT. CONSUMER IS LEFT IN THE MIDDLE ROAD. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
Complaint & Reliability Timeline
Annual complaints (blue) vs. composite reliability score (amber) — recall years marked in red
The blue line shows 8 NHTSA complaints on file for the LINCOLN Blackwood — a relatively low volume that spans from 2002 to 2020.
The amber reliability line averaged 97/100 across the vehicle's life — relatively stable, with the lowest point of 77/100 in 2006.
The red dashed line marks recall issuance — the first recall came 3 years after owners began filing complaints, a lag that indicates the manufacturer was slow to formally acknowledge these problems.
Red dots on the amber line flag 2006, a year when complaints included crash events — these are the highest-severity incidents in the dataset.
Legal & Regulatory Actions
Known class action lawsuits, settlements, and manufacturer extended warranty programs
5-Year Total Cost of Ownership
Estimated based on EPA fuel data, risk-adjusted maintenance, and depreciation
Estimated 5-year cost of ownership: $46,614 (~$777/mo). Repair risk buffer is standard due to vehicle risk profile.
Negotiation Ammunition
Use these data-backed findings to negotiate the price down
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Tailored for the 2002 LINCOLN Blackwood — specific failure modes your mechanic must check, not a generic list
Recall Probability Forecast
Estimated likelihood of a new recall in the next 18 months based on NHTSA signals
5% baseline recall probability — no strong indicators of an imminent recall.
Maintenance Schedule
OEM-specified service intervals for this vehicle
Maintenance intervals vary significantly by make, model, year, engine, and driving conditions. Always follow the manufacturer's official schedule — not generic industry estimates.
Tip: Request the seller's service records and compare against the manufacturer schedule. Missing intervals are a negotiation point.
Auction History
Public sale records from Copart, IAAI, and auction aggregators
Searching Public Auction Records
Checking Copart, IAAI, BidFax, and other sources for 5LTEW05A52KJ00976. Results appear automatically when found.
Insurance Cost Estimate
Estimated annual premiums based on vehicle profile, theft data, and NHTSA safety ratings
Based on 2024 national avg ($2,011/yr full coverage). Individual rates vary by driver, location & insurer. Always compare 3+ quotes.
State-Specific Legal Protections
What consumer laws apply to this vehicle purchase in your state
Select your state to see what consumer protection laws, lemon law coverage, and title disclosure requirements apply to this vehicle purchase.
Complete Data Table
All decoded fields in a single flattened view
Vehicle Identity
| VIN | 5LTEW05A52KJ00976 |
| Model Year | 2002 |
| Make | LINCOLN |
| Model | Blackwood |
| Vehicle Type | TRUCK |
Body & Configuration
| Body Style | Pickup |
| Drive Type | 4x2 |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline |
Engine
| Engine Cylinders | 8 |
| Displacement (L) | 5.4 |
| Horsepower | 300 |
Manufacturer
| Manufacturer | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| Assembly City | CLAYCOMO |
| Assembly Country | UNITED STATES (USA) |
VIN Structure
| WMI (Chars 1–3) | 5LT |
| Check Digit (Char 9) | 5 |
| Model Year Code (Char 10) | 2 |
| Plant Code (Char 11) | K |
| Sequence (Chars 12–17) | J00976 |
Safety Data
| NHTSA Recall Count | 3 |
| NHTSA Complaint Count | 8 |
VIN Structure Decode
ISO 3779 character-by-character breakdown of this Vehicle Identification Number
Disclaimer: Data sourced from NHTSA public APIs and scraped auction listings. For informational purposes only. Not a substitute for a paid vehicle history report. Retrieved: 6/13/2026, 9:48:06 AM.