Open Letter to Lincoln - How I'd Improve the Corsair

[JamesBay]

We've had our '25 Corsair Reserve ll for 2 months with around 1,400 miles on the odometer. It has been perfect so far, not even an annoying rattle to complain about. My single biggest complaint would be having to turn the auto start/stop off every time, but I'm hoping now that the gov't is removing that requirement from the automakers that there with be an option to turn it off for good within a software update. I'm even impressed with mileage we are receiving during the break-in period, being about 2 mpg better than our old tiny Buick Encore this car replaced.

On the advertised MPG, that is the exact reason why I bought the car. And it has not disappointed me. In fact, it exceeded my expectations. I have the PHEV GT III.

THe PHEV doesn't have the start/stop issue because of the electric. However, the bold indicator of having to keep both hands on the steering wheel is seriously pissing me off. And even turning off the option, it is still doing it.

 

[DonL]

So I have now had my 2021 Corsair for 5 weeks and 1000 miles and here is what I think:
- the transmission in town SUCKS, I wonder how many other Ford vehicles have that transmission
- the auto stop/start should stay off till I turn back on after I turn it off, shouldn't have to do each time
- the mystery dome lights coming on, be real that's just BS
- the NAV sucks compared to Google Maps
- the seats really aren't all that great for a luxury car, do they start from a bank piece of paper each time it comes to building seats
- the cruise control buttons mounted behind the steering wheel is kind of dangerous to use
- who in the hell designed the spare tire and jack storage that has a metal jack pretty much sitting on a metal frame to rattle

Now almost 2 months and that transmission has me thinking of getting rid of my car. I got a good price when buying and can pretty get it all back when replacing.

 

[R-PHEV-Corsair24]

why should the driver have to select OK to have this display cleared from the dash?
I agree, not sure why the computer doesn’t sense I’ve bucked up, after starting the vehicle but still in park.

 

[R-PHEV-Corsair24]

I’ve not yet reached 2K miles in the 24 PHEV Corsair but today had the car in fixed speed setting of 64 and drove past a highway (interstate) sign which stated 60mph and 40mph minimum .
Guess what the car decided to do - brake and slow down to 40mph, I’m just glad no one was sitting on my back-end to wonder why I braked to 40mph. SAFETY issue and possible Lawsuit resulting if rear-ended.,..

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[JamesBay]

I’ve not yet reached 2K miles in the 24 PHEV Corsair but today had the car in fixed speed setting of 64 and drove past a highway (interstate) sign which stated 60mph and 40mph minimum .
Guess what the car decided to do - brake and slow down to 40mph, I’m just glad no one was sitting on my back-end to wonder why I braked to 40mph. SAFETY issue and possible Lawsuit resulting if rear-ended.,..

I have my car in the shop right now to look at this AND why the car breaks significantly when I am going on a highway that either bends or has up's and down's. The later has nothing to do with the road signs. The sensor apparently thinks there is another car in the road ahead of me.

It's a MAJOR safety violation because if someone is riding your ass at 65 and the car slows to 45, the other car will hit you. I just make sure to keep my foot on the gas when there is a curve in the highway. If this doesn't get fixed, a national lawsuit has to be filed.

 

[greerl]

I have my car in the shop right now to look at this AND why the car breaks significantly when I am going on a highway that either bends or has up's and down's. The later has nothing to do with the road signs. The sensor apparently thinks there is another car in the road ahead of me.

It's a MAJOR safety violation because if someone is riding your ass at 65 and the car slows to 45, the other car will hit you. I just make sure to keep my foot on the gas when there is a curve in the highway. If this doesn't get fixed, a national lawsuit has to be filed.

You should take this as a reminder that even in hands free mode you're still supposed to be in control of the car. If it does slow to 45 by definition you were not in control.

My 2023 GT III brakes gently enough that I usually catch it before hardly any slowing at all.

Certainly this is a nuisance and I hope the newer versions are better (I'm Blue Cruise 1.2) but I really think this is your bad.

 

[Bill77]

My suggestions as an owner of a 2025 Reserve II:
1. Reduce the glare off the center panel with the PRNDL buttons. My wife complains about this often and we are trying to find a solution. Lincoln should know better than to do this.
2. The center touch screen should keep the same layout that we choose. It seems like almost every day, I have to struggle to bring up the radio controls. I want radio controls to remain on the right side of the touch screen at all times. Also, why does it show both the Apple map and the car's navigation map at the same time?
3. The base audio system is a disappointment. My MKC with base audio had a subwoofer in the back and had very good sound quality. The Corsair base audio sounds tinny and lacks warmth and depth. The Revel audio system is in a $6500 package that has things I do not want. I wish the Revel audio were a standalone option or packaged with the panoramic roof and then I would have purchased it.
4. Brake modulation is awkward. As the brake pedal is pushed, the braking gradually increases and then it suddenly grabs. It is difficult to make smooth stops. I may have the dealer look at this.
5. Make the engine and exhaust quieter.
6. Improve the body panel fitment. The passenger side doors aren't flush to one another and the metal trim pieces don't align as well as other brands. Also, the two panoramic roof glass panels aren't flush to each other.
7. I wish there was a hybrid (non-plug-in) available. It would give ~80% of the PHEV benefits at much lower cost. Also, I would like a Corsair HEV to keep the PHEV's electric motor at the back for awd and better performance compared to running a driveshaft to the back like the Escape HEV.
8. The contour of the front seats could be improved. My MKC was perfect. We could drive for 8 hours and not feel any discomfort. The Corsair seats have cushion bolsters that are too pronounced and not contoured as well. They seem to be improving as they break-in, though. I am about 5'10" and 185 lbs.
9. I'm not a fan of the huge grille. It seems disproportionate for the size of this vehicle.
10. I think it is a mistake to discontinue the Corsair and the Escape. These are important segments and both already have HEV and PHEV options. Ford has already discontinued the Edge, so the hole in the Ford line-up is widening. I would like to see a new Escape with a shape more like a Honda CRV or Toyota RAV4 (Corsair is fine, IMHO). I am curious to see the BEVs that are supposedly going to be built at the factory that currently builds the Corsair, but I'm not ready for a full BEV until the public charging infrastructure improves and charging times become quicker. We take a lot of long road trips.
11. The touch screen rattles and buzzes occasionally. I may have the dealer look at this.
12. Quality, quality, quality!!!!! Every single employee at an automaker has a role to play in delivering a quality product that is reliable and will run for at least 200,000 miles without expensive repairs and recalls. Lincoln and Ford products need to score better in public data sources like Consumer Reports and JD Power. My MKC was trouble free for well over 100,000 miles but I was concerned about coolant leaking into the combustion chamber.

 

[JamesBay]

You should take this as a reminder that even in hands free mode you're still supposed to be in control of the car. If it does slow to 45 by definition you were not in control.

My 2023 GT III brakes gently enough that I usually catch it before hardly any slowing at all.

Certainly this is a nuisance and I hope the newer versions are better (I'm Blue Cruise 1.2) but I really think this is your bad.

The stupid warning comes on every 15 seconds of my hands aren't on the wheel. So I am in full control. Plus my foot is close to the gas to make sure I pick up as soon as the car starts to break fast.

But, if a car maker floats a "hands free" drive with automated cruise, then why does anyone have to drive like this? What's the point of paying extra for the hands free if you constantly have to have your hands on the wheel and foot on the gas?

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[DrivingEnthusiast]

I made an extensive reply to this thread much earlier. We now have 35k on our '22.
The bigger question of course is whether there will be a follow-on or not.
We want it. Exact same size as thew current Corsair.
And not larger as in the too-large Nautilus - which is all but identical to an Aviator in width and height (my dealer had one of each parked next to each other and the match was obvious).
And we do not want a Corsair or anything else built in China - that was a mistake.

 

[MORSNO]

I made an extensive reply to this thread much earlier. We now have 35k on our '22.
The bigger question of course is whether there will be a follow-on or not.
We want it. Exact same size as thew current Corsair.
And not larger as in the too-large Nautilus - which is all but identical to an Aviator in width and height (my dealer had one of each parked next to each other and the match was obvious).
And we do not want a Corsair or anything else built in China - that was a mistake.

Agreed!

I like the smaller size as it is easier to maneuver and park with door dings, plenty of room in any garage, decent mileage without sacrificing power, and plenty of room for a retired couples daily ventures. Made in the USA was at the top of my list when shopping!

 

[DrivingEnthusiast]

Yes, and that Chinese-made Corsair is *not* coming here... there are Chinese-made domestic market versions of both Fords and Lincolns and until the Nautilus none were shared with us. The new Nautilus was, I think, a temporary solution for a Nautilus replacement since there was supposed to be an all-electric Nautilus coming soon and built in Canada (based on the worldwide platform also used by the Mondeo/Fusion with architecture and parts commonality). That is shelved and moved out... the plant is idle and apparently going to take up F-250 production.. And we never got an Edge replacement for the same reason, which again is odd since it sold very well. I think again that was the back-and-forth indecision and the change of Government and the new Government's mandate interference in the way. In retrospect, I think Ford was in a tough spot and made a mistake with the Chinese-made Nautilus, IMHO, even though it's an excellent product and selling very well. If there are ever tariffs, it's gonna be dead in the water since it's already so expensive. Note that it's built on the C2 platform, same as our Corsair, although one enlarged in overall size which is what that platform was designed for. And platform sharing means a considerable cost saving.
Which is what the upcoming electric platform might be all about... with rumors of multiple products being built off it (small SUV and a small truck), it would appear to be a replacement for C2. This is the TN plant, which as the Government turns is delayed a year or so.

 

[Mark 4]

I really like the Corsair GT and am very pleased with the performance and features with a few issues:

• Every time they do an OTA, I lose some radio presets. The stations that replace my presets aren't even the factory defaults!
• I have tried many setting for the Revel sound, balances, etc. It still sounds like an old AM radio with just the dash speaker.
• Not holding the drive mode setting. Sure, it might be slippery tomorrow but I can adjust that. having to select my preferred setting is a pain.

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[ljnelson109]

I really like the Corsair GT and am very pleased with the performance and features with a few issues:

• Every time they do an OTA, I lose some radio presets. The stations that replace my presets aren't even the factory defaults!
• I have tried many setting for the Revel sound, balances, etc. It still sounds like an old AM radio with just the dash speaker.
• Not holding the drive mode setting. Sure, it might be slippery tomorrow but I can adjust that. having to select my preferred setting is a pain.

I share your frustration regarding the Revel audio. I seriously considered not taking delivery of my Corsair GT. Revel audio observation

 

[DonL]

Beside the crappy transmission shifting in the city and the drivers seat

I wish premium cars would greatly increase focus on fit and finish and components that last and spent less time on stupid useless features. I still don't know a lot of those stupid useless features, itis a car I mostly want it to drive nice and be comfortable.

 

[Mark 4]

I share your frustration regarding the Revel audio. I seriously considered not taking delivery of my Corsair GT. Revel audio observation

The " Revel experience" when played, does sound good and has good separation. I will try the "onstage" setting again and see how it sounds.

The only issue that has required dealer rectification was a "flapping noise" over 40 MPH at the "B" pillar lower area. It turned out to be a couple of missing plastic fasteners on the underbody sheilds. All good now.

 

[greerl]

Beside the crappy transmission shifting in the city and the drivers seat

I wish premium cars would greatly increase focus on fit and finish and components that last and spent less time on stupid useless features. I still don't know a lot of those stupid useless features, itis a car I mostly want it to drive nice and be comfortable.

Surely you jest! It's to a great extent those stupid, useless (your out of the mainstream opinion) features that make these premium cars.

That said, of course those features should work.

FYI
I've no transmission issues with my 2023 GT III. I figure that was the only really premium trim.

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[DonL]

Surely you jest! It's to a great extent those stupid, useless (your out of the mainstream opinion) features that make these premium cars.

.

I guess I expect more quality and less useless bling out of a premium

 

[Kiddoc]

What an awesome thread. Summarizing, I see lots of folks talking about why the fit and finish quality isn’t in a luxury level car. I agree.

The issues about technology and features is potato or potato, but what I want is for tech to work.
The glitches in the synchronization when 2 phones are plugged in may part of CarPLay or may be Ford. I don’t know. But I’m tired of not being able to isolate the CarPlay functionality when my wife’s phone is plugged in in just for power. It’s basically one or the other.
Regarding OTA updates, how do all these users know that one has occurred? The car doesn’t tell me that an update has occurred. Why not? Seems like an easy fix.
I agree that map updates should be more readily available and more easily accessed. Even for a nominal (repeat NOMINAL) fee would be better than none. Remember my 2022 car didn’t have a prescription option/requirement that the 2023 and beyond seem to have. So this needs to be supported!!
For my car at least, I find the need to do updates via USB device, rather than OTA. I don’t know why, but this seems to work better without error codes. Why isn’t OTA more reliable? Why can’t I use a modern USB drive without using an outmoded FAT protocol? Really. Was the Lincoln software written in the 1990s?

Certainly by now the PHEV all electric range should be better than 35 miles. If the newer Corsairs aren’t getting 50 at least, shame on Lincoln.

The dealers need to be more familiar with the PHEV. I can’t believe that there is so little competence in and understanding of this vehicle by a brand dealership support/service staff. I’ve posted elsewhere on this so will not repeat my frustrations.

What would I like to see in a full EV if Lincoln chooses that path? I want a 350-400 mile ACTUAL electric range with 800 V rapid charging and ability to use ANY charging network I can find. Why? I travel often with my car and don’t want to stop and spend 30-60 minutes at random WAWAs along the way or once I arrive at my destination. For me this range would do it. I’d really like an audio system worth the upgrade money. After hearing about the Revel comments on this thread I am SO glad I didn’t fork out the cash for it. Okay, here is a big one - a true adjustable air suspension. Hands down this feature would be huge. I had it on my AUDI and it was the one AUDI feature that I really missed when I went to Lincoln.

What don’t I care about? Aromatherapy. Endless options for interior mood lighting. A useless heads up display. I don’t need a sport mode or capability. Any owner who wants performance should not be purchasing this (or any Lincoln) vehicle and should skip everything else and go to Porsche (based on personal experience).

These are just a few things that come to mind. Lincoln, if you’re listening - please get your act together, or you’ll be going the way of Oldsmobile.

 

[Xarax]

What an awesome thread. Summarizing, I see lots of folks talking about why the fit and finish quality isn’t in a luxury level car. I agree.

The issues about technology and features is potato or potato, but what I want is for tech to work.
The glitches in the synchronization when 2 phones are plugged in may part of CarPLay or may be Ford. I don’t know. But I’m tired of not being able to isolate the CarPlay functionality when my wife’s phone is plugged in in just for power. It’s basically one or the other.
Regarding OTA updates, how do all these users know that one has occurred? The car doesn’t tell me that an update has occurred. Why not? Seems like an easy fix.
I agree that map updates should be more readily available and more easily accessed. Even for a nominal (repeat NOMINAL) fee would be better than none. Remember my 2022 car didn’t have a prescription option/requirement that the 2023 and beyond seem to have. So this needs to be supported!!
For my car at least, I find the need to do updates via USB device, rather than OTA. I don’t know why, but this seems to work better without error codes. Why isn’t OTA more reliable? Why can’t I use a modern USB drive without using an outmoded FAT protocol? Really. Was the Lincoln software written in the 1990s?

Certainly by now the PHEV all electric range should be better than 35 miles. If the newer Corsairs aren’t getting 50 at least, shame on Lincoln.

The dealers need to be more familiar with the PHEV. I can’t believe that there is so little competence in and understanding of this vehicle by a brand dealership support/service staff. I’ve posted elsewhere on this so will not repeat my frustrations.

What would I like to see in a full EV if Lincoln chooses that path? I want a 350-400 mile ACTUAL electric range with 800 V rapid charging and ability to use ANY charging network I can find. Why? I travel often with my car and don’t want to stop and spend 30-60 minutes at random WAWAs along the way or once I arrive at my destination. For me this range would do it. I’d really like an audio system worth the upgrade money. After hearing about the Revel comments on this thread I am SO glad I didn’t fork out the cash for it. Okay, here is a big one - a true adjustable air suspension. Hands down this feature would be huge. I had it on my AUDI and it was the one AUDI feature that I really missed when I went to Lincoln.

What don’t I care about? Aromatherapy. Endless options for interior mood lighting. A useless heads up display. I don’t need a sport mode or capability. Any owner who wants performance should not be purchasing this (or any Lincoln) vehicle and should skip everything else and go to Porsche (based on personal experience).

These are just a few things that come to mind. Lincoln, if you’re listening - please get your act together, or you’ll be going the way of Oldsmobile.

My HUD with BlueCruise is essential.

 

[C Krohn]

“The glitches in the synchronization when 2 phones are plugged in may part of CarPLay or may be Ford. I don’t know. But I’m tired of not being able to isolate the CarPlay functionality when my wife’s phone is plugged in in just for power. It’s basically one or the other.
Regarding OTA updates, how do all these users know that one has occurred? The car doesn’t tell me that an update has occurred. Why not? Seems like an easy fix.”

When my wife needs to charge her phone while I’m using car play, we use a power port ( cigarette lighter) with an adapter.
I use the USB method to update navigation, but other updates have been done by my dealer while other service was being done. I did get one notification that the Corsair had gotten an OTA update.