Major Problems with Lincoln Aviator Derived from Complaints & Recalls

Learn about the common problems with a used Lincoln Aviator to avoid purchasing a bad year of the model.

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Best and Worst Years for Lincoln Aviator

Explore the chart showing how many complaints have been filed for each year of Lincoln Aviator.

Model Year	Complaints
2020 Aviator	1
2005 Aviator	48
2004 Aviator	80
2003 Aviator	107

Worst 3 Lincoln Aviator complaints

2003 Lincoln Aviator VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Victims: 2 Mileage: 36000 miles

2003 Lincoln Aviator AIR BAGS Victims: 2 Mileage: 168000 miles

2004 Lincoln Aviator ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Victims: 1 Mileage: 167786 miles

Browse Lincoln Aviator complaints by category

Problems with BODY, POWER TRAIN and AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION are the most frequent issues recorded by the NHTSA from Lincoln Aviator owners.

Problem Category	Number of Problems
BODY > STRUCTURE owner of 2005 lincoln aviator (acquired late 2006)kept exclusively in garage. currently has 39 500 miles. a vertical crack has...	43 ~ 58715 miles
POWER TRAIN i have a 2005 lincoln aviator and the shifter transmission and ball joints drive shaft all fell apart at 56...	35 ~ 89005 miles
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN transmission shift problems= we where ok when truck was on garage and just use it as weekends but everything change...	32 ~ 51514 miles
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING the vehicle began with problems that seemed related to the battery. it jerks when accelerating between 40 and 60 mph....	23 ~ 62711 miles
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM early this morning was driving on the freeway in our 2004 lincoln aviator. there was a moderate rain fall and...	13 ~ 75312 miles
AIR BAGS tl-the contact owns a 2005 lincoln aviator. the contact stated that while starting the vehicle the air bag deployed independently...	10 ~ 103456 miles
UNKNOWN OR OTHER the back lift component has a crack on each side of the lincoln emblem. the body shop near where i...	9 ~ 57400 miles
STEERING this vehicles steering shudders while making low speed turns usually left turns. dealers has bled the system once and it...	9 ~ 48333 miles
HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE > BODY > STRUCTURE owner of 2005 lincoln aviator (acquired late 2006)kept exclusively in garage. currently has 39 500 miles. a vertical crack has...	8 ~ 42436 miles
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL dt*: the contact stated after releasing the accelerator pedal the vehicle would not decelerate. the vehicle was taken to the	8 ~ 52038 miles
ENGINE > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING at 13 650 miles the engine destroyed itself due to a defective crankshaft. i was driving home at night in...	8 ~ 51144 miles
ENGINE i have the same cracking problem with the back gate which resulted in the breaking of hinges. also a known...	7 ~ 76691 miles
STRUCTURE a vertical crack on plastic covering of hatch cover. starts at the lincoln medallion that is cut into the plastic...	7 ~ 18143 miles
SUSPENSION i have a 2005 lincoln aviator and the shifter transmission and ball joints drive shaft all fell apart at 56...	6 ~ 57667 miles
DIFFERENTIAL UNIT > DRIVELINE > POWER TRAIN tl*the contact owns a 2004 lincoln aviator. while the contact was driving approximately 55 mph smoke circulated through the vents...	6 ~ 25083 miles
TIRES tl*the contact owns a 2004 lincoln aviator. while driving 50 mph the passenger side front tire detached from the vehicle....	6 ~ 36276 miles
ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC dt*: the contact stated the rear brakes locked and began smoking. the dealer was contacted and repaired the brakes. this...	5 ~ 28400 miles
FRONTAL > AIR BAGS lincoln aviator 2006 crashed into brick flower box wall on right side causing air bag to deploy on passenger side...	4 ~ 104500 miles
COLUMN SHIFT > LEVER AND LINKAGE > AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION on june 07 at 1100hrs the gearshift knob and gearshift boot disengaged from the console of my 2003 lincoln aviator...	4 ~ 103651 miles
REAR > SUSPENSION tl*the contact owns a 2004 lincoln aviator. while driving at any speed the driver heard a loud roaring noise coming...	4 ~ 20159 miles
HEATER CORE > DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM > VISIBILITY automatic heat climate control malfunctioned. as a result cold air blows out fogging the windows. *ak...	4 ~ 358 miles
WHEELS the left rear wheel bearing has broke 3 times on my vehicle. the first time i brought it to lincoln...	3 ~ 48333 miles
VISIBILITY the plastic bracket that attaches the sun visors to the ceiling in my 2004 lincoln aviator have degraded and shattered...	3 ~ 19117 miles
EXTERIOR LIGHTING tl* the contact owns a 2004 lincoln aviator. while operating the vehicle the brake lights failed to illuminate. upon inspection...	3 ~ 68217 miles
AXLE ASSEMBLY > POWER TRAIN my aviator is making a whinning/siren sound in the rear end at accelerating decelerating and cruising speeds. *nm...	3 ~ 17288 miles
AIR CONDITIONER > APPLIANCE > EQUIPMENT tl* the contact owns a 2004 lincoln aviator. the contact was driving approximately 30 mph approaching a complete stop. while...	3 ~ 13712 miles
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 1. i was sitting at a traffic light first thing in the morning when all my warning lights on the...	3 ~ 15667 miles
ACCELERATOR PEDAL > VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL defective and possibly deadly 2003 lincoln aviator made by ford motor company 1.car purchased on 2/15/03. picked up same day...	3 ~ 3713 miles
VISIBILITY/WIPER i purchased this vehicle as a certified used vehicle. it had an extended warranty. once it expired i've experienced every...	2 ~ 58807 miles
POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS > VISIBILITY tl* the contact owns a 2008 lincoln aviator. while the vehicle was at a complete stop the gear shift cable...	2 ~ 91000 miles
FLOOR SHIFT > LEVER AND LINKAGE > AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION tl*the contact owns a 2005 lincoln aviator. while the vehicle was parked in the driveway on a small incline in...	2 ~ 38000 miles
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE i purchased an 04 lincoln aviator in dec. 2006 in aug. 2007 i noticed it was not running right. it...	2 ~ 60750 miles
COLUMN > STEERING 2004 lincoln aviator with engine problems. consumer states that the dealer stated that the car would be repaired but at...	2
MASTER CYLINDER > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC dt*: the contact stated while applying brake pressure at any speed there was an increased stopping distance. the vehicle was...	2 ~ 33432 miles
ROTOR > DISC > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS dt*: the contact stated the rear brakes locked and began smoking. the dealer was contacted and repaired the brakes. this...	2 ~ 33500 miles
GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL) > AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN shift cable either becomes stuck or dislodged from shift cable bracket.which leaves me feeling very unsafe as i do alot	2 ~ 13746 miles
DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM > VISIBILITY owner says that cold air blows out of the vent during cold weather. although the vehicle has warmed up. this...	2 ~ 2 miles
IGNITION > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM i purchased brand new car worth $60 000 and from day 1 the first time i put the key it...	2 ~ 10506 miles
LOCK > HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE > LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES rear liftgate comes completely open while driving. this has happened 20+ times and suv has been taken to the dealer	2 ~ 1100 miles
EXTERIOR > REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES > VISIBILITY this vehicle was made for towing and was equipped with all the towing sockets and equipment for towing. consumer was	2 ~ 1100 miles
LATCH > DOORS > LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES power steering rack has failed after only 4 500 miles ac seat failed door jam clearance between driver's door and	2 ~ 10682 miles
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM the shifter knob on my 2003 lincoln aviator broke off. the shifter was locked in place in drive and you...	1 ~ 143145 miles
TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE) > POWER TRAIN my aviator was shifting rough for less than 24 hours when the transfer case went out. luckily i had only...	1 ~ 110000 miles
SEATS the lever (an "l" shaped lever) on the middle seat is defective. while pressing down on the lever the lever...	1
REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES > VISIBILITY 2003 lincoln aviator. attorney writes on behalf of client in regards to problems with his vehicle such as gear shift...	1
CRUISE CONTROL > VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 2003 lincoln aviator. attorney writes on behalf of client in regards to problems with his vehicle such as gear shift...	1
TREAD/BELT > TIRES tl* the contact owns a 2003 lincoln aviator equipped with michelin cross terrain tires tire size 245/65/r17 and dot number...	1 ~ 112319 miles
HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS > HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE > BODY tl*the contact owns a 2003 lincoln aviator. the contact stated that the hinges on the rear were not holding the...	1 ~ 64000 miles
EQUIPMENT gear shift not changing smoothly gear difficult to get out of "park" from time to time. the transmission shift cable...	1 ~ 79000 miles
DRIVELINE > POWER TRAIN both back wheel bearings fail. under normal driving conditions. almost lost back wheel while driving. car develops death wobble	1 ~ 70453 miles
SIDE/WINDOW > AIR BAGS while driving down the freeway in our 2003 lincoln aviator the two side curtain airbags deployed. the vehicle was brought...	1 ~ 62000 miles
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER the gas pedal on my 03 lincoln aviator comes loose. the first time it happened my gas pedal got stuck...	1
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM transmission shift problems= we where ok when truck was on garage and just use it as weekends but everything change...	1 ~ 74000 miles
INFLATOR MODULE > DRIVER SIDE > FRONTAL vehicle was in owners drive way she put vehicle reverse moved two feet and air bag partially deployed she put	1
FRAME AND MEMBERS > STRUCTURE a vertical crack on plastic covering of hatch cover. starts at the lincoln medallion that is cut into the plastic...	1
LABELS > OTHER > EQUIPMENT when i turn on my 2004 lincoln aviator to warm up in the morning the smell of the gas is...	1 ~ 90000 miles
TAILGATE > BODY > STRUCTURE tl*the contact owns a 2004 lincoln aviator. she stated that there was a crack on the side of the tailgate...	1 ~ 30000 miles
CENTER SUPPORT BEARING > DRIVELINE > POWER TRAIN i have a low growl coming from the differential of my 03 lincoln aviator. *tr...	1 ~ 62500 miles
WHEEL BEARING > FRONT > SUSPENSION left front and left rear wheel bearing failure - 52 000 miles - ford lincoln aviator 2003. *tr...	1 ~ 52000 miles
MECHANICAL > CONVENTIONAL > PARKING BRAKE replacement of rear brakes by dealer resulted in discover of parking brake problem and replacement. the parking brake unit is...	1 ~ 55209 miles
LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS > WHEELS tl*the contact owns a 2004 lincoln aviator. while driving 50 mph the passenger side front tire detached from the vehicle....	1 ~ 25339 miles
SWITCH > BRAKE LIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING the switch attached to the brake pedal which releases the shift lock and activates brake lights has failed twice. the...	1 ~ 62000 miles
12V/24V/48V BATTERY > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM tl* the contact owns a 2005 lincoln aviator. the contact stated that the vehicle lunged forward without warning and crashed...	1 ~ 54000 miles
PADS > DISC > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS dt*: the contact stated the rear brakes locked and began smoking. the dealer was contacted and repaired the brakes. this...	1 ~ 32000 miles
SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY > VISIBILITY with less than 200 miles on it my 2005 lincoln aviator developed a leak that was dripping down through the...	1 ~ 223 miles
FRONT > SEAT BELTS dt: on may 15 2005 the seat belt problem was noticed. the seat belt was twisted and wouldn't retract. a...	1 ~ 33135 miles
FAN/MOTOR > DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM > VISIBILITY owner says that cold air blows out of the vent during cold weather. although the vehicle has warmed up. this...	1 ~ 3 miles
GLASS, SIDE/REAR > VISIBILITY while the vehicle was parked the driver heard a loud noise coming from the rear. the driver noticed that the...	1
ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM > STEERING my main problem is that the car has an intermittent transmission problem. the car slips out of gear and the...	1 ~ 5000 miles
PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS > TIRES multiple failures in 2003 lincoln aviator. difficulty turning starting jerk in steering wheel vibration in tires gear changer loose and...	1
RIM > WHEELS consumer states that dealer put aftermarket rims tires on vehicle. the vehicle experienced the following difficulty turning the vehicle heater...	1
RECLINER > FRONT ASSEMBLY > SEATS when applying brakes or accelerating the vehicle driver side seat moves back and forth. *ak...	1 ~ 7270 miles
CABLES > VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL dt*: the contact stated a whining noise was heard coming from the rear of the vehicle while driving 55 mph....	1 ~ 16864 miles
HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS > HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST > STEERING dt*: the contact stated a whining noise was heard coming from the rear of the vehicle while driving 55 mph....	1 ~ 16864 miles
SPINDLE > AXLE > REAR while turning at low speeds vehicle vibrated uncontrollably. vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection and mechanic determined that	1
ELECTRICAL > EQUIPMENT 1. i was sitting at a traffic light first thing in the morning when all my warning lights on the...	1 ~ 7000 miles
WIRING > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM there is a high frequency sound emanating from all 4 speakers. this noise is constant and can be overheard with...	1 ~ 850 miles
AXLE HUBS > POWER TRAIN august 9 2003 my 2003 lincoln aviator started a rear end whining noise approximately a 1000 miles after purchased. the...	1 ~ 1057 miles
HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM > STEERING power steering rack has failed after only 4 500 miles ac seat failed door jam clearance between driver's door and	1 ~ 4500 miles
CHILD SEAT child safety seat questionnaire model number : 22-625-mgn/og2c. mr scc *jb...	1

FAQ

What year Lincoln Aviator is the most reliable?

Speaking of the models produced in the last 4 years, Lincoln Aviator models of 2020, 2005, 2004 year of manufacture have had the least number of complaints.

What year was a bad year for Lincoln Aviator?

Lincoln Aviator models of 2003 and 2004 are probably the years to be avoided like the plague due to a higher than an average number of issues reported.

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