Differential Unit Problems of Lincoln Aviator

The vehicle down shift when turning into the first as it goes into second makes in awful noise. When I parked it and tried to start it and it was dead. The mechanic figure it had something to do with the starter he got under the vehicle to applied starter told me to start it and it did and it pinned him under the vehicle. They later said the belt had popped. The vehicle had ben leaking a lite fluid they believed it to be the differential oil. Its a four wheel drive. I had it towed to bohn Ford 6/5/17they are charging 350. 00 to replace the belt. City st. Later park it at walmart parking lot where the people helped push the vehicle off the mechanic. The vehicle would roll back when put in drive.

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The shifter knob on my 2003 Lincoln Aviator broke off. The shifter was locked in place in drive and you are unable to shift into any other gear except the gear you're in. It seems that a very cheap plastic piece broke under the shifter knob and the dealer quoted me $1200 dollars to replace the entire shifter assembly. I have checked online and seen that this is a very-very common problem among owners. There is no recall for this issue, but this is surely a severe safety issue. I am not sure how many complaints it takes but this is a horrible safety issue. Also, this vehicle has a whole array of front and rear differential issues along with a severe clunking noise when the vehicle is 1st put into reverse, drive or downshifts after acceleration.

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The contact owns a 2004 Lincoln Aviator. While the contact was driving approximately 55 mph smoke circulated through the vents inside of the vehicle; and the vehicle was driven to the side of the road. The contact stated the smoke originated from the engine compartment. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where the technician advised that the front end differential had deteriorated. The vehicle was repaired at the owner's expense. After the service repair the vehicle was test driven and the failure recurred. The technician performed further diagnosis and repaired the vehicle. The failure continued to occur on four separate occasions which was repaired at the owner's expense. The manufacturer was notified of the front end differential failures and they accepted liability for the radio and steering column repairs that failed to function correctly due to the differential failures. In addition, the contact stated that the front tires were replaced in March of 2009; and five months later the tires had worn to the metal in result of the defective front end differential. The tires were replaced. An independent mechanic informed the problem originated from inexpensive korean parts in the transfer case. The transfer case and u joint were replaced in the vehicle. The contact expressed anyone driving the vehicle life was in danger because of the safety defect. The failure mileage was 80,000. The VIN was unavailable. Also, there was a crack under the rear liftgate. There was recall on the rearlift. However, the consumers VIN was not included. The entire shifting mechanism had to be replaced, the steering wheel would vibrate while making a turn. Updated 12/17/10.

2003 Lincoln Aviator has been in shop 12 times , 4 for whine in rear end. Rear end replaced twice & still whines . Last time they told me this was normal and could not be repaired. This Aviator has 17,000 miles . I tired of the whine and trips to dealer , I do not was this Aviator or a new Aviator. . . I demand full refund.

Consumer stated rear end differential produced a loud grinding noise. The dealers was unable to repair the part.

Love my '03 Lincoln Aviator except for the same annoying noise coming from the rear end as complaint number 10045568. Currently on my second rear axle assembly. Noise returned at 1200-1500 miles, and was so loud my 76 year old mother asked what the whining noise was. Lincoln needs to correct problem, and this machine will be perfect.

Our 2003 Lincoln Aviator started a rear end whine or drone within the first 1000 miles. The dealer has twice put in a new differential but the noise is back. The dealer now will not attempt another repair and has put us off until 12/10/03. We seem to have no one to voice a complaint to. The dealer gets one more chance under SC lemon law and is stalling. This problem has been noticed in Ford explorers and Lincoln mountaineers too.

2003 Lincoln Aviator has a howling rear end noise that starts at around 30 m. P. H. , Lincoln service advisor states that Ford is aware of the problem and it is an engineering defect that they are working on resolving. The defect is the engineering of the differential. If this was to fail completely the vehicle would loose control. We continue to call to find out when they will have resolution and are told no solution but that the engineers are working on it.