Engine And Engine Cooling Problems of Lincoln Aviator

I did an inspection of my exhaust system and saw numerous carbon deposits along both pipes at different joints. I brought this to the attention of the dealer and they repaired only one (1) leaking joint at the tailpipe. They told me the other leaking joints are normal and are of no concern. I have a video, pictures and the dealer inspection/repair forms from two (2) different service dates.

See all problems of the 2023 Lincoln Aviator 🔎.

I came to a stop a light in a busy intersection. The auto start/stop feature turned off the engine. When the light turned green, the car would not start and put us in danger from traffic approaching from the rear. When trying to start the car with the push button, it made one click and nothing more. The lights and other electrical systems seemed to behave and appear as normal. No warning lights or messages about errors or failures. I turned the car completely off, opened and closed the door to "reset" the car and still would not start. I tried this four times. I then opened the hood, got out of the car (all while at this busy intersection of multiple lanes of traffic, now working their way around me) and checked the battery connection just to be sure. Both positive and negative leads checked solidly connected. I then got back in the car and was able to start the car and move out of the way of traffic. I have not yet had it repeat and have not taken it to a service center yet. Very concerning to be stuck at that busy light with what appears to be a fully functioning car that would not restart after the auto start/stop feature activated.

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First the engine broke (critical damage) was replaced second the turbos were jammed, werereplaced third the throttle was inoperative stil unattended fourth the transmission ailed stil unattended.

We have been experiencing multiple electrical and mechanical issues with our brand new 2025 Lincoln Aviator since we bought it approximately 4 months ago. The car frequently fails to start, with at least ten or more instances of this problem. We have taken it to the dealership two or three times, but despite their claims that the issue has been fixed, the problem recurs within a week or two from picking the car up from the dealer. There was a time when the car has shut off while stopped at a traffic light, and when the light turns green, it won’t restart. In some cases, it has taken anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours before the car would finally start again. Additionally, various warning signals appear on the dash cluster, including alerts about the emergency brakes and collision warning system not functioning properly. Additionally, we experienced issues where the car doors won't open right away due to this mechanical issue. This is a serious safety hazard, as the car shutting off unexpectedly in traffic puts us at significant risk. It is especially concerning because this is our family vehicle, and we frequently travel with two infants in car seats and our elderly parents. Despite multiple visits to the dealership, the issue persists. We even reached out to the parent company, Lincoln/Ford, and they essentially told us that there is nothing they can do, this is a "known issue with the 2025 Lincoln Aviator". After researching online, we found that other 2025 Lincoln Aviator owners have reported similar electrical and mechanical problems. We are extremely concerned for our safety and fear that this issue could lead to a serious accident. However, this is our only vehicle, leaving us with no alternative but to continue driving it despite the risks. Please note, as I type this message, we have an appointment this week to drop the car off again for service.

Ford states remedy not yet available.

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While turning a corner or going up a slight incline I lose power and the pedal becomes unresponsive for a few seconds. Then the car jutts forward and clunks.

The car has stopped electrically with no response from any switches when trying to switch on. This has happened before couple of times and once it switched on by itself after 5 min, the second incident it had to be towed away from road after no response in 2 hours. This time it happened like every time and no response from electrical systems and blocked the road.

The contact owns a 2023 Lincoln Aviator. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle in the garage, the garage became extremely hot, and the fans underneath the vehicle activated. The contact opened the garage. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the “service engine now” message was displayed. The powertrain control module had detected a fault with the high-voltage system, and a message was displayed. After researching, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 23v626000 (electrical system); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 20,990.

Once again, my vehicle exhibited immediate and sudden power loss while at highway speeds. Ironically, I was in transit to my dealer for the third time for this issue within my vehicle's 3,000 miles. This is incredibly unsafe at any speed, especially at highway speeds without warning. An uncommanded slowdown without any response from the accelerator pedal, and a warning on the gauge cluster stating "vehicle is slowing down". Cruise control at this time was not operational in the vehicle (another issue) and I was using my foot to control the speed. Additionally, the bluetooth connection was not functioning, the navigation screen nor map would even load, and I was unable to use cruise control due to an error message "cruise unavailable". We get a separate Lincoln Aviator for a loaner, and not only does reverse park assist not work, the rear camera doesn't function, either. These cars are dangerous and need to be recalled immediately and taken off the road. We plan to sell/trade ours as the soonest possibility and incur whatever financial burden that may come with it. It's not worth my family's safety, or that of someone else.

When vehicle is put into park, you can hear the transmission slam into place as well as feel the car jolt. When vehicle is in park and moved to reverse, the car will delay and then throw into gear moving backwards causing a jolt and increased speed.

Went to get in it this morning, and said no key was detected. Okay, whatever, we'll use a backup code. The screen never prompted for a backup code. We had the key inside the vehicle, so we use the Lincoln way app to start the car and figured we can get it going from there. Nope, the car was running and everything was going, yet it won't allow us to select drive, reverse, or neutral. Sat there for a bit, fumbling around and nothing worked to get the vehicle in motion. We finally hit enough buttons for the vehicle to shut off, we got out, locked the doors, plugged it in, and just allowed it a few minutes to reset. Notta. Got all this on video. I finally had to pop the hood and use the freaking 2021-2023 explorer / Aviator hybrid vehicle emergency response guide to kill 12v power to the thing. After all that, it allowed us to get in and drive normally. However just a few hours later. . . 2,600 miles on the odometer and we were driving approx 55mph and the Aviator engaged the parking brake for about half a second. Nasty noise, huge bucking from the chassis, and just a split second of extreme confusion and wondering wtf. The red "park brake" was illuminated on the dashboard, and everything seemed normal afterward. However, immediately after that incident it then disabled adaptive cruise control via a message on the dashboard (no cruise worked). We drove home without further incident, called the dealer, and they stated to call Lincoln roadside assistance, get it towed back to the dealer that it was just a few days ago, and they'll deliver a loaner to us. A few hours later, it's on the tow truck. This is the second time this vehicle has placed us in danger. The first issue I'll report after this is submitted. Thank you.

The rear camera is janky, the collision alert fires off at random times, and now, the main safety issue! received a huge red triangle on the hud and nav screen stating that the "vehicle is shutting down" and then poof, the damn thing shut down immediately without warning. The message was on the hud and nav for about a second and a half and it died. Thankfully we were at surface street speeds of around 30-35 and I was in command of the vehicle. This issue has been reported on other grand touring models of the Lincoln Aviator where people are at higher speeds, such as the highway or expressway. That said, this is my wifes main vehicle and I am terrified, as well as she, to have her driving this at all hours of the day responding to emergencies at her hospital. Please help us all that own this vehicle.

The engine of my 2021 Lincoln Aviator with only 79,403 miles has failed, leaving myself and my family stranded on the side of a very busy interstate in another state far from home. There were absolutely no warnings given before the engine acted as if it had a significant loss of power. Shortly afterwards, very heavy and foul-smelling smoke started coming out of the tail pipe. Had the vehicle transported to a local shop to my home. The car will start and immediately start smoking and running like crap. When you put it in gear it will barely move on it's own power.

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Powertrain malfunctioning. The vehicle has had multiple neutral out (not reacting) when the accelerator is applied. Occurring in the middle of an intersection 3 times. Stuck in the middle of the intersection has resulted in two (2) cases of almost being hit by an oncoming vehicle. Pulling into traffic from a stop sign and losing the accelerator another time resulting in traffic breaking hard to avoid an accident. Recently while in cruise control on the highway driving 79 mph, the vehicle suddenly shifted into what had to be the lowest gear lunging passengers forward and slowing to an unacceptable speed for the highway. Almost initiating being hit from the rear by a tractor trailer and just making it off of the shoulder to safety. This may be the result of service bulletins 22-2145 or ssm 50529. The dealer has stated they cannot reproduce the problems but are aware of the issues and service bulletins have been released. No warning lamps have come on when these issues have occurred. Vehicle has been into dealership multiple times. Service managers had said they are working with Lincoln engineers to remedy the problem. So far a separator plate and a valve has been replaced, which has not resolved the problem this happens intermittently, but when it does it causes what could be a severe safety issue. Currently the vehicle is in the dealership with no remedy, and has went in if for this issue multiple times. This has been going on for the past six (6) months.

My Aviator doesn't start the first time I push the start engine button anytime after I fill up the tank. It takes it about 5 times of me hitting the start engine button before it finally turns over. Before then, it just sounds like wants to start, but doesn't. I am once again taking it back to the dealership to have the back up camera looked at. Before it would work sporadically, now when I put the car in reverse, it just shows a solid blue screen. And I always get an error message about rear assist not working. I've tried troubleshooting it, but still nothing works. Additionally, the presets for xm radio do not stay when set. This infotainment center does not function efficiently and has delays and no memory.

On 5 separate occasions my car has given me a warning saying "stop safely now. " when I begin to slow down, the car looses all power and I have to coast to a stop somewhere. The first time the car started back up and I was able to drive it again, the following 4 times it had to be towed. Each time I was stranded on the side of the road - once literally on the road because I was unable to get onto the berm because of high snow drifts and the car just stopped, which was a huge safety issue. Each time this has happened it has taken approximately 3 hours for a Lincoln approved tow truck to come and get the vehicle leaving me stranded in the freezing cold with multiple children and no heat in my vehicle. My speed has varied each time this has happened. One time I was in park, another time I was doing 60+mph and the others were in-between these speeds. I have multiple videos of what happens and have provided them to Lincoln. Lincoln has replaced the battery and also the powertrain control module and nether of these have corrected the problem.

Vehicle has 5400 miles and has catastrophic engine failure while driving. Vehicle towed to dealership and diagnosed engine seized needs complete engine replacement.

In regards to my brand new 2021 Lincoln Aviator reserve (4181 miles): 2. 23. 22- driving home on a very narrow, winding road when my car unexpectedly started to vibrate/shake. There were no alerts and no warning lights that came on. Fortunately, I was coming up on one of the very few turnouts available. As I started to pull over the car completely shut off (completely died). Luckily, I made it off of the road or I would have been stuck in the middle of the road on a blind corner as the car would not restart. It just kept displaying "full accessory power active" but would not do anything. The car was towed back to the dealership who informed me the next day that the engine had completely seized and they would have to replace the engine. One of the piston rods was bent to a 90 degree angle. I got it back on a Saturday afternoon(3. 12. 22), drove home from work, took my kids to/from school Monday, then drove to work Tuesday morning. On my way to work (which is only 3 miles from home) my car started to vibrate again but I was able to turn off the highway onto a side road and the vibrating stopped. Thankfully, it did not die in the middle of the highway and cause an accident. I continued on down the street and again the vibrating started. As I pulled up to a stop sign the car completely died and would not start. I waited a few moments and tried again and it started. I was able to make it the last less than quarter of a mile to work while it vibrated then died yet again as I pulled into my parking spot. My fiancé came later in the day and started the car. It was making a loud knocking noise so we shut if off and called dealer again. It was towed back for another new engine. As of today, they are still working on "repairing" the brand new death trap. Lincoln doesn't seem to think it's a big deal and thinks the second new engine will fix the issue. Hopefully it doesn't kill me first. This is worth investigating. Like I said, this car is a death trap.

A warning appears on the dash "stop safely now" and the vehicle rapidly comes to a complete stop and is unable to be moved. This has occurred on three occasions, during 2 of which the car stalled in an active driving lane on a highway, resulting in life threatening situation. The app said "high voltage battery warning" triggered by "another event". Being investigated by Lincoln, who is re-acquiring the vehicle due to inability to appropriately diagnose and resolve the issue.

I was driving and an alert to pull over came on. The car would not accelerate and I was in the middle of a parkway where speeds were 55 mph. It almost seemed like the car couldn't figure out to go to gas mode when the battery depleted the range. The car is a hybrid.

This is brand new vehicle with 3,000+ miles on it. The first day owned it, around 12-21, the vehicle would not go into drive. A warning message appeared that said 'high-voltage battery warning", "the hybrid powertrain system has detected a fault". It would also flash "full accessory power active". After some internet searches I found a thread in Ford that said "let the car sit for 20mins and it will restart". . Read more...

I purchased this vehicle as a certified used vehicle. It had an extended warranty. Once it expired I've experienced every single complaint people have stated online about this vehicle. As of today (12/02/13) it still has only 74,000 miles on it and the latest problem is the transmission needs to be replaced but they don't know why. I am a stay at home mom and wear-and-tear on it is very minimal (grocery shopping, to and from school, etc. ). I have never had so many problems on a "so called" luxury vehicle before! I've had bad coils in cylinders 3, 4, 5 (twice), and 7 replaced under Lincoln's recall. The tailgate panel cracked (just like all the other people who own this vehicle and the mountaineers have complained about), but they won't fix it. In addition, a white plastic piece fell out of the top half of the tailgate and now it will not close anymore therefore I can no longer take it through car washes. The bracket for the sun visor on my passenger side completely deteriorated and caused the visor to suddenly dangle from the roof of my car while driving. Now, I cannot flip it up and it causes a blind spot. There is also something faulty with the brake light switch which drains my battery on a regular basis and I have to have my jumped. The brake light switch has been replaced 3 times now because it is has shorted out. To complicate matters, every time I take the car to the dealership for these repairs, they insist on doing a "diagnostics check" and every time they want to charge a fee for this service. Every time the price is different. . . Some times its $50, sometimes its $100. This vehicle is a lemon and I will never buy a Ford/Lincoln/Mercury again.

See all problems of the 2004 Lincoln Aviator 🔎.

1 year after purchase at 52,000 -replaced coils (recalled) , brake switch, cost just to lead and find issues after full service maintenane, $1500. 2 yrs in, transmission due to thing that is attached and looks like a brain plate to the transmission, (sms pack)still owing plus now, upcoming on latest transmission/computer/ at 84,000 :( s car has taken me completely upside down and in the hole owing $12,000 + $3000 for newest repair. Just got car back and now it feels like there is a potential small delay and wants to jump in the middle of traffic which I just experienced yesterday. Why is this car still on the road and not recalled. The problems go on and on and on. I emailed Ford and was basically told to take the car into their dealership where I can be robbed even further. Sad!! these are only a small fraction of links that are out there due to Lincoln having known issues. I spoke with a car salesman this last week and he has a 2005 Aviator and just replaced the whole transmission at 92,000 miles. . Read more...

After owning a 2003 Lincoln Aviator close to 4 years it is now down. I took good care of this SUV and always had changed the oil with synthetic oil . With only 79,000 miles it now has a engine knock . I took it to the Lincoln dealer and they said I need a new engine and it would be 8,800 dollars since my extended warranty just ran out. I have been reading other people had this experience with this SUV and year but Ford does not want to correct this.

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My 2004 Lincoln Aviator engine has a burnt valve with less than 90k miles on it. Rich morton Lincoln dealership in glen burnie, MD says my repair will be $5,400 if I want to fix it, which they do not recommend. I see online that many others have the very same problem with this vehicle. I have also had to tow in my car as several times the gearshift stuck in park and could not be shifted to drive. I spoke with other owners who had the same problem. Also, my tailgate window randomly flies up while driving, just like other owners have reported. My main issue is that my vehicle, an expensive one, is now not drivable and needs the $5,400 repair because of a defect in manufacture that Ford will not acknowledge. Help, please.

This is the 3rd time that my 2004 Lincoln Aviator has shut down while driving it. . . With kids in the car. No steering, no breaks, and 60 mph down the highway. This car is sure to be the death of me. . . I have been lucky 3 times now, but what about the next time??? voluntary service recall. . . Manufacturing defect of the coil packs. . . Issued by epa. Gov (found after digging), replacement of the coil packs are covered until 120,000 miles. Ford will only replace one at a time, not all of them, so each time one is replaced. . I still have the risk of another going bad. Had four replaced so far, another tomorrow. I cannot believe that Ford can get away with this knowing that they are putting people's lives in danger. A car completely shutting down while driving at 60mph because of a defect during the manufacturing process doesn't cause concern for a recall. . . But a car speeding out of control does? what happens when I am on the interstate next time during rush hour and I have no steering or brakes????.

My 2003 Lincoln Aviator acquired a crack in the engine while my wife was driving with our children. Upon further research of problem, it shows in Ford's TSB's that this is a known issue with the engine. The repair will cost approx. $5000 to fix, the problem here is Ford is aware but denying the problem when repairing the engine. How can they do this.

The back hatch panel cracked was fixed , the steering not right some times its hard to steer. Main problem is cylinder coils going bad alot. Now #8 coil went bad and has been replaced 2times, and its still in the shop they cant find out why it keeps coming up #8 still misfiring . . They think its the head now. I understand Lincoln has had so many problems with this that they have allowed a 10yr. Extended warranty on all the coils. Is this right ? I want Lincoln to do something. I am so mad right now . I will never buy another Lincoln. Help me.

2004 Lincoln Aviator with engine problems. Consumer states that the dealer stated that the car would be repaired but at her expense because of her neglect. Mechanic determined that there was no oil in the vehicle. There was also a noise coming from the steering column when making a turn.

The contact owns a 2003 Lincoln Aviator. The contact experienced a coil issue with her vehicle, in terms of misfiring. When she would accelerate, the vehicle hesitated. The dealer was initially unable to determine the cause of the failure, but after further diagnosis, discovered that two coils were defective. The coils were replaced, but the failure recurred after 30 miles. The contact returned the vehicle to the dealer. The failure occurred a total of five times and the vehicle was taken to the dealer after each occurrence. They continued to replace the coils, which did not remedy the issue. The failure occurred at all speeds and the air conditioner would shut off simultaneously. The manufacturer has not been notified. The current mileage was approximately 80,200 and failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

Engine misfire due to cylinder leakage. Ford recommends replace cylinder head with TSB 06-5-13 for 2003-2004 mustang, 1999-2004 navigator, 2003-2003 blackwood, 2003-2005 Aviator, 2003-2004 marauder. Cylinder head replacement will be made if car is still under warranty.

My 2003 Lincoln Aviator had a rough idle and was a little sluggish. With only 92,000 miles on a $45,000 car, this surprised me. This is a high performance engine. Upon accelerating to enter I-20 the vehicle almost died. Luckily ,there were no vehicles coming - had this been during rush hour it might not have been so lucky. I took the vehicle to city garage to have it checked out, and was told it had a major engine problem. The #8 cylinder had on 70 lbs of pressure, and the vehicle needed a valve job. I called Lincoln customer service after find on this web site that mine was not the only Aviator with this problem and with the exact same cylinder. I was told by Lincoln to take it to the dealership where I paid another $100 to have it scoped again - only to be told by Lincoln that they didn't intend to do anything about it. This appears to be another one of Ford's major mistakes that they are not willing to take responsibility for until someone gets killed. People who own these vehicles do not expect them to die on acceleration, and it is just a matter of time before someone gets hurt. That - coupled with the fact that this is costing people who own these vehicles a good deal of money and Ford's attitude was tough.

10/26/06 # 8 coil failed 11/8/06 #6 coil failed 12/15/06 # 7 coil failed 1/24/07 cylinder head cracked total cost $4,943. 53 for repairs.