Power Train Problems of Lincoln Aviator - part 1

Axle shaft seal no warning besides loud grinding noise. Electrical issues- causing speakers to not work and the lights coming on and going off. Then it causing the crash detection to not have sound.

See all problems of the 2020 Lincoln Aviator 🔎.

My 2021 Lincoln Aviator grand touring phev has on 3 separate occasions randomly gone into “brick” mode where power is to some components like the sync screen, and some lights, but main dash won’t boot, the lock/unlock doesn’t work but lock icon flashes on door panel, the vehicle won’t start. This is after short trips out with my family for the evening. Not a fob issue. All 3 times the same. First occurrence at just over 11,000 miles, again in sept 2023, and happening again June 2025. Roadside assistance dispatches tow trucks, the vehicle can never be jump started. Electric parking brake is engaged and will not disengage even when manually put in neutral. Always takes dispatching several different tow trucks to get one equipped with skates to drag the vehicle on to a flatbed tow truck, or old school wheel lift truck to be able to tow the vehicle since the electric parking brake will not disengage in this situation. Last time this happened it took 6 separate trucks to come out over 3 days to find one that could tow it in metro detroit, the heart of the auto industry. This is a defect in the system of my vehicle that poses a safety issue because it prevents a regular tow truck from being able to tow this vehicle. I have had the dealership look at it many times, there is no fix, tech says it is a defect. Each time I have reported it to the Lincoln customer experience center, they don’t care enough to do anything. Not sure how to get help but I’m probably not the only one with this safety defect. There are other safety issues. The safety stop for the lift gate doesn’t always work and will hit you hard without stopping for an obstruction. I also have acceleration hesitation when stopped and turning in traffic, risk for accident. The electrical problems with my Aviator are endless but leaving me stranded with my children and unable to easily get help is a serious problem and unacceptable. Please let me know how you can help. Sincerely a concerned mother of 2 little boys.

See all problems of the 2021 Lincoln Aviator 🔎.

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.

-check engine light on - service vehicle soon light on -fault with hight voltage system. Can't drive the vehicle.

See all problems of the 2023 Lincoln Aviator 🔎.

Unsure what component failed specifically, has been inspected by dealer multiple times. This randomly occurs while driving. It disables a number of safety features such a collision assist and traction control as well as several driving modes until the car is fully powered off and restarted. There are multiple reports of this occurring frequently in online groups. No warnings prior to the failure but multiple warnings when it fails. This can occur daily, even multiple times a day during normal driving. Dealer has tried replacing multiple modules and sensors but problem persists.

Driving down the road and all of a sudden multiple warnings come on the dash. They include : service avancetrac, pre collision assist not available, 4wd fault service required, and hill start assist not available. These warning all clear upon restart but will come back at random times. I joined a forum for this vehicle and a lot of owners are reporting this issue.

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.

See all problems of the 2022 Lincoln Aviator 🔎.

The contact owns a 2020 Lincoln Aviator. The contact stated while attempting to accelerate, the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration and lurched forward. The service vehicle wrench icon was displayed. The vehicle then started to experience reduced engine power. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the front axle actuator and intermediate shaft was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 82,000.

The contact owns a 2020 Lincoln Aviator. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated while responding however, the transmission failed to shift out of first gear. The contact stated that the failure had occurred three times within the past two months. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 36,500.

While traveling on the freeway the transmission slipped out of gear. I appreciate it. I proceeded to pump the fuel, it caught after about five seconds and took off. I was barely able to hit the brakes before hitting the car in front of me. We were on our way to a family vacation to southern California. We live in fresno, California. This is the second time this happened, both times were on longer trips after about 2 to 3 hours of driving. My wife and kids were with me this time as we barely avoided a collision. This happened one time before when I was driving to san francisco. After that incident. I immediately took it into the dealership (lithia Ford) where I had them documented the issue and try to repair it. At that time, they were unable to recreate the issue.

Without notice the transmission would downshift and lunge forward. So hard that it felt like we were hit from behind. When trying to accelerate it would stay in gear longer than normal and clunk forward again. Smelled burning through the vents. Also when accelerating it would slip out of gear and the rpms would increase without me being able to move and then shift hard into gear again. We were on the highway at highway speed in traffic and without warning the vehicle wouldn't accelerate and were inches from being rear ended by the tractor trailer behind me. I was fearful for my life and the life of my family in the vehicle. Due to all of the issues with the vehicle it is now causing me financial hardship and undue stress and I am unable to perform my normal job duties due to this issue. The vehicle has been inspected by the dealer and confirmed that this component is bad and needs to be replaced. The were no warning lights when this happened.

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.

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.

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 warning light stating a awd malfunction has occurred has gone off 4 times, along with warnings for malfunctions in precollision assist and hill climb assist and the light has come on 4 times for each of these. When driving these lights come on and when the awd malfunction light comes on the car drives very loose and I do not seem to have firm control over the steering and I feel like the car wants to swerve and I do not feel safe driving .

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 exhibits strong vibrations when certain speeds are reached. The driveshaft has been replaced three times and continues to vibrate.

Vehicle shifted into neutral while driving. Had to stop the vehicle in the median to put it back in drive.

My vehicle has 4960 miles and the transmission started to slow down as if I was driving a stick shift car, then 2 or 3 days later began to kick and lose power when increasing speed after a stop sign. Dealer diagnosed an internal failure on the transmission and it needs to be replaced. A couple of times in the morning after starting the vehicle, when putting the reverse gear I had my foot on the brake but the car still moved and the brakes were very stiff, I had to release the brake and apply it again in order to stop the car from moving. The sensors on the rear brake support are extremely sensitive. The car detects a small crack on my driveway and stops abruptly causing my head to bump twice on the headrest, the dealer said it was normal, no defect found. The windshield fluid I thought it was normal in this car to throw a very small amount of liquid compared to my other Lincoln mkz, but reading the complaints from other customers I realized that it's not normal.

Tl the contact owns a 2003 Lincoln Aviator. The contact stated that the gear failed to shift from park into any other gear because the gear shifter was fractured. The vehicle was unable to be driven. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 02v313000 (power train); however, the vehicle exhibited the same failure as listed in the recall campaign. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.

See all problems of the 2003 Lincoln Aviator 🔎.

Tl-the contact owns a 2003 Lincoln Aviator. The contact stated that the gear shift lever position was not in alignment with the transmission. The contact stated that the indicator light was not representative of the gear for which the vehicle was selected. Antelope valley Ford located at 1155 auto mall dr, lancaster, CA 93534, (888) 415-0959, was contacted by phone and informed of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 02v313000 (power train). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and also informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000. Ah.

I have a Lincoln Aviator 2003, it has been having problems with the transmission and it seems like it doesn't shift gears when it's supposed too. Thos happens when I press on the accelerator. Is anyone having this problem?.

Shifter knob on 03 Aviator broke off. The shifter was locked in drive, had to shut off vehicle and brace the tires from rolling on an incline. With my child in the car with me. Scary!!!!!! the problem is a plastic piece broke in the shifter column. Has yet to be fixed. Quoted $900 to fix. Also the liftgate cracked at the Lincoln emblem witch I was told that it holds the glass in place and it sound like a gunshot when it cracked, shook me up. This is a Ford/Lincoln failure on a manufacturer defect. The hatch is not being able to close completely because of where the crack is located. The crack is located near the Lincoln emblem. What if water cause a electrical fire from water getting into the closing mechanism, still waiting for a recall on this. Quoted $500 to fix 107,231 miles.

Transmission shifter cable is broken; intermittent problem moving geer and when moved, it may generate a violent jerk before moving. Multiple people have this problem. But NHTSA campaign number: 02v313000 is only covering a selected amount of vehicles. My vehicle was not included but the same problem.

Takata recall when I park in my drive way my car won't shift out of park I have to have it pushed an rocked back an forth to get the gear to shift an it won't let me drive it in drive gear I can only drive it in 3rd gear it has this jurk when I stop to park it constantly getting stuck.

Tl-the contact owns a 2003 Lincoln Aviator. The contact stated that the vehicle was park on a incline position. The contact stated that when she had return to drive the vehicle, the gear shift cable would not go into drive or reverse. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician stated that the gear shift cable needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. In addition, on September 23,2015 the vehicle had the same failure and the contact had to have the vehicle towed to the dealer again for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was still being diagnosed at this time. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 82,000. Kc.

Owner of 2005 Lincoln Aviator. I was not able to get the gear shift out of park. I had the Aviator towed to a family member's automotive garage and was told that I will need to have the entire gear shift replaced. Upon doing some research, it seems that this is a very common problem in this year, make, and model. I have read endless testimonies from other vehicle owners with the exact dispute. The part and labor will cost me approximately $1100. 00 at my family's garage, one can only guess the dollar amount will double at the local dealership. My car is driveable, however, when in park, I will have to put my emergency brake on. I was also informed that the gear shift, if bumped, may move out of park even without the key in the ignition. I am appalled that Ford/Lincoln motor company has not taken responsibility of the defected mechanism. It is unacceptable and raises many questions on how important vehicle safety is to Ford/Lincoln motor company, not to mention a total inconvenience financially! this is my fourth vehicle from Ford/Lincoln motor company and I highly doubt I will purchase another based on the company's lack in addressing the matter. I am a mother of one child and now do not feel secure driving a vehicle that I once felt very protected in.

See all problems of the 2005 Lincoln Aviator 🔎.

The contact owns a 2003 Lincoln Aviator. While shifting into reverse, the vehicle hesitated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission shifter cable fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, several months after the repair, the contact was made aware of NHTSA campaign number: 02v313000 (power train). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 90,000.

Leftside rear axle starting coming out of the vehicle while moving.

The contact owns a 2004 Lincoln Aviator. The contact stated that when attempting to shift gears, the gear shifter seized. The contact also stated that the key was stuck in the ignition cylinder. The failure was persistent. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.

See all problems of the 2004 Lincoln Aviator 🔎.

I was sitting in park. Just had stopped to make a deposit. Put my foot on the brake & my 2003 Aviator would not shift from park. Called the dealer, got their tow service. The tow guy told me to put my feet on the brakes, my brake lights did not come on. He said that's why it will not shift from park. It is not getting the signal that the brakes were mashed. Got it towed. Dealer replaced the shifter, that they said had gone out that was the issue. Out of $1306. 00 & less than one week later, at the store, got in my Aviator. . Can't get out of park. Same issue. . Same tow guy called. . He works to get it out of park with a screw driver. . Towed back to the dealer. No brake lights indicated=no shift from park to. Is the new shifter for $950 now out? not!!! has to be another issue.

The contact owns a 2003 Lincoln Aviator. The contact stated that while attempting to shift into reverse, the gear lever detached unexpectedly. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer for diagnosis. The technician informed the contact that the gear shift assembly would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. There was a recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 02v313000 (power train); however the recall had expired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 66,000.

I was backing out of my driveway into the street. Once I was in the street, I put the car into drive and stepped on the gas. The car went the opposite direction- reverse. I double checked the gear shift ( in the center of the vehicle), it was "d" for drive. I made sure it was in the d, and stepped slowly on the gas, and it went into reverse. I tried to apply the brakes, but they didn't engage. I quickly stepped on the emergency brake, and that stopped the car. Fortunately, I was in a cul-DE-sac with out other pedestrians or vehicles at the time. It was extremely dangerous to have a car where the shift isn't engaged at all. The vehicle has been always maintained by the Lincoln dealer, and it is being towed to that dealership at this time. It's too dangerous to drive.

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.

Last week my 03 Lincoln Aviator transmission shift cable came a loose, it was fixed. Today on my way from work the transmission acted as if is didn't want to shift into the next gear and them the "check transmission" light and "overdrive" light came on. I made it home safely but now will be unable to drive it, until further notice. Will call to check to see if my vehicle was included in the recall. Something really needs to be done regarding the transmission problems regarding this vehicle, before it causes an accident.