85 of the
719 complaints filed about the Lincoln Aviator
are about the body and structure —
12% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2005.
REF C PILLAR RECALL & NHTSA Complaint # 11713372 by another owner on 11/18/25. NHTSA NEEDS TO ISSUE RECALL FOR A PILLARS. Have had wind noise issue on front passenger side since I bought car. Dealer looked at numerous times in 3 yrs & always stated ‘unable to recreate condition’ (likely due to not testing on Hwy at 65mph which is when this noise can be heard). Took car in for C Pillar recall fall 2025. Dealer said they weren’t loose so didn’t replace them. Left w/car 12/22/25 & immed heard wind noise on Hwy. Returned to service & this time, DEALER INSPECTED A PILLARS & FOUND RIGHT SIDE WAS LOOSE so replaced both. Tried to charge me (was 2 wks out of warranty) but given multiple attempted repairs during warranty & my open case w/CHQ they split repair cost. Thankfully A pillars didn’t break loose & injure human or another driver in past 3 yrs. Dealer told me Ford had A pillar recall but Lincoln’s weren’t included in it. There appears to be a pervasive issue with failure of the adhesive used for many parts by the assembly plant.
NHTSA complaint #11730557 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rear door trim came loose and fell off while driving. Had the service department at the local dealership look at the missing trim on the rear of the car and they noticed multiple of the plastic clips holding the trim on the rear were broken and remained in the area where the trim was attached.
NHTSA complaint #11705135 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In addition to the recall for the C-pillar appliques and window division bars (NHTSA ID Number: 25V407000), the chrome trim piece directly below the window also suffers from insufficient adhesive bonding. See the photo below. It came lose while driving at high speeds.
NHTSA complaint #11700095 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2022 Lincoln Aviator. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the trim pieces on the liftgate partially detached. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed; however, the vehicle received an unknown recall repair and was provided an estimate for the repair. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 3,333.
NHTSA complaint #11693917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Emergency escape issue Like many modern cars the aviator was designed with electric opening doors. Of the four doors, only the front driver side door has a manual override in case of emergency. That means if a major accident was to occur on that ONE door and disable the vehicle the other 3 doors do not have a way to exit. Why would the nhtsa allow a vehicle on a road that at a minimum doesn't have a override for left side and right side or more than one door?
NHTSA complaint #11691190 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glass portion of passenger side rear view mirror fell off as vehicle was exiting driveway possibly due to defective adhesive much like the safety recall on the door pillar trim. Incident was captured on home surveillance camera.
NHTSA complaint #11688953 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
No one was in the back seat when this happened. The back passenger door flung open while driving down the road. Immediately pulled off the road and it would not latch! Drove immediately to the dealership and got a loaner. Dealership stated it was the latch and repaired in a day or two.
NHTSA complaint #11684035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My 2021 Lincoln Aviator PHEV lift gate safety stop does not function properly. It will come closing down extremely hard. This will happen when the button is pressed on the lift gate or the hands free feature is triggered. The lift gate will not safety stop and pop back open as it should unless a significant amount of force is used; this is usually 2 or more people trying with all their strength to stop it from closing on them. I have been hurt by this and so has my child. This is a serious safety issue. I have included screenshots from the video (the system won’t let me send the video) I took replicating the issue with it completely crushing a box at the height of my head.
NHTSA complaint #11683995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2023 Lincoln Aviator. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V407000 (Structure), 25V393000 (Seats), 25V455000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN was not available.
NHTSA complaint #11679071 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2022 Lincoln Aviator. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. Additionally, the contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V407000 (Structure), 25V393000 (Seats), and 25V455000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The dealer was notified of the recalls and the contact was informed that parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11678160 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The C-pillar trim applique/window division bar has detached on passenger rear side door. The C-pillar trim applique/window division bar is separating from the vehicle on driver rear side door. There is an open recall for this exact problem for 2020-2025 Lincoln Aviators. Despite having the issue on one side and the indication of warning on the other side, I am being told my VIN (for 2020 Lincoln Aviator) is not included in the recall. The separating trim on drives side poses a risk for other drivers if it falls off of the vehicle while driving.
NHTSA complaint #11674623 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2021 Lincoln Aviator. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's side rear door trim detached and flew off the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that after it rained, water entered the interior of the vehicle through the sunroof. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a detached driver's rear door trim and clogged drain tubes in the sunroof assembly. The driver's side rear door trim was not replaced. The dealer repaired the clogged drain tubes in the sunroof assembly. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact referenced a recall; however, the VIN was not associated with the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
NHTSA complaint #11669232 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I purchased the truck Oct 2 2023/only 34 thous/miles by Jan 13 2024 I had to get serviced because it rained inside my car from under my rearview mirror when i would get in my car after it rained water would poor out from the interior light vents /got it serviced was told that lincoln agents came in and fixed it/March 2024 had to repeat the call this time water went further across my windshield to the passenger side interior my daughter got wet not happy took it back again had a recall in july for camera/received october appt for maintenance windshield checked again had hard rain Nov 21,2024 once again it rained from under my interior light this time it was leaking as i was driving the other incidents I would not know until I moved my car from sitting still/when the rain stops and I drive I can hear water in the top of the car I was always told that the drains are working but something is very wrong also I have exterior strip pieces coming apart from my passenger windows I was told that it could not be fixed unless I replaced the whole window because it is one piece so I could try a auto parts shop to find some epoxy to glue them back/The truck rattles under the driver right side wheel when I crank it up/the speedometer changes when im driving as if its changing its on drive mode/I need some answers we are a military family and my husband is a medically disabled veteran I waited 3 years for this truck because I think alot about Lincoln I have only had this truck 1 year and a little over a month to be having all these issues we paid $45,000.00 out the door so I feel that we deserve a remedy and some answers i'm tired of hearing about warranty's because this should not be happening to such a young vehicle at the price we paid and not to have it a year this is my transportation to transport my husband comfortably back and forth to VA appointments which are 2 hour drives from our living quarters please help us find answers this can also affect electrical thank you
NHTSA complaint #11627022 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2020 Lincoln Aviator. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a humming sound coming from the sunroof. Additionally, the contact noticed a fluttering sound coming from underneath the vehicle and the vehicle was shaking abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the sunroof assembly needed to be adjusted. In addition, the contact was informed that the undershields on the front under-carriage of the vehicle were warped due to fractured bolts. The contact was informed that the bolts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 59,928.
NHTSA complaint #11617331 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2022 Lincoln Aviator. The contact stated that there was an unusual sound of water running from the roof of the vehicle. The contact stated that the sound was similar gushing water. The contact also stated that when the air condition was turned on, there was a moldy odor coming through the vents. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The failure was diagnosed with an engineering error during manufacturing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.
NHTSA complaint #11545266 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vehicle had roof leak which resulted in visible water stains on roof liner, issue persists with now having rust stains on liner from the same area the roof leak was occurring.
NHTSA complaint #11538929 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Top handlebar on passengers side fell off completely causing my mother a great fall. Nearly died the way her head bounced off on gravel with handle in hand. The SUV was only a month old. I have other people on a fb page stating their handle came off completely too but no accident like my moms. This is definitely a safety concern that a Black Label Vehicle should have passed inspection before leaving manufacturing plant. Was reported to dealer and they directed us with Lincoln directly. Case was open and has been in General Council over 30 days without a response. They keep coming up with suggestions such as take it back to dealer to get fixed and the dealer simply latched it on and telling us to be careful that it is not correctly put in and let us go this way. Lincoln has also advised to ask other Lincoln dealers for a second opinion? Makes no sense. After numerous calls, emails, faxes, and mailed letters Lincoln concierge is stating that General Council has tried contacting us back regarding this matter and has been unsuccessful. I find this very odd when they have a list of all contact methods for both my sister and I who have made complaint. We were told its 30 days for response and after the 30 days now concierge argues its 60 days. We have video of moms fall from ring camera and the handle was in her hand at fall. I have pictures of her bruises two weeks after incident, bruising on her shoulder was bad, and I have pictures of handle and roof of vehicle. I have not received not one sorry from Lincoln or "is your mother ok." NOTE* My mother was actually on her way to hospital that day, she has been battling an aggressive infection in the toe and was on antibiotic IV's daily and had her pic line in arm at the time of fall. We never really saw the fall until it dawned on me that the ring footage had been saved. My mom was afraid to say how bad fall was in concern of her treatment being stopped but incident was reported to her doctors and nurse
NHTSA complaint #11535005 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While driving down GA 140 near Waleska, GA, I hit a bump in the highway and the hood popped open. It stopped at first catch and I was able to stop before hood came all the way up. Was able to open hood completely and relatch successfully. No further incident's but it was very stressful to get the vehicle stopped and correct the problem before the hood opened beyond the first latch and would have come up and stopped my view of the highway which had a lot of traffic. This is only incident I have had with hood popping open by itself just by hitting a bump in the road.
NHTSA complaint #11528933 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The sunroof exploded outward. We were on expressway @70 MPH and did not notice any road debris nor under any bridges at time. Dealer could not find any other damage to windshield or car body. Had 6 people in car at time. Collected all glass that fell in, but only about 1/3 of total glass area, so feel most went up and out. Dealer admits to 3 other cars in their shop with sunroof issues. Was like an explosion and we were already in right hand lane so safe to pull over and see what had happened. Other passengers felt calmness of driver prevented accident.
NHTSA complaint #11519557 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.