50 of the
719 complaints filed about the Lincoln Aviator
are about the other systems —
7% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2020.
My vehicle is a hybrid and repeatedly gets high voltage battery warnings when the electric battery shows zero miles when idling. Four times it has shown pull over safely messages and high voltage battery warnings and then it is only in auxiliary mode. By the time a tow truck comes it is able to start again and Ford has been unable to find the issue after 4 visits
NHTSA complaint #11746352 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I own a 2020 Lincoln Aviator. After starting the vehicle, I exited without intentionally placing the vehicle in gear. The vehicle began rolling backward unexpectedly after I exited. I was struck and injured by the vehicle, resulting in a laceration to my shin requiring eight stitches. At no point did I intentionally place the vehicle in a position that would allow it to move. The vehicle did not adequately engage Park or activate any automatic safety features to prevent movement when the driver exited. This incident raises serious concerns about the reliability of the electronic shifter system and automatic park/braking safety features. This failure created a dangerous condition and resulted in physical injury. The dealership states it cannot reproduce the problem nor can they determine what caused the vehicle to roll back. There were no warnings prior to the failure.
NHTSA complaint #11741638 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lincoln Way App team bricked (some) users by deploying an App update early Feb 2026 that was not backwards compatible for use of basic features/function. I last used App Jan 2026 while car was at dealer but when I picked up car 2/13/26 I was BRICKED with no ability to use App since. Checked Lincoln website & compatibility reqmt stated IOS 16.0 is min req’d, updates are optional & not required to continue use for basic features like lock/unlock, remote start, chk tire pressure, etc. (see screenshot attached). Opened case w/Lincoln Way App team 2/17/26. Ops mgr confirmed my iphone was compatible & iOS 16.0 was still min. reqmt. Said he’d escalate. Suddenly, wks later Lincoln updated website & changed compatibility requirements with NO NOTICE TO USERS (before or since) they’ve changed compatibility reqmts (they have users names, email, addr & phone #s since they’re req’d upon setup). In addition, NONE of the App version release notes shown in App Store indicate any change to Min compatibility reqmts. Development team is negligent & Lincoln needs to fix.
NHTSA complaint #11730568 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Suddenly car is excessively loud when first started for roughly 30 seconds and then quiets to normal. However when placed in Drive there is a loud "clunk" that takes place to allow the car to shift into gear. While driving the car shakes vigorously. These issues all point to the enigine mount recall that did not include my vehicle, but should have. NHTSA Recall Number 20V788000 should be expanded to include my vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11722352 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Regarding safety recall notice 25S66/NHTSA recall 25V407 - we took our car to the local Lincoln dealer in Lubbock (Gene Messer Ford/Lincoln) in late November for the repair of the recall "C-Pillar Applique Delamination." There was considerable wind/rattle noise coming from the passenger side, which is a component of the recall. After completing the recall we noticed the wind/rattle noise is still there and even slightly worse. We have contacted the service representative at Gene Messer Ford/Lincoln regarding this and have yet to receive a reply. We are reaching out to you for a solution to the noise problem. Any help is much appreciated! Thanks for your time, [XXX] and [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11713372 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I have taken my car more times than I can count for recalls in the little time that I have owned my can bought new. My work requires me to drive a lot covering 6 states. Scheduling recall repairs has become a serious issue for me in a two year old car. As it seems that most of the recalls have been fixed except one small one where it sounds like wind is blowing in and the rear view camera and display work whenever it wants. A lot of time the screen just goes dark when it’s needed the most. I just recently took my car to the dealership bec the engine light came on and my car started sputtering g while driving. Ford serviced it and within a week it did the same thing and light was back on. This time it started not cranking easy time I had to get gas. As I was driving on hwy after fuel up my car started jerking and just shut down engine. I rolled over to shoulder and it took a hand full of tries to start and I got it home asap. I took back to ford and they said it was due to a fuel pump and needed to go to Lincoln. It’s been weeks now and my car is getting worse. I dont trust it to drive as I have had now two stalls and multiple hard starts where engine won’t turn over. With me on highway a lot and no recall repairs i. Sore as Lincoln said I’m not sure what to do. This is very dangerous. I was lucky I wasn’t in Heavy traffic or crossing over lanes.
NHTSA complaint #11707659 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Driving on interstate, a flex pipe (part of the exhaust) fell off at the forward end, Dragging the ground and damaging the catalytic converter and rear exhaust pipe. This was repaired by the dealership, but the flex pipe was not covered under the extended Warranty program. The vehicle had just over 50,000 miles on the odometer.
NHTSA complaint #11696865 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My Aviator was parked with trunk open to load groceries from shopping cart. Must have stepped under bumper such that it triggered the kick sensor to close the tailgate. The problem is, it did NOT detect spouse’s body, did NOT stop the tailgate from closing & as a result, hit him on the head. He jolted out of the way & the tailgate continued to close all the way. This is serious safety issue!
NHTSA complaint #11688306 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Reference my NHTSA complaint # 11681607 dtd 8/19/25 regarding the problem with Autosense wipers that I’ve had since I bought my Aviator 2.5 yrs ago. As I previously reported, problem was finally resolved in April when dealer replaced the Autosense sensor. I have come to learn that the plastic covering dealer found on the sensor (see attached pic) is actually a protective film for part shipment & should have been removed by the assembly plant prior to installing the sensor but was NOT. There are other owners that have this same ‘wipers gone wild’ condition with Autosense wiping in which the windshield does not clear enough for safe driving & you need to switch to manual wiper operation to clear the windshield. This plant assembly error should trigger a recall with all manufacturers that use this part, not just Lincoln.
NHTSA complaint #11688314 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I don't know the component or system that failed but sometimes when I am parked and put my car into reverse, the brakes lock up but my car will roll backwards. I have to either jam both feet on the brake pedal or quickly shift the car back into park and turn the car off and restart it. This usually will correct the problem. It feels like the brakes are locked and they are really hard to press. I drop kids off at school and this has happened in the parking lot several times with children walking behind me as I am getting ready to leave. I no longer am able to pull in forward to spots and have to back in to avoid reversing with people/cars behind me. I would rather hit a curb then potentially roll into a person or another car. I've taken it to the Lincoln dealership and they were not able to reproduce it or diagnose anything with it. Nothing shows up on their system as an error. It happens infrequently but I've owned the car since Nov 2024 and it's happened at least 10 times. My husband thinks its an electronic issue because it corrects itself when the car is restarted. It also randomly allows me to turn the wheel but the wheel does not turn back to 12. It stays at 3 but drives straight. This also is corrected by turning off the car and restarting. It has also been looked at by the dealership without any fixes.
NHTSA complaint #11680022 — 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.
Problem: 2024 Lincoln Aviator has electronic door release switches on all four doors (both front and rear). If an emergency occurs and: •The driver’s door is blocked or jammed •Electrical systems fail (e.g., due to a crash, battery failure, fire, or water submersion) Then all four doors can simultaneously become inoperable, trapping all passengers besides the driver inside, as there is NO mechanical backup to manually release the front passenger door or both rear doors. This puts all the 2nd and 3rd row occupants and the front seat passenger in grave danger is access to the driver door is blocked or limited for any reason. ONLY THE DRIVER’s door has an emergency manual release latch. There is NO MANUAL RELEASE ON PASSENGER SIDE or for rear doors in this 3 row SUV. ⸻ ⚠️ Why This Is Dangerous: •Passengers, especially in the rear seats, may be unable to exit the vehicle. •First responders may not be able to open the doors quickly. •This could lead to injury or death in fire, submersion, or crash scenarios.
NHTSA complaint #11663950 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Please see the attached email conversations and service records with Lincoln Motor Company (manufacturer) and Kayser Lincoln (service center and dealer) regarding the issues with the display in this vehicle. I have had this vehicle into the service center 50 times in the past 2 years trying to get this display issue fixed - they have not fixed it. I have asked for a vehicle buy back - Lincoln has denied this request. I have filed or a Lemon Law Complaint - Lincoln has denied this request. This is only the first 10 attachments of the 33 attachments I have in evidence - but I can only upload 10.
NHTSA complaint #11660674 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I got an alert on the dash that said tire pressure sensor fault. It is for the passenger side rear tire. I had a dealership look at it and they said the sensor was fine and the battery was fine. They could not find anything wrong with it but it is still alerting. Now my husbands Lincoln MKZ 2017 is doing it as well for the same tire, passenger rear.
NHTSA complaint #11658691 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On 4/17/25 at approximately 450pm eastern standard time the information hub on the dash indicated a door fault alarm and as i was turning left the doors unlocked and the passenger side door opened causing the passenger to almost fall out of the vehicle. If the passenger would have not had his seat belt on he would have fell out of the vehicle and potentailly been run over. I am worried about driving tbe vehicle as this sitiation could cause serious injury and cause a vehicle accident and loss of life.
NHTSA complaint #11655291 — 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.
Re: Safety Recall Notice 24S35 / NHTSA Recall 24V368, dealer claims to have repaired this recall. Problem persists. Lincoln/Ford Motors customer relations refuses to assist.
NHTSA complaint #11621113 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I have been reporting an issue for over two years with multiple dealerships regarding a sulphur and other strong exhaust smell. This Sulphur smell is most problematic and occurs most often at least one per day. This issue started off intermittently but is now occurring as increase frequencies. The Lincoln dealerships tell me this is normal. I am not sure what system is exactly failing as no codes are being presented (so says the dealership. This smell is so strong and can be easily smelled in the car but even more once opening the doors or hatchback. I have children that breath this air as well as myself. Often children (my own as well as school friends for which we give rides to) complain about this smell and it is very noxious in nature. This issue has been reported to the dealership MULTIPLE times (Actually reported to two dealerships). Often, I am being told this is "normal" due to gas used. In beginning they would not even log my concern, but this past year I have been submitting online. Always no code so no issue. No other troubleshooting is done. I have even requested additional basic troubleshooting data and not received. This is not a normal smell, as the Lincoln dealership(s) suggest. This smell makes us feel unpleasant. This smell is strong and is hazardous to the health of my family and others. I need Ford to take this issue seriously. Symptoms experienced indicate there is likely a problem with the catalytic converter and they are not addressing.
NHTSA complaint #11616359 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I am writing to express my frustration regarding the unresolved issue related to recall 24V368 concerning the rearview camera image. This has been an ongoing problem for several years, and despite receiving multiple safety recall notices and scheduling appointments with your service department, the issue remains unaddressed.
NHTSA complaint #11614521 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The vehicle began making a low tapping noise in the front passenger side approximately 2 months ago, which has gradually become louder. It is much more apparent when driving at slower speeds. More recently the tapping noise has been accompanied by a squeaking noise when the wheel is turned, when driving over bumps, when removing the foot from the brake at a red light, when putting the vehicle into drive after being parked all day, as well as when anyone enters/exits the parked vehicle (leading me to believe it has something to do with the suspension). The front brakes were recently replaced and everything appeared normal when the wheel was removed by mechanic. Shields underneath the vehicle were also checked and are all appropriately tight, not loose anywhere. Exact problem remains unknown at this time, vehicle is scheduled for diagnostics at the dealership in just over a month from now.
NHTSA complaint #11612851 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.