2020 Lincoln Aviator problems
The Lincoln Aviator is a mid-size, three-row luxury SUV manufactured and marketed under the Lincoln brand of Ford Motor Company — and now in its second generation, with a hiatus from 2006 to 2020.
The first generation Aviator was manufactured for 2003–2005 model years as a rebadged variant of the third generation Ford Explorer — and assembled at the now-closed St. Louis Assembly in Hazelwood, Missouri, alongside the Explorer and Mountaineer.
For the 2020 model year, Lincoln reintroduced the Aviator as a badge engineered variant of the sixth generation Ford Explorer manufactured at Chicago Assembly and offered with a plug-in hybrid variant.
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Common 2020 Lincoln Aviator problems
The 2020 Lincoln Aviator has had several common issues reported by owners, primarily related to the infotainment system and quality control.
- Quality control: Some owners have reported issues with the quality control of the 2020 Lincoln Aviator. For example, one owner reported a leaky sunroof, nonworking seat belts, computer malfunctions, false crash warnings, unexpected parking brake resistance, and transmission alarms within the first 48 hours of ownership.
- Fuel system and brake issues: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has received complaints about fuel system and brake issues in the 2020 Lincoln Aviator. These problems can affect the vehicle's overall safety and reliability, making it essential for owners to address them promptly.
- Sensors and drive mode: Some owners have reported issues with various sensors and the driving mode of the 2020 Lincoln Aviator. For instance, one owner experienced problems with the Evaporative (EVPA) system and sensors, leading to concerns about the vehicle's maintenance and repair. Another owner reported that the dealership questioned their driving habits due to issues with sensors, which can be frustrating for owners who expect their vehicles to function properly without such scrutiny.
- Interior plastic: Some owners have reported issues with interior plastic in the 2020 Lincoln Aviator. This can affect the overall durability and perceived quality of the vehicle, potentially leading to dissatisfaction with the ownership experience.
In summary, the 2020 Lincoln Aviator has had several common issues reported by owners, primarily related to the infotainment system, quality control, and various sensors. These problems can affect the vehicle's safety, reliability, and overall satisfaction for owners. It is essential for owners to address these issues promptly to ensure their vehicles function correctly and maintain their value.
What is the most common problems with Lincoln Aviator?
Screen glitches owners of the 2020 Aviator have complained that the infotainment. Screen is unable to adjust to the outside environment.
What is the transfer case problem on the Lincoln Aviator 2020?
Vehicles Affected:
Defective drive shafts may fail and cause a loss of connection between the transfer case and rear axle, possibly resulting in a vehicle rollaway when in Park or a loss of drive. Either condition can increase the risk of a crash.
Does the Lincoln Aviator have transmission problems?
If you don't routinely change your fluids at least every 30,000 miles or so, you may find that your Lincoln Aviator transmission will slip.
Are Lincoln aviators reliable?
Carparts.com indicates that the Lincoln Aviator is a fairly reliable midsize SUV on average, although of course your mileage may vary depending on the model year you purchase. Scores are usually 7 out of 10 or equivalent, depending on the review site you check.
What is the most common problems with Lincoln Aviator?
Screen glitches owners of the 2020 Aviator have complained that the infotainment. Screen is unable to adjust to the outside environment.
Are Lincoln aviators reliable?
Carparts.com indicates that the Lincoln Aviator is a fairly reliable midsize SUV on average, although of course your mileage may vary depending on the model year you purchase. Scores are usually 7 out of 10 or equivalent, depending on the review site you check.
What is the transfer case problem on the Lincoln Aviator 2020?
Vehicles Affected:
Defective drive shafts may fail and cause a loss of connection between the transfer case and rear axle, possibly resulting in a vehicle rollaway when in Park or a loss of drive. Either condition can increase the risk of a crash.
Does the Lincoln Aviator have transmission problems?
If you don't routinely change your fluids at least every 30,000 miles or so, you may find that your Lincoln Aviator transmission will slip.
2020 Lincoln Aviator car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Lincoln Aviator problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Electrical system problems
- Unknown or other problems
- Back over prevention problems
- Power train problems
- Service brakes problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2020 Lincoln Aviator vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 2020 Lincoln Aviator
The NHTSA has received 69 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2020 Lincoln Aviator. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 2020 Lincoln Aviator vehicles.
2024-09-30
VISIBILITY,STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-09-15
- VIN: 5LM5J7XC9LG
- Components: VISIBILITY,STRUCTURE
- Summary: 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.
2024-09-05
SUSPENSION,WHEELS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-01
- VIN: 5LM5J7XC1LG
- Components: SUSPENSION,WHEELS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: 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.
2024-09-04
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-01
- VIN: 5LM5J9XC1LG
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: 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.
2024-08-14
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-02-16
- VIN: 5LM5J7XC1LG
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: I have taken my car into the dealer at least five times due to the blue backup camera issue, I have been told by the techs that the camera has been replaced however I am still having the issue on occasion. On the early morning of Feb 16, 2024 around 5:30am, As I was backing out of my driveway I actually backed into my husband and knocked him down, he was walking behind my car, Due to the blue backup camera I was unable to see him and none of the warning lamps or messages alerted me prior to impact.
2024-08-06
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-05
- VIN: 5LM5J7XC7LG
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: Driving car on side street - going about 30 mph and car lost ALL power. Stopped completely in middle of road. No power - would not restart. NO FLASHERS. Since Aviator has "piano keys", the car would not go into Neutral and once we figured how to manually put car in neutral, we could not get the driver's door to close and latch. Car was placed on flatbed wrecker and driver had to tape the door shut for transportation. Luckily this happened during daylight hours and Sherriff's office sent a car to park behind us. Had this happened on my commute to office (at 0500) when it was DARK outside, it could have horrible - NO FLASHERS
2024-06-17
PARKING BRAKE,SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-01
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 5LM5J7XC6LG
- Components: PARKING BRAKE,SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: The contact owns a 2020 Lincoln Aviator. The contact stated that after pulling into a parking space on a hill, the parking brake was engaged. and the vehicle was turned off. However, after exiting, the vehicle rolled back and crashed into two vehicles: an Audi A4 and a Kia Borrego. There were no warning lights illuminated. There were no reported injuries, fire, police report, or air bag deployment. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the brakes and transmission failed, which caused the vehicle to roll backward. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 47,375. The Lincoln app informed the contact via a notification that the power train malfunctioned and reduced power.
2024-06-06
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-23
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: Pre collision assist warning, service advance track, 4 wheel drive fault all these codes showed up at the same time. Also the cheap fabric liners in the wheel wells are tearing under normal driving conditions
2024-06-02
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-31
- VIN: 5LMYJ9YY3LG
- Components: POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: 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.
2024-06-02
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-26
- VIN: 5LM5J7XC3LG
- Components: POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: 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.
2024-05-08
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-07
- VIN: 5LM5J7XCXLG
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The exit switches on both rear doors on my wife's 2020 Lincoln Aviator all of the sudden stopped working today. For whatever reason, Lincoln decided to make the exit handles electronic instead of a traditional pull-style exit handle. This is a HUGE safety concern as the passengers in the rear of the vehicle are now trapped inside. I am a professional fire fighter and I take this problem very seriously. After doing some research for the last two hours online, I've found that dozens of people have experienced the exact same malfunction on their 2020 Lincoln Aviators. I've checked the recalls for the 2020 Aviator on your website and to my disbelief, this is not a recall! Prior to both door exit switches failing, there were no warning lamps, messages, or any other notification. They simply just failed without notice.
2024-04-25
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-04-16
- VIN: 5LM5J7XC8LG
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: 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.
2024-04-24
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-03-24
- VIN: 5LM5J9XC7LG
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY
- Summary: The contact owns a 2020 Lincoln Aviator. The contact stated while driving 80 MPH, the vehicle shifted from drive to neutral. The contact pulled over and restarted the vehicle. The vehicle failed to shift to park. The battery was drained, and the vehicle had to be jumpstarted. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the wiring harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted, but no additional assistance was provided. The contact stated the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V534000 (Visibility, Electrical System). The failure mileage was approximately 144,000.
2024-01-13
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-01-12
- VIN: 5LM5J7WC9LG
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: This has happened twice in the past 2 days. vehicle is started and put into Drive and even though I am pressing the brake, the vehicle moves forward. I then pump the brake and it will stop. This is a HUGE safety concern.
2023-12-04
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-12-03
- VIN: 5LM5J7XC5LG
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: 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.
2023-10-26
BACK OVER PREVENTION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-02-01
- VIN: 5LM5J9XC5LG
- Components: BACK OVER PREVENTION
- Summary: Lincoln had a recall on the rear view camera in 2021 which I completed that did not remedy the issue of blue screen in place of the camera. They released another recall and have continuously delayed it as they have no remedy so my vehicle is left without a functioning rear view camera.
2023-09-28
BACK OVER PREVENTION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-08-28
- VIN: 5LMYJ8XY9LG
- Components: BACK OVER PREVENTION
- Summary: The contact owns a 2020 Lincoln Aviator. The contact stated that the vehicle had previously experienced rear camera failures and was taken to the dealer, where the recall repair of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V735000 (Back Over Prevention) was completed; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated while reversing, the rear-view camera image was intermittently blue or black. The contact also stated that the infotainment screen image was intermittently black or blue while starting the vehicle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V342000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
2023-09-22
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,BACK OVER PREVENTION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-09-21
- VIN: 5LM5J7XC7LG
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,BACK OVER PREVENTION
- Summary: Rear camera blue screen. Screen intermittently blacks out.
2023-09-20
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-06-14
- VIN: 5LM5J7WC6LG
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: I would like to express my concerns about the Lincoln Aviator (2020) I used to own and to why I traded it in. I spoke with Ford and even took my case to BBB and lost. I was asking for my money back to buy my Ford Explorer. The case was about all my electrical problems I was having and due to the fact, I did not take mv car into the dealer enough I lost. The dealership had advised me to make a list of problems instead of taking the car in each time because of travel distance that was a big mistake on my part as I felt they knew the car had problems and they were putting the problem back on me. They also had mentioned I did not drive very much and I tried explaining I was driving it more. One example was I drove it 50 miles one way and when I got to my destination I could not open back lift gate until I used button inside even though it was fine when I used it to load up the car before I left the house. Another time I came back from going to the coast, a good 3-hour drive, and I couldn't get in until I used key fob. You never knew how the car was going to act electrical. One morning I got up to go to store and the car was completely dead. Tow truck came and driver jumped the car and I backed it out of garage and put the car in park and it shut the car down. I remembered the little latch and was able to get out and the tow truck driver jumped it again and left the charger on the car to load the car up on the tow truck. I see now there is a recall for audible seat belt warning that has not been fixed yet. The biggest issue I addressed with Ford was since there is only one way out how were the passengers suppose to get out and they told me they had to climb over everything to go out the driver's door. Then I asked what if the person is large and has disabilities they are stuck, also what if there is an accident and they hit the driver door then there is no way out. I also said what if the car is going to catch fire, then what? You can't get out. I mentioned we have a 2006 corvette and we have 3 ways to get out of that car if the battery goes dead. I feel this car is very unsafe and I traded it off and will never buy anther car without door handles inside and outside. I hope you address this problem as it could become a hazard. If you do find this is a problem, could I as least get my down payment back as I paid too much for the Explorer due to covid. Thank you for listening
2023-09-05
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-08-31
- VIN: 5LM5J7XC0LG
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: The passenger door switch for the door release is inoperable which prevents the door from being opened from the inside. I’m scheduling a visit to the dealership for replacement. Loss of switch operation prevents easy exit during an emergency due to not having a mechanical backup release mechanism as on the driver side door. The vehicle did not notify that the door switch was inoperable.
2023-08-23
SEAT BELTS,BACK OVER PREVENTION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-08-23
- VIN: 5LM5J7XC1LG
- Components: SEAT BELTS,BACK OVER PREVENTION
- Summary: The contact owns a 2020 Lincoln Aviator. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V735000 (Back Over Prevention), 22V953000 (Seat Belts) and 23V342000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
2023-08-15
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-08-10
- VIN: 5LM5J7XCXLG
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: 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.
2023-08-13
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-08-12
- VIN: 5LM5J7WC4LG
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: 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.
2023-07-06
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-07-01
- VIN: 5LM5J7WC9LG
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: When I am inside the car, the button to open the door from the inside (drivers side) is not working. As of right now there is no way to exit the vehicle from the drivers side. When we called Galpin Lincoln to make an urgent appointment since this is a safety issue - they said there was nothing they could do and we go online and make an appointment for a month++ out. My safety is currently at risk as there is no way for me to safely get out of my car since the door does not open from the inside.
2023-06-09
SUSPENSION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-06-04
- VIN: 5LM5J7XC0LG
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: Air suspension component started leaking and lost pressure - unable to safely drive without repair. The entire front end of vehicle dropped lower than the rear and was not level. Incident appeared to happen after changing "driving modes" to a rain setting. Vehicle messaging stated a warning to seek servicing. Suspension started making a loud pressurized hissing sound and seems potentially hazardous. Invoice received - Repairs pending. No accident.
2023-05-30
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-05-20
- VIN: 5LM5J7WCXLG
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: The panoramic sunroof exploded without warning while traveling at 70 MPH on interstate 55 in Southaven Mississippi. Glass entered the vehicle resulting in cuts on front passenger arms. My husband was able to maintain control of the vehicle and exit safely on the next exit ramp. We notified Southaven police and inspection of the vehicle by ourselves and the officer resulted in no foreign objects causing the explosion. The sound of the pressurized boom and following spray of glass shards was very dangerous and could have easily resulted in a vehicle crash or more serious injury from glass debris.
2020 Lincoln Aviator recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 17 recalls for different components of the 2020 Lincoln Aviator.
2024-05-24
- Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
- Components: BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION
- Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The accessory protocol image module (APIM) can be affected by electromagnetic interference with a cell phone in the vehicle, causing the rearview camera image to flicker or become distorted.
- Consequence: A flickering or distorted rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Owners are advised not to use their cell phones while reversing until the remedy is completed. Dealers will install shielding on the accessory protocol image module (APIM), free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 23, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S35.
2023-09-08
- Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY
- Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Lincoln Aviator and Ford Explorer vehicles equipped with 3.0L PHEV engines. A manufacturing defect in one or more of the high voltage battery cells may result in an internal short circuit and battery failure.
- Consequence: Battery failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Battery failure can also increase the risk of a fire.
- Remedy: Dealers will perform a Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) diagnostic test and replace the high voltage battery pack, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 8, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford Motor Company's number for this recall is 23S53.
2023-08-25
- Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
- Components: BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
- Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Lincoln Aviator, 2018-2021 Lincoln Navigator, 2022-2023 Ford Transit, and 2021 Ford Bronco vehicles. The rearview camera, or 360-degree view camera if equipped, may not display a rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse.
- Consequence: Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Dealers will replace the rearview camera, and update the software and wiring as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 20, 2023 to Lincoln owners. Ford remedy parts are anticipated 2nd Quarter 2024. Ford's number for this recall is 23S48.
2023-05-12
- Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
- Components: BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
- Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles equipped with a 360-degree camera. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
- Consequence: Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Dealers will replace the 360-degree camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 10, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S23. This recall expands and replaces NHTSA recall number 23V-022. Vehicles previously repaired under 23V-022 will need to have the new remedy performed.
2023-01-23
- Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
- Components: BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
- Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles equipped with a 360-degree camera. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
- Consequence: Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Dealers will update the image processing module (IPMB) software, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed April 25, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed February 13, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S02. This recall expands and replaces NHTSA recall number 21V-735. Vehicles previously repaired under 21V-735 will need to have the new remedy performed.
2022-12-23
- Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
- Components: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WARNING LIGHT/DEVICES
- Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Lincoln Aviator and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles equipped with a Revel Audio System. When the driver's seat belt is not buckled and the vehicle is started, the seat belt warning system may activate the audible warning chime for an insufficient amount of time of less than 4 seconds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
- Consequence: An audible warning chime that does not properly alert of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
- Remedy: Dealers will update the audio control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 7, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22C35.
2021-09-22
- Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
- Components: BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE
- Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Explorer, Lincoln Corsair, and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with 360-degree cameras. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
- Consequence: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Dealers will update the Image Processing Module (IPMB) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 16, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S44.
2021-07-15
- Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
- Components: VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:COMPRESSOR
- Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with 3.0L gasoline engines. The wire harness may not be secured properly, possibly contacting the air conditioning (A/C) compressor pulley, and resulting in damage to electrical wires, or the A/C compressor drive belt.
- Consequence: Damaged electrical wires may short-circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Remedy: Dealers will inspect the harness and A/C compressor belt for damage, replacing them as necessary, and install a tie strap to secure the wire harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 30, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S34.
2021-03-30
- Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
- Components: BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION
- Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The image processing module may be unable to provide video feed to the display, which could result in a loss of the backup camera image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
- Consequence: A backup camera that displays a blank or distorted image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the image processing module software with the latest level, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 21, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C09.
2021-03-10
- Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
- Components: SUSPENSION:REAR
- Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Lincoln Aviator and Ford Explorer vehicles. The rear lower control arm (RLCA) bolts that attach the rear lower control arms to the wheel knuckles may not have been heat-treated, which could cause them to break.
- Consequence: Broken RLCA bolts can cause a loss of steering control, and increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace both RLCA bolts, free of charge. The recall began on April 2, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S11.
2021-01-15
- Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
- Components: VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
- Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Utility and 2020 Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The affected vehicles contain windshield washer fluid that was contaminated with brake fluid. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 104, "Windshield Wiping and Washing Systems."
- Consequence: A washer system contaminated with brake fluid can reduce the driver's ability to clear windshield, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will flush out the washer system, replacing the washer bottle neck, washer pump assembly, fluid level sensor and the front and rear wiper blades. Dealers will also inspect and repair the vehicle's paint and exterior components if affected, free of charge. The recall began March 2, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C01.
2020-12-17
- Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The right hand motor mount fasteners may have been incorrectly tightened, and may loosen over time.
- Consequence: With a loose motor mount, motor vibration may cause the axle to disconnect from the engine and could result in loss of power, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove and replace the right hand motor mount fasteners, free of charge. The recall began February 3, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S72.
2020-11-10
- Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
- Components: POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
- Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with a 2.0L or 3.3L engine and a 10 Speed Automatic Transmission with the All Wheel Drive package. The drive shaft may fracture along the weld seam.
- Consequence: Defective drive shafts may fail and cause a loss of connection between the transfer case and rear axle, possibly resulting in a vehicle rollaway when in Park or a loss of drive. Either condition can increase the risk of a crash. The drive shafts can also deform and separate from the driveline and potentially contact the fuel tank, increasing the risk of fuel leaks and/or fire.
- Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the drive shaft label inspected and replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S65.
2020-08-21
- Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
- Components: AIR BAGS:CRITICAL FASTENERS
- Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Explorer and 2020 Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The side air bag and/or seat back module attachments may not have been properly tightened in the front seat backs.
- Consequence: If the side air bag or seat back fasteners were not properly tightened, the side air bag deployment could be affected, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
- Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove front seat back panels from one or both front seats (VIN-specific) and verify that the fasteners have been properly tightened, free of charge. The recall began September 10, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S48.
2019-12-04
- Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
- Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. Over time, the protective sleeve on the vapor fuel line may chafe through the plastic liquid fuel line and cause a fuel leak.
- Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
- Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install a longer protective sleeve on the liquid fuel line, as necessary, free of charge. Ford issued owners and interim notification on January 29, 2020. Recall began March 23, 2020. A second notice will be sent once parts are available, expected to be late in the first quarter of 2020. A renotification letter was sent on July 10, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S49.
2019-08-28
- Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
- Components: SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
- Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's manual front seat back recliner mechanisms. Also included are certain 2020 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with rear outboard seats and manual seat back recliner mechanisms. The recliner mechanisms may be missing the third pawl required for seat back strength, resulting in a loose seat back. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 202, "Head Restraints" and 207, "Seating Systems."
- Consequence: A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19C07.
2019-08-05
- Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
- Components: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
- Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The Manual Park Release (MPR) cover may not be installed. In addition, the vehicles may be in Factory Mode, which disables warning alerts and does not display the transmission gear selected. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 114, "Theft Prevention" and 102, "Trans Shift Lever Seq/Starter Interlock/Trans Braking Effect."
- Consequence: Without the cover, the MPR lever may be unintentionally moved, allowing the vehicle to roll away. Being in Factory Mode, the vehicle will not display warnings and/or gear selection on the instrument cluster. Both conditions increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, install a MPR cover. Dealers will verify the instrument cluster is not in Factory Mode and clear any fault codes, free of charge. The recall began August 23, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19C06.
Negative 2020 Lincoln Aviator car reviews
Positive 2020 Lincoln Aviator car reviews
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I recently purchased the 2020 Grand Touring Black Label, fully loaded, and it has been a joy to drive. As a hybrid, I love being able to take advantage of the electric option, but unfortunately, I have experienced some issues with the adapter on the charging cord. Despite having gone through three adapters already, the charging process takes only a little over 3 hours with the adapter, compared to over 11 hours without it. It's frustrating to have to wait for a new adapter to be ordered, especially since I have already driven almost 5500 miles in this vehicle and prefer it over my trucks. I hope this issue can be resolved soon!
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A lot of thought went into this vehicle. I'm so excited to hook up my 25' camper and head across the US. Not all SUV's in this class can tow what this one can.... and do it with so much style and class. It's great to see Lincoln back!
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To my eye, this is the best looking SUV on the road and I have received many compliments from people of all ages. I agree with many of the comments regarding the luxurious interior and the powerful engine. However, I do have one complaint - the AM radio is not up to par and is filled with engine noise, making it difficult to hear Rush Limbaugh!
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I'm glad to hear that you're enjoying your new vehicle! It sounds like it's a significant upgrade from your previous Lexus LS 460 and Porsche Cayenne, with smoother, quieter, and quicker performance, as well as more luxurious features and improved electronics. It's great to hear that you're finding it better in every respect.
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I'm glad to hear that you had an MKT prior to this and that the Aviator is a major upgrade. The car is comfortable, peppy, and handles well. The HUD is great. Although the electric-only driving range is not great, around the city it gives about 19 miles, but on a longer trip of about 150 miles, you can get about 48 miles of electric driving. When going down a hill, it switches to electric and charges the battery - the switch is not noticeable, but it does indicate when you are in electric mode. The park assist seems more cumbersome than on the MKT, but it does support both parking types and will help you exit the spot from horizontal situations. The car seats have more options than you might expect, and in some cases, you need to go into the main screen rather than the buttons on the door. The fit and finish of the interior is first class - no issues. The all-around camera is handy, and there are warnings if you get too close to something - front, back, or sides - while parking or backing out. The car has the pilot assist, which will steer itself and, in combination with the adaptive cruise, maintain speed, etc. Although you need to keep a death grip on the steering wheel to keep the system active, even a heavy touch is not enough to convince the system you have your hands on the wheel. I'm not a big fan of using those systems, but if you are, beware. There is also rear auto braking - I tested it with an empty plastic pail, and it works, but the stop is jarring. The road lighting at night is good, and the auto high beams have improved over the MKT model. The engine is loud, by design I expect, under moderate or heavy acceleration. There is little road noise at highway speeds, and in electric mode, it is almost silent. My concern is with all the technology and gadgets on this auto, it may become expensive to maintain after the warranty period. I've downloaded the Lincoln My Way to an android phone, but there is plenty of room to improve that - it's hit and miss as to when the phone as key works. Overall, it sounds like you're enjoying your new Aviator, and I hope it continues to meet your expectations.Overall, I'm glad I made this selection.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2020 Lincoln Aviator problems:
RECONSIDERING ANOTHER AVIATOR…AM I CRAZY??!! - Lincoln ...
https://blueovalforums.com/forums/index.php?/topic/71415-reconsidering-another-aviator%E2%80%A6am-i-crazy/
Jul 5, 2021 ... Reading all the complaints about the 2020 Aviators had us a little apprehensive, but they seem to have corrected the quality issues for 2021.
Any common issues with 2020+ Lincoln aviators? : r/lincolnmotorco
https://www.reddit.com/r/lincolnmotorco/comments/105doju/any_common_issues_with_2020_lincoln_aviators/
Jan 7, 2023 ... I just recently purchased a new 2023 Lincoln aviator. From what I've read it seems like it's been mostly the same model since 2020.
2020 Lincoln Navigator: MPG, Recalls & Common Problems ...
https://www.justanswer.com/ford-lincoln/mggr9-just-purchased-2020-lincoln-navigator-60-000-miles.html
Jul 11, 2023 ... This was found to be one of the most common issues with the Navigator and although the dealers were clueless about the source initially, it was ...
Lincoln Aviator in my cross hairs. : r/whatcarshouldIbuy
https://www.reddit.com/r/whatcarshouldIbuy/comments/s4lhkn/lincoln_aviator_in_my_cross_hairs/
Jan 15, 2022 ... Buddy a car is more than an engine and transmission - the Aviator has had many electrical problems, as well as mechanical issues. For the 2020 ...
2020 Lincoln Aviator Reliability - Consumer Reports
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/lincoln/aviator/2020/reliability/
Paint (fading, chalking, peeling, or cracking), loose interior or exterior trim or moldings, rust.
Other years of Lincoln Aviator
Are you having problems with your 2020 Lincoln Aviator?
Mervin Hoppe 2025-01-05
We recently leased a 2020 Black Label unit with a white exterior and white interior, and it was absolutely gorgeous! The ride was great, and we were averaging an impressive 38 mpg between the battery and gas. However, we did experience some issues with the vehicle. One day, it threw a check engine code, and after 10 days in the shop, no one could figure out the problem, so the computer was reset. Unfortunately, one week later, the unit stopped in the middle of a busy intersection with my wife driving. We turned off the battery and went straight to gas and limped to the dealer with the check engine light on again. After 40 days in the shop, it was determined that the vehicle was a lemon. The dealer found a factory bolt in the chassis that was too long and protruding into the wiring harness, causing a short and false codes on the dash, and an inconsistency in the hybrid mechanism. The dealer believes this was a QC issue at the factory and that this long bolt may be in all of them. We have a new vehicle now, and we're hoping for the best because we absolutely LOVED this vehicle when it ran. We got it home and found out the charge cable was bad, but the dealership was able to give us a working cable from our previous Aviator. We've had the new Aviator for several months now with no repeat of the problems from the last vehicle. My wife is absolutely thrilled, and I'm jealous! It's a super nice vehicle. An update as of 5/16/22 - after about 3k miles, the Eco-boost motor started sounding like a diesel. After some research, we found that all Eco-boost motors start sounding this way after a few thousand miles. The dealer confirmed that this is normal. We've also had to replace two power cables, and we're still waiting for the third one to be replaced after 8 months. The dealership tells us that the cord is made in the USA, and there's no supply chain problem, just a Ford production issue.The dealership recommended we turn this one in as a lemon as well - and that's exactly what we intend to do after our new BMW iX arrives. This is such a shame. The Lincoln is beautiful and rides well. However, Ford just can't seem to get it quite right. We also own a Porsche Taycan EV and have had no problems charging it with the cable that fits the Lincoln just fine. The only difference is that the cable used by Porsche is much thicker, about the thickness of your index and middle fingers combined, while the Lincoln's cable is about the thickness of your pinky. This is a simple fix, Lincoln. The diesel sounding Eco-Boost and the faulty power cord are the difference between a 3 star and a 5 star vehicle.
Quentin Champlin 2024-11-28
The lease is finally over, and I couldn't be happier. Although I have been driving the vehicle for over two years now, I still have to wait another year until the lease is up. It can be frustrating, but I have learned to be patient. I made a mistake in choosing this vehicle, and I won't make the same mistake again. I am very particular about my cars, and I expect them to be free of any issues. Unfortunately, this vehicle has had too many fit and finish problems. Despite its many great features, the quality is lacking, and Lincoln's ability to make things right has been challenging. This review is mainly for BMW, Audi, and MB owners who are considering switching to an American car. While Lincoln did everything right on paper, in reality, it is still a Ford/Lincoln. I have owned BMW and Audi in the past, but I prefer Audi. I wanted a vehicle that was large enough to carry my grandkids while also maintaining my luxury desire, and the Aviator seemed like the perfect fit. However, in less than a year, I will be sending it back to the shop for the third time. The rattles are the most annoying issue, and they keep developing. I get rid of one, and two more show up. This I've had my vehicle for 9 months now, but I still haven't found a comfortable set of settings. While some people say it's fine for 30 minutes to an hour, I find it uncomfortable after just 10 to 15 minutes. Although I haven't had any incidents, I have noticed that the hood appears to be loose while driving. While I'm quite sure it's not actually loose, the fact that it appears to be on the brink of opening is a poor design. Additionally, the car tends to vibrate quite a bit, and you really have to be at high speeds to get a somewhat smooth ride. While I understand that it's a truck and may not be as smooth as a luxury car, for the price they ask you to pay, it should be better than it is. While I can't give the vehicle my full recommendation, I do think it's a good option for those who aren't looking for a luxury brand like BMW, Audi, or Mercedes. In fact, I've had a few people ask me how I like it in the last 2 weeks, and while it's not perfect, I think it's a solid choice for those who want a reliable vehicle.
Benedict Bins 2024-11-28
Hi there! I wanted to share my experience with my car that I bought in July 2020. It was working fine until about three weeks ago when I started having an issue with the recycle air button. It doesn't seem to hold for more than two minutes and I end up smelling the carbon monoxide coming into my cabin every two minutes. It's really annoying and makes driving the car feel like hell, especially with the smoke coming from the street. I went to the dealer, but unfortunately they couldn't do anything about it. Have you experienced anything similar?
Gideon Nader 2024-11-23
Great vehicle, but after test driving and trying to find the Aviator I wanted, I decided to go with an Audi. Why? I just can't get past the circus clown looking wheels. Wheels make a car from an aesthetics standpoint. I'm not sure who Lincoln is trying to appeal to with these wheels, but most people about to spend $70K don't want them.
Turner Senger 2024-11-17
This 3300 mile car has only been in the service bay twice. The first time was due to an oil leak, and the second time was due to several components malfunctioning, including the car not starting and the door not closing. Despite these issues, we are confident in our ability to resolve them and ensure that this car meets our high standards of quality.