10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
96,943 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2004 Lincoln Aviator drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2004 Lincoln Aviator Owner Comments

problem #9

Jun 042017

Aviator

  • 167,786 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The vehicle down shift when turning into the first as it goes into second makes in awful noise. When I parked it and tried to start it and it was dead.the mechanic figure it had something to do with the starter he got under the vehicle to applied starter told me to start it and it did and it pinned him under the vehicle.they later said the belt had popped. The vehicle had ben leaking a lite fluid they believed it to be the differential oil. Its a four wheel drive. I had it towed to bohn Ford 6/5/17they are charging $350 to replace the belt.city St. Later park it at walmart parking lot where the people helped push the vehicle off the mechanic.the vehicle would roll back when put in drive.

- Gretna, LA, USA

problem #8

Jan 132014

Aviator

  • miles
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.

- Keithville, LA, USA

problem #7

Oct 022014

Aviator 8-cyl

  • 126,000 miles
I tried to pull off at a very busy intersection and nothing. I came very close to getting into a crash. I am now told from the dealership that I need a new transmission and transfer case. I've taken very good care of my vehicle since I purchase my 2004 Lincoln Aviator lux with 80,000 miles on it and always had it serviced at the dealership. I thought I was making a good decision when purchasing a Lincoln. I'm a single parent and wanted a reliable vehicle. Worst decision I ever made!!! first it started with the gear shift getting stuck and needing replaced. Then I had to replace all coil packs. The air condition started making a funny noise when you turn it on but hasn't been fixed because the dealership can never get it to duplicate but happens to me all the time! next both wheel hubs. The second one breaking on the interstate while in the middle of no where Pennsylvania. Thankfully I noticed a weird noise and pulled over immediately because the tow truck driver (I had to wait on for 2 hours) said had I even drove 30 more feet I would have been in a possible fatal accident with both of my children in the car at 70 miles/hr. Last week both control arms 3 days later leaves me stranded in traffic at a very busy intersection with the car behind me only coming inches from hitting me after I release the break and press the gas hear a loud noise and nothing happens! did I mention this happened on my way to work! again waited for 45 min for a tow truck. Now I have a estimated of $4850 to replace the transmission and transfer case. This vehicle has been a nightmare!!!!!!! I thankfully wasn't in any serious accident but came very close twice. I have no clue what I'm going to do now because I don't have the $4850 and if I did I think I would rather sue Ford! last but not least I still owe $6850 on my loan! this is so unfair!

- Harrisonburg, VA, USA

problem #6

Jul 082014

Aviator 8-cyl

  • 97,792 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Shifter would not go into park from reverse sometimes would not unlock from park position. Serious problem when your shifter shows in drive and you end up still going in reverse. Read other complaints from owners sounds like a defect which could cause serious injury or death.

- Little Rock, AR, USA

problem #5

Jul 232013

Aviator 8-cyl

  • 72,614 miles
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 Mountaineer 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.

- Downers Grove, IL, USA

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problem #4

May 032013

Aviator 8-cyl

  • 84,000 miles
1 year after purchase at 52,000 -replaced coils (recalled), brake switch, cost just to lead and find issues after full service maintenance, $1500. 2 yrs in, transmission due to thing that is attached and looks like a brain plate to the transmission, (sms pack)still owing plus now, upcoming on latest transmission/computer/ at 84,000 :( S car has taken me completely upside down and in the hole owing $12,000 + $3000 for newest repair. Just got car back and now it feels like there is a potential small delay and wants to jump in the middle of traffic which I just experienced yesterday. Why is this car still on the road and not recalled. The problems go on and on and on. I emailed Ford and was basically told to take the car into their dealership where I can be robbed even further. Sad!! these are only a small fraction of links that are out there due to Lincoln having known issues. I spoke with a car salesman this last week and he has a 2005 Aviator and just replaced the whole transmission at 92,000 miles. www.automotiveforums.com/T936173-possible_solution_for_the_common_lincoln_ls_trans_problems.html VIN.centralclearinghouse.com/central/VIN.nsf/0/22bff5be198030B78825777D002F814D repairpal.com/shift-lever-stuck-in-drive-

- Albany , OR, USA

problem #3

Apr 252013

Aviator 8-cyl

  • 126,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I had just gotten onto the highway, at about 40 mph the rear wheels started to skip and jerk also there was a loud cluck from under the front....the mechanic found the transfer case was damaged due to cheap Ford parts.....

- Bronx, NY, USA

problem #2

Sep 042011

Aviator 8-cyl

  • 118,000 miles
My Lincoln Aviator started making a horrible noise in the rear of the vehicle on the morning of September 4, 2011. My wife took the Aviator to the aaa car care center to find and repair the issue. The aaa certified technician placed the Aviator on the lift and discovered the entire differential unit was hanging freely and literally swinging under the vehicle. After further inspection, the welding that holds the mount to which the differential until is bolted, broke from the frame. This issue of a differential mount weld breaking free has never been seen by the aaa certified technician or the aaa service manager with over 30 years of experience. Furthermore, the mount was only welded on one side (side closest to the rear of the vehicle). I visited the local Lincoln dealership and explained the issue with my Aviator?S differential mount only being welded on one side and asked to see an Aviator or Explorer that would have the same differential mounting system. This Lincoln dealership had an Explorer up on the lift and showed me that the differential mount on all Aviators and Explorer do indeed have the differential mount welded on both sides to the frame. The potential damage from the differential unit falling off the vehicle and the drive shaft becoming dislodged is exceedingly high and could pose a fatal scenario. I am asking for Lincoln to investigate this potentially fatal error of only having one weld seam holding the differential unit mount to the frame and inspect for any further damages as a result, in addition to inspecting for other areas of faulty craftsmanship. This manufacturing defect is in no way the error of the consumer or driving behavior. This issue points directly to the craftsmanship and integrity of the weld and quality control of Lincoln.

- Simpsonville, SC, USA

problem #1

Jun 012012

Aviator

  • 80,291 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Lincoln Aviator. The contact stated that the gear shifter failed while trying to shift into reverse. The contact stated that she depressed the brake pedal and tried to change gears but the vehicle would not respond. She then attempted to remove the key from the ignition but the key could not be removed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection and the contact was advised that the gear shift assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 80,291.

- Chester, PA, USA

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