10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
59,833 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.

2003 Lincoln Aviator engine problems

engine problem

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2003 Lincoln Aviator Owner Comments

problem #6

Nov 022013

Aviator 8-cyl

  • 89,000 miles

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

My husband and I were driving our 2003 Lincoln Aviator when it basically stopped going and wouldn't change gear or speed up. (this is the second time it's gotten stuck in gear, the 1st time was when it was parked and wouldn't move but the gear shift moved freely). We got it back home and realized again the transmission shift cable had come dislodged. Lincoln had a recall on 25 vehicle regarding this problem, when I called I was told my vehicle wasn't one of them and wasn't included in the recall even thought I'm having the exact same issue. I've complained about the one here one time before and nothing happened. This is crazy. I could've been in a serious accident behind this.

- North Chesterfield, VA, USA

problem #5

Aug 132013

Aviator 8-cyl

  • 130,000 miles
I was backing out of my driveway into the street. Once I was in the street, I put the car into drive and stepped on the gas. The car went the opposite direction- reverse. I double checked the gear shift ( in the center of the vehicle), it was "D" for drive. I made sure it was in the D, and stepped slowly on the gas, and it went into reverse. I tried to apply the brakes, but they didn't engage. I quickly stepped on the emergency brake, and that stopped the car. Fortunately, I was in a cul-de-sac with out other pedestrians or vehicles at the time. It was extremely dangerous to have a car where the shift isn't engaged at all. The vehicle has been always maintained by the Lincoln dealer, and it is being towed to that dealership at this time. It's too dangerous to drive.

- Marietta, GA, USA

problem #4

Sep 022011

Aviator

  • 40,000 miles
The brake pedal and accelerator pedal are too close together and there is a tendency for the foot to span the distance between brake pedal and accelerator pedal causing the vehicle to speed up when placed in gear forward or backwards, which can result in unavoidable accidents with persons, property or vehicles. The automatic adjuster for both pedals moves them in unison at the same distance from each other causing one to span the distance from one pedal to the other. With the amount of torque from the engine the brake pedal will not hold the vehicle should the foot unavoidably press the accelerator pedal. The distance between the two pedals should be increased to avoid the foot from spanning from the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #3

May 072008

Aviator

  • 64,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2003 Lincoln Aviator. While driving 2 mph and braking to park, the vehicle suddenly surged forward. The vehicle struck another vehicle, and narrowly missed striking a second parked vehicle by inches. The vehicle is currently with the dealer and has not yet been diagnosed. The failure mileage was 64,000.

- Anderson, SC, USA

problem #2

Jul 092006

Aviator 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 36,000 miles
: the contact stated while driving 55mph on the highway with the cruise control engaged, the vehicle suddenly lurched forward across the roadway and careened off a roadway bridge. The vehicle rolled five times and came to a final stop against an embankment. Minor injuries were sustained. Due to the extensive damage, the vehicle was totaled. The police were alerted and a report was taken. Afterwards, the vehicle was not inspected for the vehicle acceleration. The manufacturer was not alerted.

- Jonesville, LA, USA

problem #1

Sep 012004

Aviator 8-cyl

  • miles
Consumer states that dealer put aftermarket rims tires on vehicle. The vehicle experienced the following; difficulty turning the vehicle, heater bubbling making noises, difficulty starting the vehicle, jerking in the steering wheel, noise in the steering, noise in the heating/vent bubbling, pulsating in the steering wheel, vibration of the tires, the tire monitoring system had to be cut off reconnected and adjusted, the passenger front windows rattled, motor made loud noises when the vehicle accelerated, front end noises, rear hatch rattled and would shake, the wheels squealed and rubbed, the wheel jerked when taking off, the gear changer lever was loose, the vehicle would shake and vibrated when in motion, and the engine sounded as if it was knocking or running rough.

- Newnan, GA, USA

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