The Most Common Aviator Problem

We've pulled together a list of the problems Aviator owners.

  1. Aviator Cracked Rear Panel

    Own a 2003–2005 Aviator? Chances are your lift-gate is cracked. Complaints about cracked rear panels in that generation of Ford SUV’s including the Aviator, Ford Explorer, and Mercury Mountaineer is one of the most commonly issues reported …

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  2. What Are We Missing?

    We know there's more problems than this. Let us know which one you'd like to see us cover next.

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What Aviator Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

What Breaks

Years to Avoid

Aviator Generations

The Aviator has 2 generations, each with their own issues. Using the same PainRank™ system we've determined that you're better off avoiding the 1st generation (2003–2005).

  1. 2nd Generation Aviator

    Years
    2020–2021
    Reliability
    N/A
    PainRank
    N/A
    Complaints
    0
    Continue Front 3/4 view of a Aviator
  2. 1st Generation Aviator

    Years
    2003–2005
    Reliability
    22nd of 24
    PainRank
    9.7
    Complaints
    119
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Aviator Key Numbers

  1. 119 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  2. 85 service bulletins

    Documenting the process of troubleshooting common problems.

  3. 4 recall campaigns

    Time-sensitive, free repairs for widespread safety problems.

Aviator Class-Action Lawsuits

The Aviator has been named as a class vehicle in the following lawsuits.

  • In Re Ford Tailgate Litigation

    Case Filed
    1. Case Filed

      The affected SUVs named in the cracked tailgate lawsuit are the 2002-2005 Ford Explorer, 2002-2005 Mercury Mountaineer and the 2003-2005 Lincoln Aviator. The lawsuit alleges that even though Ford sold millions of those SUVs, consumers might not have purchased the SUVs if the defect had been known.

Recent Aviator News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  1. The 2020-2021 Aviator's backup camera works most of the time.

    But that's not good enough for customers or federal regulators. Lincoln says every so often after the driver shifts into reverse an error in the system's image processing module interupts the video feed. It's something they hope can be fixed with a recall and a software update.…

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  2. The 2021 Aviator SUV has been recalled to fix or replace steering knuckles that can fracture due to defects during manufacturing.

    If the steering knuckle fails you won't get very far considering it's what essentially holds the front wheels in place. The knuckle is a chunky piece of metal that is the critical connection between the steering and suspension systems.

    Without it, you can't turn so it's pretty darn important.

    Lincoln expects to send out recall notices to roughly 700 owners this month. You can also call 866-436-7332 and ask about campaign number 20S69.

    keep reading
  3. Ford needs to repair 18 driveshafts that they believe have fractures along the weld seams.

    Only trouble is they'll have to recall a heck of a lot of vehicles to find them. The affected vehicles are all 2020 Lincoln Aviators and Ford Explorers built in Chicago between 08/24/2019 and 09/30/2019. That's roughly 12,200 vehicles.…

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  4. Ford trying to argue that cracked rear panels is just a cosmetic problem is laughable.

    The cracked rear panels are a mess – they let in moisture that corrodes and expands, frying electrical components and leading to shattered rear windows. Rather than clean it up, Ford just wants to sweep it under the rug using semantics in court.…

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  5. The affected SUVs named in the cracked tailgate lawsuit are the 2002-2005 Ford Explorer, 2002-2005 Mercury Mountaineer and the 2003-2005 Lincoln Aviator

    . The lawsuit alleges that even though Ford sold millions of those SUVs, consumers might not have purchased the SUVs if the defect had been known.…

    keep reading