RoadVitals

2020 Lincoln Aviator PHEV Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
10
Latest Mar 24, 2026
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
7
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2020 Lincoln Aviator PHEV, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Electrical631.6%
  • Driver assistance421.1%
  • Powertrain (other)421.1%
  • Brakes210.5%
  • Engine15.3%
  • Fuel system15.3%
  • Steering15.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

My 2020 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring Plug‑In Hybrid has experienced multiple high‑voltage powertrain failures that create an immediate safety hazard. The vehicle has twice lost propulsion while driving, displaying “Powertrain Malfunction / Reduced Power” and “Service Engine Soon” before shutting down completely. During the first failure, the vehicle stopped in active traffic and would not restart; a police officer stopped to assist and called a tow truck because the disabled vehicle posed a roadway hazard. In addition, the digital instrument cluster has repeatedly gone completely black while the vehicle is in motion, eliminating all visibility of speed, gear position, warning indicators, and hybrid system status. During the most recent blackout, an [XXX] child was in the vehicle with me, significantly increasing the danger. These failures are accompanied by hybrid‑system fault code P0A1E (Starter/Generator Control Module), a pink charging‑port indicator signaling a charging fault, and irregular hybrid‑battery behavior (range not updating, battery not depleting). The vehicle has been inspected four times by authorized Lincoln/Ford dealers and has been out of service more than 34 cumulative days. Although the P0A1E code and symptoms were documented, the dealers repeatedly stated they were “unable to verify” the concern and returned the vehicle unrepaired. Required high‑voltage diagnostics were not completed. The problem is ongoing, intermittent, and has not been corrected. Sudden propulsion loss, dashboard blackout, and high‑voltage control failures put occupants and other motorists at significant risk. I am requesting NHTSA investigate this as a potential safety defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID 11726726 · filed Mar 24, 2026

While driving, the vehicle displayed a “Stop Safely Now” warning and immediately began limiting operation. At the same time, steering effort increased significantly, similar to a loss or reduction of power steering assist, making the vehicle difficult to control. I was unable to safely pull over when the warning appeared and was forced to limp the vehicle into a nearby residential street to avoid traffic. After stopping, the vehicle became immobilized and repeatedly engaged the electronic parking brake. The vehicle could not remain in neutral and required roadside assistance. Towing was difficult due to the inability to keep the vehicle in neutral. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer, and diagnostics identified a high-voltage isolation fault (DTC P0AA6) traced to the air conditioning compressor on the hybrid system. The component is currently being replaced. The sudden shutdown combined with increased steering effort and inability to safely pull over created a significant safety risk.

NHTSA ID 11716231 · filed Feb 6, 2026

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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.

NHTSA ID 11591994 · filed Jun 2, 2024

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.

NHTSA ID 11547179 · filed Sep 28, 2023

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

My 2020 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring Plug‑In Hybrid has experienced multiple high‑voltage powertrain failures that create an immediate safety hazard. The vehicle has twice lost propulsion while driving, displaying “Powertrain Malfunction / Reduced Power” and “Service Engine Soon” before shutting down completely. During the first failure, the vehicle stopped in active traffic and would not restart; a police officer stopped to assist and called a tow truck because the disabled vehicle posed a roadway hazard. In addition, the digital instrument cluster has repeatedly gone completely black while the vehicle is in motion, eliminating all visibility of speed, gear position, warning indicators, and hybrid system status. During the most recent blackout, an [XXX] child was in the vehicle with me, significantly increasing the danger. These failures are accompanied by hybrid‑system fault code P0A1E (Starter/Generator Control Module), a pink charging‑port indicator signaling a charging fault, and irregular hybrid‑battery behavior (range not updating, battery not depleting). The vehicle has been inspected four times by authorized Lincoln/Ford dealers and has been out of service more than 34 cumulative days. Although the P0A1E code and symptoms were documented, the dealers repeatedly stated they were “unable to verify” the concern and returned the vehicle unrepaired. Required high‑voltage diagnostics were not completed. The problem is ongoing, intermittent, and has not been corrected. Sudden propulsion loss, dashboard blackout, and high‑voltage control failures put occupants and other motorists at significant risk. I am requesting NHTSA investigate this as a potential safety defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID 11726726 · filed Mar 24, 2026

While driving, the vehicle displayed a “Stop Safely Now” warning and immediately began limiting operation. At the same time, steering effort increased significantly, similar to a loss or reduction of power steering assist, making the vehicle difficult to control. I was unable to safely pull over when the warning appeared and was forced to limp the vehicle into a nearby residential street to avoid traffic. After stopping, the vehicle became immobilized and repeatedly engaged the electronic parking brake. The vehicle could not remain in neutral and required roadside assistance. Towing was difficult due to the inability to keep the vehicle in neutral. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer, and diagnostics identified a high-voltage isolation fault (DTC P0AA6) traced to the air conditioning compressor on the hybrid system. The component is currently being replaced. The sudden shutdown combined with increased steering effort and inability to safely pull over created a significant safety risk.

NHTSA ID 11716231 · filed Feb 6, 2026

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Ever since buying my 2023 Lincoln aviator hybrid, I’ve been experiencing brake pedal issues, a constant pressure and a pulsating feeling when applying the brakes like the ABS is kicking on. I have taken it to my dealership that I bought the vehicle from over four times for the same issue. They keep saying that it’s normal, I see that the old aviators had the same issue on the hybrid system And a TSB was released for it at one point. While driving the vehicle one day it would not stop so I had to slam on the brakes, causing them to lock up temporarily once I did that it seemed to have improved the breaking almost like something was stuck from the factory! Still to this day I still feel the pressure and the feeling like the ABS is kicking on periodically. I have tried taken it into my dealer multiple times and they keep saying that it’s normal. I opened a case with Lincoln but they keep taking the word of the dealer that nothing is wrong with the vehicle.

NHTSA ID 11572452 · filed Feb 16, 2024

BRAKES FAILED WHEN DRIVING DOWN MY DRIVEWAY, WHICH IS A STEEP HILL. RECEIVED SIX ERROR "SERVICE NOW" MESSAGES: SERVICE ADVANCETRAC, CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM, HILL DESCENT CONTROL FAULT, PARK BRAKE MALFUNCTION, PRE-COLLISION ASSIST NOT AVAILABLE. WAS ABLE TO ROLL TO A STOP AND HAD TO CALL TOW TRUCK. SUBSEQUENT CONVERSATION WITH DEALER SERVICE DEPT , WAS TOLD RECALL 20U29 APPLIES. GAVE ME A DOZEN 'CODES' FOR FAULTY/AFFECTED SYSTEMS ON CAR BEFORE I STOPPED HIM BECAUSE I DID NOT UNDERSTAND THE ACRONYMS. I HAVE SEARCHED AND CANNOT FIND A RECALL BY THAT NUMBER. THE BRAKE FAILURE WAS SCARY AND I AM GLAD IT OCCURRED AT HOME.

NHTSA ID 11396700 · filed Feb 17, 2021

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I was driving and an alert to pull over came on. The car would not accelerate and I was in the middle of a parkway where speeds were 55 mph. It almost seemed like the car couldn't figure out to go to gas mode when the battery depleted the range. The car is a hybrid.

NHTSA ID 11452338 · filed Feb 17, 2022

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

My 2020 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring Plug‑In Hybrid has experienced multiple high‑voltage powertrain failures that create an immediate safety hazard. The vehicle has twice lost propulsion while driving, displaying “Powertrain Malfunction / Reduced Power” and “Service Engine Soon” before shutting down completely. During the first failure, the vehicle stopped in active traffic and would not restart; a police officer stopped to assist and called a tow truck because the disabled vehicle posed a roadway hazard. In addition, the digital instrument cluster has repeatedly gone completely black while the vehicle is in motion, eliminating all visibility of speed, gear position, warning indicators, and hybrid system status. During the most recent blackout, an [XXX] child was in the vehicle with me, significantly increasing the danger. These failures are accompanied by hybrid‑system fault code P0A1E (Starter/Generator Control Module), a pink charging‑port indicator signaling a charging fault, and irregular hybrid‑battery behavior (range not updating, battery not depleting). The vehicle has been inspected four times by authorized Lincoln/Ford dealers and has been out of service more than 34 cumulative days. Although the P0A1E code and symptoms were documented, the dealers repeatedly stated they were “unable to verify” the concern and returned the vehicle unrepaired. Required high‑voltage diagnostics were not completed. The problem is ongoing, intermittent, and has not been corrected. Sudden propulsion loss, dashboard blackout, and high‑voltage control failures put occupants and other motorists at significant risk. I am requesting NHTSA investigate this as a potential safety defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID 11726726 · filed Mar 24, 2026

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

While driving, the vehicle displayed a “Stop Safely Now” warning and immediately began limiting operation. At the same time, steering effort increased significantly, similar to a loss or reduction of power steering assist, making the vehicle difficult to control. I was unable to safely pull over when the warning appeared and was forced to limp the vehicle into a nearby residential street to avoid traffic. After stopping, the vehicle became immobilized and repeatedly engaged the electronic parking brake. The vehicle could not remain in neutral and required roadside assistance. Towing was difficult due to the inability to keep the vehicle in neutral. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer, and diagnostics identified a high-voltage isolation fault (DTC P0AA6) traced to the air conditioning compressor on the hybrid system. The component is currently being replaced. The sudden shutdown combined with increased steering effort and inability to safely pull over created a significant safety risk.

NHTSA ID 11716231 · filed Feb 6, 2026

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .