2003 Lincoln Aviator Owner Complaints

The contact owns a 2003 Lincoln Aviator equipped with Cooper Tires, Tire Line: Hercules HTS-Terra-Trac, Tire Size 245/65/R17, DOT Number: (N/A). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's side front tire sidewall separated in the center. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 02T003000 (Tires). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The tire and vehicle failure mileages were unknown.

NHTSA ID

11494063

Incident

Nov 18, 2022

A YEAR AGO NOTICED WHEN SHIFTING AND UP TO DATE MY SHIFTER GEAR INDICATOR NOT SHIFT TO CORRECT GEAR INDICATOR AND FAIL TO WORK PROPERLY, I BELIEVED THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE MAY BECOME DISLODGED FROM THE SHIFT CABLE BRACKET. I TAKE MY TRUCK TO AN TRANSMISSION SHOP AND THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED THE SHIFT CABLE MUST BE ADJUSTED TO PREVENT THE PROBLEM CONTINUE.. I PAID $225 FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC INSPECTION AND IN ORDER THE PROBLEM WILL BE INCURRED MORE EXPENSE. I WOULD LIKE TO ASK WHAT NHTSA CAN DO TO SOLVE THE ISSUE. THANK YOU,

NHTSA ID

11337554

Incident

Nov 14, 2019

I'M HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT IN THAT'S CONTROL ARM. THE TRANSFER CASE. *TR

NHTSA ID

11327576

Incident

Sep 27, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER POSITION WAS NOT IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INDICATOR DID NOT DISPLAY THE CORRECT GEAR THAT WAS BEING UTILIZED. ANTELOPE VALLEY FORD (LOCATED AT 1155 AUTO MALL DR, LANCASTER, CA 93534, (888) 415-0959) WAS CONTACTED BY PHONE AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V313000 (POWER TRAIN). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID

11253583

Incident

Sep 6, 2018

Mileage

100,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR FAILED TO SHIFT FROM PARK INTO ANY OTHER GEAR BECAUSE THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V313000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME FAILURE AS LISTED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11231987

Incident

Jul 12, 2019

THE BUTTON ON THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER GETS STUCK. IT MAY OR MAY NOT BE DEPRESSED AT ANY GIVEN TIME. YOU MUST HAVE YOUR FOOT DEPRESSED ON THE BRAKE TO ALLOW THE CAR TO BE PUT IT INTO GEAR. THE BRAKE SENSOR IS WORKING. AFTER READING MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE OF THIS IDENTICAL PROBLEM IT SOUNDS LIKE IT MAY BE THE PLASTIC ROD IN THIS ASSEMBLY. WHY PLASTIC WOULD BE USED IS BAFFLING. THE COST OF REPAIR IS AROUND $1200.00 DOLLARS. UNBELIEVABLE. ONE MAN SAID HE HAS REPLACED THIS PART 3 TIMES. THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH FORD IN GENERAL. MY CAR HAS 80,000 MILES AND HAS BEEN KEPT IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. NOW THIS, ALONG WITH THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW MOTOR GOING OUT AS WELL. ANOTHER $4000-$600 DOLLAR FIX. QUITE UNHAPPY ABOUT THIS. I AM 60 AND CANNOT BE STUCK SOMEWHERE AND NOT BE ABLE TO GET MY CAR INTO GEAR. THANK YOU. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *PM

NHTSA ID

11120490

Incident

May 4, 2018

Mileage

80,000 mi

TRANSMISSION SHIFTER CABLE IS BROKEN; INTERMITTENT PROBLEM MOVING GEER AND WHEN MOVED, IT MAY GENERATE A VIOLENT JERK BEFORE MOVING. MULTIPLE PEOPLE HAVE THIS PROBLEM. BUT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V313000 IS ONLY COVERING A SELECTED AMOUNT OF VEHICLES. MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED BUT THE SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID

11035328

Incident

Oct 1, 2016

THERE HAS BEEN A UNPROVOKED CRACK IN THE LIFT GATE PANEL FOR A COUPLE YEARS NOW (WHICH SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM IN THIS MODEL), WE HAVE NOT HAD ISSUES UNTIL THE REAR WINDOW STARTED FLYING OPEN WHILE DRIVING AT AROUND 30MPH. THE LATCH HAS MALFUNCTIONED DUE TO WATER SEEPING INTO CRACK.

NHTSA ID

11010322

Incident

Jun 1, 2017

Mileage

75,000 mi

I HAVE A LINCOLN AVIATOR 2003, IT HAS BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND IT SEEMS LIKE IT DOESN'T SHIFT GEARS WHEN IT'S SUPPOSED TOO. THOS HAPPENS WHEN I PRESS ON THE ACCELERATOR. IS ANYONE HAVING THIS PROBLEM?

NHTSA ID

11001530

Incident

Apr 4, 2017

THERE IS A CRACK BELOW MY BACK WINDOW THAT CAUSES LOTS OF AIR TO COME IN AND ALSO LOTS OF WATER LEAKS AND WHEN IT RAINS I HAVE SMALL CHILDREN AND THE DEALERSHIP IS UNABLE TO WORK WITH ME TO GET THIS REPAIRED IT GETS VERY COLD IN THERE WITH ALL THE COLD AIR THAT COMES IN WITH MY SMALL CHILDREN HOPEFULLY SOMETHING CAN BE DONE FOR THE AMOUNT THAT WE PAID ON THIS VEHICLE

NHTSA ID

10949957

Incident

Jan 1, 2006

SHIFTER KNOB ON 03 AVIATOR BROKE OFF. THE SHIFTER WAS LOCKED IN DRIVE, HAD TO SHUT OFF VEHICLE AND BRACE THE TIRES FROM ROLLING ON AN INCLINE. WITH MY CHILD IN THE CAR WITH ME. SCARY!!!!!! THE PROBLEM IS A PLASTIC PIECE BROKE IN THE SHIFTER COLUMN. HAS YET TO BE FIXED. QUOTED $900 TO FIX. ALSO THE LIFTGATE CRACKED AT THE LINCOLN EMBLEM WITCH I WAS TOLD THAT IT HOLDS THE GLASS IN PLACE AND IT SOUND LIKE A GUNSHOT WHEN IT CRACKED, SHOOK ME UP. THIS IS A FORD/LINCOLN FAILURE ON A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE HATCH IS NOT BEING ABLE TO CLOSE COMPLETELY BECAUSE OF WHERE THE CRACK IS LOCATED. THE CRACK IS LOCATED NEAR THE LINCOLN EMBLEM. WHAT IF WATER CAUSE A ELECTRICAL FIRE FROM WATER GETTING INTO THE CLOSING MECHANISM, STILL WAITING FOR A RECALL ON THIS. QUOTED $500 TO FIX 107,231 MILES.

NHTSA ID

10915223

Incident

Oct 8, 2016

Mileage

107,231 mi

ON MY 2003 AVIATOR THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT COMES ON AT VARIOUS TIMES DURING THE DAY AND NIGHT. MY INTERIOR LIGHTS FLASH AND MY CAR ALARM GOES OFF. IT'S BEEN DOING THIS FOR ABOUT TWO YEARS, BUT HAS GOTTEN WORSE THIS YEAR 2016. MY BATTERY HAS DIED TWICE IN TWO DAYS. SO FRUSTRATED WITH THIS VEHICLE. WAS SUMMONED OVER THE INTERCOM IN A DEPARTMENT STORE AND AT WORK SAYING THAT A LINCOLN SUV'S ALARM WAS GOING OFF AND THAT THE LIGHTS WERE FLASHING. I KNEW IT WAS MINE. I HIT THE ALARM BUTTON ON THE KEY FOB WHICH CUT OFF THE ALARM FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS AND IT STARTED UP AGAIN. WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT COMES ON WHICH MAKES MY INTERIOR LIGHTS FLASH QUICKLY AND MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO DRIVE BECAUSE OF THE GLARE OF THE INTERIOR LIGHTS BEING ON. THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT COMES ON ANYTIME DAY OR NIGHT, STATIONARY OR WHILE DRIVING. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE NEW. IT ONLY HAS 67,000 MILES ON IT NOW, BUT OVER THE YEARS, I'VE HAD SERIOUS ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION, HAD TO REPLACE 2 WHEEL BEARINGS, THERE'S A CRACK NEAR THE EMBLEM ON THE LIFTGATE, THE STEREO MAKES LOUD POPPING SOUNDS IN THE BACK WHICH SOUNDS LIKE A GUNSHOT, SOMETIMES CAN'T GET OUT OF PARK, THE GEAR SHIFT GETS STUCK! I'M SO FRUSTRATED WITH THIS VEHICLE. I COMPLAINED TO THE FORD COMPANY SEVERAL YEARS AGO WHEN THERE WERE ONLY 40,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS HAVING SERIOUS ISSUES, AND ALSO MY WATER PUMP WENT BAD. THEIR REPLY WAS: "WE'RE SORRY TO HEAR THAT, PLEASE TAKE YOUR VEHICLE TO ONE OF OUR DEALERS FOR GREAT SERVICE REPAIR". I THINK I BOUGHT A LEMON!! TOO MANY THINGS GOING WRONG WITH A VEHICLE THAT WAS PURCHASED NEW AND STILL HAVE LOW MILES!! MY WINDSHIELD SPRAYER CONTROL ON THE LEFT SIDE ON THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO STOPPED WORKING SUDDENLY ABOUT 5 YEARS AGO, I ALMOST FORGOT ABOUT THAT ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

10826028

Incident

Jan 15, 2013

Mileage

45,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL WHEN I PARK IN MY DRIVE WAY MY CAR WON'T SHIFT OUT OF PARK I HAVE TO HAVE IT PUSHED AN ROCKED BACK AN FORTH TO GET THE GEAR TO SHIFT AN IT WON'T LET ME DRIVE IT IN DRIVE GEAR I CAN ONLY DRIVE IT IN 3RD GEAR IT HAS THIS JURK WHEN I STOP TO PARK IT CONSTANTLY GETTING STUCK.

NHTSA ID

10808053

Incident

Nov 30, 2015

Mileage

162,732 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING FROM THE DRIVEWAY, THE AIR BAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK, LEFT HARM AND CHEST INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10808030

Incident

Sep 5, 2015

Mileage

142,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON AN INCLINE, THE GEAR SHIFT CABLE WOULD NOT GO INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS AWAITING A DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

NHTSA ID

10775940

Incident

Jul 31, 2015

Mileage

82,000 mi

I WAS LEAVING MY RESIDENCE ON A NEIGHBORHOOD STREET, WHEN I HEARD A LOUD NOISE WHICH SOUND LIKE A GUNSHOT. UPON RECOVERING FROM THE INITIAL SHOCK, I OBSERVED THE SIDE WINDOW/CURTAIN AIR BAGS HAD DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE HADN'T BEEN HIT OR INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAD TO STOP THE VEHICLE TO CALM MY SON AND WE RETURNED TO THE HOUSE.

NHTSA ID

10758828

Incident

Aug 22, 2015

Mileage

127,300 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR. WHILE SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE HESITATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER CABLE FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, SEVERAL MONTHS AFTER THE REPAIR, THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V313000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ID

10733847

Incident

Apr 1, 2014

Mileage

90,000 mi

CRACKS IN REAR HATCH PANEL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10654291

Incident

Oct 23, 2010

Mileage

85,000 mi

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. *TR

NHTSA ID

10553042

Incident

Nov 2, 2013

Mileage

89,000 mi

OUR 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR CONTINUES TO EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEM - ONCE IN PARK, YOU CANNOT MOVE THE GEAR SHIFT TO ANY OTHER GEAR - IT'S STUCK. OCCASIONALLY, MY HUSBAND CAN WIGGLE A WIRE UNDERNEATH THE BRAKE AND GAS PEDALS SO WE CAN SHIFT INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE BUT THIS CONTINUES TO HAPPEN. I HAVE BEEN STUCK, ALONE AND WITH OUR SMALL CHILDREN. IS THERE A PERMANENT CORRECTION FOR THIS ISSUE? *TR

NHTSA ID

10549749

Incident

Oct 28, 2013

Mileage

120,000 mi

I WAS SITTING IN PARK. JUST HAD STOPPED TO MAKE A DEPOSIT. PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE & MY 2003 AVIATOR WOULD NOT SHIFT FROM PARK. CALLED THE DEALER, GOT THEIR TOW SERVICE. THE TOW GUY TOLD ME TO PUT MY FEET ON THE BRAKES, MY BRAKE LIGHTS DID NOT COME ON. HE SAID THAT'S WHY IT WILL NOT SHIFT FROM PARK. IT IS NOT GETTING THE SIGNAL THAT THE BRAKES WERE MASHED. GOT IT TOWED. DEALER REPLACED THE SHIFTER, THAT THEY SAID HAD GONE OUT THAT WAS THE ISSUE. OUT OF $1306.00 & LESS THAN ONE WEEK LATER, AT THE STORE, GOT IN MY AVIATOR.. CAN'T GET OUT OF PARK. SAME ISSUE.. SAME TOW GUY CALLED.. HE WORKS TO GET IT OUT OF PARK WITH A SCREW DRIVER.. TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER. NO BRAKE LIGHTS INDICATED=NO SHIFT FROM PARK TO. IS THE NEW SHIFTER FOR $950 NOW OUT? NOT!!! HAS TO BE ANOTHER ISSUE. *JS

NHTSA ID

10545269

Incident

Sep 16, 2013

Mileage

137,135 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE, THE GEAR LEVER DETACHED UNEXPECTEDLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE GEAR SHIFT ASSEMBLY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V313000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER THE RECALL HAD EXPIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000. .... UPDATED 10-17-13 *BF UPDATED 10/23/2013 *JS

NHTSA ID

10541848

Incident

Sep 3, 2013

Mileage

66,000 mi

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. *TR

NHTSA ID

10535196

Incident

Aug 13, 2013

Mileage

130,000 mi

LAST WEEK MY 03 LINCOLN AVIATOR TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE CAME A LOOSE, IT WAS FIXED. TODAY ON MY WAY FROM WORK THE TRANSMISSION ACTED AS IF IS DIDN'T WANT TO SHIFT INTO THE NEXT GEAR AND THEM THE "CHECK TRANSMISSION" LIGHT AND "OVERDRIVE" LIGHT CAME ON. I MADE IT HOME SAFELY BUT NOW WILL BE UNABLE TO DRIVE IT, UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. WILL CALL TO CHECK TO SEE IF MY VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. SOMETHING REALLY NEEDS TO BE DONE REGARDING THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS REGARDING THIS VEHICLE, BEFORE IT CAUSES AN ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10515095

Incident

Jun 4, 2013

Mileage

98,000 mi

I HAD JUST GOT HOME WITH MY VEHICLE FROM THE REPAIR SHOP, HAD A VACUUM HOSE REPLACED. I COULD NOT GET MY KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. I KEPT TRYING & WAS FINALLY SUCCESSFUL AT REMOVING THE KEY. NOW THE GEAR SHIFTER IS STUCK IN PARK AND WILL NOT GO INTO ANY OTHER GEAR. I JUST GOT IT BACK FROM THE SHOP & STILL CAN'T DRIVE IT DUE TO GETTING IT IN GEAR. THIS REALLY DOES NEED TO BE LOOKED INTO & THEY NEED TO DO A RECALL. I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE 2 MORE YEARS TO PAY IT OFF & THEN IT IS GONE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10510573

Incident

May 3, 2013

Mileage

158,000 mi