Owner-reported complaints naming the driver-assistance system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Driver assistance reportsComplaints 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.
11
Latest Nov 20, 2013
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
10%
of 111 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
2
What this page shows
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2003 Lincoln Aviator submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 11 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Owner reports naming driver-assistance
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 20, 2013
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
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 13, 2013
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
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Sep 11, 2011
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. *TR
NHTSA ID
10424662
Incident
Sep 2, 2011
Mileage
40,000 mi
Driver assistanceTransmissionVisibility
Filed Mar 17, 2011
2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR. ATTORNEY WRITES ON BEHALF OF CLIENT IN REGARDS TO PROBLEMS WITH HIS VEHICLE SUCH AS GEAR SHIFT, CRUISE CONTROL AND REARVIEW MIRROR FUNCTIONS *TGW THE GEAR SHIFT WOULD NOT MOVE OUT OF PARK AT TIMES. THE ENTIRE SHIFTER MECHANISM, STOP/BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, INTERLOCK SOLENOID MECHANISM, AND ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY WERE ALL REPLACED, BUT THE CONSUMER CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS. *JB
NHTSA ID
10391931
Incident
Mar 1, 2011
Driver assistanceFuel system
Filed Aug 31, 2010
THE GAS PEDAL ON MY 03 LINCOLN AVIATOR COMES LOOSE. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED MY GAS PEDAL GOT STUCK AND I HAD TO SWITCH INTO NEUTRAL AND PHYSICALLY LIFT IT. I HAD THE PROBLEM FIX BUT IT HAS COME LOOSE AGAIN. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT LINCOLN DOESN'T HAVE THE PART AND THAT THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. *TR
NHTSA ID
10352918
Incident
Jun 1, 2010
Driver assistance
Filed May 7, 2008
Crash reported
TL*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.
NHTSA ID
10226925
Incident
May 7, 2008
Mileage
64,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical+7 more
Filed Nov 16, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A WHINING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SALES/SERVICE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE RIGHT REAR AXLE AND PINION WERE REPLACED AS WELL AS THE C B SHAFT ASSEMBLY AND GEAR AND PINION LOCKING PIN. THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME THE REAR END WAS REPLACED IN A TWO YEAR PERIOD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND A TECHNICIAN WAS SENT TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE.*AK THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT, THE DOOR LOCK SWITCH WAS INOPERATIVE, THE REAR SHOCK WAS LEAKING OIL, THE E POWER STEERING HOSE WAS REPLACED, THERE WAS A TICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE TIMING CHAIN AND GASKET WERE REPLACED. THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT CAME ON AFTER ALL THE DOORS WERE CLOSED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE SHIFTING OF THE GEARS WERE HARSH, THE DEALER REPLACED VARIOUS COMPONETS IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE LIGHT BULB WAS REPLACED, THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. THE FRONT SEAT CLIMATE CONTROL WAS NOT COOLING. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED, THE ACCELERATOR CABLE WAS STICKING. UPDATED 12/05/06. *JB
NHTSA ID
10173643
Incident
May 27, 2004
Mileage
16,864 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Aug 24, 2006
Crash reported2 injuries reported
DT*: 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.
NHTSA ID
10166445
Incident
Jul 9, 2006
Mileage
36,000 mi
Body & structureDriver assistanceEngine+6 more
Filed Sep 20, 2004
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. *SC
NHTSA ID
10094370
Incident
Sep 1, 2004
Driver assistance
Filed Jul 28, 2004
WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY VEHICLE ACCELERATED BACKWARDS. NO IMPACT REPORTED. *AK
NHTSA ID
10083685
Incident
Jul 24, 2004
Mileage
10,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Apr 5, 2003
DEFECTIVE AND POSSIBLY DEADLY 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR MADE BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY 1.CAR PURCHASED ON 2/15/03. PICKED UP SAME DAY ON 2/15/03. 2.GAS PEDAL SNAPS AND BREAKS ALMOST CAUSING A HIGH SPEED COLLISION! ON 03/30/03 - ON SUNDAY, 03/30/03 I AM TAKING MY DAUGHTER TO ICE SKATING PRACTICE WITH THIS CAR. I AM DRIVING DOWN THE LONG ISLAND EXPRESSWAY (I-495) IN THE LEFT LANE. MY EXIT IS COMING UP SO I HAVE TO GET OVER. IN ORDER TO DO SO I MUST SPEED UP QUICKLY TO GET AROUND ANOTHER CAR. I HIT THE GAS PEDAL. I AM STARTING TO SPEED UP WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE CABLE OR SOMETHING SNAPS AND THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR. A PIECE OF PLASTIC GAS PEDAL FLY??S OFF THE FLOOR AND LANDS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT NEXT TO ME. IT IS THE GAS PEDAL ITSELF (I STILL HAVE THIS PIECE IN MY POSSESSION FOR PROOF). - I AM NOW LOOSING POWER INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHILE TRYING TO GET OVER AT THAT VERY MOMENT. I CAN NOT HIT THE BRAKE DUE TO TRAFFIC WHILE TRYING TO GET OVER. I SWERVE TO THE RIGHT AND A MACK TRUCK DARTS OVER TO THE LEFT TO AVOID HITTING ME. I MANAGE TO GET TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. MY DAUGHTER IS NOW SCREAMING AND SCARED AND I AM VISIBLY SHAKEN BY THIS EVENT. - I WAIT 2 HOURS FOR A TOW TRUCK. THE DRIVER HIMSELF CANNOT BELIEVE WHAT HE SEES. THE CAR IS TOWED TO NEIL LINCOLN MERCURY. I GO INTO THE DEALER AND VINNEY & ADAM ARE BOTH THERE TO TALK TO ME. THEY TELL ME THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF ANYTHING LIKE THIS AND DO NOT BLAME ME FOR WANTING A REFUND. 3.FOLLOW UP WITH NEIL LINCOLN MERCURY - ON MONDAY; 03/31/03 I CALL NEIL LINCOLN MERCURY. I AM NOW DEALING WITH FRANK THE SERVICE MANAGER. I CANNOT DRIVE A CAR I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN WITH MY FAMILY! HE AGREES AND SAYS THIS IS A PROBLEM HE HAS NEVER SEEN BEFORE AS FAR AS GAS PEDALS BREAKING WHILE DRIVING. FORDS TRACK RECORD STINKS! THEY WILL WAIT FOR PEOPLE TO DIE BEFORE THEY FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A SERIOUSLY DEFECTIVE VEHICLE. *JB
NHTSA ID
10014003
Incident
Mar 30, 2003
Mileage
1,140 mi
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.
Other components reported on this vehicle
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own