RoadVitals

2005 Lincoln Aviator 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.
51
Latest Nov 5, 2020
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
11
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.
3

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2005 Lincoln Aviator, 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

  • Powertrain (other)712.1%
  • Transmission58.6%
  • Airbags35.2%
  • Other / unspecified35.2%
  • Steering35.2%
  • Visibility23.4%
  • Suspension23.4%
  • Engine23.4%
  • Driver assistance23.4%
  • Electrical11.7%

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

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

28
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

A 6 INCH CRACK DEVELOPED AT REAR CENTER TAILGATE BODY PANEL MADE OUT OF PLASTIC BELOW THE REAR WINDOW. THERE HAD BEEN REPORTS THAT THE REAR WINDOW COULD FALL OUT AND INTERNAL TAILGATE COMPONENTS COULD BE DAMAGED DUE TO WATER ENTRY FROM THE CRACK. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM FROM MY RESEARCH.

NHTSA ID 11338701 · filed Jul 10, 2020

REAR PLASTIC LITIGATE APPLIQUE BROKE OFF HITTING A PASSENGER CAR'S WINDSHIELD. THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED. THIS THE THIRD PIECE FAILURE. THE LINCOLN WAS TRAVELING WEST ON THE DULLES GREENWAY.

NHTSA ID 11291524 · filed Dec 27, 2019
All 28 reports naming body & structure

Powertrain (other)

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

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

OWNER OF 2005 LINCOLN AVIATOR. I WAS NOT ABLE TO GET THE GEAR SHIFT OUT OF PARK. I HAD THE AVIATOR TOWED TO A FAMILY MEMBER'S AUTOMOTIVE GARAGE AND WAS TOLD THAT I WILL NEED TO HAVE THE ENTIRE GEAR SHIFT REPLACED. UPON DOING SOME RESEARCH, IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM IN THIS YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL. I HAVE READ ENDLESS TESTIMONIES FROM OTHER VEHICLE OWNERS WITH THE EXACT DISPUTE. THE PART AND LABOR WILL COST ME APPROXIMATELY $1100.00 AT MY FAMILY'S GARAGE, ONE CAN ONLY GUESS THE DOLLAR AMOUNT WILL DOUBLE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. MY CAR IS DRIVEABLE, HOWEVER, WHEN IN PARK, I WILL HAVE TO PUT MY EMERGENCY BRAKE ON. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT, IF BUMPED, MAY MOVE OUT OF PARK EVEN WITHOUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. I AM APPALLED THAT FORD/LINCOLN MOTOR COMPANY HAS NOT TAKEN RESPONSIBILITY OF THE DEFECTED MECHANISM. IT IS UNACCEPTABLE AND RAISES MANY QUESTIONS ON HOW IMPORTANT VEHICLE SAFETY IS TO FORD/LINCOLN MOTOR COMPANY, NOT TO MENTION A TOTAL INCONVENIENCE FINANCIALLY! THIS IS MY FOURTH VEHICLE FROM FORD/LINCOLN MOTOR COMPANY AND I HIGHLY DOUBT I WILL PURCHASE ANOTHER BASED ON THE COMPANY'S LACK IN ADDRESSING THE MATTER. I AM A MOTHER OF ONE CHILD AND NOW DO NOT FEEL SECURE DRIVING A VEHICLE THAT I ONCE FELT VERY PROTECTED IN.

NHTSA ID 10735385 · filed Jul 21, 2015

THE PLASTIC GEAR SHIFT UNLOCK LEVER, WHICH IS INSIDE OF A METAL HOUSING UNDERNEATH THE GEAR SHIFT KNOB BROKE OFF. IT IS A VERY POOR DESIGN AND IS A SAFETY HAZARD, BECAUSE ONE CANNOT MOVE THE GEAR SHIFT WITHOUT THE RELEASE BEING RAISED. *TR

NHTSA ID 10609166 · filed Jul 9, 2014

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

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LINCOLN AVIATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK AND WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT IT OUT OF PARK, THE GEAR SHIFT DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MLEAGES WERE 78,000.

NHTSA ID 10415508 · filed Jul 28, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LINCOLN AVIATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE SHIFTING INTO REVERSE. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID 10407611 · filed Jun 20, 2011

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

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITH NO IMPACT OF ANY KIND. CAR WAS STARTED AND AIR BAG DEPLOYED.

NHTSA ID 11311365 · filed Feb 25, 2020

TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LINCOLN AVIATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED INDEPENDENTLY ONTO HER FACE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000. DJR

NHTSA ID 10670682 · filed Jan 7, 2015

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

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

LEFTSIDE REAR AXLE STARTING COMING OUT OF THE VEHICLE WHILE MOVING. *TR

NHTSA ID 10566368 · filed Feb 27, 2014

THE LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARING HAS BROKE 3 TIMES ON MY VEHICLE. THE FIRST TIME, I BROUGHT IT TO LINCOLN TO REPLACE THE WHEEL BEARING AT 28,000MI ON 10-10-07. THEN IT BROKE AGAIN (LEFT REAR BEARING) ABOUT 52000MI LAST YEAR 5-20-10 AND WAS REPLACED AT A LOCAL GARAGE WHERE THEY SAID THE BEARING WAS "SHATTERED" AND I WAS LUCKY TO MAKE IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP. THE BEARING HAS SINCE BROKE AGAIN ON 3-15-11 LEFT REAR. I HAVE NOT TAKING IT TO BE REPAIRED YET. MY CAR HAS 62K MI ON IT. *TR

NHTSA ID 10390506 · filed Mar 17, 2011

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

MY POWER STEERING GOES OUT, AT START UP THE POWER STEERING IS NOT WORKING, CAN CUT THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AND IT IS OK BEEN TO THE SHOP 3 TIMES CHANGED HOSE, MODULAR, AND STEERING GEAR, AND TODAY IT HAPPENED AGAIN, ALSO THERE IS A CRACK DOWN THE MIDDLE OF MY BACK HATCH UNDER THE GLASS, I HAVE READ 4 OTHER PEOPLES COMPLAINTS THAT SAID THE SAME THING IN THE SAME PLACE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10269647 · filed May 21, 2009

VEHICLE STEERING SHUDDERS/SHAKE WHILE MAKING LEFT TURN. HAS TAKEN VEHICLE BACK TWICE AND THE DEALER CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. SECOND TRIP DEALER BLED THE FLUIDS AND VEHICLE STILL HAS THE PROBLEM. FEELS AS THOUGH I MIGHT LOSE CONTROL OF THE STEERING. *NM

NHTSA ID 10149104 · filed Jan 31, 2006

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

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WITH LESS THAN 200 MILES ON IT, MY 2005 LINCOLN AVIATOR DEVELOPED A LEAK THAT WAS DRIPPING DOWN THROUGH THE OVERHEAD LIGHT SWITCH NEAR THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. DEALER BELIEVES THAT DRAINAGE TUBE CHANNELING WATER FROM SUNROOF CRIMPED WHEN INSTALLED AT THE FACTORY. DEALER HAS SEEN OTHER AVIATORS WITH SAME PROBLEM. THIS CAN CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHORT SINCE WATER WAS DRIPPING INTO RADIO AND DASHBOARD CONTROLS AS WELL AS SHIFTER. WATER DROPS HAVE ALSO BEEN SPOTTED OVER DRIVER SIDE SPEAKER ON DOOR WHERE DRAINAGE TUBE EMPTIES TO. *NM

NHTSA ID 10139129 · filed Oct 9, 2005

OWNER SAYS THAT COLD AIR BLOWS OUT OF THE VENT DURING COLD WEATHER. ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE HAS WARMED UP. THIS HAPPENS EVEN AFTER THE TEMPERATURE HAS BEEN SET. OWNER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY'VE BOTH SAID THAT WHAT IS HAPPENING IS MEETING SPECIFICATIONS. *NM IN ADDITION, SNOW COLLECTS ON THE WINDSHIELD AND THE INSIDE WOULD FOG UNLESS AIR WAS DIRECTED AT A CONSTANT HIGH FAN SETTING AND AT HIGH HEAT SETTING. THIS SETTING EXACERBATES THE PROBLEM WITH THE SIDE DEFOGGERS BY INCREASING THE FLOW OF COLD AIR TO THE FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS. *SC *JB

NHTSA ID 10111717 · filed Mar 23, 2005

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

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY 55 MPH WHEN PASSENGER REAR TOE LINK FAILED AND I LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER WITHOUT CRASHING. VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT GARAGE NEARBY.

NHTSA ID 11373131 · filed Nov 5, 2020

I HAVE A 2005 LINCOLN AVIATOR AND THE SHIFTER, TRANSMISSION,AND BALL JOINTS, DRIVE SHAFT ALL FELL APART AT 56,000 MILES MY WIFE AND 2 YOUNG CHILDREN WERE IN THE VEHICLE WHEN THE DRIVE SHAFT CAME LOOSE ALMOST CAUSING US TO BE REAR ENDED BY A 18 WHEELER SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE. I HAVE READ THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS FROM OTHERS HAVING SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10345732 · filed Jul 27, 2010

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I HAVE THE SAME CRACKING PROBLEM WITH THE BACK GATE WHICH RESULTED IN THE BREAKING OF HINGES. ALSO A KNOWN DEFECT IN USING DEFECTIVE PARTS IN THE ENGINE SUCH AS TIMING CHAIN CASSETTES AND TENSIONER. FORD KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND ISSUED AN TECHNICAL BULLETIN ON IT BUT NEVER FIXED THE PROBLEM. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME HE REPAIRED THIS VERY FREQUENTLY FOR THIS ENGINE

NHTSA ID 10906769 · filed Sep 14, 2016

THE VEHICLE BEGAN WITH PROBLEMS THAT SEEMED RELATED TO THE BATTERY. IT JERKS WHEN ACCELERATING BETWEEN 40 AND 60 MPH. PROBLEM CODES KEEP CHANGING AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON. FIRST CODES INDICATED CAM/CRANK SHAFT, THEN MISFIRING, THEN CRANKSHAFT, EVEN AFTER CAM AND CRANK SHAFT SENSORS WERE REPLACED. JERKING CONTINUES TO WORSEN. FORD 'CLAIMS' THE CODE WAS NOT IN THEIR SYSTEM, INITIALLY. PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE CAUSING MANY THINGS AT ONCE TO GO BAD: BATTERY, COMPRESSOR, FUEL GETTING TO ENGINE, ETC. PROBLEMS HAVE OCCURRED OVER SEVERAL MONTHS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10408418 · filed Jun 21, 2011

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LINCOLN AVIATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING AND CRASHED INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE DRY. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND PUSH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. THE CONTACT HAD TO RELEASE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART, AND WAS TOWED. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW BATTERY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 54,000.*AK

NHTSA ID 10189250 · filed Apr 30, 2007

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER RELEASING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DECELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IN THIS MANNER.

NHTSA ID 10167186 · filed Aug 31, 2006

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

Electrical

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

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LINCOLN AVIATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING AND CRASHED INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE DRY. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND PUSH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. THE CONTACT HAD TO RELEASE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART, AND WAS TOWED. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW BATTERY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 54,000.*AK

NHTSA ID 10189250 · filed Apr 30, 2007

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 .