2020 Lincoln Aviator Brakes Problems

The contact owns a 2020 Lincoln Aviator. The contact stated that after restarting the vehicle, the transmission was shifted to drive (D), but the vehicle failed to move while the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the engine was revving. The messages "Park Brake Malfunction Service", "System Braking Issue", "Service Advancetrac", "Park Malfunction Service Now", and "Check Brake System" were displayed. Additionally, the vehicle previously hesitated to accelerate while driving. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 89,635.

NHTSA ID

11749623

Incident

Jul 10, 2026

Mileage

89,635 mi

while moving in reverse, the vehicle automatic breaking system engages on and off giving a jerking movement of the car and makes you feel like you hit something. Once the vehicle is placed into Drive mode the same thing happens with the breaking system. because of this the check vehicle lights come on and gives a "Hill start assist warning" also "Pre-collision Assist Not Available". Also all wheel drive mode is not available and the drive mode selection no longer works. Took the car to the Lincoln dealership and they said it is a known problem and that there is a TSB out on this issue. The vehicle has only 66,000 miles on it and it is out of warranty. How can there not be a recall on this issue? They said they need to replace two shafts in the front end costing $5,000.

NHTSA ID

11729043

Incident

Mar 25, 2026

On January 29, 2026, at approximately 4:00 PM, the vehicle experienced unintended movement while in PARK and powered off. The vehicle had been placed in Park, the engine was turned off, and the driver exited. Shortly afterward, the vehicle rolled unexpectedly while unattended. The vehicle remained parked and was not driven due to safety concerns. Wheel blocks were placed behind the tires until the scheduled dealer appointment on February 4, 2026. The dealer inspected the vehicle and was able to replicate the condition. The failure was diagnosed as a malfunctioning parking pawl solenoid within the transmission system. The dealer confirmed the vehicle could be physically rolled after being placed in Park and powered off. This condition presents a serious safety risk, including risk of injury or death if a person, child, or object were behind the vehicle. There were no prior warning messages or alerts before the incident. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request.

NHTSA ID

11717852

Incident

Jan 29, 2026

The contact owns a 2020 Lincoln Aviator. The contact stated that after pulling into a parking space on a hill, the parking brake was engaged. and the vehicle was turned off. However, after exiting, the vehicle rolled back and crashed into two vehicles: an Audi A4 and a Kia Borrego. There were no warning lights illuminated. There were no reported injuries, fire, police report, or air bag deployment. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the brakes and transmission failed, which caused the vehicle to roll backward. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 47,375. The Lincoln app informed the contact via a notification that the power train malfunctioned and reduced power.

NHTSA ID

11594786

Incident

Jun 1, 2024

Mileage

47,375 mi

This has happened twice in the past 2 days. vehicle is started and put into Drive and even though I am pressing the brake, the vehicle moves forward. I then pump the brake and it will stop. This is a HUGE safety concern.

NHTSA ID

11565312

Incident

Jan 12, 2024

Complete brake failure, Highway conditions, 50 mph coming to an intersection, car slowing ahead, engaged brakes nothing, pumped multiple times all the way to floor , nothing, went through intersection on right between car ahead and stop sign of intersecting road laying on horn. Stopped car with parking brake in a parking lot. At same time the center gps screen went black. After incident brakes worked again so no idea what failed. This car has intermittent and infrequent strange electronic glitches but never of safety nature before.

NHTSA ID

11517911

Incident

Apr 19, 2023

This was the most recent issue I experienced with my Aviator, the first being electrical after 2 months of owning it. I was driving and the car completely shut off (engine, power steering, breaking) the electrical components went crazy, but I thankfully was not on a highway as I had to guide the truck until it stopped from moving 25mph+. I went into oncoming traffic but no one was there. Then I had to turn the truck back on. The dealership towed it as it is a safety issue and with the amount of times it has been in the shop, the problems increasing are worrisome.

NHTSA ID

11461503

Incident

Mar 18, 2022

WHEN PUTTING THE VEHICLE INTO GEAR (WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL PRESSED) IT SOME TIMES BEGINS MOVING AND THE BRAKE PEDAL DOES NOT ENGAGE THE BRAKES. THIS FORCES THE DRIVER TO QUICKLY PUT THE CAR BACK INTO PARK TO STOP THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

11340578

Incident

Jul 14, 2020

Mileage

14,000 mi

MY VEHICLE HAS 4960 MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLOW DOWN AS IF I WAS DRIVING A STICK SHIFT CAR, THEN 2 OR 3 DAYS LATER BEGAN TO KICK AND LOSE POWER WHEN INCREASING SPEED AFTER A STOP SIGN. DEALER DIAGNOSED AN INTERNAL FAILURE ON THE TRANSMISSION AND IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. A COUPLE OF TIMES IN THE MORNING AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, WHEN PUTTING THE REVERSE GEAR I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE BUT THE CAR STILL MOVED AND THE BRAKES WERE VERY STIFF, I HAD TO RELEASE THE BRAKE AND APPLY IT AGAIN IN ORDER TO STOP THE CAR FROM MOVING. THE SENSORS ON THE REAR BRAKE SUPPORT ARE EXTREMELY SENSITIVE. THE CAR DETECTS A SMALL CRACK ON MY DRIVEWAY AND STOPS ABRUPTLY CAUSING MY HEAD TO BUMP TWICE ON THE HEADREST, THE DEALER SAID IT WAS NORMAL, NO DEFECT FOUND. THE WINDSHIELD FLUID I THOUGHT IT WAS NORMAL IN THIS CAR TO THROW A VERY SMALL AMOUNT OF LIQUID COMPARED TO MY OTHER LINCOLN MKZ, BUT READING THE COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER CUSTOMERS I REALIZED THAT IT'S NOT NORMAL.

NHTSA ID

11331333

Incident

Jun 24, 2020

Mileage

4,800 mi

WITH MY CAR IN PARK, I HAVE SHIFTED TO DRIVE AND REVERSE, AND WHILE MAINTAINING MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AFTER TRANSFERRING TO DRIVE OR REVERSE THE CAR HAS MOVED BY ITSELF BY APPROXIMATELY 3 FEET BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. EACH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED I WAS ON A LEVEL SURFACE. THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED MY CAR BUT COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING THAT WOULD CAUSE THIS TO HAPPEN.

NHTSA ID

11322349

Incident

Apr 14, 2020

Mileage

11,000 mi