RoadVitals

2026 Lincoln Aviator

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

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.
1
+1 complaint in 30 days
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
6
Latest Jul 21, 2026
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
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

Overview

Our database contains 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 2026 Lincoln Aviator, most frequently naming the interior & seats category. 6 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 33 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Interior & seats1100.0%

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

Safety recalls

6 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST

Jul 21, 2026
79,579 units potentially affected
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026-2027 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. An unoccupied driver's seat may recline unintentionally during certain scenarios, such as remote unlock or remote start.
The risk: Unexpected movement of the driver’s seat back may trap a second-row occupant, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy: The remedy is currently under development. The owner notification schedule has not been provided. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S53.
Ford Motor CompanyManufacturer number 26S53View on NHTSA.gov

SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY

Jul 14, 2026
387,911 units potentially affected
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2027 Aviator and 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, tipping, or sliding unexpectedly.
The risk: A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters explaining the safety risk are expected to be mailed July 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in January 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S52. This recall expands Recall 25V393. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 16, 2026.
Ford Motor CompanyManufacturer number 26S52View on NHTSA.gov

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR

Mar 31, 2026
55 units potentially affected
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Lincoln Aviator and Explorer vehicles. The heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system may fail, which can cause the defrosting and defogging system to become inoperative.
The risk: An inoperative windshield defrosting and defogging system may decrease the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will inspect and secure the instrument panel joints as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S22. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning April 3, 2026.
Ford Motor CompanyManufacturer number 26S22View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Interior & seats
Filed Aug 11, 2026

When unlocking the vehicle, the driver seat slides backwards and reclines to the maximum unexpectedly. If there is a passenger in the rear seat, the seat will trap the occupant and not stop when it meets resistance. This is similar to an already identified recall, but my vehicle was not on that list. I believe the recall should be expanded to more vehicles.

NHTSA ID
11756125
Incident
Aug 8, 2026

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

SSM 55031

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Some 2021-2026 Ford/Lincoln vehicles may exhibit various symptoms including but not limited to the auto start/stop system not operating as intended with a "Check Charging System" message in the instrument panel cluster (IPC) while the charging system is operating properly with no charging related diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) stored. This may be due to someone using an aftermarket programmer to change the body control module (BCM) configuration to disable the auto start/stop system or perform other unsupported programming modifications. To correct this condition on F-150 and Bronco vehicles, download and run the Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS) application titled "BCM-Charging System Configuration Correction". Running this application will determine if the BCM configuration was modified by the customer and if so, provide the option to return the configuration back to factory settings. For other vehicle models exhibiting concerns related to unsupported aftermarket BCM programming, submit a Technical Support Request (TSR) requesting support to revert the BCM configuration

TSB 26-2302

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; STEERING

This bulletin supersedes 26-2150. Reason for update: To remove the M6 nut from the part list and remove the Steps to install the M6 nut from the Service Procedure. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit all of the following conditions: * "Steering Assist Fault Service Required" message displayed in the instrument panel cluster (IPC) * Reduced steering assist * Diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) U3008:1B and/or U3009:1B stored in the power steering control module (PSCM) This may be due to the PSCM ground connections.

SSM 54948

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM; POWER TRAIN

Some 2025-2026 Explorer/Aviator/Police Interceptor Utility non-hybrid vehicles built on 06-Feb-2025 and through 13-Dec-2025 may exhibit various drivability symptoms including a rough idle or hesitation shortly after refueling. These symptoms may also be accompanied by liquid fuel in the fuel vapor lines and fuel vapor canister as well as an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P0133, P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304, P0305, and/or P0306 stored in the powertrain control module (PCM). This condition may be due to an intermittently sticking fuel level vent valve on the fuel tank allowing fuel to enter the evaporative emissions system lines and evaporative emissions canister during refueling. If the customer states that the drivability symptoms occurred after recently filling the vehicle, replace the fuel tank (9002) and evaporative emissions canister (9D653). Refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 310-01 to replace the fuel tank. Refer to WSM, Section 303-13 to replace the evaporative emission canister. For claiming use causal part 9002 and labor operations 90

SSM 54938

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; STRUCTURE:BODY

Some 2025/2026 Aviator vehicles may exhibit a "Door Fault Service Required", "Transmission Not In Park" and/or "Hill Start Assist Not Available" message in the instrument panel cluster (IPC) with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) B1262:92 stored in multiple door latch control modules (DCME, DCMF, DCMG, and/or DCMH). DTC U0504 may also be stored in the gearshift module (GSM). This may be due to the software in the door latch control modules. To correct this condition, download and run the following applications using the latest software level of the Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS) scan tool. "DCME - Door Control Module E (DCME) Software Update" "DCMF - Door Control Module F (DCMF) Software Update" "DCMG - Door Control Module G (DCMG) Software Update" "DCMH - Door Control Module H (DCMH) Software Update" For claiming use causal part 54219A65 and labor operation MT54219SSM up to 0.5 hours.

SSM 54902

POWER TRAIN

For 20202026 vehicles equipped with the 10R60 transmission, a new Transmission Clutch Circuit Leak Test has been introduced in the Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS). This test utilizes the pressure and vacuum transducer (PVT) when available. Workshop Manual (WSM) updates related to this diagnostic procedure are planned for release in Q4 2026. The new test improves the accuracy of detecting leaks within transmission fluid circuits and replaces the previous air check method. The previous air check procedure has been shown to produce a high rate of false positives, which may lead to unnecessary repairs when no actual leak is present. Accordingly, the air check procedure is not to be used for diagnosing internal transmission hydraulic leaks or as justification for transmission replacement.

SSM 54882

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; STRUCTURE:BODY

Some 2025-2026 Explorer/Aviator vehicles may exhibit a no crank/no start/discharged battery condition with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) B144D:29, B144E:29, B1555:29, B1556:29 and/or U3003:16 stored in the rear gate trunk module (RGTM). The power liftgate may also be inoperative. This may be due to water intrusion into the left and/or right power liftgate motors caused by a loose grommet on the electrical harness at the body pass-through. To correct this condition, install a new power liftgate motor corresponding to the DTC(s) set in the RGTM (B144D:29/B144E:29 Ýleft¨ or B1555:29/B1556:29 Ýright¨). To prevent water intrusion into the new liftgate motor, make sure the grommet on the new motor is seated properly by pushing on the grommet at the body pass-through until it clicks into place. For claiming, use causal part 14B351 (Explorer) or 14B350 (Aviator) and labor operations 12651D and 14350AL (left) or 14350AR (right) or 14350AT (both) <br /><br /> If a vehicle with this concern exhibits water intrusion, corrosion, or unseated grommets in or around the liftgate motor, submit a Global Concern Report

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Lincoln Aviator by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2027020
2026Viewing160
20251314051.1
2024680
20232116056.2
20224421170.9
20213828169.1
202010330057.4
2005510140.5
2004810239.9
20031111245.2

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.