2003 Lincoln Aviator problems
Owners have filed 168 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Lincoln Aviator. Drivetrain & axles is the most reported problem area, at 20% of complaints. Next are transmission (14%) and engine (10%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 168 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Drivetrain & axles 20% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 5 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 7 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 62,000 miles 121 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 31 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 8 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 19 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 20 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 13 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 10 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 11 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 5 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 4 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 121 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 62,000 miles. For drivetrain & axles specifically, the median reported mileage is about 98,000 miles (25 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 5 complaints mention a crash; 7 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2003 ranks 2nd most-complained-about out of 8 model years of the Lincoln Aviator with enough data (87 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 1 safety recall campaign.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 lincoln aviator. While driving 30 MPH the contact turned the vehicle to avoid hitting another vehicle and hit a tree. The weather was not a factor. There were no failures prior to the crash. The contact was thrown into the windshield on the passenger's side, where he sustained back and head trauma. The contacts vehicle was totaled. The current and failure mileage were 78000. The contact has a copy of the police report.
Tlthe contact owns a 2003 lincoln aviator. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the front driver and passenger side air bags unexpectedly deployed without impact to the vehicle. The contact and a passenger seated in the front passenger seat sustained minor injuries to the head and neck. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where the vehicle was currently being diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 168,000.
At 76,000 miles began hearing a noise under the hood. It was determined by an authorized ford dealer that the idler pulleys were bad. Changed 3 pulleys and the noise was still there. Driving on a country paved road at 25 miles an hour a loud thump and the car died. Could not get it restarted. The plastic tensioner guide broke causing the timing chain to come off and broke pistons, valves and rockers. New engine from ford $8,000.... Had to replace it for $5,000 and will be trading it in immediately.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 lincoln aviator. The contact stated that the rear liftgate glass was cracked along the base. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that the liftgate needed to be replaced, however the vehicle was not repaired. The current mileage was 59,000 and the failure mileage was 58,000.