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2003 Lincoln AviatorProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 111 owner complaints about the 2003 Lincoln Aviator, most often about the power train. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

2003 Lincoln Aviator
46
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.2× the Aviator median · #2 of 7 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints11110 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage68kPower train, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 18, 2022. Updated daily. Photo: Cutlass, CC0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2003 Lincoln Aviator has problems

111 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Power train551
Structure150
Engine and engine cooling150
Vehicle speed control112
Electrical system80
Service brakes, hydraulic81
Air bags74
Visibility60
Suspension50
13 other systems280

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

2003 Lincoln Aviator recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Lincoln.

Mileage at failure

When do power train problems start?

68kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 44 power train complaints. 66% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
10under 30k miles29under 100k miles15100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2003 vs. every other Aviator year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Aviator median. How we score

'03'04'05'20'21'22'23'24'25'26'27
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2003 Lincoln Aviator safety ratings

2003 Lincoln Aviator 4DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: Optional
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2003 Lincoln Aviator, and the recalls they led to.

  1. SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEADDP05005 · closed Jan 4, 2006
    No recall
  2. Vehicle Rollaway AllegationsEA09013 · closed Feb 12, 2013
    No recall
In owners' words

What Aviator owners report

Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

A YEAR AGO NOTICED WHEN SHIFTING AND UP TO DATE MY SHIFTER GEAR INDICATOR NOT SHIFT TO CORRECT GEAR INDICATOR AND FAIL TO WORK PROPERLY, I BELIEVED THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE MAY BECOME DISLODGED FROM THE SHIFT CABLE BRACKET. I TAKE MY TRUCK TO AN TRANSMISSION SHOP AND THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED…
Complaint 11337554 · Jul 5, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER POSITION WAS NOT IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INDICATOR DID NOT DISPLAY THE CORRECT GEAR THAT WAS BEING UTILIZED. ANTELOPE VALLEY FORD (LOCATED AT 1155 AUTO MALL DR,…
Complaint 11253583 · Sep 6, 2019 · 100,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR FAILED TO SHIFT FROM PARK INTO ANY OTHER GEAR BECAUSE THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V313000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE…
Complaint 11231987 · Jul 15, 2019

Own a 2003 Aviator?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.