2003 Lincoln AVIATOR problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
111 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
64,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 91 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 24 of 111 complaints (21.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 33 | 29.7% |
| Braking behavior | 18 | 16.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 7.2% |
| Steering behavior | 8 | 7.2% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 2.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 24 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 16 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 12 |
| Structure:Body | 9 |
| Electrical System | 7 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 6 |
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 5 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Column Shift | 4 |
Power Train: 24; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 16; Engine And Engine Cooling: 12; Structure:Body: 9; Electrical System: 7; Vehicle Speed Control: 6; Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit: 5; Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Column Shift: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 19 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 11 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 22 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 16 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 19 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 19; 25,000 to 49,999: 11; 50,000 to 74,999: 22; 75,000 to 99,999: 16; 100,000 to 149,999: 19; 150,000 and above: 4
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (22). 20 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 8 |
| 2004 | 12 |
| 2005 | 8 |
| 2006 | 5 |
| 2007 | 10 |
| 2008 | 8 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 11 |
| 2011 | 14 |
| 2012 | 6 |
| 2013 | 8 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
2003: 8; 2004: 12; 2005: 8; 2006: 5; 2007: 10; 2008: 8; 2009: 3; 2010: 11; 2011: 14; 2012: 6; 2013: 8; 2014: 1; 2015: 5; 2016: 2; 2017: 4; 2018: 1; 2019: 2; 2020: 2; 2022: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 33 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 18 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 8 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10113388 · 2005-03-03 (March 3, 2005)
TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE BECAME DISLODGED FROM THE CABLE BRACKET. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO SWITCH GEARS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 19,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10113388 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10114936 · 2005-03-10 (March 10, 2005)
AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE GEARS WOULD STICK WHEN SHIFTING TO DRIVE/REVERSE. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10114936 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10014003 · 2003-04-05 (April 5, 2003)
DEFECTIVE AND POSSIBLY DEADLY 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR MADE BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY 1.CAR PURCHASED ON 2/15/03. PICKED UP SAME DAY ON 2/15/03. 2.GAS PEDAL SNAPS AND BREAKS ALMOST CAUSING A HIGH SPEED COLLISION! ON 03/30/03 - ON SUNDAY, 03/30/03 I AM TAKING MY DAUGHTER TO ICE SKATING PRACTICE WITH THIS CAR. I AM DRIVING DOWN THE LONG ISLAND EXPRESSWAY (I-495) IN THE LEFT LANE. MY EXIT IS COMING UP SO I HAVE TO GET OVER. IN ORDER TO DO SO I MUST SPEED UP QUICKLY TO GET AROUND ANOTHER CAR. I HIT THE GAS PEDAL. I AM STARTING TO SPEED UP WHEN …
Owner-reported narrative. 1,140 miles reported. Look up ODI 10014003 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10069649 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
1. I WAS SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT FIRST THING IN THE MORNING WHEN ALL MY WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH CAME ON AND MY CAR DIED. IT SAID LOW OIL PRESSURE. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR RESTARTED, AND HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM AGAIN. DEALER INDICATED THEY COULD DETECT NO PROBLEM. 2. PAINT IN DOOR JAMBS DIFFERENT COLOR THAN REST OF VEHICLE. DEALER INDICATED IN SMALL CRASH, PROBABLY AT TIME OF UNLOADING VEHICLE...DAMAGE REPAIRED AND REPAINTED. I HAD THEM REPAINT TO MAKE CAR SAME COLOR. 3. OTHER - THIS IS MY MOST FRUSTRATING PROBLEM. WHE…
Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10069649 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10033373 · 2003-08-23 (August 23, 2003)
THERE IS A HIGH FREQUENCY SOUND EMANATING FROM ALL 4 SPEAKERS. THIS NOISE IS CONSTANT AND CAN BE OVERHEARD WITH THE VOLUME UP AND THE RADIO PLAYING. LEITH LINCOLN (RALEIGH,NC) DENIED THE PROBLEM. FORD DISPATCHED AN ENGINEER AND THEIR EAST COAST CUSTOMER SERVICE REP. ALL CLAIMED THEY COULD NOT "DUPLICATE" THE PROBLEM. I THEN CONFRONTED LEITH WITH A VIDEO TAPE OF THE NOISE AND GOT A CONFIRMATION THAT THE NOISE IS AT LEAST A NUISANCE. I'VE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH FORD AND THEY WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. FINALLY I BROUGHT THE AVIATOR TO ANOTHER …
Owner-reported narrative. 850 miles reported. Look up ODI 10033373 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10030289 · 2003-07-28 (July 28, 2003)
POWER STEERING RACK HAS FAILED AFTER ONLY 4,500 MILES, AC SEAT FAILED, DOOR JAM CLEARANCE BETWEEN DRIVER'S DOOR AND REAR DOOR, WHISTLING NOISE AT 60 MPH. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 4,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10030289 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10094370 · 2004-09-20 (September 20, 2004)
CONSUMER STATES THAT DEALER PUT AFTERMARKET RIMS TIRES ON VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE FOLLOWING; DIFFICULTY TURNING THE VEHICLE, HEATER BUBBLING MAKING NOISES, DIFFICULTY STARTING THE VEHICLE, JERKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL, NOISE IN THE STEERING, NOISE IN THE HEATING/VENT BUBBLING, PULSATING IN THE STEERING WHEEL, VIBRATION OF THE TIRES, THE TIRE MONITORING SYSTEM HAD TO BE CUT OFF RECONNECTED AND ADJUSTED, THE PASSENGER FRONT WINDOWS RATTLED, MOTOR MADE LOUD NOISES WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED, FRONT END NOISES, REAR HATCH RATTLED A…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10094370 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10045568 · 2003-11-06 (November 6, 2003)
OUR 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR STARTED A REAR END WHINE OR DRONE WITHIN THE FIRST 1000 MILES. THE DEALER HAS TWICE PUT IN A NEW DIFFERENTIAL BUT THE NOISE IS BACK. THE DEALER NOW WILL NOT ATTEMPT ANOTHER REPAIR AND HAS PUT US OFF UNTIL 12/10/03. WE SEEM TO HAVE NO ONE TO VOICE A COMPLAINT TO. THE DEALER GETS ONE MORE CHANCE UNDER SC LEMON LAW AND IS STALLING. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN NOTICED IN FORD EXPLORERS AND LINCOLN MOUNTAINEERS TOO.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10045568 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10055552 · 2004-01-21 (January 21, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER REPLACED THE COMPUTER SYSTEM THREE TIMES, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 10 miles reported. Look up ODI 10055552 at NHTSA ↗