2003 Lincoln AVIATOR: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
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 10015253 · 2003-04-11 (April 11, 2003)
CHILD SAFETY SEAT QUESTIONNAIRE MODEL NUMBER : 22-625-MGN/OG2C. MR SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10015253 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 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 10041198 · 2003-10-03 (October 3, 2003)
REAR LIFTGATE WINDOW KEPT OPENING EVEN AFTER THREE REPAIRS BY GALPIN LINCOLN/FORD ON A 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR. IN ADDITION, OUTSIDE MIRRORS KEPT DROPPING WHILE DRIVING CAUSING DRIVERS TO GO BLIND. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR THE FAILURE OF REAR LIFTGATE AND THE DROPPING OR MIRRORS, IN TRANSITION OF FILING CALIFORNIA LEMON LAW. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. 2,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10041198 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10043477 · 2003-10-23 (October 23, 2003)
IN THE LINCOLN AVIATOR, A LOUD WHINING NOISE IS COMING FROM THE REAR END OF THE CAR. IT APPEARS TO BE A REAR DIFFERENTIAL PROBLEM. IN THE FRONT SEAT THE NOISE IS PRETTY LOUD BUT CAN BE OVERCOME BY TURNING THE RADIO UP REAL LOUD. IN THE REAR SEATS THE NOISE IS MORE INTENSE. I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. A SIMPLE SEARCH ON EDMUNDS, GOOGLE, DEJA NEWS, ETC. SHOWS THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN AROUND A WHILE AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY REFUSES TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITHOUT A FIX AND THAT I SH…
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10043477 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 10051074 · 2003-12-24 (December 24, 2003)
LOVE MY '03 LINCOLN AVIATOR EXCEPT FOR THE SAME ANNOYING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR END AS COMPLAINT NUMBER 10045568. CURRENTLY ON MY SECOND REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY. NOISE RETURNED AT 1200-1500 MILES, AND WAS SO LOUD MY 76 YEAR OLD MOTHER ASKED WHAT THE WHINING NOISE WAS. LINCOLN NEEDS TO CORRECT PROBLEM, AND THIS MACHINE WILL BE PERFECT. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10051074 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
02V313000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission
Reported: 2002-11-21 (November 21, 2002)
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE CAN BECOME DISLODGED FROM THE SHIFT CABLE BRACKET.
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT RESULTING IN INCORRECT GEAR INDICATION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD A STRAP TO THE SHIFT CABLE ADJUSTER TO PREVENT THE SHIFT CABLE FROM BECOMING DISLODGED. FORD HAS NOT YET PROVIDED AN OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
NHTSA campaign record ↗