Problems · NHTSA complaints

2023 Lincoln Aviator Plug-in Hybrid problems

Owners filed 6 complaints about the 2023 Lincoln Aviator Plug-in Hybrid with NHTSA between Jul 2023 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (3).

Complaints
6
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Electrical system3
  2. Engine3
  3. Power train2
  4. Service brakes2
  5. Forward collision avoidance2
  6. Wheels1
  7. Vehicle speed control1
  8. Visibility/wiper1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 12, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20234
20240
20250
20262

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Electrical system

3 reports
“Once again, my vehicle exhibited immediate and sudden power loss while at highway speeds. Ironically, I was in transit to my dealer for the third time for this issue within my vehicle's 3,000 miles. This is incredibly unsafe at any speed, especially at highway speeds without warning. An uncommanded slowdown without any response from the accelerator pedal, and a warning on the gauge cluster stating "vehicle is slowing down". Cruise control at this time was not operational in the vehicle (another issue) and I was using my foot to control the speed. Additionally, the Bluetooth connection was not functioning, the Navigation screen nor map would even load, and I was unable to use cruise control due to an error message "cruise unavailable". We get a separate Lincoln Aviator for a loaner, and not only does reverse park assist not work, the rear camera doesn't function, either. These cars are dangerous and need to be recalled immediately and taken off the road. We plan to sell/trade ours as the soonest possibility and incur whatever financial burden that may come with it. It's not worth my family's safety, or that of someone else.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 11, 2023Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11537923

Engine

3 reports
“Went to get in it this morning, and said no key was detected. Okay, whatever, we'll use a backup code. The screen never prompted for a backup code. We had the key inside the vehicle, so we use the Lincoln Way App to start the car and figured we can get it going from there. Nope, the car was running and everything was going, yet it won't allow us to select Drive, Reverse, or Neutral. Sat there for a bit, fumbling around and nothing worked to get the vehicle in motion. We finally hit enough buttons for the vehicle to shut off, we got out, locked the doors, plugged it in, and just allowed it a few minutes to reset. Notta. Got all this on video. I finally had to pop the hood and use the freaking 2021-2023 Explorer / Aviator Hybrid Vehicle Emergency Response Guide to kill 12v power to the thing. After all that, it allowed us to get in and drive normally. However just a few hours later... 2,600 miles on the odometer and we were driving approx 55mph and the Aviator engaged the parking brake for about half a second. Nasty noise, huge bucking from the chassis, and just a split second of extreme confusion and wondering WTF. The red "park brake" was illuminated on the…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 12, 2023Electrical system, Service brakes, EngineODI 11531763

Power train

2 reports
“Driver side rear wheel licked up at highway speed. Ford is ignoring my communications”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 6, 2026Power train, WheelsODI 11769239

Service brakes

2 reports1 crash
“I was backing into my garage and the rear collision sensor beeped. I opened the door and took one foot out of car and since the driveway is up a hill, the car started rolling forward. I must of taken pressure off the brake. I tried to stop the car but was unable. The forward collision sensor did go off and my car hit my back neighbor fence and gas supply line. Thank goodness there was no one behind the fence. No one has confirmed or inspected the problem. A warning of “ car is not in park” went on when I opened the door while backing into garage.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 2, 2026Service brakes, Forward collision avoidanceCrash reportedODI 11748044

Forward collision avoidance

2 reports1 crash
“On the 10th day of ownership (April 30, 2023), all cameras became inoperative. This is a known/continuing defect since 2020 yet Lincoln/Ford continue to sell these vehicles. My new car has been in and out of the shop on numerous occasions and it had no recalls according to the NHSTA and Ford websites. They have replaced 2 modules and wiring harness and, finally they agreed it was the same 360 degree camera issue that has plagued them since 2020. As of today, my VIN is listed under the 360 degree camera recall with no solution available. I'm told it is a software issue. As repairs were attempted, I also lost rear & forward collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control which may have since been corrected.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 6, 2023Visibility/wiper, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11530640

Wheels

1 report
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 12, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.