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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2004 Lincoln AviatorRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 81 owner complaints for the 2004 Lincoln Aviator. Most complaints involve power train (21) and structure (15). The EPA rates it 13–14 mpg combined.

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Combined MPG
13–14mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
81
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$5,550est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2004 Lincoln Aviator as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

81 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2004 – Nov 2019
  1. Power train21
  2. Structure15
  3. Engine and engine cooling15
  4. Electrical system8
  5. Air bags7
  6. Steering6
  7. Visibility6
  8. Engine5
  9. Suspension5

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

By model year

Complaints for each Aviator model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2003111
200481
200551
2020111
202142
202249
202324
20247
202518
20265
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
3
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

21 reports
“THE VEHICLE DOWN SHIFT WHEN TURNING INTO THE FIRST AS IT GOES INTO SECOND MAKES IN AWFUL NOISE. WHEN I PARKED IT AND TRIED TO START IT AND IT WAS DEAD.THE MECHANIC FIGURE IT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE STARTER HE GOT UNDER THE VEHICLE TO APPLIED STARTER TOLD ME TO START IT AND IT DID AND IT PINNED HIM UNDER THE VEHICLE.THEY LATER SAID THE BELT HAD POPPED. THE VEHICLE HAD BEN LEAKING A LITE FLUID THEY BELIEVED IT TO BE THE DIFFERENTIAL OIL. ITS A FOUR WHEEL DRIVE. I HAD IT TOWED TO BOHN FORD 6/5/17THEY ARE CHARGING 350.00 TO REPLACE THE BELT.CITY ST. LATER PARK IT AT WALMART PARKING LOT WHERE THE PEOPLE HELPED PUSH THE VEHICLE OFF THE MECHANIC.THE VEHICLE WOULD ROLL BACK WHEN PUT IN DRIVE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 5, 2017Power train, Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 10993329

Structure

15 reports
“I WAS DRIVING EAST ON THE 202 FWY IN PHOENIX AT A SPEED BETWEEN 65-68 MPH WHEN I HEARD A LOUD BANG AND BOTH SIDE AIR CURTAINS DEPLOYED. TIME: 9:30 P.M. FEB. 20, 2015. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 22, 2015Air bags, StructureODI 10689877

Engine and engine cooling

15 reports
“MY LINCOLN AVIATOR STARTED MAKING A HORRIBLE NOISE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE ON THE MORNING OF SEPTEMBER 4, 2011. MY WIFE TOOK THE AVIATOR TO THE AAA CAR CARE CENTER TO FIND AND REPAIR THE ISSUE. THE AAA CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN PLACED THE AVIATOR ON THE LIFT AND DISCOVERED THE ENTIRE DIFFERENTIAL UNIT WAS HANGING FREELY AND LITERALLY SWINGING UNDER THE VEHICLE. AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION, THE WELDING THAT HOLDS THE MOUNT TO WHICH THE DIFFERENTIAL UNTIL IS BOLTED, BROKE FROM THE FRAME. THIS ISSUE OF A DIFFERENTIAL MOUNT WELD BREAKING FREE HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN BY THE AAA CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN OR THE AAA SERVICE MANAGER WITH OVER 30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE. FURTHERMORE, THE MOUNT WAS ONLY WELDED ON ONE SIDE (SIDE CLOSEST TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE). I VISITED THE LOCAL LINCOLN DEALERSHIP AND EXPLAINED THE ISSUE WITH MY AVIATOR?S DIFFERENTIAL MOUNT ONLY BEING WELDED ON ONE SIDE AND ASKED TO SEE AN AVIATOR OR EXPLORER THAT WOULD HAVE THE SAME DIFFERENTIAL MOUNTING SYSTEM. THIS LINCOLN DEALERSHIP HAD AN EXPLORER UP ON THE LIFT AND SHOWED ME THAT THE DIFFERENTIAL MOUNT ON ALL AVIATORS AND EXPLORERS DO INDEED HAVE THE DIFFERENTIAL MOUNT WELDED ON BOTH SIDES TO THE FRAME. THE…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 5, 2013Engine and engine cooling, Power trainODI 10507210
All 2004 Aviator problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
4.6L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 5-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Aviator 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
121714$5,550635
Aviator 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
121613$5,950684
  • Aviator 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L
    12 city · 17 hwy · $5,550/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
  • Aviator 4WD
    Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L
    12 city · 16 hwy · $5,950/yr
    13
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2004 Lincoln Aviator as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 1193
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2004 Aviator questions

How many recalls does the 2004 Lincoln Aviator have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 10, 2026.

What are the most common 2004 Lincoln Aviator problems?

Owners filed 81 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (21), structure (15), engine and engine cooling (15). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2004 Lincoln Aviator get?

The EPA rates the 2004 Lincoln Aviator at 13–14 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026