Problems · NHTSA complaints
2005 Lincoln Aviator problems
Owners filed 51 complaints about the 2005 Lincoln Aviator with NHTSA between Mar 2005 and Nov 2020. The most-cited component is structure (28).
Complaints
51
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Structure28
- Power train12
- Air bags3
- Steering3
- Suspension2
- Wheels2
- Vehicle speed control2
- Visibility2
- Engine1
- Engine and engine cooling1
- Traction control system1
- Electrical system1
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 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
3
3
1
0
6
10
8
3
1
6
4
2
0
0
1
3
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 0 |
| 2009 | 6 |
| 2010 | 10 |
| 2011 | 8 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 3 |
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.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Structure
28 reports
“A 6 INCH CRACK DEVELOPED AT REAR CENTER TAILGATE BODY PANEL MADE OUT OF PLASTIC BELOW THE REAR WINDOW. THERE HAD BEEN REPORTS THAT THE REAR WINDOW COULD FALL OUT AND INTERNAL TAILGATE COMPONENTS COULD BE DAMAGED DUE TO WATER ENTRY FROM THE CRACK. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM FROM MY RESEARCH.”
Power train
12 reports1 crash
“OWNER OF 2005 LINCOLN AVIATOR. I WAS NOT ABLE TO GET THE GEAR SHIFT OUT OF PARK. I HAD THE AVIATOR TOWED TO A FAMILY MEMBER'S AUTOMOTIVE GARAGE AND WAS TOLD THAT I WILL NEED TO HAVE THE ENTIRE GEAR SHIFT REPLACED. UPON DOING SOME RESEARCH, IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM IN THIS YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL. I HAVE READ ENDLESS TESTIMONIES FROM OTHER VEHICLE OWNERS WITH THE EXACT DISPUTE. THE PART AND LABOR WILL COST ME APPROXIMATELY $1100.00 AT MY FAMILY'S GARAGE, ONE CAN ONLY GUESS THE DOLLAR AMOUNT WILL DOUBLE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. MY CAR IS DRIVEABLE, HOWEVER, WHEN IN PARK, I WILL HAVE TO PUT MY EMERGENCY BRAKE ON. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT, IF BUMPED, MAY MOVE OUT OF PARK EVEN WITHOUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. I AM APPALLED THAT FORD/LINCOLN MOTOR COMPANY HAS NOT TAKEN RESPONSIBILITY OF THE DEFECTED MECHANISM. IT IS UNACCEPTABLE AND RAISES MANY QUESTIONS ON HOW IMPORTANT VEHICLE SAFETY IS TO FORD/LINCOLN MOTOR COMPANY, NOT TO MENTION A TOTAL INCONVENIENCE FINANCIALLY! THIS IS MY FOURTH VEHICLE FROM FORD/LINCOLN MOTOR COMPANY AND I HIGHLY DOUBT I WILL PURCHASE ANOTHER BASED ON THE COMPANY'S LACK IN ADDRESSING THE MATTER. I AM A MOTHER…”
Air bags
3 reports1 crash
“DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITH NO IMPACT OF ANY KIND. CAR WAS STARTED AND AIR BAG DEPLOYED.”
Steering
3 reports
“MY POWER STEERING GOES OUT, AT START UP THE POWER STEERING IS NOT WORKING, CAN CUT THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AND IT IS OK BEEN TO THE SHOP 3 TIMES CHANGED HOSE, MODULAR, AND STEERING GEAR, AND TODAY IT HAPPENED AGAIN, ALSO THERE IS A CRACK DOWN THE MIDDLE OF MY BACK HATCH UNDER THE GLASS, I HAVE READ 4 OTHER PEOPLES COMPLAINTS THAT SAID THE SAME THING IN THE SAME PLACE. *TR”
Suspension
2 reports
“I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY 55 MPH WHEN PASSENGER REAR TOE LINK FAILED AND I LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER WITHOUT CRASHING. VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT GARAGE NEARBY.”
Wheels
2 reports
“LEFTSIDE REAR AXLE STARTING COMING OUT OF THE VEHICLE WHILE MOVING. *TR”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.