Research · Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2024 Lincoln AviatorRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls and 7 owner complaints for the 2024 Lincoln Aviator. Most complaints involve electrical system (2) and engine and engine cooling (1). The EPA rates it 20–21 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
20–21mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
8campaigns
Latest Jul 2026
Owner complaints
7
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,050est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

8 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Seats: mid

Remedy pending

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2027 Aviator and 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, tipping, or sliding unexpectedly.

SeatsReported Jul 14, 2026NHTSA 26V451000

Seat belts

Free remedy

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2026 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The seat belt anchor bolts at the second-row outer seating positions may be improperly secured.

Seat beltsReported Mar 17, 2026NHTSA 26V159000

Back over prevention: software

Free remedy

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2020-2024 Lincoln Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The image on the center display may flip or invert, resulting in an incorrectly displayed rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Back over preventionReported Mar 3, 2026NHTSA 26V123000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

7 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2024 – Sep 2026
  1. Electrical system2
  2. Engine and engine cooling1
  3. Structure1
  4. Other / unknown4

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
2020110
202140
202247
202324
20247
202518
20264
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

2 reports
“The headlight control switch emits high pitch noise.When you toggle the switch To go between the different Segments of the headlight switch. I've brought it to the dealer and the tech was able to determine where the noise Was coming from. I had advised them.I had disconnected the battery prior and made the noise go away.So that's what they did and now they say it's a non issue cause the noise went away. I have a video demonstrating the issue with the switch.I'm afraid of an issue of fire. It's been. To the dealership twice now, for this issue and it still has not been resolved.I've spoke to corporate Lincoln in regards to the issue.And it's supposed to be escalated.But i'm getting ghosted by everyone at this time. This issue started in the first week of my ownership.It was worse than that point in time.It was so bad.I was unable to drive the car because it was giving me such severe migraine headaches because of the pitch of the noise. The noise when present is very distracting when you are trying to operate the vehicle safely.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 3, 2024Electrical systemODI 11617802

Engine and engine cooling

1 report
“The contact owns a 2024 Lincoln Aviator. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a detached adaptive valve. The contact was informed that the adaptive valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was advised to contact the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was confirmed that the adaptive valve had detached. The contact was informed that the exhaust system needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the adaptive valve was not replaceable as a separate part. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was a known failure with similar vehicles. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 10, 2026Engine and engine coolingODI 11755880

Structure

1 report
“In addition to the recall for the C-pillar appliques and window division bars (NHTSA ID Number: 25V407000), the chrome trim piece directly below the window also suffers from insufficient adhesive bonding. See the photo below. It came lose while driving at high speeds.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 18, 2025StructureODI 11700095
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (S10)
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular 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 Oct 27, 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 RWD
Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
182621$3,050424
Aviator AWD
Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
172420$3,200451
  • Aviator RWD
    Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo
    18 city · 26 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Aviator AWD
    Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo
    17 city · 24 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Lincoln Aviator SUV 4WD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
15.1%
Overall
5 / 5
Lincoln Aviator SUV RWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
14.7%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 2026Vehicle 19171Vehicle 19170
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

2024 Aviator questions

How many recalls does the 2024 Lincoln Aviator have?

8 safety recalls as of Oct 27, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2024 Lincoln Aviator problems?

Owners filed 7 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (2), engine and engine cooling (1), structure (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2024 Lincoln Aviator get?

The EPA rates the 2024 Lincoln Aviator at 20–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2024 Lincoln Aviator?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2024 Lincoln Aviator 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026