2003 Lincoln Aviator problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (16) · Power Train:automatic Transmission (13) · Engine And Engine Cooling (9)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Lincoln Aviator model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
91 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (73)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Power Train:axle Assembly:axle Shaft:seal 2009-05-01 · TSB-08-19-3 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
ford: some vehicles may exhibit oil separation from the internal lube found in the unitized cartridge seal. oil separation appears to be and is often misdiagnosed, as an axle lube leak. *pe
Unknown Or Other 2007-05-21 · 0706 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
extended warranty coverage on ignition coil assemblies. *kb
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine 2006-01-01 · 06513 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
engine misfire with diagnostic trouble code (dtc) pewee, p0302, p0303, p0304, p0305, p0306, p0307, p0308, and p0316. *tt
Tires 2006-01-01 · 0637 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
low tire indicator on - tpms system sensor wake up. *tt
Fuel System, Other:storage:fuel Gauge System 2006-01-01 · 05213 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
malfunction indicator lamp on with pcm diagnostic trouble code p0463 and/or ic diagnostic trouble code b1201 - fuel gauge drops to empty or slow to update after refueling. *tt
Engine And Engine Cooling 2005-11-14 · 041601 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
wds cop kit diagnostic tip - coil on plug (cop) ignition systems - engine misfire or rough running. *tt
Showing the 6 most recent of 73 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2022-11-18 · Tires:tread/Belt“the contact owns a 2003 lincoln aviator equipped with cooper tires, tire line: hercules hts-terra-trac, tire size 245/65/r17, dot number: (n/a). the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's side front tire sidewall separated in the center. there were no warning lights illuminated. the local dealer and manufacturer wer…”
2020-07-05 · Power Train“a year ago noticed when shifting and up to date my shifter gear indicator not shift to correct gear indicator and fail to work properly, i believed the transmission shift cable may become dislodged from the shift cable bracket. i take my truck to an transmission shop and the technician recommended the shift cable must be adjusted to prevent the pr…”
2020-06-06 · Wheels“i'm having problems with the front in that's control arm. the transfer case. *tr…”
2019-09-06 · Power Train · 100,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2003 lincoln aviator. the contact stated that the gear shift lever position was not in alignment with the transmission. the contact stated that the indicator did not display the correct gear that was being utilized. antelope valley ford (located at 1155 auto mall dr, lancaster, ca 93534, (888) 415-0959) was contacted by phone…”
2019-07-15 · Power Train“tl* the contact owns a 2003 lincoln aviator. the contact stated that the gear failed to shift from park into any other gear because the gear shifter was fractured. the vehicle was unable to be driven. the vehicle was not included in nhtsa campaign number: 02v313000 (power train); however, the vehicle exhibited the same failure as listed in the reca…”
2018-08-16 · Unknown Or Other · 80,000 mi“the button on the gear shift lever gets stuck. it may or may not be depressed at any given time. you must have your foot depressed on the brake to allow the car to be put it into gear. the brake sensor is working. after reading many complaints online of this identical problem it sounds like it may be the plastic rod in this assembly. why plastic wo…”
2017-10-20 · Power Train“transmission shifter cable is broken; intermittent problem moving geer and when moved, it may generate a violent jerk before moving. multiple people have this problem. but nhtsa campaign number: 02v313000 is only covering a selected amount of vehicles. my vehicle was not included but the same problem.…”
2017-07-24 · Structure:body · 75,000 mi“there has been a unprovoked crack in the lift gate panel for a couple years now (which seems to be a very common problem in this model), we have not had issues until the rear window started flying open while driving at around 30mph. the latch has malfunctioned due to water seeping into crack.…”
2017-06-26 · Power Train“i have a lincoln aviator 2003, it has been having problems with the transmission and it seems like it doesn't shift gears when it's supposed too. thos happens when i press on the accelerator. is anyone having this problem?…”
2017-02-06 · Structure:body“there is a crack below my back window that causes lots of air to come in and also lots of water leaks and when it rains i have small children and the dealership is unable to work with me to get this repaired it gets very cold in there with all the cold air that comes in with my small children hopefully something can be done for the amount that we p…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.