2023 Lincoln Aviator problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Electrical System (4) · Back Over Prevention (3) · Fuel/Propulsion System (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Lincoln Aviator model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (16)
Seats:mid/Rear Assembly 2026-07-14 · campaign 26V451000 · 387,911 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters explaining the safety risk were mailed August 19, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in January 2027. Lincoln Aviator owner notification letters were mailed August 21, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7
Seat Belts 2026-03-17 · campaign 26V159000 · 561 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: A loose seat belt buckle may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the second-row outer seat belt lower anchor bolts and replace or repair them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 30, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C18. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 19, 2026.
Back Over Prevention:software 2026-03-03 · campaign 26V123000 · 889,950 vehicles
Defect: 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."
Risk: An incorrectly displayed rearview image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 23, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C11. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 5, 2026.
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump 2025-07-07 · campaign 25V455000 · 850,318 vehicles
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Bronco, Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, 2021-2022 Lincoln Navigator, Mustang, F-150, and 2022 Expedition vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump may fail, which can result in an engine stall while driving.
Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the low pressure fuel pump on super duty vehicles and update the powertrain control module (PCM) software on all other affected vehicles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 27, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S75.
Back Over Prevention:software 2025-06-27 · campaign 25V442000 · 200,237 vehicles
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
Risk: A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.
Seats:mid/Rear Assembly 2025-06-13 · campaign 25V393000 · 304,662 vehicles
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, folding, or sliding unexpectedly while driving.
Risk: A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the second-row seat switch, and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S67.
Structure:body 2025-06-13 · campaign 25V407000 · 132,914 vehicles
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Aviator vehicles. The rear door window bars and C-pillar trim may have insufficient adhesive bonding, which can allow the trim to detach from the vehicle.
Risk: Detached trim may cause a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will repair or replace C-pillar appliques and window division bars, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 29, 2025. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S66.
Seat Belts:front:warning Light/Devices 2025-05-23 · campaign 25V338000 · 4,442 vehicles
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Lincoln Aviator and Lincoln Corsair vehicles equipped with a Revel Audio System that were repaired incorrectly under recall 22V-953. When the driver's seat belt is not buckled and the vehicle is started, the seat belt warning system may activate the audible warning chime for an insufficient amount of time of less than 4 seconds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 20
Risk: An audible warning chime that does not properly alert of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the audio control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 3, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C18.
Back Over Prevention:software 2025-03-14 · campaign 25V159000 · 49,399 vehicles
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 23V-342. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
Risk: Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the Image Processing Module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 25, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S27.
Equipment:other:labels 2024-11-08 · campaign 24V852000 · 27,678 vehicles
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, 2020-2024 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2018-2024 F-150, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirement Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk: Without a label that shows the proper restraint usage guidelines, the occupants may have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: Ford will mail owners the warning labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 19, 2024. Owners may call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C39.
Back Over Prevention:display Function 2024-05-24 · campaign 24V368000 · 109,283 vehicles
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The accessory protocol image module (APIM) can be affected by electromagnetic interference with a cell phone in the vehicle, causing the rearview camera image to flicker or become distorted.
Risk: A flickering or distorted rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Owners are advised not to use their cell phones while reversing until the remedy is completed. Dealers will install shielding on the accessory protocol image module (APIM), free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 23, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S35.
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera 2023-08-25 · campaign 23V598000 · 177,402 vehicles
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Lincoln Aviator, 2018-2021 Lincoln Navigator, 2022-2023 Ford Transit, and 2021 Ford Bronco vehicles. The rearview camera, or 360-degree view camera if equipped, may not display a rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse.
Risk: Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the rearview camera, and update the software and wiring as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 20, 2023 to Lincoln owners. Ford vehicle owners notification letters were mailed March 4, 2024. Ford remedy parts are anticipated 2nd Quarter 2024. Ford's number for this recall is 23S48.
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera 2023-05-12 · campaign 23V342000 · 442,973 vehicles
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles equipped with a 360-degree camera. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
Risk: Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the 360-degree camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 10, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S23. This recall expands and replaces NHTSA recall number 23V-022. Vehicles previously repaired under 23V-022 will need to have the new remedy performed.
Power Train:automatic Transmission 2023-02-10 · campaign 23V070000 · 1,138 vehicles
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 F-150, Mustang, Explorer, Bronco, and 2023 Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. The transmission may contain a loose bolt which could prevent the transmission from engaging the park gear, although the gear shifter position may indicate that the vehicle has been shifted to "PARK."
Risk: The inability to secure the vehicle in the park position can result in a rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transmissions, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 25, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S06.
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera 2023-01-23 · campaign 23V022000 · 382,759 vehicles
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles equipped with a 360-degree camera. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
Risk: Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the image processing module (IPMB) software, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed April 25, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed February 13, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S02. This recall expands and replaces NHTSA recall number 21V-735. Vehicles previously repaired under 21V-735 will need to have the new remedy performed.
Seat Belts:front:warning Light/Devices 2022-12-23 · campaign 22V953000 · 101,001 vehicles
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Lincoln Aviator and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles equipped with a Revel Audio System. When the driver's seat belt is not buckled and the vehicle is started, the seat belt warning system may activate the audible warning chime for an insufficient amount of time of less than 4 seconds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk: An audible warning chime that does not properly alert of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the audio control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 7, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22C35.
Service bulletins (129)
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.
Unknown Or Other 2026-10-22 · TSB 26-2408 v2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin supersedes 26-2309. reason for update: update the model section to remove aviator 10r80, update theparts list to add 3.3l to w520514-s440, and add l1mz-7z490-g valve body separator plate for aviator
Unknown Or Other 2026-10-08 · SSM 55228 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2020-2026 aviator/explorer/f-150/bronco/ranger vehicles equipped with a 2.7l or 3.0l (non-diesel) engine may need the front engine cover removed and reinstalled for various reasons. the workshop manual (wsm), section 303-01 engine > removal and installation > engine front cover service procedur
Unknown Or Other 2026-10-07 · SSM 55226 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
for 2020-2026 aviator/corsair and 2018-2026 navigator vehicles, if diagnostics in workshop manual (wsm) section 501-10a > front seats > diagnosis and testing lead to the replacement of the front seat cushion extension adjuster, a lower-level part is now available (14c720). it is not necessary to rep
Unknown Or Other 2026-10-06 · SSM 55217 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2020-2024 explorer/aviator vehicles equipped with 3.0l ecoboost/hybrid engine may exhibit blue or black exhaust smoke on startup for the first 5 minutes after an overnight cold soak with no illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (mil) or powertrain diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs) present. this
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-30 · TSB 26-2325 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some of the vehicles listed in the model statement above may exhibit a front courtesy lamp that is inoperative. this may be due to a concern with the front courtesy lamp light module.
Power Train 2026-09-22 · TSB 26-2408 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin supersedes 26-2309. reason for update: update the model section to remove aviator 10r80, update the parts list to add 3.3l to w520514-s440, and add l1mz-7z490-g valve body separator plate for aviator. some of the vehicles listed in the model statement above may exhibit at least one of
Showing the 6 most recent of 129 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-09-15 · Vehicle Speed Control“date of incident:xxx (or your first observed date). approximate mileage: 26,955. speed at failure: 55 mph. did a crash or injury occur? no. did a fire occur? no. "the vehicle is equipped with intelligent adaptive cruise control (camera sign recognition integrated with navigation map data). on [xxx] between bath and [xxx], the posted speed limi…”
2026-09-14 · Lane Departure: Assist“i bought this car in march 2026. it is a 2023 lincoln aviator black label, it was a cpo. within days of me having it, i noticed there were electrical issues. the interior light kept popping on for no reason. the cooling seat feature was also not working. the adaptive cruise control was also not working correctly. when you have the cruise control on…”
2026-08-22 · Exterior Lighting“when driving at night the driver side map light will turn on randomly momentarily blinding the driver only way to turn off is to turn on interior lights and turn off may happen again with in seconds or can be minutes but does it 8-10 times in a 30 minute driving time dealership says it’s not covered under warranty because it’s a light issue however…”
2026-06-05 · Fuel/Propulsion System“subject: request for investigation / status update: unresolved safety recall for 2023, lincoln aviator to whom it may concern, i am writing to formally request an update and urge an investigation into the lack of a remedy for an active safety recall on my vehicle. it has now been 10 months since the recall was officially issued, and the manufac…”
2026-06-01 · Engine“2023 lincoln aviator was accelerating out of toll booth to 70mph. upon acceleration the engine hiccupped but continued to operate. approximately 2 miles later the low oil pressure indicator and low battery indicator popped up, no prior indications existed. vehicle stalled within 0.5 miles as i was assessing what to do and to pull off to a safe p…”
2026-04-23 · Back Over Prevention · 24,000 mi · 💥 crash“the contact owns a 2023 lincoln aviator. the contact stated while reversing, the rear-view camera did not function as intended. the contact stated that the rear-view camera display flipped the image to the front of the vehicle. in addition, the rear-view camera system did not alert the contact. the contact's vehicle crashed into a trailer. no injur…”
2026-04-01 · Suspension“my 2023 lincoln aviator has a grinding noise when i back up. also a rattle has begun at all speeds. i had vehicled check and the axles were found to be totally rusted. prior to having it towed to the detail i did some research and found the following -- a 2023 lincoln aviator recall regarding a "rusted" or breaking axle generally refers to a ser…”
2026-01-06 · Back Over Prevention · 43,300 mi“the contact owns a 2023 lincoln aviator. the contact stated that while attempting to reverse, the rear-view camera displayed a glitching screen. the vehicle was serviced under the nhtsa campaign number: 23v022000 (back over prevention) by the previous owner; however, the repair failed to fix the vehicle. the contact stated that failure had occurred…”
2025-12-29 · Unknown Or Other“i have taken my car more times than i can count for recalls in the little time that i have owned my can bought new. my work requires me to drive a lot covering 6 states. scheduling recall repairs has become a serious issue for me in a two year old car. as it seems that most of the recalls have been fixed except one small one where it sounds like wi…”
2025-10-30 · Fuel/Propulsion System“this vehicle continues to randomly stall upon acceleration from a dead stop. there have been numerous times this has created a near- miss accident. it has been in for service on several occasions since owning it with no resolve. this issue has been ongoing since owning it and only getting worse. current mileage is approx 23,000 miles. …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.