Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Lincoln Aviator owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Shifter knob on 03 Aviator broke off. The shifter was locked in drive, had to shut off vehicle and brace the tires from rolling on an incline. With my child in the car with me. Scary!!!!!! The problem is a plastic piece broke in the shifter column. Has yet to be fixed. Quoted $900 to fix. Also the liftgate cracked at the Lincoln emblem witch I was told that it holds the glass in place and it sound like a gunshot when it cracked, shook me up. This is a Ford/Lincoln failure on a manufacturer defect. The hatch is not being able to close completely because of where the crack is located. The crack is located near the Lincoln emblem. What if water cause a electrical fire from water getting into the closing mechanism, still waiting for a recall on this. Quoted $500 to fix 107,231 miles.
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, [phone]) was contacted by phone and informed of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 02V313000 (power train). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Lincoln Aviator. While shifting into reverse, the vehicle hesitated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission shifter cable fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, several months after the repair, the contact was made aware of NHTSA campaign number: 02V313000 (power train). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 90,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Lincoln Aviator. While the vehicle was parked on an incline, the gear shift cable would not go into drive or reverse. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician stated that the gear shift cable needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was awaiting a diagnosis. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 82,000.
Takata recall when I park in my drive way my car won't shift out of park I have to have it pushed an rocked back an forth to get the gear to shift an it won't let me drive it in drive gear I can only drive it in 3rd gear it has this jurk when I stop to park it constantly getting stuck.
The consumer complained about a sudden acceleration problem. While backing out of the driveway the vehicle began to surge forward. The consumer slammed on the brakes and the vehicle eventually stopped. Recall campaign# 02V313000.
My 2003 Lincoln Aviator lost power steering causing me to loose control of the car on a county road and missing death by god's love last Tuesday,2/22/05. I struggled and managed to drag the car off the road onto the bush and avoided heating an oncoming car and being crushed by a semi-trailer that was behind me. The car was towed(flat-bedded) to the local Lincoln-Mercury dealership. The head mechanic told me later that my car had suffered a catastrophic birth defect from the factory because the power steering hose was improperly mounted at the time manufactured, as a consequence the hose fell off the mounting/attachment and was cut by the air condition fan. He told me new hose has been installed and mounted properly under the factory warranty. I have taken possession of the car, but I am afraid to drive it for any distance. …
On my 2003 Aviator the door ajar light comes on at various times during the day and night. My interior lights flash and my car alarm goes off. It's been doing this for about two years, but has gotten worse this year 2016. My battery has died twice in two days. So frustrated with this vehicle. Was summoned over the intercom in a department store and at work saying that a Lincoln SUV's alarm was going off and that the lights were flashing. I knew it was mine. I hit the alarm button on the key fob which cut off the alarm for about 30 seconds and it started up again. When driving at night, the door ajar light comes on which makes my interior lights flash quickly and makes it difficult to drive because of the glare of the interior lights being on. The door ajar light comes on anytime day or night, stationary or while driving. I bought this vehicle new. …
Dt*: the contact stated a whining noise was heard coming from the rear of the vehicle while driving 55 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the sales/service dealer for repairs. The right rear axle and pinion were replaced as well as the c b shaft assembly and gear and pinion locking pin. This was the third time the rear end was replaced in a two year period. The manufacturer was notified and a technician was sent to inspect the vehicle. The vehicle pulled to the left, the door lock switch was inoperative, the rear shock was leaking oil, the e power steering hose was replaced, there was a ticking sound coming from the engine compartment. The timing chain and gasket were replaced. The door ajar light came on after all the doors were closed. The consumer stated the shifting of the gears were harsh, the dealer replaced various componets in the transmission. …
On June 07 at 1100hrs the gearshift knob and gearshift boot disengaged from the console of my 2003 Lincoln Aviator; the gearshift and therefore transmission were locked in the d(rive) position could not be shifted to another position or disengaged. The Lincoln-Mercury dealer was a short distance from the gas station where I was so I elected to drive it there under the circumstances. Once at the Lincoln-Mercury dealer a technician examined the gearshift and indicated that an incident like mine "happens all the time" ... "a screw comes loose". Was advised too that likely parts would have to be ordered. Repair to the Aviator is estimated at $584 since the entire "shifter assembly" had to be replaced. …
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission
On certain sport utility vehicles, the transmission shift cable can become dislodged from the shift cable bracket.
Remedy: Dealers will add a strap to the shift cable adjuster to prevent the shift cable from becoming dislodged. Ford has not yet provided an owner notification schedule for this campaign.
NHTSA investigations
Vehicle Rollaway Allegations
This investigation is being closed based on several considerations.By the most inclusive counting of all alleged rollaway incidents (i.e., counting all alleged rollaway incidents and assuming a singular failure mechanism), the incident rate is low, however during EA09-013, ODI identified a number of different failure mechanisms in 180 incidents related to the alleged defect.The highest rate for any particular…
Transmission complaints in other Aviator years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2003 Lincoln Aviator?
NHTSA has 55 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2003 Lincoln Aviator, 50% of the model year's 111 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (16 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Lincoln Aviator transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 02V-313 (automatic transmission, Nov 21, 2002). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2003 Lincoln Aviator transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 68,000 miles, and 23% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.