Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise, lane keeping, backup camera).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2020 Lincoln Aviator owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2020 Lincoln Aviator. The contact stated that while reversing, the vehicle independently engaged the automatic braking feature and the vehicle stopped. The contact stated that there were no objects behind the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent and there was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was locking all the doors independently with the key fob still inside the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The contact stated that during one of the failures, her infant child was locked inside the vehicle and she and her other children were forcibly pulling on the door handles on all four doors. The contact stated that the vehicle side view mirrors at one point folded inward and the passenger front door unlocked, the other doors remained locked. …
I don't know the component or system that failed but sometimes when I am parked and put my car into reverse, the brakes lock up but my car will roll backwards. I have to either jam both feet on the brake pedal or quickly shift the car back into park and turn the car off and restart it. This usually will correct the problem. It feels like the brakes are locked and they are really hard to press. I drop kids off at school and this has happened in the parking lot several times with children walking behind me as I am getting ready to leave. I no longer am able to pull in forward to spots and have to back in to avoid reversing with people/cars behind me. I would rather hit a curb then potentially roll into a person or another car. I've taken it to the Lincoln dealership and they were not able to reproduce it or diagnose anything with it. Nothing shows up on their system as an error. …
I am filing a safety complaint regarding a 2020 Lincoln Aviator Reserve VIN [redacted] involving recurring safety-related electrical and visibility concerns. The vehicle has experienced repeated service-related issues involving suspension systems, electrical inspections, camera/display concerns, and manufacturer customer satisfaction programs. Most significantly, the vehicle is subject to an active manufacturer safety recall involving the SYNC/rearview camera display system. The recall states that the rearview camera image and display may become inverted or flipped, impairing rear visibility and increasing crash risk. This defect directly impacts driver visibility and safe vehicle operation while reversing. The vehicle has undergone repeated dealership servicing and diagnostic evaluations, yet the broader operational and safety concerns remain unresolved. …
while moving in reverse, the vehicle automatic breaking system engages on and off giving a jerking movement of the car and makes you feel like you hit something. Once the vehicle is placed into Drive mode the same thing happens with the breaking system. because of this the check vehicle lights come on and gives a "Hill start assist warning" also "Pre-collision Assist Not Available". Also all wheel drive mode is not available and the drive mode selection no longer works. Took the car to the Lincoln dealership and they said it is a known problem and that there is a TSB out on this issue. The vehicle has only 66,000 miles on it and it is out of warranty. How can there not be a recall on this issue? They said they need to replace two shafts in the front end costing $5,000.
My Aviator doesn't start the first time I push the start engine button anytime after I fill up the tank. It takes it about 5 times of me hitting the start engine button before it finally turns over. Before then, it just sounds like wants to start, but doesn't. I am once again taking it back to the dealership to have the back up camera looked at. Before it would work sporadically, now when I put the car in reverse, it just shows a solid blue screen. And I always get an error message about rear assist not working. I've tried troubleshooting it, but still nothing works. Additionally, the presets for XM radio do not stay when set. This infotainment center does not function efficiently and has delays and no memory.
Most current recall has not been fixed. Vehicles displayed screen goes black with no warning, leaving no access to front or rear parking cameras, also leaving no access to GPS while in use. I have several videos of this incident occurring and have sent to dealer, brought to dealer while occurring and they deny any problems even though their employees, and the owner have seen this occur after they claim the recall was repaired. Lincoln corporate will not get involved. Dealer claims it is my cell phone, even though it occurs with any cell phone connected.
The contact owns a 2020 Lincoln Aviator. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V735000 (Back Over Prevention), 22V953000 (Seat Belts) and 23V342000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
This vehicle has been recalled at least twice for a faulty rear camera system. When vehicle is put in reverse the image on the screen flips so bad you cannot see what is behind you. The previous recalls were for this, we had it in the shop twice before the 2 recalls plus the two recalls (4 times) and cannot get a properly working rear camera. This is a safety issue because we rely on the camera for blind spots during reverse and to see behind this large vehicle. Ford cannot figure out how to fix.
Built at Chicago Plant October 2019 purchased Sept 30, 2020. Multiple and ongoing instances where back up camera when put into reverse goes to a blue screen and you cannot see what is behind you in the back up camera. it also cant assist in advising you there is oncoming traffic. APMI completely replaced and several software updates. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE Radio and info screen will freeze up passenger doors would not open - switches replaced windows would not roll down - shop reprogrammed
The contact owns a 2020 Lincoln Aviator. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V022000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Related recalls
Back over prevention › Software
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.
Remedy: 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.
Back over prevention › Software
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…
Remedy: 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.
Back over prevention › Software
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.
Remedy: 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.
Back over prevention › Display function
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.
Remedy: 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.
Show 5 more recalls
Back over prevention › Sensing system › Camera
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.
Remedy: 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.
Back over prevention › Sensing system › Camera
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.
Remedy: 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.
Back over prevention › Sensing system › Camera
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.
Remedy: 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.
Back over prevention › Software
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Explorer, Lincoln Corsair, and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with 360-degree cameras. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
Remedy: Dealers will update the Image Processing Module (IPMB) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 16, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Back over prevention › Display function
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The image processing module may be unable to provide video feed to the display, which could result in a loss of the backup camera image.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the image processing module software with the latest level, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 21, 2021.
Collision Avoidance complaints in other Aviator years
Frequently asked questions
How common are collision avoidance problems on the 2020 Lincoln Aviator?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the driver assistance of the 2020 Lincoln Aviator, 22% of the model year's 110 complaints. The component named most often is sensing system › camera (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2020 Lincoln Aviator collision avoidance problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 26V-123 (software, Mar 3, 2026); NHTSA recall 25V-442 (software, Jun 27, 2025); NHTSA recall 25V-159 (software, Mar 14, 2025). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2020 Lincoln Aviator collision avoidance problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 79,000 miles.
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.