Engine complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2023 Lincoln Aviator. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle in the garage, the garage became extremely hot, and the fans underneath the vehicle activated. The contact opened the garage. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the "Service Engine Now" message was displayed. The powertrain control module had detected a fault with the high-voltage system, and a message was displayed. After researching, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V626000 (Electrical System); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 20,990.
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 wind is blowing in and the rear view camera and display work whenever it wants. A lot of time the screen just goes dark when it's needed the most. I just recently took my car to the dealership bec the engine light came on and my car started sputtering g while driving. Ford serviced it and within a week it did the same thing and light was back on. This time it started not cranking easy time I had to get gas. As I was driving on hwy after fuel up my car started jerking and just shut down engine. …
The contact owns a 2022 Lincoln Aviator. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH and entering the on-ramp, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was restarted. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V455000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, but the vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 47,000.
On July 25, 2025 my 2022 Lincoln Aviator Hybrid Grand Touring Edition stalled while driving on Interstate 25 in Colorado Springs. I lost partial control of the vehicle but was able to guide it onto the shoulder and allow it to coast to a stop. I had this vehicle towed to the dealership (where it was purchased new): Phil Long Lincoln, Motor City in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It has been there ever since (almost 5 months) and has not been repaired. The service department suspects that the current safety recall issued July 8, 2025 (NHTSA Recall number: 25V455) was the root cause. They claim they could find nothing in the logs but they cannot rule out this as a problem. This is a life threatening issue with this vehicle and I have also been without my car for almost 5 months with repair available or capable by the dealer or Lincoln. …
The contact owns a 2021 Lincoln Aviator. The contact stated that the vehicle did not start, the vehicle was , the hood was raised, the contact went back to the vehicle to try to start, the vehicle would not turn over with clicking in the engine. the vehicle began to smoke with very thick white smoke, the contact was unable to exit the vehicle of the drivers side front seat. The battery was disconnected and a manual latch was discovered on the drivers side door. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.
Powertrain malfunctioning. The vehicle has had multiple neutral out (not reacting) when the accelerator is applied. Occurring in the middle of an intersection 3 times. Stuck in the middle of the intersection has resulted in two (2) cases of almost being hit by an oncoming vehicle. Pulling into traffic from a stop sign and losing the accelerator another time resulting in traffic breaking hard to avoid an accident. Recently while in cruise control on the highway driving 79 MPH, the vehicle suddenly shifted into what had to be the lowest gear lunging passengers forward and slowing to an unacceptable speed for the highway. Almost initiating being hit from the rear by a tractor trailer and just making it off of the shoulder to safety. This may be the result of service bulletins 22-2145 or SSM 50529. …
My wife went to a friends house to drop something off, pulled in the driveway, pushed the Park button, got out of the vehicle, as she was walking away the car drove through their garage door. We paid about $3300 to have their door replaced. We just recently received a recall 26V402 that talks about this issue and it currently says there is not a remedy for it at this point.
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. …
Related recalls (3)
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Hard parts internal/mechanical
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Bronco, F-150, Edge, Explorer, Lincoln Nautilus, and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with either a 2.7L or 3.0L Nano EcoBoost engine. The engine intake valves may break while driving, which can result in engine failure and a loss of drive power.
Remedy: Dealers will perform an engine cycle test and replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 3, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Engine
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022 Lincoln Aviator and Ford Explorer vehicles. The engine rails may have been improperly heat-treated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 208, "Occupant Crash Protection" and 301, "Fuel System Integrity."
Remedy: Dealers will perform an engine rail strength test and replace the rails as necessary, free of charge. If the engine rails require replacement, owners will have the option for a vehicle replacement or buyback.
Engine
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The right hand motor mount fasteners may have been incorrectly tightened, and may loosen over time.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove and replace the right hand motor mount fasteners, free of charge. The recall began February 3, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
NHTSA investigations
Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
On September 6, 2005, odi received a petition requesting that the agency investigate allegations of engine spark plug ejection in certain model year 1997 through 2004 Ford vehicles with triton v-8 and v-10 engines.odi received a total of 474 non-duplicative complaints on the subject vehicles where the complainant, or the dealer repairing the vehicle, reported that a spark plug detached from the cylinder and/or…
Loss of Motive Power
On July 22, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) granted a Defect Petition (DP22001) and opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE22007) to investigate allegations of loss of motive power in model year (MY) 2021 Ford Bronco vehicles equipped with 2.7L EcoBoost engines. Complainants were reporting sudden engine failure while driving resulting in a loss of motive power, often without the ability to restart.
Frequently asked questions
Which Lincoln Aviator years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2004 (20), 2003 (17), 2020 (8), 2021 (6) and 2022 (6) model years. Engine complaints make up 25% of all complaints for the 2004.
Is there a recall for Lincoln Aviator engine problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 24V-635 (hard parts internal/mechanical, Aug 23, 2024); 22V-454 (engine, Jun 24, 2022); 20V-788 (engine, Dec 17, 2020). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Lincoln Aviator engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 74,000 miles; 21% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine (8 mentions), followed by the exhaust system › emission control › catalytic convertor (1).
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.