2004 Lincoln Aviator recalls & problems
The 2004 Lincoln Aviator has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 81 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is power train (22 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2004 Lincoln Aviator.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
2004 Lincoln Aviator 4DR. w/SAB
| Overall | Not Rated |
|---|---|
| Frontal crash | Not Rated |
| Side crash | Not Rated |
| Rollover | Not Rated |
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Aviator 2WD
| City / highway | 12 / 17 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
4.6 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $5,850/year to fuel
Aviator 4WD
| City / highway | 12 / 16 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
4.6 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $6,300/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Power train Automatic transmission; Driveline › Differential unit | 22 | 79,500 mi |
| Structure Body; Body › Hatchback/liftgate | 16 | 64,500 mi |
| Engine and engine cooling Engine | 15 | 60,750 mi |
| Electrical system Ignition | 8 | 105,400 mi |
| Air bags Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module | 7 | 89,591 mi |
| Visibility Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core; Rearview mirrors/devices › Exterior | 6 | 1,400 mi |
| Steering Electric power assist system; Column | 6 | 80,000 mi |
| Suspension Rear › Axle › Spindle; Rear | 5 | 80,000 mi |
| Service brakes, hydraulic Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Disc › Rotor | 5 | 32,000 mi |
| Unknown or other | 5 | 97,792 mi |
| Engine | 5 | 102,000 mi |
| Exterior lighting Brake lights › Switch | 3 | 62,000 mi |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Nov 9, 2019 · 205,000 milesElectrical system
MY SUV MISFIRES, SLIPS IN AND OUT OF GEARS, STALLS AT STOP SIGNS AND LIGHTS, ACCELERATES AT STOP LIGHTS. OCCASIONALLY WHEN THE AC IS TURNED ON, THERE IS A VERY LOUD CLUNK SOUND. - Oct 31, 2019 · 130,000 miles · crashAir bags
HIT A GUARDRAIL ON THE PARKWAY AND ONLY THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. - May 18, 2019 · 102,000 milesUnknown or other
BACKED UP VEHICLE STOPPED SHIFTED TRANSMISSION TO DRIVE PRESSED ACCELERATOR VEHICLE ROCKETED BACKWARD BECAUSE SHIFT CABLE DISLODGED FROM ATTACHMENT ON TRANSMISSION. - Jan 1, 2019Electrical system
BATTERY KEEPS GETTING DRAINED, I HAVE HAVE HAD SIX NEW BATTERY'S WITHIN TWO YEARS. ALTERNATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED. - Nov 23, 2017 · 83,000 milesUnknown or other
SHIFTER DOES NOT COME OUT OF PARK WITHOUT TRYING MANY MANY TIMES BEFORE IT RELEASES. - Jun 4, 2017 · 167,786 miles · 1 injuryElectrical system
THE VEHICLE DOWN SHIFT WHEN TURNING INTO THE FIRST AS IT GOES INTO SECOND MAKES IN AWFUL NOISE. WHEN I PARKED IT AND TRIED TO START IT AND IT WAS DEAD.THE MECHANIC FIGURE IT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE STARTER HE GOT UNDER THE VEHICLE TO APPLIED STARTER TOLD ME TO START IT AND IT DID AND IT PINNED HIM UNDER THE VEHICLE.THEY LATER SAID THE BELT HAD POPPED. THE VEHICLE HAD BEN LEAKING A LITE FLUID THEY BELIEVED IT TO BE THE DIFFERENTIAL OIL. ITS A FOUR WHEEL DRIVE. I HAD IT TOWED TO BOHN FORD 6/5/17THEY ARE CHARGING 350.00 TO REPLACE THE BELT.CITY ST. LATER PARK IT AT WALMART PARKING LOT WHERE THE PEOPLE HELPED PUSH THE VEHICLE OFF THE MECHANIC.THE VEHICLE WOULD ROLL BACK WHEN PUT IN DRIVE. - Feb 1, 2009 · 20,000 milesExterior lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN AVIATOR. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE WIRING FOR THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS FAULTY. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS REPLACED AND THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED.THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. UPDATED 08/29/17*LJ *CN - Jan 13, 2014Power train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN AVIATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT GEARS, THE GEAR SHIFTER SEIZED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION CYLINDER. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
- EA09013 · opened Aug 18, 2009 · closed Feb 12, 2013Vehicle 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 failure mechanism, the failure of the Automatic Transmission Parking System, was 4.4/100K.The next-highest failure rate was for the BSI System, at 3.4/100K.For all identified failure mechanisms there has been a drastically declining trend including very few incidents occurring in recent years.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.For additional information… - DP05005 · opened Sep 22, 2005 · closed Jan 4, 2006SPARK 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 EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE.AS OF DECEMBER 8, 2005, ODI IS NOT AWARE OF ANY ALLEGATIONS WHERE THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, A CRASH, AN INJURY, OR A FATALITY IN ANY OF THE 10,319,810 SUBJECT VEHICLES.IN ADDITION, ODI IS AWARE OF ONLY TWO INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT RESTART.INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ODI CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND OBTAINED FROM 72 TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS WITH COMPLAINANTS SHOWED THE FOLLOWING:(1) 99% OF THE COMPLAINTS WERE ON MY…