AI Damage2023 Lincoln Aviator: common problems
Owners of the 2023 Lincoln Aviator filed 24 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and backover prevention. The maker issued 129 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 24
- involving a crash
- 1
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 129
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 29% of all complaints
- 2 Backover prevention 21% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 17% of all complaints
- 4 Fuel/propulsion system 13% of all complaints
- 5 Forward collision avoidance 13% of all complaints
- 6 Powertrain 8% of all complaints
- 7 Structure 8% of all complaints
- 8 Seats 8% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 7 complaints (29% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 33.
- Backover prevention: 5 complaints (21% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 3.
- Engine: 4 complaints (17% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 5.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 3 complaints (13% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 6.
- Forward collision avoidance: 3 complaints (13% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3 L · petrol · turbo · 6 cyl
- 3 L · plug-in hybrid · turbo · 6 cyl
- automatic, 10-speed
Drive: 4WD, RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 24 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 7 | 0 | 33 |
| Backover prevention | 5 | 1 | 3 |
| Engine | 4 | 0 | 5 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 0 | 6 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 2 | 0 | 37 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 7 |
| Seats | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 9 |
| Lane departure | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 1 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
In addition, the rear-view camera system did not alert the contact. The contact's vehicle crashed into a trailer. No injuries were sustained. No police report was filed. The contact vehicle sustained damage to the rear of the vehicle.
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 limit drops from 65 mph to 55 mph.
The adaptive cruise control was also not working correctly. When you have the cruise control on the lane assist will cancel on you without warning. It also has issues maintaining the lane and wants to pull. I brought it back to Findlay Lincoln within a couple of weeks of purchasing the vehicle.
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…
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.
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 place. I had the vehicle towed to the dealer at request of my insurance company to assess damage.
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.
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.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 1,179 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 44% least complained about).
On average one model year of the Aviator has 31 complaints (8 years in the data). This year has 24, below average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Backover prevention. Rear camera and parking sensors after a rear impact.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- 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
- Some 2020-2026 Aviator/Explorer/F-150/Bronco/Ranger vehicles equipped with a 2.7L or 3.0L (non-diesel)…
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)…
- For 2020-2026 Aviator/Corsair and 2018-2026 Navigator vehicles, if diagnostics in Workshop Manual (WSM)…
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…
- Some 2020-2024 Explorer/Aviator vehicles equipped with 3.0L EcoBoost/hybrid engine may exhibit blue or…
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…
- 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.
- 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…
- This article supersedes 26-2287. Reason for update
update the labor operation numbers to add MT to operations C, F, G, H, J, K, L and M, and correct the part number LIMZ-4A015-B to L1MZ-4A015-B. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit at…
- Some 2021-2023 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 3.5L PowerBoost engine, 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles equipped…
Some 2021-2023 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 3.5L PowerBoost engine, 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 3.3L hybrid engine, and 2020-2023 Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with a 3.0L EcoBoost hybrid engine…
- NEW VEHICLE DELIVERY HOLD - Emissions Recall 26E04 Certain 2021-2025 Model Year F-150, Maverick, Mustang,…
NEW VEHICLE DELIVERY HOLD - Emissions Recall 26E04 Certain 2021-2025 Model Year F-150, Maverick, Mustang, Ranger, Expedition, Bronco Sport, Explorer, Bronco, Navigator, and Aviator Vehicles Powertrain Control Module…
- Reason For Update
update the parts list to correct the claim quantity of the part number JB3Z-4B496-B from 3 to 6. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit at least one of the following conditions: * Harsh…
- This article supersedes 25-2302. Reason for update
update the labor time allowance for F-150 vehicles, update the Parts list to replace the part number W716979-S439 with W721084-S439, and add a note for LV fluids XT-10-QLVC and CXT-10-LV6 "Transfer Case Fluid". Some of…
- For 20202026 vehicles equipped with the 10R60 transmission, a new Transmission Clutch Circuit Leak Test…
For 20202026 vehicles equipped with the 10R60 transmission, a new Transmission Clutch Circuit Leak Test has been introduced in the Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS). This test utilizes the pressure and vacuum…
NHTSA lists 129 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Lincoln Aviator?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, backover prevention, engine. Total complaints: 24. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: infotainment or screen glitches (25%), stalls while driving (13%), driver assists: adaptive cruise, lane keeping (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2023 Lincoln Aviator?
NHTSA lists 129 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2023 Lincoln Aviator from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2023 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.