AI Damage2025 Lincoln Aviator: common problems
Owners of the 2025 Lincoln Aviator filed 18 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and service brakes. The maker issued 141 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 18
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 141
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 28% of all complaints
- 2 Service brakes 28% of all complaints
- 3 Forward collision avoidance 22% of all complaints
- 4 Visibility 17% of all complaints
- 5 Seats 17% of all complaints
- 6 Steering 11% of all complaints
- 7 Engine 11% of all complaints
- 8 Powertrain 6% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 5 complaints (28% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 67.
- Service brakes: 5 complaints (28% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Forward collision avoidance: 4 complaints (22% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 5.
- Visibility: 3 complaints (17% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 8.
- Seats: 3 complaints (17% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 3.
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
- automatic, 10-speed
Drive: RWD, 4WD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 18 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 | 5 | 0 | 67 |
| Service brakes | 5 | 0 | 1 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 4 | 0 | 5 |
| Visibility | 3 | 0 | 8 |
| Seats | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 9 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| Lane departure | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Backover prevention | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 11 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
This is not simply a false collision warning. The vehicle physically applies the brakes aggressively, despite there being no vehicle, pedestrian, or other obstruction requiring emergency braking. I have nearly been rear-ended by other vehicles as a direct result of these unexpected braking events.
Unpredictable Steering and Potential Loss of Vehicle Control My 2025 Lincoln Aviator is experiencing a serious and ongoing steering malfunction that makes it extremely difficult to maintain control of the vehicle.
I had a mechanic attempt to show me where and how the clean the lines and they could not show any routine maintenance to ensure the cabin sunroof drains wont clog with pollen. I am a XXX in [XXX] and would report incidents like this to FDA and other govt.
Multiple loss of power, misfires, rough running and abnormal shifting. These events have put my family and I at risk as well as posing a significant risk to other drivers sharing the road due to the sudden loss of power while on the highway. Lincoln is dismissive and not taking this seriously.
The contact stated that the front passenger's side window failed to roll up or down as needed. The contact stated that the front driver's side window motor was previously replaced due to the same failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired.
The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the sunroof glass exploded. The contact stated it sounded like a shotgun when the sunroof glass exploded. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired.
Everytime I start my vehicle the parking brake fault service now light comes on.
The instant loss of power braking functionality dramatically extended the vehicle's stopping distance and significantly reduced control of a SUV in a high-speed environment.
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 1,291 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 39% least complained about).
On average one model year of the Aviator has 31 complaints (8 years in the data). This year has 18, below average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Forward collision avoidance. Radar and camera: calibration after bumper or windshield replacement.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Some 2024-2026 Nautilus and 2025-2027 Explorer/Aviator vehicles equipped with power folding mirrors may…
Some 2024-2026 Nautilus and 2025-2027 Explorer/Aviator vehicles equipped with power folding mirrors may exhibit concerns with the auto folding mirror functionality not matching the status selected by the switch in the…
- Some 2025-2027 Aviator vehicles may exhibit a "Door Fault Service Required", "Transmission Not In Park"…
Some 2025-2027 Aviator vehicles may exhibit a "Door Fault Service Required", "Transmission Not In Park" and/or "Hill Start Assist Not Available" message in the instrument panel cluster (IPC) with diagnostic trouble…
- 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 2024-2026 Nautilus and 2025-2026 Explorer/Aviator/Expedition/Navigator vehicles may experience…
Some 2024-2026 Nautilus and 2025-2026 Explorer/Aviator/Expedition/Navigator vehicles may experience Android Auto connection or general Bluetooth pairing concerns for both Android and IOS after an APIM software update…
- 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.
- Some 2024-2026 F-150, 2025 Explorer/Aviator, 2025-2026 Expedition/Navigator, or 2026 F-Super Duty vehicles…
Some 2024-2026 F-150, 2025 Explorer/Aviator, 2025-2026 Expedition/Navigator, or 2026 F-Super Duty vehicles may exhibit diagnostic trouble code (DTC) U211B:43:48 stored in the body control module (BCM) when performing a…
- Some 2025 Aviator/Explorer/Police Interceptor Utility vehicles may exhibit a "Steering Assist Fault…
Some 2025 Aviator/Explorer/Police Interceptor Utility vehicles may exhibit a "Steering Assist Fault Service Required" message and diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) C1110:56 and/or U3000:96 stored in the power steering…
- 26S21 Recall remedy Infotainment system update to prevent rearview camera image interruptions
- Quality improvements include
Enables the Open On Approach feature
- Some of the following vehicles
* 2023-2025 F-Super Duty built on or before 02-Feb-2025 * 2024-2026 Ranger/Bronco/Mustang * 2024-2025 F-150 built on or before 15-Jul-2025 * 2024-2025 Nautilus built on or before 16-Feb-2025 * 2025 Explorer/Aviator…
- Some of the following vehicles
* 2025-2026 Expedition/Navigator built on or after 02-Feb-2025 * 2025-2026 F-Super Duty built on or after 02-Feb-2025 * 2025-2026 Explorer/Aviator built on or after 02-Feb-2025 * 2025-2026 Nautilus built on or after…
NHTSA lists 141 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 2025 Lincoln Aviator?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, service brakes, forward collision avoidance. Total complaints: 18. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: windows, sunroof (17%), driver assists: adaptive cruise, lane keeping (11%), loss of power / limp mode (11%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2025 Lincoln Aviator?
NHTSA lists 141 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 2025 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 2025 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.