Total Complaints
115 filings
Lincoln Aviator · model year
2004 Lincoln Aviator
115 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports. A VIN lookup is required to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
- Complaints
- 115
- Recalls
- 0
The verdict
The 2004 Lincoln Aviator posts above-average complaint volume among its own model-year siblings.
- 33rd pctile
- complaint volume, own model years
- 0
- recall campaigns
The 2004LincolnAviator carries 115 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 1 fire, 5 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
The most frequently selected component label in reports for the 2004 Aviator is power train:automatic transmission with 12 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling (10) and structure:body (10). Complaint categories reflect owner reports and intake categorization; they do not establish a defect pattern or cause.
NHTSA currently has 15 investigation files overlapping the 2004 Aviator, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should read the complaint-by-year trend as report volume, not a causal diagnosis. Use the related-complaint feed and the official recall lookup when researching a specific vehicle.
115
Complaints
2
Crashes
1
Fires
5
Injuries
0
Deaths
F
PlainCars Safety Score
0/100
2004 Lincoln Aviator
PlainCars' own composite of NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings and rollover-risk assessment, each dimension normalized against the federal scale or the full national model-year corpus. Not an official NHTSA figure, and not a substitute for a specific vehicle's VIN-level recall check.
NHTSA Overall Rating N/A
Not rated
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program overall crash-test rating.
Front Crash N/A
Not rated
Frontal barrier crash-test rating.
Side Crash N/A
Not rated
Side barrier and pole crash-test rating.
Rollover Resistance N/A
Not rated
Static stability factor + dynamic rollover test rating.
Rollover Risk N/A
Not reported
NHTSA single-vehicle rollover probability, dynamic test.
Crashes Reported
2 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 12 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 10 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 10 |
| POWER TRAIN | 9 |
| AIR BAGS | 6 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 6 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 5 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 5 |
| ENGINE | 5 |
| STEERING | 4 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE | 3 |
| SUSPENSION | 3 |
| VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 2 |
Recent Complaints
20191112ELECTRICAL 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.
Mileage: 205,000
20191112ENGINE
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.
Mileage: 205,000
20191112WHEELS
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.
Mileage: 205,000
20191103CrashAIR BAGS
HIT A GUARDRAIL ON THE PARKWAY AND ONLY THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED.
Mileage: 130,000
20190520UNKNOWN OR OTHER
BACKED UP VEHICLE STOPPED SHIFTED TRANSMISSION TO DRIVE PRESSED ACCELERATOR VEHICLE ROCKETED BACKWARD BECAUSE SHIFT CABLE DISLODGED FROM ATTACHMENT ON TRANSMISSION.
Mileage: 102,000
20190226ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
BATTERY KEEPS GETTING DRAINED, I HAVE HAVE HAD SIX NEW BATTERY'S WITHIN TWO YEARS. ALTERNATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED.
20171226UNKNOWN OR OTHER
SHIFTER DOES NOT COME OUT OF PARK WITHOUT TRYING MANY MANY TIMES BEFORE IT RELEASES.
Mileage: 83,000
20170605ELECTRICAL 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.
Mileage: 167,786
20170605POWER TRAIN
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.
Mileage: 167,786
20170605EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
Mileage: 167,786
20170517EXTERIOR 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
Mileage: 20,000
20160113POWER 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.
20150714AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN AVIATOR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. THERE WAS NO CRASH INVOLVED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A CRASH DETECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.
Mileage: 59,000
20150330STRUCTURE:BODY
THE BACK LIFT GATE WAS CRACK WITH OUT ACCIDENT, FORD SHOULD RECALL. *TR
Mileage: 100,000
20150222AIR BAGS
I WAS DRIVING EAST ON THE 202 FWY IN PHOENIX AT A SPEED BETWEEN 65-68 MPH WHEN I HEARD A LOUD BANG AND BOTH SIDE AIR CURTAINS DEPLOYED. TIME: 9:30 P.M. FEB. 20, 2015. *TR
Mileage: 129,802
20150222STRUCTURE:BODY
I WAS DRIVING EAST ON THE 202 FWY IN PHOENIX AT A SPEED BETWEEN 65-68 MPH WHEN I HEARD A LOUD BANG AND BOTH SIDE AIR CURTAINS DEPLOYED. TIME: 9:30 P.M. FEB. 20, 2015. *TR
Mileage: 129,802
20141006POWER TRAIN
I TRIED TO PULL OFF AT A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION AND NOTHING. I CAME VERY CLOSE TO GETTING INTO A CRASH. I AM NOW TOLD FROM THE DEALERSHIP THAT I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION AND TRANSFER CASE. I'VE TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE OF MY VEHICLE SINCE I PURCHASE MY 2004 LINCOLN AVIATOR LUX WITH 80,000 MILES ON IT AND ALWAYS HAD IT SERVICED AT THE DEALERSHIP. I THOUGHT I WAS MAKING A GOOD DECISION WHEN PURCHASING A LINCOLN. I'M A SINGLE PARENT AND WANTED A RELIABLE VEHICLE. WORST DECISION I EVER MADE!!! FIRST IT STARTED WITH THE GEAR SHIFT GETTING STUCK AND NEEDING REPLACED. THEN I HAD TO REPLACE ALL COIL PACKS. THE AIR CONDITION STARTED MAKING A FUNNY NOISE WHEN YOU TURN IT ON BUT HASN'T BEEN FIXED BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP CAN NEVER GET IT TO DUPLICATE BUT HAPPENS TO ME ALL THE TIME! NEXT BOTH WHEEL HUBS. THE SECOND ONE BREAKING ON THE INTERSTATE WHILE IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE PENNSYLVANIA. THANKFULLY I NOTICED A WEIRD NOISE AND PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY BECAUSE THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER (I HAD TO WAIT ON FOR 2
Mileage: 126,000
20140708UNKNOWN OR OTHER
SHIFTER WOULD NOT GO INTO PARK FROM REVERSE SOMETIMES WOULD NOT UNLOCK FROM PARK POSITION. SERIOUS PROBLEM WHEN YOUR SHIFTER SHOWS IN DRIVE AND YOU END UP STILL GOING IN REVERSE. READ OTHER COMPLAINTS FROM OWNERS SOUNDS LIKE A DEFECT WHICH COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. *JS
Mileage: 97,792
20140708POWER TRAIN
SHIFTER WOULD NOT GO INTO PARK FROM REVERSE SOMETIMES WOULD NOT UNLOCK FROM PARK POSITION. SERIOUS PROBLEM WHEN YOUR SHIFTER SHOWS IN DRIVE AND YOU END UP STILL GOING IN REVERSE. READ OTHER COMPLAINTS FROM OWNERS SOUNDS LIKE A DEFECT WHICH COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. *JS
Mileage: 97,792
20140528ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN AVIATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,000.
Mileage: 102,000
Compare 2004LincolnAviator to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations 1 Open
Vehicle Safety Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 2004 Lincoln Aviator have?▼
The 2004 Lincoln Aviator has 115 NHTSA complaints, 2 crashes, 1 fires, 5 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Lincoln Aviator?▼
The most-complained component for the 2004 Lincoln Aviator is POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION with 12 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING and STRUCTURE:BODY.
Is the 2004 Lincoln Aviator safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Data vintage: August 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Every figure on PlainCars is rendered directly from NHTSA complaint and safety data, no number is typed in by an editor. This year-specific record is rendered from NHTSA ODI, recall, and NCAP rows for the 2004 Lincoln Aviator; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of August 2026.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.