LINCOLN AVIATOR · model year

2004 LINCOLN AVIATOR

115 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

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.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2004 AVIATOR is power train:automatic transmission with 12 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling (10) and structure:body (10). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 15 investigation files overlapping the 2004 AVIATOR, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

115
Complaints
2
Crashes
1
Fires
5
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

115 filings

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

ComponentCount
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION12
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING10
STRUCTURE:BODY10
POWER TRAIN9
AIR BAGS6
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE5
UNKNOWN OR OTHER5
ENGINE5
STEERING4
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE3
SUSPENSION3
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP2

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

View all investigations

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.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. 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.