NHTSA (USA)High Risk
At a glance
This page covers 35 recalls, 105 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2020 Lincoln Aviator.
20–23 mpg combined
10.2–11.8 L/100km
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 3 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The 2020 Lincoln Aviator draws complaints across three main areas: the electrical system, the back-over prevention system, and the powertrain. On the electrical side, owners describe a range of issues including camera and display malfunctions, warning lights, and suspension-related electrical faults. The back-over prevention system generates a notable cluster of complaints where owners report the automatic braking engaging erratically while reversing, producing a jerking sensation, and sometimes continuing the behavior after shifting into drive, often accompanied by warnings like "Pre-Collision Assist Not Available" and "Hill Start Assist" alerts. Powertrain complaints split between the plug-in hybrid and conventional drivetrain: hybrid owners describe sudden propulsion loss with "Powertrain Malfunction / Reduced Power" messages, while other owners report transmission-related symptoms including loud clunking on engagement, shuddering while driving, and in some cases valve body replacements leading to full transmission replacement.
105
Total Complaints
1
Crash-Related
By System
The 2020 Lincoln Aviator has 35 recalls, the most serious being a high-voltage battery defect on plug-in hybrid models where internal cell failure can cut drive power without warning and create a fire risk.
Several other fire and drivetrain risks affect the Aviator across non-hybrid and hybrid trims. An engine wiring harness that contacts the air conditioning compressor pulley can short circuit and cause a fire, and a fuel vapor line that chafes through the liquid fuel line can cause a fuel leak near ignition sources. A loose motor mount can allow the axle to separate from the engine and cause sudden loss of drive, and a drive shaft that fractures at its weld seam can disconnect rear-wheel drive power or allow the vehicle to roll away in Park. Rear lower control arm bolts that break can cause a loss of steering control.
Occupant restraint is a major theme. Second-row seat belt anchor bolts may be loose or missing, leaving those belts unable to hold an occupant in a crash. Front seat side airbag mounting fasteners may be loose, potentially disrupting airbag deployment. Second-row seat fold switches can stick and allow seats to move or collapse unexpectedly while driving. Vehicles with the Revel Audio System may have a seatbelt reminder chime that sounds for less than four seconds, which prior repair attempts did not fully resolve in some cases. There is also a front seat recliner assembly concern where the seat back may not provide adequate restraint in a crash.
Rear visibility is another recurring issue. The rearview or 360-degree
At a glance
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What can fail
The bolts securing the seat belt anchors at the second-row outer seats may not be properly tightened, potentially allowing the seat belts to come loose.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and tighten, repair, or replace the second-row outer seat belt anchor bolts as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The bolts that attach the second-row outboard seat belt anchors may be loose or missing, which could cause the seat belt to detach during a crash.
What the fix does
A dealership will inspect the seat belt anchor bolts and install, tighten, or replace them as needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The center display screen may flip or invert when you shift into reverse, causing the rearview camera image to display upside down or backwards.
What the fix does
Ford will send you a letter with instructions for a software or hardware update to correct the display orientation.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The windshield wiper motor may fail, causing the windshield wipers to stop working properly.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the front wiper motors and replace them if needed at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image or fail to clear the image after backing up.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the rearview camera software at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The trim around the second-row seat fold switch may not be properly installed, causing the switch to stick. This could cause the seat to fold or move without warning.
What the fix does
Ford will mail you instructions to visit a dealership to inspect the trim and replace the switch if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The C-pillar trim and window division bars on rear passenger doors may not be securely fastened, causing them to loosen and separate from the vehicle.
What the fix does
A dealership will inspect the C-pillar trims and window division bars and replace them if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear door window bars and C-pillar trim may not be bonded securely enough, allowing the trim to separate and detach from the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will repair or replace the C-pillar trim and window bars at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, causing the seats to unlatch, fold, or slide unexpectedly while driving.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the second-row seat switch and replace the bezel around the switch as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The seat belt warning chime may sound for less than 4 seconds when the driver starts the vehicle without buckling the seat belt, instead of the required duration.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the audio control module software at no charge to restore proper warning chime duration.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
High voltage battery cells may develop an internal short circuit and fail due to a manufacturing defect in certain vehicles repaired under a previous recall.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the Battery Energy Control Module software at no cost to address the defect.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The seat belt reminder chime may not sound long enough when you start the vehicle without buckling your seat belt, which violates Canadian safety regulations requiring both a sound and visual warning.
What the fix does
Ford will mail you instructions to visit a dealership, where technicians will update your audio control module software.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rearview camera image may not display on the screen due to video output failure in vehicles that received an incorrect repair under a previous recall.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the Image Processing Module software at no cost to restore rearview camera display.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Seat belt buckle anchor bolts at any seating position may not be properly tightened. The seat belt retractor and anchor bolts at the second-row center seat may also be loose.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect all seat belt anchor bolts. Loose bolts will be corrected by replacing affected seat components at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The air bag warning label on the dashboard may be missing, which means the vehicle doesn't have the required safety information label.
What the fix does
Ford will mail you the warning label at no cost. Letters were sent December 19, 2024. Call 1-866-436-7332 with questions.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Electromagnetic interference from a cell phone in the vehicle can cause the rearview camera image to flicker or become distorted.
What the fix does
Dealers will install shielding on the accessory protocol image module to prevent the interference.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Cell phone signals can interfere with the rearview camera module, causing the rearview camera image to flicker when you shift into reverse.
What the fix does
A dealership will install a protective cover on the camera module to block signal interference.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The high-voltage battery may have internal cell defects that cause short circuits and overheating, potentially shutting down the battery and cutting power to the wheels.
What the fix does
Dealers will test the battery energy control module and replace the high-voltage battery pack if defects are found.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A manufacturing flaw in the high voltage battery cells can cause an internal short circuit, leading to battery failure.
What the fix does
Dealers will test the battery control module and replace the high voltage battery pack if needed, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rearview camera or 360-degree view camera may fail to display an image when you shift into reverse.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the camera and update software and wiring as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The 360-degree camera system may fail to output video, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying on the vehicle's screen.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the 360-degree camera at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rearview camera image may stop displaying because the video processing system can fail.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the image processing module software at no cost to restore camera functionality.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The seat belt warning chime may sound for less than 4 seconds when the driver's seat belt is unbuckled and the vehicle starts, instead of sounding long enough to alert the driver.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the audio control module software at no cost to reprogram the warning chime duration.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The 360-degree camera system's video output may fail, causing the rearview camera image to stop displaying on your screen.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the Image Processing Module software at no cost to restore camera display function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The engine wiring harness may not be securely fastened, allowing it to contact the A/C compressor pulley. This contact can damage the wiring and cause an electrical short circuit.
What the fix does
A dealer will install a tie strap to secure the wiring harness and inspect both the harness and A/C compressor belt for damage, repairing as needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The wire harness securing the A/C compressor may be loose, allowing it to contact the compressor pulley and damage electrical wires or the drive belt.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the harness and belt for damage, replace them if needed, and install a tie strap to secure the harness.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The image processing module may fail to send video feed to the display, causing the backup camera image to disappear.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the image processing module software to the latest version at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The bolts connecting the rear lower control arms to the wheel knuckles may lack proper heat treatment, causing them to break.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace both rear lower control arm bolts at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The windshield washer fluid in these vehicles is contaminated with brake fluid, which prevents the washer system from working properly.
What the fix does
Dealers will flush the washer system and replace the washer bottle neck, pump assembly, fluid level sensor, and front and rear wiper blades. Paint and exterior components will be inspected and repaired if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fasteners securing the right motor mount may have been insufficiently tightened during manufacturing and could gradually loosen.
What the fix does
Dealers will remove and replace the right motor mount fasteners at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The drive shaft may crack at the weld seam, potentially affecting power delivery to the wheels.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the drive shaft if needed at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The side air bag and seat back module attachments in front seat backs may not be properly tightened, potentially causing them to loosen.
What the fix does
Dealers will remove front seat back panels and verify that fasteners are properly tightened.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The protective sleeve on the vapor fuel line can wear through the liquid fuel line over time, creating a fuel leak.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a longer protective sleeve on the liquid fuel line at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front or rear seat recliner mechanism may be missing a critical locking pawl, causing the seat back to be loose and weak.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect your seat structure and replace it if needed at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Manual Park Release cover may be missing. The vehicle may also be stuck in Factory Mode, which turns off warning alerts and hides which gear is selected.
What the fix does
Dealers will install the Manual Park Release cover if needed and check that Factory Mode is off, clearing any related fault codes.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
