This page covers 16 recalls, 23 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2023 Lincoln Aviator.
19–23 mpg combined
10.2–12.4 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 4 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The most consistent complaint pattern on the 2023 Lincoln Aviator centers on the back-over prevention system, specifically the rear-view camera. Owners frequently report the camera display malfunctioning while reversing, described as a glitching or scrambled image, and in at least one case the image appearing to flip toward the front of the vehicle rather than showing what's behind it. Some owners also report the system failing to issue expected alerts during reversing. Electrical system complaints make up the next notable group, though the reported symptoms vary. A smaller cluster of seat-related complaints rounds out the picture. One owner separately describes an ongoing stalling issue under acceleration from a stop, with the problem persisting across multiple service visits, though this appears in a single report rather than a recurring pattern across multiple owners.
23
Total Complaints
1
Crash-Related
By System
The 2023 Lincoln Aviator has 15 recalls, the most serious being a transmission bolt that can prevent the park gear from fully engaging, leaving the vehicle free to roll even when the shifter shows "Park." A separate drivetrain concern involves the low-pressure fuel pump, which can fail and stall the engine without warning while driving.
On the occupant safety side, second-row outer seat belt anchor bolts may be loose and unable to properly restrain a passenger in a crash. The switch controlling the easy-entry function on those same second-row seats can also bind and cause a seat to fold, slide, or unlatch unexpectedly while driving. Vehicles equipped with a Revel Audio System have a seatbelt reminder issue where the audible chime sounds for less than four seconds when the driver's belt is unbuckled at startup; prior repair attempts for this issue did not fully resolve the problem for some vehicles.
Several recalls cluster around rear visibility: the rearview or 360-degree camera can fail to display an image when reversing, display a flipped or distorted image, or flicker due to interference from a nearby cell phone. Prior repair attempts for the camera display failure did not fully resolve the issue on certain vehicles. Trim adhesive on the rear door window bars and C-pillar can also fail, allowing pieces to detach and become road hazards. One compliance recall covers a missing airbag warning label on the dashboard.
The official notice
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2027 Aviator and 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, tipping, or sliding unexpectedly.
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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 →
Safety Risk
A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters explaining the safety risk are expected to be mailed July 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in January 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S52. This recall expands Recall 25V393. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 16, 2026.
At a glance
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 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 low-pressure fuel pump may fail, causing the engine to stall while driving.
What the fix does
Ford is developing a fix. A second letter with repair instructions will be mailed when available, expected in Q2 2026.
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 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
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
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
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
A loose bolt in the automatic transmission may prevent the vehicle from actually engaging park gear, even though the gear shifter shows park position.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the transmission 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 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.
