2003 Lincoln Aviator Complaint Log

2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR. CONSUMER WRITES FROM ONTARIO REGARDING PROBLEMS WITH TIRES *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE PURCHASED FOUR TIRES IN DECEMBER 2006. THE CONSUMER STATED HE STILL HAS THE RECEIPT WHICH IS CLEARLY MARKED WITH A 130,000 MILE WARRANTY. THE TWO REAR TIRES HAVE BROKEN BELTS AND WIRES PROTRUDING FROM THEM. THE CONSUMER WENT BACK TO THE ESTABLISHMENT WHERE HE PURCHASED THE TIRES FROM AND THE MANAGER STATED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TIRES, BEFORE EVEN LOOKING AT THE THEM AND STATED THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE VEHICLE. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LINCOLN AVIATOR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE GEAR SHIFT CABLE BROKE. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS AN UNUSUAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE DRIVERS SIDE POWER WINDOW HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HER RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THERE WAS AN OPEN RECALL ON THE VEHICLE BUT DID NOT PERTAIN TO THE FAILURE SHE WAS EXPERIENCING. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 130,000.

THE GAS PEDAL ON MY 03 LINCOLN AVIATOR COMES LOOSE. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED MY GAS PEDAL GOT STUCK AND I HAD TO SWITCH INTO NEUTRAL AND PHYSICALLY LIFT IT. I HAD THE PROBLEM FIX BUT IT HAS COME LOOSE AGAIN. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT LINCOLN DOESN'T HAVE THE PART AND THAT THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR. WHILE SHIFTING INTO PARK, THE SHIFTER LEVER BROKE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT BUT THE CONTACT PLANNED TO HAVE IT TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP. THE FAILURE AND MILEAGE WAS 127,467.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK IN THE DRIVE POSITION, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ABNORMALLY ACCELERATE IN THE REVERSE POSITION WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITHOUT INCIDENT. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, HE FOUND THAT THE SHIFTER CABLE WAS DISCONNECTED. HE WAS ABLE TO CONNECT THE CABLE AND PARK THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER; THE CABLE DISCONNECTED A SECOND TIME WHILE PARKING. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS DIRECTLY RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V313000: POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 62,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED ABOUT RECALL 02V313000 (POWERTRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) WHICH CITED THE SAME FAILURE AS THE ONE THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED. HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 73,250. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 73,150. UPDATED 06/21/10 *BF UPDATED 06/24/10.*JB

2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR

THE BACK LIFT COMPONENT HAS A CRACK ON EACH SIDE OF THE LINCOLN EMBLEM. THE BODY SHOP NEAR WHERE I WORK TOLD ME THAT THIS IS VERY COMMON WITH THE AVIATORS, AND THAT HE HAS REPLACED MANY OF THEM. IT IS A MANUFACTURING ERROR AND SHOULD BE REPLACED BY FORD/LINCOLN. I HAVE PURPOSELY LOOKED AT OTHER AVIATORS AND FOUND THAT THEY HAVE THE SAME CRACKS IN THE SAME PLACE BY THE EMBLEM. I WAS TOLD BY THE FORD DEALERSHIP HERE THAT THE COMPANY WOULD NOT FIX IT. MY VEHICLE IS NO LONGER IN WARRANTY. IT NOW HAS ABOUT 66,000 MILES, BUT I NOTICED THE CRACKS ABOUT A YEAR AGO, SO AT THAT TIME, IT HAD 50,000+ MILES. *TR

OWNER OF 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR (ACQUIRED EARLY 2004). SINCE THAT TIME, WHILE VEHICLE UNDER WARRANTY, ON 4 SEPARATE OCCASIONS, A CRACK HAS APPEARED NEAR THE EMBLEM ON THE REAR LIFTGATE. ON ALL FOUR OCCASIONS, THE ENTIRE LIFTGATE PORTION WHICH CONTAINS THE WINDOW AND THE EMBLEM HAS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NOW, IN NOVEMBER 2008, A CRACK HAS APPEARED FOR THE 5TH TIME, BUT THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, AND THE DEALERSHIP STATES THAT FORD/LINCOLN WILL NOT STAND BEHIND ITS VEHICLE. ALSO, LATELY THE BATTERY HAS WEAKENED AND DIED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. IT SEEMS THAT THE CRACKED LIFTBACK MAY NOT BE CLOSED SECURELY. *TR

MY 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR ACQUIRED A CRACK IN THE ENGINE WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING WITH OUR CHILDREN. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH OF PROBLEM, IT SHOWS IN FORD'S TSB'S THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE ENGINE. THE REPAIR WILL COST APPROX. $5000 TO FIX, THE PROBLEM HERE IS FORD IS AWARE BUT DENYING THE PROBLEM WHEN REPAIRING THE ENGINE. HOW CAN THEY DO THIS. *TR

THE LIFTGATE CRACKED AT THE LINCOLN EMBLEM ON MY 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR. THIS CONDITIONS APPEARS TO BE SIMILAR TO THE SERVICE BULLETIN NHTSA #: 0485. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR. WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH AND BRAKING TO PARK, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND NARROWLY MISSED STRIKING A SECOND PARKED VEHICLE BY INCHES. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY WITH THE DEALER AND HAS NOT YET BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000.

I HAVE A LOW GROWL COMING FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL OF MY 03 LINCOLN AVIATOR. *TR

LEFT FRONT AND LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILURE - 52,000 MILES - FORD LINCOLN AVIATOR 2003. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR HATCH HAS A HUGE VERTICAL CRACK. SHE DOES NOT KNOW HOW THE CRACK APPEARED. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, SHE DISCOVERED MANY AVIATORS THAT WERE EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THE FAILURE MAY BE DUE TO A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE BATTERY CONTINUED TO FAIL AND SHE IS UNSURE IF IT IS A RESULT OF THE HATCH NOT BEING ABLE TO CLOSE COMPLETELY BECAUSE OF WHERE THE CRACK IS LOCATED. THE CRACK IS LOCATED NEAR THE LINCOLN EMBLEM. LINCOLN REFERRED HER TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,500. UPDATED 01/17/08 *BF UPDATED 01/17/08 *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A COIL ISSUE WITH HER VEHICLE, IN TERMS OF MISFIRING. WHEN SHE WOULD ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE HESITATED. THE DEALER WAS INITIALLY UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, BUT AFTER FURTHER DIAGNOSIS, DISCOVERED THAT TWO COILS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE COILS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER 30 MILES. THE CONTACT RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE OCCURRED A TOTAL OF FIVE TIMES AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AFTER EACH OCCURRENCE. THEY CONTINUED TO REPLACE THE COILS, WHICH DID NOT REMEDY THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT ALL SPEEDS AND THE AIR CONDITIONER WOULD SHUT OFF SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,200 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.

REPLACEMENT OF REAR BRAKES BY DEALER RESULTED IN DISCOVER OF PARKING BRAKE PROBLEM AND REPLACEMENT. THE PARKING BRAKE UNIT IS LOCATED BEHING THE BRAKE ROTOR AND CANNOT BE VISIBLY CHECKED DURING ROUTINE SAFETY INSPECTIONS. THE BRAKE COMPONENTS WERE CORRODED TO THE POINT OF DISINTEGRATION AND THE BRAKE PADS HAD SEPARATED FROM THE UNIT. THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY BY A FEW MONTHS AND APPROX. 5000 MILES. I RARELY USE THE PARKING BRAKE AND THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT WAS PART OF THE PROBLEM AND PROBABLE CAUSE OF FAILURE OF THE PARTS. BASED ON CONVERSATIONS WITH THE DEALERSHIP MECHANIC, AND OTHER AUTO MECHANIC ACQUAINTANCES, THIS IS APPARENTLY A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE VEHICLE. IN AN EMERGENCY THE "EMERGENCY BRAKE" WOULD HAVE FAILED AND LIFE AND PROPERTY WOULD HAVE BEEN ENDANGERED. THE EXPLANATION THAT NON-USE OF A SAFETY COMPONENT CAN RENDER IT USELESS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE TO ME, ESPECIALLY SINCE THIS PART CANNONT BE VISUALLY INSPECTED DURING ROUTINE SAFETY INSPECTIONS.A COMPLAINT WAS FILED WITH THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THE RESPONSE WAS SIMPLY THAT THE WARRANTY COVERAGE EXPIRED AND THAT NO FURTHER ACTION WOULD BE TAKEN. AGAIN, "UNACCEPTABLE"...THE OLD PARTS WERE NOT RETURNED AND I ASSUME DISPOSED OF.. *TR

I WAS UNABLE TO STOP 2003 AVIATOR AND RAN INTO A BUILDING. THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. *AK

ON JUNE 07 AT 1100HRS THE GEARSHIFT KNOB AND GEARSHIFT BOOT DISENGAGED FROM THE CONSOLE OF MY 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR; THE GEARSHIFT AND THEREFORE TRANSMISSION WERE LOCKED IN THE D(RIVE) POSITION COULD NOT BE SHIFTED TO ANOTHER POSITION OR DISENGAGED. THE LINCOLN-MERCURY DEALER WAS A SHORT DISTANCE FROM THE GAS STATION WHERE I WAS SO I ELECTED TO DRIVE IT THERE UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES. ONCE AT THE LINCOLN-MERCURY DEALER A TECHNICIAN EXAMINED THE GEARSHIFT AND INDICATED THAT AN INCIDENT LIKE MINE "HAPPENS ALL THE TIME" ... "A SCREW COMES LOOSE". WAS ADVISED TOO THAT LIKELY PARTS WOULD HAVE TO BE ORDERED. REPAIR TO THE AVIATOR IS ESTIMATED AT $584 SINCE THE ENTIRE "SHIFTER ASSEMBLY" HAD TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT OR INJURY BUT IT IS NOT UNREASONABLE TO EXPECT THAT SUCH A CRITICAL COMPONENT WOULD EXPERIENCE SUCH A DEFECT THAT APPARENTLY IS OR WAS A "KNOWN PROBLEM", AND THIS IS CERTAINLY NOT THE LEVEL OF QUALITY EXPECTED IN A $45000 "LUXURY" UTILITY VEHICLE.

REAR-END WHINE. LINCOLN REFUSED TO REPAIR BECAUSE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY . *TR

MY 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR HAD A ROUGH IDLE AND WAS A LITTLE SLUGGISH. WITH ONLY 92,000 MILES ON A $45,000 CAR, THIS SURPRISED ME. THIS IS A HIGH PERFORMANCE ENGINE. UPON ACCELERATING TO ENTER I-20 THE VEHICLE ALMOST DIED. LUCKILY ,THERE WERE NO VEHICLES COMING - HAD THIS BEEN DURING RUSH HOUR IT MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN SO LUCKY. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO CITY GARAGE TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT, AND WAS TOLD IT HAD A MAJOR ENGINE PROBLEM. THE #8 CYLINDER HAD ON 70 LBS OF PRESSURE, AND THE VEHICLE NEEDED A VALVE JOB. I CALLED LINCOLN CUSTOMER SERVICE AFTER FIND ON THIS WEB SITE THAT MINE WAS NOT THE ONLY AVIATOR WITH THIS PROBLEM AND WITH THE EXACT SAME CYLINDER. I WAS TOLD BY LINCOLN TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PAID ANOTHER $100 TO HAVE IT SCOPED AGAIN - ONLY TO BE TOLD BY LINCOLN THAT THEY DIDN'T INTEND TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THIS APPEARS TO BE ANOTHER ONE OF FORD'S MAJOR MISTAKES THAT THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR UNTIL SOMEONE GETS KILLED. PEOPLE WHO OWN THESE VEHICLES DO NOT EXPECT THEM TO DIE ON ACCELERATION, AND IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. THAT - COUPLED WITH THE FACT THAT THIS IS COSTING PEOPLE WHO OWN THESE VEHICLES A GOOD DEAL OF MONEY AND FORD'S ATTITUDE WAS TOUGH.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE TO AVOID HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE AND HIT A TREE. THE WEATHER WAS NOT A FACTOR. THERE WERE NO FAILURES PRIOR TO THE CRASH. THE CONTACT WAS THROWN INTO THE WINDSHIELD ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE, WHERE HE SUSTAINED BACK AND HEAD TRAUMA. THE CONTACTS VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 78000. THE CONTACT HAS A COPY OF THE POLICE REPORT. *AK THE CONSUMER PROVIDED THE DUSSALT AND ZATIR NUMBER 18005424529 TO OBTAIN A POLICE REPORT AND ALSO PROVIDED PICTURES OF THE VEHICLE AS WELL AS INJURIES. UPDATE 05/10/07*TR

2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR WARNING LIGHT "EMISSION". FOUND OUT IT IS A DESIGN FLAW WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. WE CONTACTED NHTSA AND FOUND OUT THERE IS A RECALL. OUR VIN # IS NOT IN THIS RECALL. FORD/LINCOLN WILL ONLY GIVE US $850.00 OFF ON A $3000.00. THIS CAR HAS 72,000 MILES ON IT. FOUND OUT THIS IS WHEN THESE TRANSMISSIONS GO. WHEN WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THERE WAS ANOTHER THERE WITH 45,000 MILES SAME PROBLEM. THE WARRANTY ON THE 2003 IS 4 YEARS 50,000 MILES. THE DIAGNOSE IS GEAR 2 RATIO, GEAR 5 RATIO AND SOLENOID B. *NM

10/26/06 # 8 COIL FAILED 11/8/06 #6 COIL FAILED 12/15/06 # 7 COIL FAILED 1/24/07 CYLINDER HEAD CRACKED TOTAL COST $4,943.53 FOR REPAIRS. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE AT ANY SPEED, THERE WAS AN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND A DEALER WHO BOTH DETERMINED THE MASTER CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE DEALER REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE MASTER CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE MASTER CYLINDER PART NEEDED FOR REPAIR WAS ON BACK ORDER AND NOT AVAILABLE AT ANY AREA DEALERSHIPS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

TRANSMISSION EITHER SHIFTS REAL SLOW OR VIOLENTLY JERKS FROM ONE GEAR TO ANOTHER. DEALER HAS HAD IN SHOP MANY TIMES WITHOUT ANY RESOLUTION AVAILABLE. THIS CAUSES HUGE LOSS IN FUEL MILEAGE NOT TO MENTION THE HARSHNESS OF THE DRIVING EXPERIENCE. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55MPH ON THE HIGHWAY WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LURCHED FORWARD ACROSS THE ROADWAY AND CAREENED OFF A ROADWAY BRIDGE. THE VEHICLE ROLLED FIVE TIMES AND CAME TO A FINAL STOP AGAINST AN EMBANKMENT. MINOR INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. DUE TO THE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE, THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE POLICE WERE ALERTED AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. AFTERWARDS, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED FOR THE VEHICLE ACCELERATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED.

'03 AVIATOR, SINCE PURCHASE FELT SOMETHING WASN'T RIGHT WITH THE CAR'S TRANSMISSION. CAR SEEMED TO HESITATE SHIFTING INTO NEXT GEAR I.E. STAYING IN GEAR TOO LONG. ALSO AT TIMES DURING STARTUP CAR CAN BE EXTREMELY LOUD, MAKING TRANSMISSION ISSUE MORE PRONOUNCED. CONCERNS MENTIONED DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE APPOINTMENTS BUT WAS ALWAYS TOLD THE CAR WAS FUNCTIONING NORMAL. WINTER '06 CAR BEGAN TO IDLE VERY ROUGH DURING STOPS AND IN NEUTRAL/PARK. 3/3/06 CAR SERVICED FOR ROUGH IDLE -GARAGE FOUND SSM 17478 WHICH SAID THE PCM NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. CAR STILL WASN'T RUNNING SMOOTHLY. 4/3/06 CAR BACK IN GARAGE FOR MAJOR ENGINE PROBLEM. #8 CYLINDER HEAD WAS REPLACED. I EXPRESSED MY CONCERNS AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSING SOME OF THE ISSUES I WAS COMPLAINING ABOUT. WAS ALSO TOLD THEY HAD MULTIPLE '03 AVIATORS COME IN WITH THE SAME MAJOR ENGINE PROBLEM. OF COURSE CAR STILL DID NOT FEEL RIGHT. 5/8/06 AND ONLY 2,000 MILES TO GO ON MY WARRANTY THE TRANSMISSION FINALLY WENT. PULLED OUT FROM A RED LIGHT WHEN CAR WOULDN'T SHIFT AND BUCKED INTO NEXT GEAR. ENGINE LIGHT AND TRANSMISSION LIGHT WENT ON AND OVERDRIVE OFF LIGHT WAS FLASHING. TRANSMISSION SOLENOID REPLACED ALONG WITH MANY OTHER PARTS. NEEDLESS TO SAY THE CAR'S BEEN DRIVEN 2 OR 3 TIMES SINCE WE'VE PICKED IT UP FROM THE GARAGE AND IT IS STILL NOT RIGHT. CAR IS GOING BACK INTO THE GARAGE FOR SHIFTING PROBLEM AND EXCESSIVE LOUD ENGINE NOISE DURING STARTUP THAT DOESN'T DISSIPATE. TRANSMISSION PROBLEM IS HUGE SAFETY CONCERN. HAD CARS BEHIND ME BEEPING AND FLASHING THEIR LIGHTS AT ME BECAUSE I COULDN'T ACCELERATE THE CAR FAST ENOUGH. WITH COMPUTERS IN CARS MAKES ME WONDER WHERE THE VOICE OF THE CONSUMER HAS GONE. FELT AS THOUGH MY CONCERNS DIDN'T MATTER BECAUSE THE COMPUTER DIDN'T REGISTER ANYTHING WRONG. NOW WITH ONLY MILES FROM MY WARRANTY ENDING I'M FACED WITH ALL THESE MAJOR PROBLEMS OCCURRING WITH MY CAR. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR. WHEN ACCELERATING TO 40 MPH FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND THE ENGINE'S RPM INCREASES TO 5,000 RPM FOR APPROXIMATELY FIVE TO SIX SECONDS. THE TRANSMISSION THEN SHIFTS ITSELF IN GEAR AND DRIVES FORWARD. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTS TO ACCELERATE AND CHANGE GEARS, THE TRANSMISSION JERKS AND SLIPS, PREVENTING THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING. THE ENGINE REVS UP AND THEN GETS WEAKER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FEELS AS IF IT IS IN NEUTRAL FOR APPROXIMATELY SIX SECONDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS KEPT OVERNIGHT. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 62,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY LOST POWER. THE ENGINE REVVED, BUT THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT ENGAGE. THE CONTACT MOVED INTO THE SLOW LANE UNTIL THE VEHICLE RETURNED TO NORMAL OPERATION, WHICH TOOK ONLY A MINUTE OR TWO. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER FOR INSPECTION SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK UPDATED 1/25/2006. THE CONSUMER RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND TRADED IT FOR A 2005 MODEL. *NM

THERE IS A CRACK BELOW MY BACK WINDOW THAT CAUSES LOTS OF AIR TO COME IN AND ALSO LOTS OF WATER LEAKS AND WHEN IT RAINS I HAVE SMALL CHILDREN AND THE DEALERSHIP IS UNABLE TO WORK WITH ME TO GET THIS REPAIRED IT GETS VERY COLD IN THERE WITH ALL THE COLD AIR THAT COMES IN WITH MY SMALL CHILDREN HOPEFULLY SOMETHING CAN BE DONE FOR THE AMOUNT THAT WE PAID ON THIS VEHICLE

DT: ON MAY 15 2005 THE SEAT BELT PROBLEM WAS NOTICED. THE SEAT BELT WAS TWISTED AND WOULDN'T RETRACT. A NEW SEAT BELT WAS ORDERED, AND THEY ACTUALLY ORDERED THE WRONG SEAT BELT, THEN OWNER GOT A LOANER. THE VEHICLE WAS PICKED UP JULY 1. UPON PUTTING THE SEAT BELT BACK ON THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE CLIPS BROKE. DEALER SAID THAT THEY HAVE OTHER SEAT BELT CLIPS, AND THAT THEY WILL REPAIR THE SEAT BELT THE REST OF THE WAY ON MONDAY, JULY 18. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR 2 OR 3 WEEKS WITH A FAULTY SEAT BELT.*AK THE A/C WAS BLOWING OUT WARM AIR. *NM

THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A SUDDEN ACCELERATION PROBLEM. WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SURGE FORWARD. THE CONSUMER SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY STOPPED. *AK RECALL CAMPAIGN# 02V313000. *SC *JB

SHIFT CABLE EITHER BECOMES STUCK,OR DISLODGED FROM SHIFT CABLE BRACKET.WHICH LEAVES ME FEELING VERY UNSAFE ,AS I DO ALOT OF TRAVELING WITH MY CHILDREN,AND THIS CAN,AS IT HAS HAPPENED AT ANY PLACE OR ANY TIME.*AK

TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE BECAME DISLODGED FROM THE CABLE BRACKET. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO SWITCH GEARS. *AK

MY 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR LOST POWER STEERING CAUSING ME TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR ON A COUNTY ROAD AND MISSING DEATH BY GOD'S LOVE LAST TUESDAY,2/22/05. I STRUGGLED AND MANAGED TO DRAG THE CAR OFF THE ROAD ONTO THE BUSH AND AVOIDED HEATING AN ONCOMING CAR AND BEING CRUSHED BY A SEMI-TRAILER THAT WAS BEHIND ME. THE CAR WAS TOWED(FLAT-BEDDED) TO THE LOCAL LINCOLN-MERCURY DEALERSHIP. THE HEAD MECHANIC TOLD ME LATER THAT MY CAR HAD SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC BIRTH DEFECT FROM THE FACTORY BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING HOSE WAS IMPROPERLY MOUNTED AT THE TIME MANUFACTURED, AS A CONSEQUENCE THE HOSE FELL OFF THE MOUNTING/ATTACHMENT AND WAS CUT BY THE AIR CONDITION FAN. HE TOLD ME NEW HOSE HAS BEEN INSTALLED AND MOUNTED PROPERLY UNDER THE FACTORY WARRANTY. I HAVE TAKEN POSSESSION OF THE CAR, BUT I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT FOR ANY DISTANCE. FIRST, I WOULD LIKE YOUR OFFICE TO FORCE FORD LINCOLN,THE MANUFACTURER OF THE LINCOLN AVIATOR SUV, TO SEND AN IMMEDIATE ALERT TO THE PUBLIC THAT THIS POTENTIALLY FATAL PROBLEM IS POSSIBLE IN THE AVIATOR BRAND OF THEIR SUV. IF I DIED IN THE ACCIDENT,MY FAMILY WOULD NEVER KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE ACCIDENT. WE DO NOT WANT ANY BODY TO BE HURT OR KILLED IN THE LINCOLN AVIATOR. SECOND, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT MY COURSE OF ACTION SHOULD BE: GET A BRAND NEW REPLACEMENT CAR OR FEEL UNSAFE IN A LINCOLN AVIATOR FOR A EVER? THIRD DOES YOUR OFFICE HAVE A RECORD OF THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM WITH THIS LINE OF VEHICLE? THANK YOU FOR YOUR QUICK RESPONSE AND ASSISTANCE. UNYIME O. NSEYO. *NM

AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE GEARS WOULD STICK WHEN SHIFTING TO DRIVE/REVERSE. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

MOLDY ODOR COMING FROM A/C UNIT. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED MOLD SPOTS WERE GROWING ON THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE ROOF PANEL. *JB

I OWN A 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR, STILL UNDER WARRANTY. SINCE AROUND NOVEMBER OF 2004 I HAVE BEEN HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE PROBLEM IS THE TRANSMISSION WILL SLIP OUT OF GEAR WHILE DRIVING AT A STEADY SPEED, ACCELERATING FROM A STOP OR SLOWING DOWN AND THEN ACCELERATING. THIS IS VERY HAZARDOUS WHEN TRYING TO MERGE ONTO A HIGHWAY OR TURN INTO TRAFFIC AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE. THE PROBLEM EXISTS IN ALL GEARS, HOWEVER, IT DOES NOT DO IT ALL THE TIME. IT HAS CONTINUED TO GET WORSE. EACH TIME THE DEALERSHIP HAS TOLD ME THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. ON APRIL 15TH 2005 AS I WAS LEAVING MY OFFICE PARKING LOT THE TRANSMISSION STARTED ACTING UP. IT WAS SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR IN ALL GEARS. I IMMEDIATELY DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE FORD DEALER. ON THE 21ST OF APRIL ALMOST A WEEK AFTER I DROPPED IT OFF I WAS TOLD AGAIN THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. ON THE SAME DAY, 21 APRIL 05 I WENT TO PICK UP MY VEHICLE AND THE HEAD MECHANIC HAD IT OUT FOR A TEST DRIVE. HE STATED UPON RETURN THAT THE VEHICLE ACTED UP. MY VEHICLE STAYED WITH THE DEALER FOR THE NEXT 15 DAYS WHILE THEY TOOK APART THE TRANSMISSION, ORDERED PARTS, ETC. A FEW DAYS AFTER I RECEIVED THE VEHICLE BACK THE DEALERSHIP CALLED TO SEE HOW THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING. I EXPLAINED THAT IT STILL DIDNT FEEL RIGHT BUT I WOULD CONTINUE DRIVING IT AND NOTE ANY PROBLEMS I ENCOUNTER. AS OF TODAY, 23 MAY 05, THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ALWAYS SHIFT SMOOTHLY AND I HAVE HAD THREE OCCASIONS WERE THE TRANSMISSION TOOK A VERY LONG TIME TO SHIFT FROM ONE GEAR TO ANOTHER. THIS TO ME IS JUST A SIGN AND THE BEGINNING OF MORE PROBLEMS. DURING THE COURSE OF MY MANY VISITS TO THE DEALER I WAS INFORMED THAT PROBLEMS EXIST WITH MY MAKE OF TRANSMISSION, NOT ONLY IN THE AVIATOR BUT WITH THE EXPLORER AND THE MERCURY SUVS. WHAT I DONT UNDERSTAND, IF THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION WHY HASNT FORD/LINCOLN ACTED ON IT AND PUT OUT A BULLETIN OR RECALL. SINCERELY LORI BELL

MULTIPLE FAILURES IN 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR. DIFFICULTY TURNING , STARTING, JERK IN STEERING WHEEL, VIBRATION IN TIRES, GEAR CHANGER LOOSE AND ECT. *BF THE CONSUMER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE WITH 18 INCH RIMS BUT FORD REQUIRES 17 INCH RIMS TO BE LEGAL (OEM) EQUIPMENT. THE CONSUMER FELT THAT THIS WAS MALICIOUSLY DISHONEST SALE OF AN AUTOMOBILE. THE SIDE FENDER HAD A GAUGE ON THE INSIDE, THE REAR STORAGE SECTION LEATHER RIPPED, THE TIRE MONITOR SYSTEM KEPT COMING ON WITH A WARNING SIGN FROM THE COMPUTER OF A MECHANICAL DEFECT, DIFFICULTY STARTING THE VEHICLE, JERKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL, NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL, NOISE IN HEATING/VENT BUBBLING, PASSENGER FRONT WINDOWS WERE RATTLING, THERE WAS MOTOR NOISE UPON ACCELERATION, FRONT END NOISE, REAR HATCH RATTLED AND WAS SHAKING, THE WHEELS SQUEALED AND RUBBED, THE DOORS DID NOT AUTOMATTICALLY LOCK WHEN THE VEHCILE WAS ENGAGED INTO DRIVE, AND THE ENGINE KNOCK AS IF IT WERE RUNNING ROUGH. WHEN THE SERVICE TECH TRIED TO SHIFT THE GEAR LEVER OUT OF PARK, THE ENTIRE GEAR LEVER HAD COME APART IN PIECES. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS WORSE THAN EVER. CURRENTLY WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE STEERING WOULD GO OUT OF CONTROL, JERK LEFT AND RIGHT, SHAKED OUT OF CONTROL AND UNABLE TO STEER. *SC

CONSUMER STATES THAT DEALER PUT AFTERMARKET RIMS TIRES ON VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE FOLLOWING; DIFFICULTY TURNING THE VEHICLE, HEATER BUBBLING MAKING NOISES, DIFFICULTY STARTING THE VEHICLE, JERKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL, NOISE IN THE STEERING, NOISE IN THE HEATING/VENT BUBBLING, PULSATING IN THE STEERING WHEEL, VIBRATION OF THE TIRES, THE TIRE MONITORING SYSTEM HAD TO BE CUT OFF RECONNECTED AND ADJUSTED, THE PASSENGER FRONT WINDOWS RATTLED, MOTOR MADE LOUD NOISES WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED, FRONT END NOISES, REAR HATCH RATTLED AND WOULD SHAKE, THE WHEELS SQUEALED AND RUBBED, THE WHEEL JERKED WHEN TAKING OFF, THE GEAR CHANGER LEVER WAS LOOSE, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE AND VIBRATED WHEN IN MOTION, AND THE ENGINE SOUNDED AS IF IT WAS KNOCKING OR RUNNING ROUGH. *SC

WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY VEHICLE ACCELERATED BACKWARDS. NO IMPACT REPORTED. *AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A WHINING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SALES/SERVICE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE RIGHT REAR AXLE AND PINION WERE REPLACED AS WELL AS THE C B SHAFT ASSEMBLY AND GEAR AND PINION LOCKING PIN. THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME THE REAR END WAS REPLACED IN A TWO YEAR PERIOD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND A TECHNICIAN WAS SENT TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE.*AK THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT, THE DOOR LOCK SWITCH WAS INOPERATIVE, THE REAR SHOCK WAS LEAKING OIL, THE E POWER STEERING HOSE WAS REPLACED, THERE WAS A TICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE TIMING CHAIN AND GASKET WERE REPLACED. THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT CAME ON AFTER ALL THE DOORS WERE CLOSED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE SHIFTING OF THE GEARS WERE HARSH, THE DEALER REPLACED VARIOUS COMPONETS IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE LIGHT BULB WAS REPLACED, THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. THE FRONT SEAT CLIMATE CONTROL WAS NOT COOLING. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED, THE ACCELERATOR CABLE WAS STICKING. UPDATED 12/05/06. *JB

2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR HAS BEEN IN SHOP 12 TIMES , 4 FOR WHINE IN REAR END. REAR END REPLACED TWICE & STILL WHINES . LAST TIME THEY TOLD ME THIS WAS NORMAL AND COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THIS AVIATOR HAS 17,000 MILES . I TIRED OF THE WHINE AND TRIPS TO DEALER , I DO NOT WAS THIS AVIATOR OR A NEW AVIATOR... I DEMAND FULL REFUND.*AK

EXPERIENCED CONTINUOUS MALFUNCTIONING WHILE DRIVING, COMPLETE POWER OUTAGES CAUSING POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKE & OTHER FAILURE. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM THAT HAS PROVEN TO BE UNDETECTABLE THROUGH CUSTOMARY SERVICE TEST.*JB

CONSUMER STATED REAR END DIFFERENTIAL PRODUCED A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. THE DEALERS WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR THE PART. *AK

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE ABS AND PARKING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. WHEN THIS OCCURRED HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED THE REAR BRAKE SENSOR THREE SEPARATE TIMES. HE STATED THERE WERE NO OTHER PROBLEMS. *AK UPDATED 01/25/06. *JB

LOVE MY '03 LINCOLN AVIATOR EXCEPT FOR THE SAME ANNOYING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR END AS COMPLAINT NUMBER 10045568. CURRENTLY ON MY SECOND REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY. NOISE RETURNED AT 1200-1500 MILES, AND WAS SO LOUD MY 76 YEAR OLD MOTHER ASKED WHAT THE WHINING NOISE WAS. LINCOLN NEEDS TO CORRECT PROBLEM, AND THIS MACHINE WILL BE PERFECT. *AK

OUR 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR STARTED A REAR END WHINE OR DRONE WITHIN THE FIRST 1000 MILES. THE DEALER HAS TWICE PUT IN A NEW DIFFERENTIAL BUT THE NOISE IS BACK. THE DEALER NOW WILL NOT ATTEMPT ANOTHER REPAIR AND HAS PUT US OFF UNTIL 12/10/03. WE SEEM TO HAVE NO ONE TO VOICE A COMPLAINT TO. THE DEALER GETS ONE MORE CHANCE UNDER SC LEMON LAW AND IS STALLING. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN NOTICED IN FORD EXPLORERS AND LINCOLN MOUNTAINEERS TOO.*AK

2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR HAS A HOWLING REAR END NOISE THAT STARTS AT AROUND 30 M.P.H., LINCOLN SERVICE ADVISOR STATES THAT FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND IT IS AN ENGINEERING DEFECT THAT THEY ARE WORKING ON RESOLVING. THE DEFECT IS THE ENGINEERING OF THE DIFFERENTIAL. IF THIS WAS TO FAIL COMPLETELY THE VEHICLE WOULD LOOSE CONTROL. WE CONTINUE TO CALL TO FIND OUT WHEN THEY WILL HAVE RESOLUTION AND ARE TOLD NO SOLUTION BUT THAT THE ENGINEERS ARE WORKING ON IT.*AK