CSR

Lincoln · NHTSA safety record

2025 Lincoln Aviator

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

13

Complaints

0

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2025 Lincoln Aviator have filed 13 safety complaints with NHTSA between February 2025 and July 2026. The most complained-about system is the electrical system, named in 3 of them (23%). The typical failure was reported at 5,500 miles, the median across the 2 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 14 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (14)

SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY

26V451000 · July 14, 2026

The 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.
The risk
A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The 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.

Ford Motor Company · up to 387,911 vehicles across all model years covered

BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE

26V165000 · March 19, 2026

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2025 Lincoln Navigator, 2024-2025 Lincoln Nautilus, 2025 Lincoln Aviator and Explorer vehicles. The Image Processing Module A (IPMA) may experience multiple unexpected resets, resulting in loss of the rearview camera image and advanced driver assistance (ADAS) features, including pre-collision assist, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring.
The risk
Loss of the rearview camera image and certain driver assistance features, can reduce the driver’s ability to detect hazards, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
The Image Processing Module A software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. This is a Phased campaign. Phase 1 will include 2025 Aviator, 2025 Explorer, 2025 Nautilus notified owners on 4/13/2026. Phase 2 will include 2025 Navigator will notify owners on or about 4/20/2026. Phase 3 will include 2022-2024 Navigator will notify owners on or about 6/8/2026. Phase 4 will include 2024 Nautilus will notify owners on or about 6/22/2026. Owner notification letters were mailed April 13, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S21. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning March 25, 2026.

Ford Motor Company · up to 254,640 vehicles across all model years covered

SEAT BELTS

26V159000 · March 17, 2026

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2026 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The seat belt anchor bolts at the second-row outer seating positions may be improperly secured.
The risk
A loose seat belt buckle may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy
Dealers will inspect the second-row outer seat belt lower anchor bolts and replace or repair them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 30, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C18. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 19, 2026.

Ford Motor Company · up to 561 vehicles across all model years covered

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

25V730000 · October 24, 2025

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Lincoln Corsair, Lincoln Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The windshield glass may have visible air bubbles, which can obscure the driver's visibility. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 205, "Glazing Materials."
The risk
Reduced visibility while driving can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the windshield as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 6, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C60. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning October 27, 2025.

Ford Motor Company · up to 56,841 vehicles across all model years covered

TRAILER HITCHES

25V687000 · October 10, 2025

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Explorer and 2024-2026 Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The trailer hitch assembly bolts may be loose.
The risk
While towing a trailer, loose trailer hitch bolts can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, or cause the trailer to detach. Either of these conditions can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will inspect and tighten the trailer hitch bolts, or replace them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 29, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA3. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 15, 2025.

Ford Motor Company · up to 1,412 vehicles across all model years covered

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS

25V543000 · August 22, 2025

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Explorer and Aviator vehicles. When towing a trailer, the tail lights on the trailer may fail to illuminate due to an improperly manufactured body control module. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
The risk
Trailer tail lights that do not illuminate as intended can reduce visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the body control module C on vehicles with less than 9,000 miles. For vehicles over 9,000 miles, dealers will perform a functional check on the body control module C and replace it as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Aviator 2025 owner notification letters were mailed October 13, 2025. Explorer 2025 owner letters were mailed November 25, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C42.

Ford Motor Company · up to 213,121 vehicles across all model years covered

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

25V484000 · July 25, 2025

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Lincoln Aviator vehicles. When closing the windows with the global closing feature, the side rear windows may exert excessive force when encountering an object, before they automatically reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 118, "Power-Operated Window Systems."
The risk
A closing window that does not reverse direction as expected can pinch a passenger before retracting, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy
Dealers will update the Body Control Module (BCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 7, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C33.

Ford Motor Company · up to 23,111 vehicles across all model years covered

STRUCTURE:BODY

25V407000 · June 13, 2025

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Aviator vehicles. The rear door window bars and C-pillar trim may have insufficient adhesive bonding, which can allow the trim to detach from the vehicle.
The risk
Detached trim may cause a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will repair or replace C-pillar appliques and window division bars, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 29, 2025. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S66.

Ford Motor Company · up to 132,914 vehicles across all model years covered

SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY

25V393000 · June 13, 2025

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, folding, or sliding unexpectedly while driving.
The risk
A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
The remedy
Dealers will inspect the second-row seat switch, and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S67.

Ford Motor Company · up to 304,662 vehicles across all model years covered

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

25V316000 · May 9, 2025

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Explorer and Aviator vehicles. A mounting bolt for the front subframe may have been tightened improperly.
The risk
A loose subframe bolt may reduce the vehicle's performance in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy
Dealers will inspect and tighten the subframe bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Owner notification letters were mailed May 21, 2025. Ford's number for this recall is 25S43.

Ford Motor Company · up to 206 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:FLUID/LUBRICANT:VALVES/VALVE BODY

25V164000 · March 14, 2025

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 F-150, Bronco, 2024 Ranger, 2025 Mustang, Explorer, and Aviator vehicles. The transmission valve body may have been machined incorrectly, which can cause reverse gear failure, or unexpected forward movement in reverse or neutral gear.
The risk
Unexpected vehicle movement increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the transmission main control valve body, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 11, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S19.

Ford Motor Company · up to 269 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

25V020000 · January 17, 2025

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The transmission may be improperly secured due to loose cross member bolts.
The risk
An improperly secured transmission can result in a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the transmission cross member bolts as necessary, free of charge. If the cross member bolts are missing, dealers will replace the cross member and install new bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 29, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S03.

Ford Motor Company · up to 259 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

24V852000 · November 8, 2024

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, 2020-2024 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2018-2024 F-150, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirement Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
The risk
Without a label that shows the proper restraint usage guidelines, the occupants may have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The remedy
Ford will mail owners the warning labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 19, 2024. Owners may call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C39.

Ford Motor Company · up to 27,678 vehicles across all model years covered

BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE

24V801000 · October 25, 2024

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The rearview camera image may fail when the vehicle speed reaches 10 MPH or greater. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
The risk
The loss of the rearview camera image while in reverse can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
The accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software will be updated through an over-the-air (OTA) update or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C34.

Ford Motor Company · up to 391 vehicles across all model years covered · fixed by software update

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 13.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 3 23%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 3 23%
SEATS 3 23%
SERVICE BRAKES 3 23%
ENGINE 1 8%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 1 8%
LANE DEPARTURE 1 8%
POWER TRAIN 1 8%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 1 8%
STEERING 1 8%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 1 8%
VISIBILITY 1 8%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2025 at 8.

2025 2026
2025 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

9,000 miles

The contact owns a 2025 Lincoln Aviator. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the sunroof glass exploded. The contact stated it sounded like a shotgun when the sunroof glass exploded. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed that the contact stated that the sunroof glass was not under warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 9,000.

NHTSA complaint 11747993. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES
Everytime I start my vehicle the parking brake fault service now light comes on.

NHTSA complaint 11742535. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES
The vehicle experienced a sudden unprovoked, catastrophic, and total electronic and mechanical failure of the primary braking and ADAS. Driving at expressway speeds, the vehicle immediately lost all power brake assistance, threw immediate multi-system critical alerts on the instrument cluster, and became instantly undrivable. The vehicle is available for inspection at a local licensed Lincoln dealership service center. The failure occurred completely without warning while navigating heavy traffic at active highway speed on the expressway. The instant loss of power braking functionality dramatically extended the vehicle's stopping distance and significantly reduced control of a SUV in a

NHTSA complaint 11739484, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The second row seat is moving or reclining while I’m driving. The car seat motor has a sound while it reclines.

NHTSA complaint 11735438. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
On 12/4/25, I visited Corley's Lincoln and reported several issues. One issue was that the vehicle would accelerate or decelerate while using cruise control. There were several other issues, but the following two issues are safety issues. I visited again on 3/5/26 with several of the same issues, although the speed issue was not listed on the work order. They could not find any issues, but I encountered the same issues on my drive home. I immediately returned to the dealer, and they kept the vehicle from 3/6/2026 to 4/2/26. Again, the speed issue was not listed on the work order. At this point, I began to keep a log. On 4/19/26, I set the speed at 56 MPH while driving on [XXX] , and within

NHTSA complaint 11734097, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
I purchased a brand new 2025 Lincoln Aviator on 9/27/25, with 33 miles on it. I do not even make it home from the dealer before it started making a scrubbing/grinding noise, which subsequently led to the replacement of the transfer case and transmission on a vehicle with approx 180 miles on it. It calls into question the safety, reliability and quality of the vehicle

NHTSA complaint 11707901. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Lincoln Aviator

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2023 21 16
2022 44 21
2021 38 28
2020 105 30

Other 2025 Lincoln models

Every Lincoln on this site — 84 vehicles, 269 recall campaigns and 2 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst