CSR

Lincoln · NHTSA safety record

2025 Lincoln Aviator

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

Owners have filed 16 safety complaints about the 2025 Lincoln Aviator with the US government. Of those, no death is recorded. 14 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the electrical system, named in 5 complaints, 31% of the total.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers February 2025 to September 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

16 complaints on file

16

Complaints

0

Describe a crash

0

Mention fire

0

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 5 · 31%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 3 · 19%
SEATS 3 · 19%
SERVICE BRAKES 3 · 19%
ENGINE 2 · 13%
VISIBILITY 2 · 13%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 1 · 6%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 1 · 6%
LANE DEPARTURE 1 · 6%
POWER TRAIN 1 · 6%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 1 · 6%
STEERING 1 · 6%
0 4 8

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 16.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

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

12 9 6 3
25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2025 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2025 Lincoln AVIATOR, and it is a separate question from what owners report going wrong later.

Test SUV 4WD SUV RWD
Overall
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover 15.1% 14.7%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard

A rating belongs to a tested body style and drivetrain, not to the model as a whole, which is why more than one is listed. A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.

Recall campaigns

14 on file

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

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

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

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
This has now occurred on 2021 Lincoln Aviator and then Mark McLarty Ford Lincoln tricked me into buying a second Lincoln 2025 Aviator claiming the problem was a one-off incident. Our 2021 was traded for new 2025 Aviator and both have the exact problem, and we have since learned this affects another Ford Lincoln Models including Ford Explorer 2024. Both our 2021 and 2025 Lincoln Aviators have extreme water leaking into the cabin and onto the electrical controls and displays. Issue stated by the Mark McLarty service tech stated on both cars KINKED DRAIN LINES , causing severe water damage to the cars interior and electrical systems. Lincoln Aviators Have Blue Drive Automation and could have

NHTSA complaint 11764304, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Multiple loss of power, misfires, rough running and abnormal shifting. These events have put my family and I at risk as well as posing a significant risk to other drivers sharing the road due to the sudden loss of power while on the highway. Lincoln is dismissive and not taking this seriously. The problem continues and it is currently in the shop for the 4th time

NHTSA complaint 11764477. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VISIBILITY

86,000 miles

The contact owns a 2025 Lincoln Aviator. The contact stated that the front passenger's side window failed to roll up or down as needed. The contact stated that the front driver's side window motor was previously replaced due to the same failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.

NHTSA complaint 11757628. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

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.

Compare

Other years of the Lincoln Aviator

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2023 24 16 —
2022 45 21 —
2021 39 28 —
2020 108 30 —

Other 2025 Lincoln models

Every Lincoln on this site — 85 vehicles.

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. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

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