2003 Lincoln Aviator

Defect. ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE CAN BECOME DISLODGED FROM THE SHIFT CABLE BRACKET.

Risk. THIS COULD RESULT RESULTING IN INCORRECT GEAR INDICATION.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL ADD A STRAP TO THE SHIFT CABLE ADJUSTER TO PREVENT THE SHIFT CABLE FROM BECOMING DISLODGED. FORD HAS NOT YET PROVIDED AN OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.

The contact owns a 2003 Lincoln Aviator equipped with Cooper Tires, Tire Line: Hercules HTS-Terra-Trac, Tire Size 245/65/R17, DOT Number: (N/A). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's side front tire sidewall separated in the center. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 02T003000 (Tires). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The tire and vehicle failure mileages were unknown.

A YEAR AGO NOTICED WHEN SHIFTING AND UP TO DATE MY SHIFTER GEAR INDICATOR NOT SHIFT TO CORRECT GEAR INDICATOR AND FAIL TO WORK PROPERLY, I BELIEVED THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE MAY BECOME DISLODGED FROM THE SHIFT CABLE BRACKET. I TAKE MY TRUCK TO AN TRANSMISSION SHOP AND THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED THE SHIFT CABLE MUST BE ADJUSTED TO PREVENT THE PROBLEM CONTINUE.. I PAID $225 FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC INSPECTION AND IN ORDER THE PROBLEM WILL BE INCURRED MORE EXPENSE. I WOULD LIKE TO ASK WHAT NHTSA CAN DO TO SOLVE THE ISSUE. THANK YOU,

I'M HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT IN THAT'S CONTROL ARM. THE TRANSFER CASE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER POSITION WAS NOT IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INDICATOR DID NOT DISPLAY THE CORRECT GEAR THAT WAS BEING UTILIZED. ANTELOPE VALLEY FORD (LOCATED AT 1155 AUTO MALL DR, LANCASTER, CA 93534, (888) 415-0959) WAS CONTACTED BY PHONE AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V313000 (POWER TRAIN). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR FAILED TO SHIFT FROM PARK INTO ANY OTHER GEAR BECAUSE THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V313000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME FAILURE AS LISTED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

THE BUTTON ON THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER GETS STUCK. IT MAY OR MAY NOT BE DEPRESSED AT ANY GIVEN TIME. YOU MUST HAVE YOUR FOOT DEPRESSED ON THE BRAKE TO ALLOW THE CAR TO BE PUT IT INTO GEAR. THE BRAKE SENSOR IS WORKING. AFTER READING MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE OF THIS IDENTICAL PROBLEM IT SOUNDS LIKE IT MAY BE THE PLASTIC ROD IN THIS ASSEMBLY. WHY PLASTIC WOULD BE USED IS BAFFLING. THE COST OF REPAIR IS AROUND $1200.00 DOLLARS. UNBELIEVABLE. ONE MAN SAID HE HAS REPLACED THIS PART 3 TIMES. THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH FORD IN GENERAL. MY CAR HAS 80,000 MILES AND HAS BEEN KEPT IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. NOW THIS, ALONG WITH THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW MOTOR GOING OUT AS WELL. ANOTHER $4000-$600 DOLLAR FIX. QUITE UNHAPPY ABOUT THIS. I AM 60 AND CANNOT BE STUCK SOMEWHERE AND NOT BE ABLE TO GET MY CAR INTO GEAR. THANK YOU. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *PM

TRANSMISSION SHIFTER CABLE IS BROKEN; INTERMITTENT PROBLEM MOVING GEER AND WHEN MOVED, IT MAY GENERATE A VIOLENT JERK BEFORE MOVING. MULTIPLE PEOPLE HAVE THIS PROBLEM. BUT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V313000 IS ONLY COVERING A SELECTED AMOUNT OF VEHICLES. MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED BUT THE SAME PROBLEM.

THERE HAS BEEN A UNPROVOKED CRACK IN THE LIFT GATE PANEL FOR A COUPLE YEARS NOW (WHICH SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM IN THIS MODEL), WE HAVE NOT HAD ISSUES UNTIL THE REAR WINDOW STARTED FLYING OPEN WHILE DRIVING AT AROUND 30MPH. THE LATCH HAS MALFUNCTIONED DUE TO WATER SEEPING INTO CRACK.

I HAVE A LINCOLN AVIATOR 2003, IT HAS BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND IT SEEMS LIKE IT DOESN'T SHIFT GEARS WHEN IT'S SUPPOSED TOO. THOS HAPPENS WHEN I PRESS ON THE ACCELERATOR. IS ANYONE HAVING THIS PROBLEM?

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

SHIFTER KNOB ON 03 AVIATOR BROKE OFF. THE SHIFTER WAS LOCKED IN DRIVE, HAD TO SHUT OFF VEHICLE AND BRACE THE TIRES FROM ROLLING ON AN INCLINE. WITH MY CHILD IN THE CAR WITH ME. SCARY!!!!!! THE PROBLEM IS A PLASTIC PIECE BROKE IN THE SHIFTER COLUMN. HAS YET TO BE FIXED. QUOTED $900 TO FIX. ALSO THE LIFTGATE CRACKED AT THE LINCOLN EMBLEM WITCH I WAS TOLD THAT IT HOLDS THE GLASS IN PLACE AND IT SOUND LIKE A GUNSHOT WHEN IT CRACKED, SHOOK ME UP. THIS IS A FORD/LINCOLN FAILURE ON A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE HATCH IS NOT BEING ABLE TO CLOSE COMPLETELY BECAUSE OF WHERE THE CRACK IS LOCATED. THE CRACK IS LOCATED NEAR THE LINCOLN EMBLEM. WHAT IF WATER CAUSE A ELECTRICAL FIRE FROM WATER GETTING INTO THE CLOSING MECHANISM, STILL WAITING FOR A RECALL ON THIS. QUOTED $500 TO FIX 107,231 MILES.

ON MY 2003 AVIATOR THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT COMES ON AT VARIOUS TIMES DURING THE DAY AND NIGHT. MY INTERIOR LIGHTS FLASH AND MY CAR ALARM GOES OFF. IT'S BEEN DOING THIS FOR ABOUT TWO YEARS, BUT HAS GOTTEN WORSE THIS YEAR 2016. MY BATTERY HAS DIED TWICE IN TWO DAYS. SO FRUSTRATED WITH THIS VEHICLE. WAS SUMMONED OVER THE INTERCOM IN A DEPARTMENT STORE AND AT WORK SAYING THAT A LINCOLN SUV'S ALARM WAS GOING OFF AND THAT THE LIGHTS WERE FLASHING. I KNEW IT WAS MINE. I HIT THE ALARM BUTTON ON THE KEY FOB WHICH CUT OFF THE ALARM FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS AND IT STARTED UP AGAIN. WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT COMES ON WHICH MAKES MY INTERIOR LIGHTS FLASH QUICKLY AND MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO DRIVE BECAUSE OF THE GLARE OF THE INTERIOR LIGHTS BEING ON. THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT COMES ON ANYTIME DAY OR NIGHT, STATIONARY OR WHILE DRIVING. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE NEW. IT ONLY HAS 67,000 MILES ON IT NOW, BUT OVER THE YEARS, I'VE HAD SERIOUS ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION, HAD TO REPLACE 2 WHEEL BEARINGS, THERE'S A CRACK NEAR THE EMBLEM ON THE LIFTGATE, THE STEREO MAKES LOUD POPPING SOUNDS IN THE BACK WHICH SOUNDS LIKE A GUNSHOT, SOMETIMES CAN'T GET OUT OF PARK, THE GEAR SHIFT GETS STUCK! I'M SO FRUSTRATED WITH THIS VEHICLE. I COMPLAINED TO THE FORD COMPANY SEVERAL YEARS AGO WHEN THERE WERE ONLY 40,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS HAVING SERIOUS ISSUES, AND ALSO MY WATER PUMP WENT BAD. THEIR REPLY WAS: "WE'RE SORRY TO HEAR THAT, PLEASE TAKE YOUR VEHICLE TO ONE OF OUR DEALERS FOR GREA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING FROM THE DRIVEWAY, THE AIR BAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK, LEFT HARM AND CHEST INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

TAKATA RECALL WHEN I PARK IN MY DRIVE WAY MY CAR WON'T SHIFT OUT OF PARK I HAVE TO HAVE IT PUSHED AN ROCKED BACK AN FORTH TO GET THE GEAR TO SHIFT AN IT WON'T LET ME DRIVE IT IN DRIVE GEAR I CAN ONLY DRIVE IT IN 3RD GEAR IT HAS THIS JURK WHEN I STOP TO PARK IT CONSTANTLY GETTING STUCK.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON AN INCLINE, THE GEAR SHIFT CABLE WOULD NOT GO INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS AWAITING A DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

I WAS LEAVING MY RESIDENCE ON A NEIGHBORHOOD STREET, WHEN I HEARD A LOUD NOISE WHICH SOUND LIKE A GUNSHOT. UPON RECOVERING FROM THE INITIAL SHOCK, I OBSERVED THE SIDE WINDOW/CURTAIN AIR BAGS HAD DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE HADN'T BEEN HIT OR INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAD TO STOP THE VEHICLE TO CALM MY SON AND WE RETURNED TO THE HOUSE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR. WHILE SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE HESITATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER CABLE FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, SEVERAL MONTHS AFTER THE REPAIR, THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V313000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

CRACKS IN REAR HATCH PANEL. *TR

MY HUSBAND AND I WERE DRIVING OUR 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR WHEN IT BASICALLY STOPPED GOING AND WOULDN'T CHANGE GEAR OR SPEED UP. (THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT'S GOTTEN STUCK IN GEAR, THE 1ST TIME WAS WHEN IT WAS PARKED AND WOULDN'T MOVE BUT THE GEAR SHIFT MOVED FREELY). WE GOT IT BACK HOME AND REALIZED AGAIN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE HAD COME DISLODGED. LINCOLN HAD A RECALL ON 25 VEHICLE REGARDING THIS PROBLEM, WHEN I CALLED I WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE WASN'T ONE OF THEM AND WASN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECALL EVEN THOUGHT I'M HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. I'VE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE ONE HERE ONE TIME BEFORE AND NOTHING HAPPENED. THIS IS CRAZY. I COULD'VE BEEN IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT BEHIND THIS. *TR

OUR 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR CONTINUES TO EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEM - ONCE IN PARK, YOU CANNOT MOVE THE GEAR SHIFT TO ANY OTHER GEAR - IT'S STUCK. OCCASIONALLY, MY HUSBAND CAN WIGGLE A WIRE UNDERNEATH THE BRAKE AND GAS PEDALS SO WE CAN SHIFT INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE BUT THIS CONTINUES TO HAPPEN. I HAVE BEEN STUCK, ALONE AND WITH OUR SMALL CHILDREN. IS THERE A PERMANENT CORRECTION FOR THIS ISSUE? *TR

I WAS SITTING IN PARK. JUST HAD STOPPED TO MAKE A DEPOSIT. PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE & MY 2003 AVIATOR WOULD NOT SHIFT FROM PARK. CALLED THE DEALER, GOT THEIR TOW SERVICE. THE TOW GUY TOLD ME TO PUT MY FEET ON THE BRAKES, MY BRAKE LIGHTS DID NOT COME ON. HE SAID THAT'S WHY IT WILL NOT SHIFT FROM PARK. IT IS NOT GETTING THE SIGNAL THAT THE BRAKES WERE MASHED. GOT IT TOWED. DEALER REPLACED THE SHIFTER, THAT THEY SAID HAD GONE OUT THAT WAS THE ISSUE. OUT OF $1306.00 & LESS THAN ONE WEEK LATER, AT THE STORE, GOT IN MY AVIATOR.. CAN'T GET OUT OF PARK. SAME ISSUE.. SAME TOW GUY CALLED.. HE WORKS TO GET IT OUT OF PARK WITH A SCREW DRIVER.. TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER. NO BRAKE LIGHTS INDICATED=NO SHIFT FROM PARK TO. IS THE NEW SHIFTER FOR $950 NOW OUT? NOT!!! HAS TO BE ANOTHER ISSUE. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE, THE GEAR LEVER DETACHED UNEXPECTEDLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE GEAR SHIFT ASSEMBLY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V313000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER THE RECALL HAD EXPIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000. .... UPDATED 10-17-13 *BF UPDATED 10/23/2013 *JS

I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY INTO THE STREET. ONCE I WAS IN THE STREET, I PUT THE CAR INTO DRIVE AND STEPPED ON THE GAS. THE CAR WENT THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION- REVERSE. I DOUBLE CHECKED THE GEAR SHIFT ( IN THE CENTER OF THE VEHICLE), IT WAS "D" FOR DRIVE. I MADE SURE IT WAS IN THE D, AND STEPPED SLOWLY ON THE GAS, AND IT WENT INTO REVERSE. I TRIED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, BUT THEY DIDN'T ENGAGE. I QUICKLY STEPPED ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, AND THAT STOPPED THE CAR. FORTUNATELY, I WAS IN A CUL-DE-SAC WITH OUT OTHER PEDESTRIANS OR VEHICLES AT THE TIME. IT WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO HAVE A CAR WHERE THE SHIFT ISN'T ENGAGED AT ALL. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN ALWAYS MAINTAINED BY THE LINCOLN DEALER, AND IT IS BEING TOWED TO THAT DEALERSHIP AT THIS TIME. IT'S TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. *TR

LAST WEEK MY 03 LINCOLN AVIATOR TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE CAME A LOOSE, IT WAS FIXED. TODAY ON MY WAY FROM WORK THE TRANSMISSION ACTED AS IF IS DIDN'T WANT TO SHIFT INTO THE NEXT GEAR AND THEM THE "CHECK TRANSMISSION" LIGHT AND "OVERDRIVE" LIGHT CAME ON. I MADE IT HOME SAFELY BUT NOW WILL BE UNABLE TO DRIVE IT, UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. WILL CALL TO CHECK TO SEE IF MY VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. SOMETHING REALLY NEEDS TO BE DONE REGARDING THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS REGARDING THIS VEHICLE, BEFORE IT CAUSES AN ACCIDENT. *TR

I HAD JUST GOT HOME WITH MY VEHICLE FROM THE REPAIR SHOP, HAD A VACUUM HOSE REPLACED. I COULD NOT GET MY KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. I KEPT TRYING & WAS FINALLY SUCCESSFUL AT REMOVING THE KEY. NOW THE GEAR SHIFTER IS STUCK IN PARK AND WILL NOT GO INTO ANY OTHER GEAR. I JUST GOT IT BACK FROM THE SHOP & STILL CAN'T DRIVE IT DUE TO GETTING IT IN GEAR. THIS REALLY DOES NEED TO BE LOOKED INTO & THEY NEED TO DO A RECALL. I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE 2 MORE YEARS TO PAY IT OFF & THEN IT IS GONE. *TR

THE DIFFERENTIAL AND TRANSFER CASE BOTH NEED TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE HAD 2 MECHANICS LOOK AT IT AND THEY ARE BOTH SAYING THAT THE DIFFERENTIAL AND TRANSFER CASE BOTH NEED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

THE SHIFTER KNOB ON MY 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR BROKE OFF. THE SHIFTER WAS LOCKED IN PLACE IN DRIVE AND YOU ARE UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO ANY OTHER GEAR EXCEPT THE GEAR YOU'RE IN. IT SEEMS THAT A VERY CHEAP PLASTIC PIECE BROKE UNDER THE SHIFTER KNOB AND THE DEALER QUOTED ME $1200 DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY. I HAVE CHECKED ONLINE AND SEEN THAT THIS IS A VERY-VERY COMMON PROBLEM AMONG OWNERS. THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE, BUT THIS IS SURELY A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE. I AM NOT SURE HOW MANY COMPLAINTS IT TAKES BUT THIS IS A HORRIBLE SAFETY ISSUE. ALSO, THIS VEHICLE HAS A WHOLE ARRAY OF FRONT AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL ISSUES ALONG WITH A SEVERE CLUNKING NOISE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS 1ST PUT INTO REVERSE, DRIVE OR DOWNSHIFTS AFTER ACCELERATION. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THE CYLINDER HEAD IN THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000. UPDATED 8/23/12 *CN ALSO, THE IGNITION COILS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 09/05/12

MY AVIATOR WAS SHIFTING ROUGH FOR LESS THAN 24 HOURS WHEN THE TRANSFER CASE WENT OUT. LUCKILY, I HAD ONLY PULLED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY WHEN IT HAPPENED. THE VEHICLE MADE AN AWFUL WHINNING AND SCREECHING NOISE AND BECAME IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE FORWARD. I WAS ABLE TO WRESTLE IT INTO REVERSE TO GET IT IN MY DRIVEWAY. I LIVE ON A BUSY COUNTRY ROAD, THIS COULD HAVE BEEN DANGEROUS FOR ME AND MY 3 KIDS. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY QUOTED ME NEAR $1000 WITH NO PROMISE THAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE FIXED. ADDITIONALLY, I CALLED A WEEK AFTER I PUT IT IN THE SHOP AND THERE IS A NATIONAL BACKORDER FOR THE PART THAT MAY OR MAY NOT FIX MY CAR. I WILL BE WITHOUT A CAR FOR OVER A MONTH, $1000 IN REPAIRS, AND THAT IS IF THIS WILL FIX THE TRANSFER CASE. IF I OPT TO DO A WHOLE NEW CASE, I AM LOOKING AT $3000. NOT HAPPY WILL NOT BUY LINCOLN AGAIN. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SPARK PLUGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TLTHE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS UNEXPECTEDLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT IMPACT TO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT AND A PASSENGER SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO THE HEAD AND NECK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY BEING DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFTGATE GLASS WAS CRACKED ALONG THE BASE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE LIFTGATE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

SOLENOIDS GOING OUT ON THE TRANSMISSION AS WELL AS THE BELTS THAT HOLD THE TRANSMISSION IN PLACE. DEALER STATED THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR 2 YEARS AND THAT FORD WILL NOT RECALL THE PRODUCT. THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON DURING THE DRIVE AND THE ENGINE HAS TROUBLE SHIFTING INTO GEAR GOING UP A HILL. THEIR IS A LEAK AROUND THE OIL FILTER WHICH CAUSE THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT TO COME ON DURIN THE DRIVE. THE LEAK IS ON THE 0 RING BOLTED ONTO THE ENGINE AND THAT PART INCLUDING THE FILTER AND ANTIFREEZE NEEDS TO BE ADDED TO THE CAR. THE CAR LOST 3 QUARTS OF OIL AND HAD TO BE REPLACED BY THE DRIVER IN ORDER TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER ADMITTED THIS IS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT BUT WILL NOT REPLACE THESE PARTS FOR NO CHARGE. *TR

SHIFTER KNOB ON 03 AVIATOR BROKE OFF. THE SHIFTER WAS LOCKED IN PLACE IN DRIVE AT A GREENLIGHT. IT SEEMS THAT A VERY CHEAP PLASTIC PIECE BROKE. THE DEALER QUOTED ME $1200 DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY. I AM CHECKING OTHER OPTIONS BUT SEEING THE FURTHER I LOOK THE MORE COMMON THIS PROBLEM. I AM NOT SURE HOW MANY COMPLAINTS IT TAKES BUT THIS IS A HORRIBLE SAFETY ISSUE. *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR HATCH NEAR THE EMBLEM WAS CRACKED. THE HATCH WAS NEVER USED AND THERE WAS NEVER A CRASH THAT OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THERE ARE NO RECALLS AND THE DEFECT WAS STRUCTURAL DAMAGE. THE REPAIR COST WILL BE AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,104.

AT 76,000 MILES BEGAN HEARING A NOISE UNDER THE HOOD. IT WAS DETERMINED BY AN AUTHORIZED FORD DEALER THAT THE IDLER PULLEYS WERE BAD. CHANGED 3 PULLEYS AND THE NOISE WAS STILL THERE. DRIVING ON A COUNTRY PAVED ROAD AT 25 MILES AN HOUR A LOUD THUMP AND THE CAR DIED. COULD NOT GET IT RESTARTED. THE PLASTIC TENSIONER GUIDE BROKE CAUSING THE TIMING CHAIN TO COME OFF AND BROKE PISTONS, VALVES AND ROCKERS. NEW ENGINE FROM FORD $8,000.... HAD TO REPLACE IT FOR $5,000 AND WILL BE TRADING IT IN IMMEDIATELY. *TR

AFTER OWNING A 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR CLOSE TO 4 YEARS IT IS NOW DOWN. I TOOK GOOD CARE OF THIS SUV AND ALWAYS HAD CHANGED THE OIL WITH SYNTHETIC OIL . WITH ONLY 79,000 MILES IT NOW HAS A ENGINE KNOCK . I TOOK IT TO THE LINCOLN DEALER AND THEY SAID I NEED A NEW ENGINE AND IT WOULD BE 8,800 DOLLARS SINCE MY EXTENDED WARRANTY JUST RAN OUT. I HAVE BEEN READING OTHER PEOPLE HAD THIS EXPERIENCE WITH THIS SUV AND YEAR BUT FORD DOES NOT WANT TO CORRECT THIS. *TR

THE BRAKE PEDAL AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER AND THERE IS A TENDENCY FOR THE FOOT TO SPAN THE DISTANCE BETWEEN BRAKE PEDAL AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SPEED UP WHEN PLACED IN GEAR FORWARD OR BACKWARDS, WHICH CAN RESULT IN UNAVOIDABLE ACCIDENTS WITH PERSONS, PROPERTY OR VEHICLES. THE AUTOMATIC ADJUSTER FOR BOTH PEDALS MOVES THEM IN UNISON AT THE SAME DISTANCE FROM EACH OTHER CAUSING ONE TO SPAN THE DISTANCE FROM ONE PEDAL TO THE OTHER. WITH THE AMOUNT OF TORQUE FROM THE ENGINE THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE SHOULD THE FOOT UNAVOIDABLY PRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE TWO PEDALS SHOULD BE INCREASED TO AVOID THE FOOT FROM SPANNING FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED DURING THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO NOTIFY HER INSURANCE COMPANY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A WIRING ISSUE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS AWAITING A NEW AIRBAG TO PERFORM REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR. THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE WHEN THE GEAR SHIFTER BECAME STUCK IN DRIVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A CABLE HAD BECOME DISLODGED FROM THE SHIFT CABLE BRACKET. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 02V313000 (POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE DEALER ADDED A STRAP TO THE SHIFT CABLE ADJUSTER TO PREVENT THE SHIFT CABLE FROM BECOMING DISLODGED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000. UPDATED 08/15/11 *BF UPDATED 3/05/2012 *LN

I OWN A 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR WITH 85,000 MILES ON IT . IT IS A 48,000 DOLLAR VEHICLE AND I AM LESS THAN SATISFIED WITH THE WAY ITS HELD UP . THE VEHICLE SEES SYNTHETIC OIL CHANGES EVERY 3,000 MILES . AT AROUND 79,000 THE ENGINE DIED ON WHILE DRIVING ON A HILLY COUNTRY ROAD WITH MY FAMILY IN THE CAR . I WAS ABLE TO MUSCLE THE CAR OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH NO POWER STEERING AND LIMITED BRAKES WE ENDED UP IN A CORN FIELD , HOWEVER THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE THERE WAS A VERRY UNHAPPY FARMER . THE VEHICLE THEN STARTED UP AND RAN BUT WAS RUNNING ROUGH WITH A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT . BROUGHT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD ITS A COMMON PROBLEM AND NEEDED A VALVE JOB SOMEWHERE TO THE TUNE OF 5,000 DOLLARS . I AM ONE OF AT LEAST 350 OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM ONLINE AND WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE IT BEING LOOKED INTO FURTHER . THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN BABIED SINCE DAY 1 AND I LOVED IT UNTILL NOW AND ITS A SHAME . ALONG WITH THE LOW COMPRESSION THE VEHICLE ALSO DEVELOPED AN OBNOXIOUS KNOCK AND TICK. I DONT APPRECIATE THE VEHICLE AS I DID BEFORE OH AND AS FOR FORD , THEY WANT NOTHING TO DO WITH IT . *TR

TRANSMISSION SHIFTER BREAKS AND LOCKS IN PLACE. THE RESULT IS TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS STRANDED IN A DANGEROUS NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE THEIR PERSONAL SAFETY IS AT RISK. THE PROBLEM IS A BROKEN $5 PIECE OF PLASTIC CONTAINED WITHIN THE SHIFTER KNOB. HOWEVER, FORD REFUSES TO SUPPLY THE $5 PIECE AND INSTEAD REQUIRES THE VEHICLE OWNER TO PURCHASE THE ENTIRE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY (WHICH COSTS ALMOST $1000). BASED ON THE NUMBER OF BACKORDERS FOR THIS PIECE AT ANY ONE POINT IN TIME, IT IS APPARENT THAT FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND IS NOT TAKING STEPS TO REMEDY. THE ONLY REMEDY THAT THEY OFFER IS TO FORCE THE CONSUMER TO PAY $1,000 IN ORDER FOR CONSUMERS TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE $5 PIECE OF PLASTIC. THIS HAPPENED TO ME WHEN I WAS OUT OF TOWN ON A TRIP WITH MY FAMILY. WE HAD PULLED OFF THE ROAD, BUT LEFT THE CAR RUNNING. WHEN WE WENT TO PLACE IT IN GEAR, IT REFUSED TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. WE WERE UNABLE TO PUSH THE VEHICLE OR MOVE IT IN ANY WAY BECAUSE IT WAS STUCK IN PARK. THE SUN WENT DOWN AND WE WERE STRANDED. I AM UNEMPLOYED AND WHILE I COULD AFFORD A SMALL REPAIR, I COUALD NOT AFFORD THE EXPENSIVE REPAIR (THE DEALERSHIP ALSO NEEDED TO CHARGE FOR THEIR LABOR, SO THE QUOTE WAS OVER $1500). AFTER BEING STRANDED OVERNIGHT, I CONVINCED THE DEALER TO JUST SHOW ME HOW TO SHIFT THE CAR WITHOUT REPLACING THE SHIFTER. NOW I HAVE TO KEEP THE GEAR SHIFT KNOB REMOVED (WHICH SUBJECTS THE MECHANISM TO ACCIDENTALLY HAVE THE OVERDRIVE BUTTON PUSHED). WITH THE KNOB REMOVED, I CAN LIFT THE ROD TO SHIFT I

2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR. ATTORNEY WRITES ON BEHALF OF CLIENT IN REGARDS TO PROBLEMS WITH HIS VEHICLE SUCH AS GEAR SHIFT, CRUISE CONTROL AND REARVIEW MIRROR FUNCTIONS *TGW THE GEAR SHIFT WOULD NOT MOVE OUT OF PARK AT TIMES. THE ENTIRE SHIFTER MECHANISM, STOP/BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, INTERLOCK SOLENOID MECHANISM, AND ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY WERE ALL REPLACED, BUT THE CONSUMER CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN CROSS TERRAIN TIRES, TIRE SIZE 245/65/R17 AND DOT NUMBER B3KTVE4X04084 . WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD UNUSUAL NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESUME DRIVING AND UPON REACHING HER DESTINATION, SHE DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE TREAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED AND DAMAGED THE BUMPER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY REPLACED THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE, DOOR MOLDING AND OUTER QUARTERED PANEL AND PARKING SENSOR. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE DEFECTIVE TIRE CAUSED THE DAMAGES TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,319. UPDATED 05/04/11 *BF

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HINGES ON THE REAR WERE NOT HOLDING THE REAR GLASS PROPERLY. THE REAR PANEL ALSO BEGAN TO CRACK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED INDEPENDENTLY WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING IDLE IN PARK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG STRUCK HIM IN THE REAR OF THE HEAD AND CAUSED SEVERE HEADACHES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEIR ATTORNEY WOULD CONTACT HIM AT A LATER DATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR. THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE CONTINUOUSLY BECOMES DISLODGED FROM THE SHIFT CABLE BRACKETS. WHILE DRIVING THE SHIFTER WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. HE WOULD HAVE TO GO UNDER THE VEHICLE AND SNAP THE CABLES BACK TOGETHER. THERE WAS A RECALL NHTSA#02V313000; COMPONENT: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER IN REGARDS TO THE FAILURE HE WAS TOLD HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ALSO INFORMED HIM HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000. UPDATED 12/30/10 *BF THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE ACTIVATION SWITCH. THE POWER WINDOW MOTOR WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 01/07/11 UPDATED 04/07/11

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

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY IN OUR 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR, THE TWO SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE NEAREST DEALER AND THERE WAS NO VISIBLE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT, SIDES, OR REAR OF THE VEHICLE THAT WOULD EXPLAIN THE AIRBAG DEPLOYING FOR NO REASON. *TR