2.0
hardly worth mentioning- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 80,696 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
I'm having problems with the front in that's control arm. The transfer case.
- Detroit, MI, USA
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.
- Boron, CA, USA
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.
- Omaha, NE, USA
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.
- Fresno, TX, USA
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?
- Rancho Cordova, CA, USA
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.
- Rock, MI, USA
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 great service repair". I think I bought a lemon!! too many things going wrong with a vehicle that was purchased new and still have low miles!! my windshield sprayer control on the left side on the steering wheel also stopped working suddenly about 5 years ago, I almost forgot about that issue.
- Indianapolis, IN, USA
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.
- New Orlrans, LA, USA
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.
- Millington, TN, USA
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.
- Maylene , AL, USA
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.
- North Chesterfield, VA, USA
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?
- Roanoke, VA, USA
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 & 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.
- Huntsville, AL, USA
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 updated 10/23/2013
- Ayrshire, IA, USA
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.
- Marietta, GA, USA
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.
- North Chesterfield, VA, USA
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.
- Shallotte, NC, USA
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.
- Indianapolis, IN, USA
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.
- Blacklick, OH, USA
- South San Francisco, CA, USA