7.4
pretty bad- Typical Repair Cost:
- No data
- Average Mileage:
- 61,300 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 28 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (13 reports)
- replace panel / fill with epoxy (11 reports)
- replace entire panel (4 reports)
This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Lincoln dealer.
This is a well documented event - please see http://www.fordproblems.com/trends/cracked-rear-panel/ for a complete description
- Stephen M., Walpole, MA, US
I have just purchased my Aviator in January 2015. So far it has been in the shop more than half the time that I've had it. The most disappointing it the most recent knowledge of the hairline crack that I have on my lift gate. I'm not sure what to do about except take it to a body shop. Unfortunately, this will be costly. I need to know if there has been a recall. Or if there will be one in the near future.
- Kyra S., Wilmington, NC, US
I would like to have the panel replaced, it leaks and is the only mark on the vehicle
- TDonald D., Lancaster, SC, US
Ford SUV are notorious with this, I have seen many, and I mean many Fords with a crack down the center of the rear lift gate panel body-trim. Ford should have recalled all the SUV and specifically replaced or repaired this for any customer that needed to do so.
- Santo B., NAPERVILLE, IL, US
The rear panel cracked and I just used a clean caulking to seal it. Then the rear lock went, probably from getting too much water. Started looking at other Ford SUV vehicles and was surprised how many had the exact same defect.
- mekll, Turtle Creek, PA, US
Ford should replace the cracked lift gate panel at their cost. They had knowledge of the inferior product and did nothing except keep producing and using it for approximately 5 years or more. In my eyes they deceived the public by continuing to use a faulty product. Stealing from the customer is the only way to describe the legalized extortion of the Ford motor company has been allowed to get away with!!!!
- mjg7664, Springfield, PA, US
Pissed that Ford would allow this. I always thought Ford was better than other car companies.
Has reduced the amount I can get on a trade in or private sale. I fear that water will come in a rot out the metal under the panel and then the entire lift gate will have to be replaced.
- catmandu12, Newburyport, MA, US
click to see larger images
Having paid top dollar for this vehicle and maintaining it with great diligence, I expected that it would be reliable and long lasting. The crack on the lift gate is just one of many complaints I have about this vehicle. While it is a gorgeous and well riding car, the reliability has been troublesome and costly. This rear crack will now interfere with my ability to re-sell this car. Dammit!
- Mary O., Huntersville, NC, US
The back panel just split straight down by the Lincoln logo piece. I put clear caulking on to seal it. Over the next year the other side of the metal logo piece started to crack. It is about half way down the whole piece so I caulked that as well. This car has had very gentle use and only has 40,000 miles, no off road use, so there is no reason for this.
I have been watching Ford vehicles on the road though and have seen one other Aviator with the same problem and about 5-6 Ford Explorers with it. I just started watching about 2 months ago out of curiosity so I am sure there are many more. As you can see, I don't drive much so am not on the road much and it is all local. I can imagine what I would find if I drove to many different areas. And we are all probably sitting around thinking we somehow caused this or are the only ones with the problem. Not so. Obviously a problem generated by Ford's poor workmanship.
- mekll, Turtle Creek, PA, US
I have always been the one to detail all the cars and the Lincoln isn't excluded from that, with that said we have had a lot of snow over the last two months and it has been bitter cold outside and this past weekend it was in the lower 70's in terms of temperature, so I decided to detail it and get all the sand and salt off of it from all the snow plows clearing the roads. I get the truck cleaned an the only thing else I have to do is the back and liftgate, I leave the liftgate last and as im washing I notice a huge crack to the right of the Lincoln emblem all the way from the glass to the to chrome license plate surround and is a bout half an inch width split, I the notice less than an inch crack to the left of the Lincoln emblem, I too it to the local Lincoln dealership an I was told this: 1. its no longer under warranty, 2. they know about it and ford isn't calling a body defect recall, 3. that I will have to pay out of pocket for the liftglass portion to be replaced which has the cracked emblem piece on it and I was quoted almost $900 to fix it, this is bs I paid almost $50000 for this Aviator 10 years ago and Lincoln is supposed to be considered a luxury car company well not fixing this isn't not what defines a luxury car company, needless to say I guess I will just keep it can sell it people wont buy it because of the crack they want me to fix it and dealerships wont give what its worth because of the crack, now I understand why Lincoln discontinued the Aviator in 2005 it didn't live up to luxury car standards, BIG FAT FAIL FORD MOTOR COMPANY, WONDER IF HENRY FORD WOULD ACCEPT THIS KIND OF TREATMENT IF HE WAS STILL ALIVE.........
- Justin W., Mechanicsville, VA, US
Have the same problem as everyone else, cracked rear liftgate.... Typical response from all US manufacturers (Ford, GM, Chrysler)... we are fully aware of the problem, and we will do absolutely NOTHING to make it right/fix/repair it! Thanks for all your loyal business over the years, ye faithful US consumers, but this is YOUR problem and not ours!
- Scott P., Clarksburg, WV, US
I AM PISSED OFF ALSO, PAID ABOUT 48000 DOLLARS & INTEREST
- Ben M., Bayonne, NJ, US
Again, a stress fracture. Same Spot. No real fix. Spoke to Lincoln corporate.
- agoldmine, Los Angeles, CA, US
Again #5 for same issue and so sick of no car and rental fee. No real fix
- agoldmine, Los Angeles, CA, US
4th time and cost me for rental again and 5 days no car!
- agoldmine, Los Angeles, CA, US
This is such a freakin' pain in the ass. They expect you to accept this as just a small problem. Well 6 times is not a problem it is a manufacture defect.
- agoldmine, Los Angeles, CA, US
Lincoln says this is not a recall. Then what is???
- agoldmine, Los Angeles, CA, US
This has been repaired under warranty one time in 2009 but when taking back to the dealer they would not own up to responsibility.
- Bob K., Chatham, VA, US
Rear window/door panel on my 2004 Lincold Avaitor has a stress crack in it that eminates int he narrow protion of the panel at the Lincoln emblem.
- Ed S., Sun Lakes, AZ, US
click to see larger images
Lincoln recalled this problem regarding the back tail gate, as there is no weather strip. This has caused a severe crack in the emblem as well as the bottom portion.
- Alexander D., New York, US