2004 Lincoln Aviator gears were slipping and would not shift; had it checked and was told the transmission was failing. 2 days later we had to have it towed to the shop because it was stuck in "neutral". had to replace the transmission at only 63,000 miles. Never had a transmission fail with only 63K miles, all preventative maintenance is kept up on our vehicle. Loud noise at startup and A/C does not work, I believe it is the clutch. No help from Ford even though there are multiple complaints of transmission/power train problems. Also, read that the Explorer was recalled for the same problem and that the Explorer and Aviator are built with many of the same parts, however, no recall on the Aviator?

- Beaufort, SC, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Lincoln Aviator. The contact stated that when trying to move the gear shift from park to drive, it suddenly fractured. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer who advised him that the gear needed to be replaced due to a plastic component. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000. Updated 07/06/12

- Midlothian, VA, USA

My 2004 Lincoln Aviator started making a loud whining noise.

- Redondo Beach, CA, USA

Gear shift not changing smoothly, gear difficult to get out of "park" from time to time. The transmission shift cable finally become dislodged from the shift cable bracket and the vehicle is unable to move at all (not even able to push vehicle while gear in neutral). Needing to replace shift cable and gear lever.

- Lawrenceville, GA, USA

Shifting from drive to reverse or vice versa with no response. Power train - gear shift cable disconnects causing loss of control of what gear the car is in. Selector then gives wrong information as to what gear you are in. Only some 2003 Aviators have been recalled; I have a 2004. Website complaints show that all Aviators 2002 to 2008 are affected. I told the Lincoln dealer about NHTSA and she said 'don't listen to them, they don't know what they are talking about." They are charging me $400 to fix the problem including the towing.

- Coral Springs, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Lincoln Aviator. While the contact was driving approximately 55 mph smoke circulated through the vents inside of the vehicle; and the vehicle was driven to the side of the road. The contact stated the smoke originated from the engine compartment. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where the technician advised that the front end differential had deteriorated. The vehicle was repaired at the owner's expense. After the service repair the vehicle was test driven and the failure recurred. The technician performed further diagnosis and repaired the vehicle. The failure continued to occur on four separate occasions which was repaired at the owner's expense. The manufacturer was notified of the front end differential failures and they accepted liability for the radio and steering column repairs that failed to function correctly due to the differential failures. In addition, the contact stated that the front tires were replaced in March of 2009; and five months later the tires had worn to the metal in result of the defective front end differential. The tires were replaced. An independent mechanic informed the problem originated from inexpensive Korean parts in the transfer case. The transfer case and U joint were replaced in the vehicle. The contact expressed anyone driving the vehicle life was in danger because of the safety defect. The failure mileage was 80,000. The VIN was unavailable. Also, there was a crack under the rear liftgate. There was recall on the rearlift. However, the consumers VIN was not included. The entire shifting mechanism had to be replaced, the steering wheel would vibrate while making a turn. Updated 12/17/10

- Fairfiled, CA, USA

Lincoln Aviator with 54,000 on it and had to fix the transmission, shop said there was some grove on some part in the transmission. Very expensive problems with low miles. Also had a 2004 Mercury Mountaineer with 64,000 miles, transmission started to make noises, about a week later it would not shift. Shop said some grove in something in the transmission. Had it fixed for $3,000. Later found out the transmission was out at 10,000 miles before we bought it.

- Fond Du Lac, WI, USA

The gear shift selector broke and I could not get the vehicle into a neutral position while driving. Could not turn off the ignition system. Updated 01/13/10.

- San Jose, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Lincoln Aviator. The contact stated that the gear selectors came apart when attempting to shift gears. Gear failure while driving increases the risk for vehicle crash.he took the vehicle to the dealer and was advised that the entire shift assembly needed to be replaced. However because there was not an existing recall they would not assume responsibility for the repairs. The failure mileage was 53,000. The current mileage was unknown.

- Laurinburg, NC, USA

2004 Lincoln Aviator. The consumer owned car for a year. While taking off from a stop pressed the accelerator and the car did not move. Had to press the gas pedal several times, and it took at least a quarter of a mile and then it finally took off. This has happened at least 6 times, and vehicle has been in repair shop 6 times also, the dealership was unable to duplicate this problem. The vehicle is in the repair shop, and they still can indicate what is wrong with the vehicle. The transmission solenoid pac was replaced per tsb 051504.

- Geneva, AL, USA

My main problem is that the car has an intermittent transmission problem. The car slips out of gear and the engine races. I have mentioned the problem to the service department on several occasions and they tell me it?S my problem till it does it for them. The other day I got a letter from Lincoln saying that the factory had put the wrong transmission fluid in the car. The service department still does not think this is my problem. The car has been in for the ac being broken; the brake rotors have been replaced. The car makes a loud noise on start up and they told me it was normal, however I have asked other people with my molded car and the said that there car makes no abnormal noise on start up. There is a problem with my steering when the car is not in motion. Other problems are minor including some small electrical problems. My main concern is that the car is dangerous to drive and they just do not care. In the mean time when I brought the car in the last time for the transmission the service department said they would keep an open order on the car. The big surprise is that they lost the order as I have requested a copy of it. Please help harold bennett.

- Clinton, NJ, USA

Rough idling at stand still and with acceleration and decceleration with a whining noise, miss firing happened 1st time the day after we bought the car- dealer said he fixed the problem. Happened again just a few weeks later. The car is six weeks old and in the shop for the second time. Dealer says problem is the management processor.

- Potomac, MD, USA