6.8
fairly significant- Typical Repair Cost:
- $490
- Average Mileage:
- 58,600 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 17 complaints
Most common solutions:
- replace panel and paint (10 reports)
- not sure (4 reports)
- trade the car in (3 reports)
This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Lincoln dealer.
I purchased this automobile new and I love it except for the gas mileage. I have not had any problems other than what I feel is a defect in the design since it has occurred so many times. I have purchased or leased new Ford/Lincoln/Mercury automobiles for the past 35 years and to this point had been satisfied. I had hoped Ford/Lincoln would stand behind their product. It is what it is - a defect.
- Jacqueline W., St. Louis, MO, US
This happens on the newer explorers and all avatar's i have seen on the road. i tried to get people to file a complaint but no one care go figure
- Guy T., carson city, NV, US
This seems to be a common defect on 2005 Lincoln Aviators to the extent that it has to be a manufacturing defect. Unfortunately, from everything I have read, Ford refuses to own up to the problem even though it has occurred to all like type vehicles (Ford Explorer, Mercury Mountaineer and Lincoln Aviators) from 2002 through 2005. I have a lot of respect for Ford but this definitely tarnishes that for me. They are even fighting a class action lawsuit. But, due to the numerous occurrences of this problem, there can be little doubt in their collective minds that the problem was of their own making, so why can't they do the responsible thing and offer a fix for this problem?
- Richard M., Sharpsburg, GA, US
I bought the black 4-door Lincoln Aviator in the late summer of 2008. The car had a few minor issues, but were fixed by the selling dealership before purchase.
The 2005 Lincoln Aviator had a vertical crack in the rear hatch assembly where the "Lincoln Insignia" sits on the glass portion of the tail gate. The dealership fixed the tailgate with a new plastic assembly and the car seemed to be working properly from there out.
- llpowers2, Lombard, IL, US
So attractive to have a big crack noticeable to every car behind you; come on Ford, almost every Aviator, Explorer and Mountaineer has this defect - take the blame and do what's right. Or at least bring back the program you offered where you paid the bulk if owner's wanted it repaired...
- grk318, Sarasota, FL, US
The dealer was nice enough to offer 1/2 off the cost but I did have to rent a car to use while my Aviator was getting repaired. That cost me an additional $100 plus lots of gas going back and forth from my home to the dealer in Allentown. So i was out over $400 for something that should have been covered by Ford/Lincoln.
- sharonfpa, schuylkill haven, PA, US
I SEE MORE 2005 LINCOLN AVIATORS LIKE THIS SO I THOUGHT SOMEONE WOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
- mastera9, Norfolk, VA, US
That crack in rear panel is a big problem. I have seen it on cars of the same type in Puerto Rico. Is wrong to see many Aviators and Explorers with the same problem, really. I will change to another car like Dodge, buy your quality car and warranty.
- mrcatpr, Caguas, PR, Puerto Rico
This is a common problem with many of the Lincoln, Ford, Mercury SUV's. I have not fixed the problem at this time because the replacement part is the same as the original part. The problem may occur again if the part or the problem is not address by the auto company. The repair will cost around $500.00, but may occur again over time. I plan to keep my Lincoln (which I bought new), but I need a permanent fix not just a bandage to the overall problem. I really think that Lincoln needs to step up to the plate and help with the cost of this specific repair. There are a lot more vehicles with this recurring problem on the road than listed on this complaint page.
- tmtaylor1, Thomasville, GA, US
WHAT A PIECE OF JUNK THIS CAR HAS TURNED OUT TO BE. FOR 50K YOU WOULD EXPECT THE BEST, I'LL NEVER OWN ANOTHER FORD PRODUCT.
- hhughes, Portsmouth, OH, US
I love my truck and think its great but that crack that has turned into two is so darn ugly it makes me sick. I don't have the money to fix it and find that i'm not the only one who has this problem. You would think Lincoln would right the wrong and fix this issue so it won't happen again or at least offer to pay for half the cost of the part and fully pay for the labor.
- margieh.insurance, Las Vegas, NV, US
I thought this would be a good car but the problems just keep building, Have a strange pop noise in the steering, also a noise in rear end when pulling up a steep hill.
That crack in rear panel is a big problem I have seen it on cars of the same type in Florida! So I think its a problem in the molding of this part not the cold. Lincoln took a lot of people on this vehicle.
Also I have never seen a car like this drop in book value like this Lincoln Aviator, I will never buy another Lincoln or Ford product.
- hhughes, Portsmouth, OH, US
How many complaints for this issue are out there? This is a ridiculous problem. Hope enough of these can create a class action approach to the resolve. If I can help, just ask. I Thanks!
- Mario S., Biloxi, MS, US
click to see larger images
Like a lot of other Ford owners, our newly bought '05 Lincoln Aviator got a sudden crack around the emblem, below the rear window tonight. It was not there earlier in the day. It was a cold day, but nothing too bad...around 30 degrees. It was much colder a few weeks ago. We have no idea how this happened, but once I did an internet seach, I see that this is a common problem with the composite deck lid for the Ford/Mercury/Lincoln line. But, to my disappointment, Ford is not making this flaw a warrantee issue, and I have not seen one person that has had their's replaced at Ford's dime. Unreal.
We've just bought this Aviator three weeks ago and love it, but this crack is so obvious on our Parchment Pearl vehicle, and is hard to miss.
- Bert M., Loudonville, OH, US
I am new to this website and i am happy i now know of it the rear panel in my case cracked with the car parked under a carport we have had below normal temperature over the weekend i come home from work and spot this it is sad that ford did nothing to correct this defect i wonder does mike rowe know about this i think i am going to trade my aviator in because there is not a permanent repair for this problem
- stevepga, Macon, GA, US
I payed for a Lincoln Aviator. This is a common problem. I see this all the time in other similar vehicles. The rear center panel below the window cracked again. I do not have 500 dollars to repair this.
- Antonio S., Kettleman City, CA, US
Thank you for taking the time to read this. I noticed the crack after I put the rear lift window down.
It has gotten worse. Now the seal around the rear window is starting to give way as I’ve noticed lots of moisture is getting inside. This is also affecting the rear window latch.
I have now hurt my hand with the protruding defect.
I did not know I could report this problem on a website, but happy to do so now.
This IS a manufacturers “known†defect from what I’ve been reading. I did not know about this. Shame on Ford representatives for failing to admit & fix these issues to the people who have purchased their products. I guess we will ban together & demand the free fixes or maybe Ford would like boycotted. It’s working on the NFL !
- Teresa W., Stuart, US