VehicleVerdict

2025 Lincoln Aviator problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 22 complaints on file for the 2025 Lincoln Aviator — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 13 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

22

NHTSA complaints

13

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2025 compare to other Aviator years?

Aviator NHTSA complaints by model year, 2025 highlighted168 complaints2003: 168 complaints2004: 115 complaints2005: 62 complaints2020: 159 complaints2021: 57 complaints2022: 73 complaints2023: 36 complaints2024: 6 complaints2025: 22 complaints2026: 0 complaints
Aviator NHTSA complaints by model year, 2025 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Aviator years to avoid →

What are the most common 2025 Lincoln Aviator problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Driver Assistance732%
Brakes418%
Seats314%
Electrical System314%
Steering15%
Transmission15%
Engine15%
Lighting15%
Speed Control15%

Does the 2025 Lincoln Aviator have recalls?

13 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

26V165000Electrical SystemMarch 18, 2026 · 254,640 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2025 Lincoln Navigator, 2024-2025 Lincoln Nautilus, 2025 Lincoln Aviator and Explorer vehicles. The Image Processing Module A (IPMA) may experience multiple unexpected resets, resulting in loss of the rearview camera image and advanced driver assistance (ADAS) features, including pre-collision assist, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring.

Consequence

Loss of the rearview camera image and certain driver assistance features, can reduce the driver’s ability to detect hazards, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

The Image Processing Module A software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. This is a Phased campaign. Phase 1 will include 2025 Aviator, 2025 Explorer, 2025 Nautilus notified owners on 4/13/2026. Phase 2 will include 2025 Navigator will notify owners on or about 4/20/2026. Phase 3 will include 2022-2024 Navigator will notify owners on or about 6/8/2026. Phase 4 will include 2024 Nautilus will notify owners on or about 6/22/2026. Owner notification letters were mailed April 13, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S21. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning March 25, 2026.

26V159000Seat BeltsMarch 17, 2026 · 561 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2026 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The seat belt anchor bolts at the second-row outer seating positions may be improperly secured.

Consequence

A loose seat belt buckle may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect the second-row outer seat belt lower anchor bolts and replace or repair them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 30, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C18. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 19, 2026.

25V730000Visibility & WipersOctober 24, 2025 · 56,841 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Lincoln Corsair, Lincoln Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The windshield glass may have visible air bubbles, which can obscure the driver's visibility. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 205, "Glazing Materials."

Consequence

Reduced visibility while driving can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the windshield as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 6, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C60. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning October 27, 2025.

25V687000Trailer HitchOctober 10, 2025 · 1,412 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Explorer and 2024-2026 Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The trailer hitch assembly bolts may be loose.

Consequence

While towing a trailer, loose trailer hitch bolts can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, or cause the trailer to detach. Either of these conditions can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and tighten the trailer hitch bolts, or replace them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 29, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA3. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 15, 2025.

25V543000LightingAugust 22, 2025 · 213,121 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Explorer and Aviator vehicles. When towing a trailer, the tail lights on the trailer may fail to illuminate due to an improperly manufactured body control module. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence

Trailer tail lights that do not illuminate as intended can reduce visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the body control module C on vehicles with less than 9,000 miles. For vehicles over 9,000 miles, dealers will perform a functional check on the body control module C and replace it as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Aviator 2025 owner notification letters were mailed October 13, 2025. Explorer 2025 owner letters were mailed November 25, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C42.

25V484000Visibility & WipersJuly 25, 2025 · 23,111 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Lincoln Aviator vehicles. When closing the windows with the global closing feature, the side rear windows may exert excessive force when encountering an object, before they automatically reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 118, "Power-Operated Window Systems."

Consequence

A closing window that does not reverse direction as expected can pinch a passenger before retracting, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Dealers will update the Body Control Module (BCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 7, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C33.

25V407000Body & StructureJune 13, 2025 · 132,914 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Aviator vehicles. The rear door window bars and C-pillar trim may have insufficient adhesive bonding, which can allow the trim to detach from the vehicle.

Consequence

Detached trim may cause a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will repair or replace C-pillar appliques and window division bars, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 29, 2025. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S66.

25V393000SeatsJune 13, 2025 · 304,662 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, folding, or sliding unexpectedly while driving.

Consequence

A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect the second-row seat switch, and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S67.

25V316000Body & StructureMay 9, 2025 · 206 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Explorer and Aviator vehicles. A mounting bolt for the front subframe may have been tightened improperly.

Consequence

A loose subframe bolt may reduce the vehicle's performance in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and tighten the subframe bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Owner notification letters were mailed May 21, 2025. Ford's number for this recall is 25S43.

25V164000TransmissionMarch 14, 2025 · 269 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 F-150, Bronco, 2024 Ranger, 2025 Mustang, Explorer, and Aviator vehicles. The transmission valve body may have been machined incorrectly, which can cause reverse gear failure, or unexpected forward movement in reverse or neutral gear.

Consequence

Unexpected vehicle movement increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the transmission main control valve body, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 11, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S19.

25V020000Body & StructureJanuary 17, 2025 · 259 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The transmission may be improperly secured due to loose cross member bolts.

Consequence

An improperly secured transmission can result in a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the transmission cross member bolts as necessary, free of charge. If the cross member bolts are missing, dealers will replace the cross member and install new bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 29, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S03.

24V852000OtherNovember 8, 2024 · 27,678 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, 2020-2024 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2018-2024 F-150, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirement Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Consequence

Without a label that shows the proper restraint usage guidelines, the occupants may have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy

Ford will mail owners the warning labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 19, 2024. Owners may call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C39.

24V801000Driver AssistanceOctober 25, 2024 · 391 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The rearview camera image may fail when the vehicle speed reaches 10 MPH or greater. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Consequence

The loss of the rearview camera image while in reverse can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

The accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software will be updated through an over-the-air (OTA) update or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C34.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

I bought Lincoln Aviator 2025 Model. After 2 weeks my car started showing all the faulty error sign. To be specific with sign I have the following sign on : BSM, Cross traffic system fault, front camera fault, pre-collision alert. Reverse camera malfunction sign. I have my other 3 friend that have…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · February 5, 2025

The contact owns a 2025 Lincoln Aviator. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle was slow to respond. The local dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the failure might be due to a computer chip failure. The dealer was unable to…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 26, 2025

The 2nd row seats are malfunctioning, sliding up and folding while the car is moving. The button at the top of the seat seems to be getting stuck. There is a whole forum about this issue, with years of reports but never seems to be a recall - this is a SERIOUS safety issue: [XXX] INFORMATION…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · November 16, 2025

on 7/27/25 while driving on a residential street the car behaved extremely erratically and was attempting engage the brakes resulting in an uncontrollable driving condition. Brakes were engaging automatically and dashboard showed fault messages including "Antilock brake fault" and "pre-collision…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 27, 2025

Steering locks up during low speed maneuvers. Problem began at approximately 192 miles and has repeated well over 25 times in under 650 miles.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · October 20, 2025

2025 Lincoln Aviator — common questions

Is the 2025 Lincoln Aviator reliable?

The record is thin — 22 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 13 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2025 Aviator problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are driver assistance (7 complaints), brakes (4 complaints), electrical system (3 complaints).

Does the 2025 Lincoln Aviator have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns affecting the 2025 Lincoln Aviator. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Lincoln Aviator years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Aviator years to avoid are 2003, 2020, 2004. The cleanest record among Aviator years belongs to 2026.

How safe is the 2025 Lincoln Aviator?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2025 Lincoln Aviator earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.