Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 111 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Lincoln Aviator, and it carries 1 recall. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 40 | 36% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 12 | 11% |
| Structure | 9 | 8% |
| Air bags | 7 | 6% |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 4% |
| Tires | 3 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 3 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 3 | 3% |
| Power train | 2 | 2% |
| Power train | 2 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owns a 2003 Lincoln Aviator equipped with Cooper Tires, Tire Line: Hercules HTS-Terra-Trac, Tire Size 245/65/R17, DOT Number: (N/A). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's
NHTSA complaint: Tires
A YEAR AGO NOTICED WHEN SHIFTING AND UP TO DATE MY SHIFTER GEAR INDICATOR NOT SHIFT TO CORRECT GEAR INDICATOR AND FAIL TO WORK PROPERLY, I BELIEVED THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE MAY BECOME DISLODGED FROM THE SHIFT CABLE B
NHTSA complaint: Power train
I'M HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT IN THAT'S CONTROL ARM. THE TRANSFER CASE. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Power train
TL* 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 W
NHTSA complaint: Power train
TL* 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
NHTSA complaint: Power train
THE BUTTON ON THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER GETS STUCK. IT MAY OR MAY NOT BE DEPRESSED AT ANY GIVEN TIME. YOU MUST HAVE YOUR FOOT DEPRESSED ON THE BRAKE TO ALLOW THE CAR TO BE PUT IT INTO GEAR. THE BRAKE SENSOR IS WORKING. AFTER
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
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 COVERIN
NHTSA complaint: Power train
THERE HAS BEEN A UNPROVOKED CRACK IN THE LIFT GATE PANEL FOR A COUPLE YEARS NOW (WHICH SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM IN THIS MODEL), WE HAVE NOT HAD ISSUES UNTIL THE REAR WINDOW STARTED FLYING OPEN WHILE DRIVING AT A
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2003 Lincoln Aviator. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE CAN BECOME DISLODGED FROM THE SHIFT CABLE BRACKET.
Risk: THIS COULD RESULT RESULTING IN INCORRECT GEAR INDICATION.
Fix: DEALERS WILL ADD A STRAP TO THE SHIFT CABLE ADJUSTER TO PREVENT THE SHIFT CABLE FROM BECOMING DISLODGED. FORD HAS NOT YET PROVIDED AN OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS WHO DO N
| Reliability raw | 70 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 71 | good |
| Maintenance | 61 | average |
| Depreciation | 100 | excellent |
| Performance | 69 | good |
| Efficiency | 27 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 111 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 40 of them (36%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 70/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 71/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2003 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 69/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.