Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 51 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Lincoln Aviator, and it carries no recalls. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | 25 | 49% |
| Power train | 9 | 18% |
| Air bags | 3 | 6% |
| Steering | 2 | 4% |
| Visibility | 2 | 4% |
| Suspension | 1 | 2% |
| Structure | 1 | 2% |
| Power train | 1 | 2% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | 2% |
| Wheels | 1 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY 55 MPH WHEN PASSENGER REAR TOE LINK FAILED AND I LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER WITHOUT CRASHING. VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT GARAGE NEARBY.
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
A 6 INCH CRACK DEVELOPED AT REAR CENTER TAILGATE BODY PANEL MADE OUT OF PLASTIC BELOW THE REAR WINDOW. THERE HAD BEEN REPORTS THAT THE REAR WINDOW COULD FALL OUT AND INTERNAL TAILGATE COMPONENTS COULD BE DAMAGED DUE TO W
NHTSA complaint: Structure
DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITH NO IMPACT OF ANY KIND. CAR WAS STARTED AND AIR BAG DEPLOYED.
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
REAR PLASTIC LITIGATE APPLIQUE BROKE OFF HITTING A PASSENGER CAR'S WINDSHIELD. THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED. THIS THE THIRD PIECE FAILURE. THE LINCOLN WAS TRAVELING WEST ON THE DULLES GREENWAY.
NHTSA complaint: Structure
WHILE PARKED AT THE GAS STATION GETTING READY TO PUMP GAS THE REAR WINDOW EXPLODED, GLASS SHATTERED EVERYWHERE, LEFT HINGE CRACKED AND FRAME AROUND LIFTGATE BEND AND CURLED UP. MY REAR LIFTGATE HAS THE SAME CRACKED AS P
NHTSA complaint: Structure
I HAVE THE SAME CRACKING PROBLEM WITH THE BACK GATE WHICH RESULTED IN THE BREAKING OF HINGES. ALSO A KNOWN DEFECT IN USING DEFECTIVE PARTS IN THE ENGINE SUCH AS TIMING CHAIN CASSETTES AND TENSIONER. FORD KNEW ABOUT THE P
NHTSA complaint: Structure
OWNER OF 2005 LINCOLN AVIATOR. I WAS NOT ABLE TO GET THE GEAR SHIFT OUT OF PARK. I HAD THE AVIATOR TOWED TO A FAMILY MEMBER'S AUTOMOTIVE GARAGE AND WAS TOLD THAT I WILL NEED TO HAVE THE ENTIRE GEAR SHIFT REPLACED. UPO
NHTSA complaint: Power train
WHEN PURCHASED USED 2 YRS OLD [XXX], I NOTICED A CRACK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LIFTGATE. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR ALMOST 7YRS AND HAVE TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE OF IT, BUT I NOW HAVE 3 CRACKS IN THE LIFTGATE. IT SEEMS TO
NHTSA complaint: Structure
| Reliability raw | 74 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 73 | good |
| Maintenance | 61 | average |
| Depreciation | 100 | excellent |
| Performance | 69 | good |
| Efficiency | 23 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 51 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and structure is the most reported area with 25 of them (49%). No recalls are on record for it.
AVOIR scores its reliability 74/100 (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 73/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2005 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 70/100. 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.