Model year
2003 Lincoln Aviator
NHTSA lists 1 recall and 111 complaints for the 2003 Lincoln Aviator (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are POWER TRAIN (24), POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (16), ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (12). NHTSA lists 2 investigations. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 14 mpg combined (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $4,800, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2003 111 complaints
- 2004 81 complaints
- 2005 51 complaints
- 2020 110 complaints
- 2021 40 complaints
- 2022 46 complaints
- 2023 24 complaints
- 2024 7 complaints
- 2025 18 complaints
- 2026 4 complaints
- 2027 0 complaints
Recalls
02V313000 · Nov 21, 2002
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE CAN BECOME DISLODGED FROM THE SHIFT CABLE BRACKET.
Complaints
111 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 5, fire flag on 0, injury field 7, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| DP05005 | SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | Sep 22, 2005 | Jan 4, 2006 |
| EA09013 | Vehicle Rollaway Allegations · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL); POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND… | Aug 18, 2009 | Feb 12, 2013 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aviator 2WD · 4.6L · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 12 | 17 | 14 | — | — | $4,800 |
| Aviator 4WD · 4.6L · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 12 | 17 | 14 | — | — | $4,800 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2003 Lincoln Aviator at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.