The Lemon Index
200320051st generation
Not enough data. Only 19 complaints in its first 3 years: too few to score.
Better years to buy
19 owner complaints, first 3 years 13–14 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2004 Infiniti FX35 952004 Lincoln Navigator 812004 Volvo XC90 138
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 12 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Do the wipers, washers, defrost and mirrors all work?
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Lincoln sent dealers 56 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Rear axle date code inspection and service”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Lincoln's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 19 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 5K to 35K miles (8K to 56K km) on the car (12 of all 19 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Automatic heat climate control malfunctioned. As a result cold air blows out, fogging the windows.
2004 Lincoln Aviator owner · NHTSA complaint 10059516
More owner reports
This vehicle was made for towing and was equipped with all the towing sockets and equipment for towing. Consumer was unable to tow the vehicle because the manufacturer didn't make a rear mirror extender for this vehicle.
NHTSA complaint 10065230
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 1.5M views · 2003–2005 Lincoln Aviator
Most-watched topics
- Gauges, lights & wiring58K views
The Old Ones are Easier | 2005 Lincoln Aviator No-Tool Light ChangeSVTPerformance · 37K views · 2 videos - Fuel pump, filter & tank41K views
2002 - 2005 Lincoln Aviator replacing the fuel filter.rick padi · 41K views - Cooling system31K views
2005 Lincoln aviator overheatingJared miller · 27K views · 3 videos - Transmission & shifter18K views
2003 Lincoln Aviator Transmission Removal do to Burned Clutches Part 1Ralf's Automotive Diagnostics & Repair · 17K views · 2 videos
Show 4 more
- No-start: theft light, key & ignition11K views
2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR NO CRANK NO START ISSUE...CLICKS...SOLVED...Peter L · 11K views - Spark plugs & ignition coils10K views
Spark Plug replacement 2005 Lincoln Aviator 4.6LDJ Ron The Mechanic · 10K views - Timing chain & engine7K views
2003 Lincoln Aviator Misfire FixedCRANK UP MOBILE · 7K views - Steering & suspension2K views
Shift Cable Bushing Replacement 2003-2005 Lincoln AviatorD/I/Y Diagnostics N Repair · 2K views
Before you buy, watch
2005 Lincoln Aviator Review, Walkaround, Start Up, Test DriveRedline Reviews · 144K views
2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR LUXURY EDITION Start Up, Walk Around Tour And ReviewAutomotiveReview · 46K views
2003 Lincoln Aviator Premium 4X4|Walk Around Video|In Depth ReviewNeighborhood Car Reviews · 42K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2004 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Lincoln told dealers about
Lincoln sent dealers 56 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Rear axle date code inspection and service
- Axle whine from the 3.55 axle that is above the normal gear noise level
- Rear 3.55 axle noise
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 0
No safety recalls on record.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Lincoln Aviator recall, all years · All Lincoln recalls
Government investigations
- ClosedVehicle rollaway allegations2009–2013
- ClosedSpark plug ejection from cylinder head2005–2006
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front — · side — · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $5,350–$5,800 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 4.6L 8-cyl.
Every Lincoln Aviator year. 2004 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 6 Lincoln Aviator years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2004 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/lincoln-aviator/?y=2004" title="Lincoln Aviator reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="307" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/lincoln-aviator/2004/">Lemon Index</a> (2004 Lincoln Aviator reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2004 Lincoln Aviator reliable?
There isn't enough data to score it: owners filed only 19 complaints in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2004 Lincoln Aviator problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are visibility (26%), brakes (21%) and transmission & drivetrain (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2004 Lincoln Aviator have?
None: NHTSA has no safety recalls on record for it.
What gas mileage does the 2004 Lincoln Aviator get?
13 to 14 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2004 Lincoln Aviator have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 16% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2004 Lincoln Aviator cost in fuel a year?
About $5,350 to $5,800 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2004 Lincoln Aviator have?
4.6L 8-cyl.
What Lincoln Aviator year is better than the 2004?
No year within 3 model years of it drew fewer complaints. Across every year, 2021 drew the fewest (about three-quarters as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works