The Lemon Index
2004
20201st generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 15,873 in the U.S. in 2005 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 7 complaints in its first 3 years.
Better years to buy
7 owner complaints, first 3 years 13 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2005 Infiniti FX352005 Lincoln Navigator2005 Volvo XC90 120
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 6 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?
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Lincoln sent dealers 29 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Low speed steering shudder during low-speed turning maneuvers”?
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 7 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 0K to 13K miles (0K to 21K km) on the car (6 of all 7 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.
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 2005 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 29 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Low speed steering shudder during low-speed turning maneuvers
- Axle seal leaks
- No crank/no start condition when vehicle temperature is below freezing (32f/0c)
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
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 $5,800 (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. 2005 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 2005 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/lincoln-aviator/?y=2005" 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/2005/">Lemon Index</a> (2005 Lincoln Aviator reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2005 Lincoln Aviator reliable?
We can't score it: only 15,873 were sold in the U.S. in 2005 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 7 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2005 Lincoln Aviator problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are visibility (43%), steering (29%) and speed control (29%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 Lincoln Aviator have?
None: NHTSA has no safety recalls on record for it.
What gas mileage does the 2005 Lincoln Aviator get?
13 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2005 Lincoln Aviator have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 14% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2005 Lincoln Aviator cost in fuel a year?
About $5,800 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2005 Lincoln Aviator have?
4.6L 8-cyl.
What Lincoln Aviator year is better than the 2005?
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