The Lemon Index
20242nd generation
Too new: partial score · still collecting complaintsThe 2025 Lincoln Aviator hasn't finished its 3-year window yet. This counts every owner complaint filed so far (through October 2026) and compares it with other 2025 cars, which have had the same time on the road. It can change as more owners file.
Not enough data. Only 18 complaints in its first 3 years: too few to score.
Better years to buy
18 owner complaints, first 3 years 20–21 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
When problems show up
No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 26V470000 (seats), 26V451000 (seats) and 26V165000 (back over prevention) done? It has 15 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Has it ever braked hard for no reason? Ask whether the safety-system software was updated.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Lincoln sent dealers 142 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Quality Improvements include: - Prevents unintended no-start after OTA update”?
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 18 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 →
In owners' words
The second row seat is moving or reclining while I’m driving. The car seat motor has a sound while it reclines.
2025 Lincoln Aviator owner · NHTSA complaint 11735438
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 17.0M views · 2020–2025 Lincoln Aviator
- Oil changes & service460K views
The 2020 Lincoln Aviator Resets The Bar With These Amazing Features and One That Blew Us Away!The Fast Lane Car · 460K views - Infotainment, battery & electrical55K views
Ford Explorer & Lincoln Aviator (2020 - present) - New Battery InstallThe Battery Shop · 55K views - Heat, A/C & blend door17K views
2021 Lincoln Aviator Cabin Air Filter Replace How To 22 21Karrs Kars · 17K views
Before you buy, watch
2025 Lincoln Aviator Review | Should You Buy?UsedCarsTV · 72K views
2022 Lincoln Aviator Problems and Reliability - Should you buy?car PROblems · 32K views
2020 Lincoln Aviator Problems and Recalls. Should you buy it?MaxTheCarGuy · 24K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2025 is the same generation.
Problems Lincoln told dealers about
Lincoln sent dealers 142 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Quality Improvements include: - Prevents unintended no-start after OTA update
- Inoperative approach
- Harsh suspension feel and Drive Control Fault Service Required
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 15
- Seats · recall issued 2026 New: most likely still open
An unoccupied driver's seat may recline unintentionally during certain scenarios, such as remote unlock or remote start.
- Seats · recall issued 2026 New: most likely still open
The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, tipping, or sliding unexpectedly.
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2026 New: most likely still open
The Image Processing Module A (IPMA) may experience multiple unexpected resets, resulting in loss of the rearview camera image and advanced driver assistance (ADAS) features, including pre-collision assist, lane-keeping …
Show all 15 recalls
- Seat belts · recall issued 2026 New: most likely still open
The seat belt anchor bolts at the second-row outer seating positions may be improperly secured.
- Visibility · recall issued 2025
The windshield glass may have visible air bubbles, which can obscure the driver's visibility.
- Trailer hitches · recall issued 2025
The trailer hitch assembly bolts may be loose.
- Lights · recall issued 2025
When towing a trailer, the tail lights on the trailer may fail to illuminate due to an improperly manufactured body control module.
- Visibility · recall issued 2025
When closing the windows with the global closing feature, the side rear windows may exert excessive force when encountering an object, before they automatically reverse.
- Seats · recall issued 2025
The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, folding, or sliding unexpectedly while driving.
- Body structure · recall issued 2025
The rear door window bars and C-pillar trim may have insufficient adhesive bonding, which can allow the trim to detach from the vehicle.
- Body structure · recall issued 2025
A mounting bolt for the front subframe may have been tightened improperly.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2025
The transmission valve body may have been machined incorrectly, which can cause reverse gear failure, or unexpected forward movement in reverse or neutral gear.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2025
The transmission may be improperly secured due to loose cross member bolts.
- Equipment · recall issued 2024
The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard.
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2024
The rearview camera image may fail when the vehicle speed reaches 10 MPH or greater.
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
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Aviator SUV 4WD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Lincoln Aviator SUV RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,850–$3,000 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.0L 6-cyl.
Every Lincoln Aviator year. 2025 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 2025 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/lincoln-aviator/?y=2025" 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/2025/">Lemon Index</a> (2025 Lincoln Aviator reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2025 Lincoln Aviator reliable?
There isn't enough data to score it: owners filed only 18 complaints in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2025 Lincoln Aviator problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are automatic emergency braking (39%), electrical (28%) and brakes (22%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2025 Lincoln Aviator have?
15 safety recalls (latest: seats). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2025 Lincoln Aviator get?
20 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2025 Lincoln Aviator safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
Does the 2025 Lincoln Aviator have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2025 Lincoln Aviator cost in fuel a year?
About $2,850 to $3,000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2025 Lincoln Aviator have?
3.0L 6-cyl.
What Lincoln Aviator year is better than the 2025?
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