2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR Power Train Problems

A YEAR AGO NOTICED WHEN SHIFTING AND UP TO DATE MY SHIFTER GEAR INDICATOR NOT SHIFT TO CORRECT GEAR INDICATOR AND FAIL TO WORK PROPERLY, I BELIEVED THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE MAY BECOME DISLODGED FROM THE SHIFT CABLE BRACKET. I TAKE MY TRUCK TO AN TRANSMISSION SHOP AND THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED THE SHIFT CABLE MUST BE ADJUSTED TO PREVENT THE PROBLEM CONTINUE.. I PAID $225 FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC INSPECTION AND IN ORDER THE PROBLEM WILL BE INCURRED MORE EXPENSE. I WOULD LIKE TO ASK WHAT NHTSA CAN DO TO SOLVE THE ISSUE. THANK YOU,

I'M HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT IN THAT'S CONTROL ARM. THE TRANSFER CASE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER POSITION WAS NOT IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INDICATOR DID NOT DISPLAY THE CORRECT GEAR THAT WAS BEING UTILIZED. ANTELOPE VALLEY FORD (LOCATED AT 1155 AUTO MALL DR, LANCASTER, CA 93534, (888) 415-0959) WAS CONTACTED BY PHONE AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V313000 (POWER TRAIN). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR FAILED TO SHIFT FROM PARK INTO ANY OTHER GEAR BECAUSE THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V313000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME FAILURE AS LISTED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

TRANSMISSION SHIFTER CABLE IS BROKEN; INTERMITTENT PROBLEM MOVING GEER AND WHEN MOVED, IT MAY GENERATE A VIOLENT JERK BEFORE MOVING. MULTIPLE PEOPLE HAVE THIS PROBLEM. BUT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V313000 IS ONLY COVERING A SELECTED AMOUNT OF VEHICLES. MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED BUT THE SAME PROBLEM.

I HAVE A LINCOLN AVIATOR 2003, IT HAS BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND IT SEEMS LIKE IT DOESN'T SHIFT GEARS WHEN IT'S SUPPOSED TOO. THOS HAPPENS WHEN I PRESS ON THE ACCELERATOR. IS ANYONE HAVING THIS PROBLEM?

SHIFTER KNOB ON 03 AVIATOR BROKE OFF. THE SHIFTER WAS LOCKED IN DRIVE, HAD TO SHUT OFF VEHICLE AND BRACE THE TIRES FROM ROLLING ON AN INCLINE. WITH MY CHILD IN THE CAR WITH ME. SCARY!!!!!! THE PROBLEM IS A PLASTIC PIECE BROKE IN THE SHIFTER COLUMN. HAS YET TO BE FIXED. QUOTED $900 TO FIX. ALSO THE LIFTGATE CRACKED AT THE LINCOLN EMBLEM WITCH I WAS TOLD THAT IT HOLDS THE GLASS IN PLACE AND IT SOUND LIKE A GUNSHOT WHEN IT CRACKED, SHOOK ME UP. THIS IS A FORD/LINCOLN FAILURE ON A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE HATCH IS NOT BEING ABLE TO CLOSE COMPLETELY BECAUSE OF WHERE THE CRACK IS LOCATED. THE CRACK IS LOCATED NEAR THE LINCOLN EMBLEM. WHAT IF WATER CAUSE A ELECTRICAL FIRE FROM WATER GETTING INTO THE CLOSING MECHANISM, STILL WAITING FOR A RECALL ON THIS. QUOTED $500 TO FIX 107,231 MILES.

Mileage: 107,231

ON MY 2003 AVIATOR THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT COMES ON AT VARIOUS TIMES DURING THE DAY AND NIGHT. MY INTERIOR LIGHTS FLASH AND MY CAR ALARM GOES OFF. IT'S BEEN DOING THIS FOR ABOUT TWO YEARS, BUT HAS GOTTEN WORSE THIS YEAR 2016. MY BATTERY HAS DIED TWICE IN TWO DAYS. SO FRUSTRATED WITH THIS VEHICLE. WAS SUMMONED OVER THE INTERCOM IN A DEPARTMENT STORE AND AT WORK SAYING THAT A LINCOLN SUV'S ALARM WAS GOING OFF AND THAT THE LIGHTS WERE FLASHING. I KNEW IT WAS MINE. I HIT THE ALARM BUTTON ON THE KEY FOB WHICH CUT OFF THE ALARM FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS AND IT STARTED UP AGAIN. WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT COMES ON WHICH MAKES MY INTERIOR LIGHTS FLASH QUICKLY AND MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO DRIVE BECAUSE OF THE GLARE OF THE INTERIOR LIGHTS BEING ON. THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT COMES ON ANYTIME DAY OR NIGHT, STATIONARY OR WHILE DRIVING. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE NEW. IT ONLY HAS 67,000 MILES ON IT NOW, BUT OVER THE YEARS, I'VE HAD SERIOUS ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION, HAD TO REPLACE 2 WHEEL BEARINGS, THERE'S A CRACK NEAR THE EMBLEM ON THE LIFTGATE, THE STEREO MAKES LOUD POPPING SOUNDS IN THE BACK WHICH SOUNDS LIKE A GUNSHOT, SOMETIMES CAN'T GET OUT OF PARK, THE GEAR SHIFT GETS STUCK! I'M SO FRUSTRATED WITH THIS VEHICLE. I COMPLAINED TO THE FORD COMPANY SEVERAL YEARS AGO WHEN THERE WERE ONLY 40,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS HAVING SERIOUS ISSUES, AND ALSO MY WATER PUMP WENT BAD. THEIR REPLY WAS: "WE'RE SORRY TO HEAR THAT, PLEASE TAKE YOUR VEHICLE TO ONE OF OUR DEALERS FOR GREAT SERVICE REPAIR". I THINK I BOUGHT A LEMON!! TOO MANY THINGS GOING WRONG WITH A VEHICLE THAT WAS PURCHASED NEW AND STILL HAVE LOW MILES!! MY WINDSHIELD SPRAYER CONTROL ON THE LEFT SIDE ON THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO STOPPED WORKING SUDDENLY ABOUT 5 YEARS AGO, I ALMOST FORGOT ABOUT THAT ISSUE.

Mileage: 45,000

TAKATA RECALL WHEN I PARK IN MY DRIVE WAY MY CAR WON'T SHIFT OUT OF PARK I HAVE TO HAVE IT PUSHED AN ROCKED BACK AN FORTH TO GET THE GEAR TO SHIFT AN IT WON'T LET ME DRIVE IT IN DRIVE GEAR I CAN ONLY DRIVE IT IN 3RD GEAR IT HAS THIS JURK WHEN I STOP TO PARK IT CONSTANTLY GETTING STUCK.

Mileage: 162,732

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON AN INCLINE, THE GEAR SHIFT CABLE WOULD NOT GO INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS AWAITING A DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

Mileage: 82,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR. WHILE SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE HESITATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER CABLE FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, SEVERAL MONTHS AFTER THE REPAIR, THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V313000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

Mileage: 90,000

MY HUSBAND AND I WERE DRIVING OUR 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR WHEN IT BASICALLY STOPPED GOING AND WOULDN'T CHANGE GEAR OR SPEED UP. (THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT'S GOTTEN STUCK IN GEAR, THE 1ST TIME WAS WHEN IT WAS PARKED AND WOULDN'T MOVE BUT THE GEAR SHIFT MOVED FREELY). WE GOT IT BACK HOME AND REALIZED AGAIN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE HAD COME DISLODGED. LINCOLN HAD A RECALL ON 25 VEHICLE REGARDING THIS PROBLEM, WHEN I CALLED I WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE WASN'T ONE OF THEM AND WASN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECALL EVEN THOUGHT I'M HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. I'VE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE ONE HERE ONE TIME BEFORE AND NOTHING HAPPENED. THIS IS CRAZY. I COULD'VE BEEN IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT BEHIND THIS. *TR

Mileage: 89,000

OUR 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR CONTINUES TO EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEM - ONCE IN PARK, YOU CANNOT MOVE THE GEAR SHIFT TO ANY OTHER GEAR - IT'S STUCK. OCCASIONALLY, MY HUSBAND CAN WIGGLE A WIRE UNDERNEATH THE BRAKE AND GAS PEDALS SO WE CAN SHIFT INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE BUT THIS CONTINUES TO HAPPEN. I HAVE BEEN STUCK, ALONE AND WITH OUR SMALL CHILDREN. IS THERE A PERMANENT CORRECTION FOR THIS ISSUE? *TR

Mileage: 120,000

I WAS SITTING IN PARK. JUST HAD STOPPED TO MAKE A DEPOSIT. PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE & MY 2003 AVIATOR WOULD NOT SHIFT FROM PARK. CALLED THE DEALER, GOT THEIR TOW SERVICE. THE TOW GUY TOLD ME TO PUT MY FEET ON THE BRAKES, MY BRAKE LIGHTS DID NOT COME ON. HE SAID THAT'S WHY IT WILL NOT SHIFT FROM PARK. IT IS NOT GETTING THE SIGNAL THAT THE BRAKES WERE MASHED. GOT IT TOWED. DEALER REPLACED THE SHIFTER, THAT THEY SAID HAD GONE OUT THAT WAS THE ISSUE. OUT OF $1306.00 & LESS THAN ONE WEEK LATER, AT THE STORE, GOT IN MY AVIATOR.. CAN'T GET OUT OF PARK. SAME ISSUE.. SAME TOW GUY CALLED.. HE WORKS TO GET IT OUT OF PARK WITH A SCREW DRIVER.. TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER. NO BRAKE LIGHTS INDICATED=NO SHIFT FROM PARK TO. IS THE NEW SHIFTER FOR $950 NOW OUT? NOT!!! HAS TO BE ANOTHER ISSUE. *JS

Mileage: 137,135

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE, THE GEAR LEVER DETACHED UNEXPECTEDLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE GEAR SHIFT ASSEMBLY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V313000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER THE RECALL HAD EXPIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000. .... UPDATED 10-17-13 *BF UPDATED 10/23/2013 *JS

Mileage: 66,000

I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY INTO THE STREET. ONCE I WAS IN THE STREET, I PUT THE CAR INTO DRIVE AND STEPPED ON THE GAS. THE CAR WENT THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION- REVERSE. I DOUBLE CHECKED THE GEAR SHIFT ( IN THE CENTER OF THE VEHICLE), IT WAS "D" FOR DRIVE. I MADE SURE IT WAS IN THE D, AND STEPPED SLOWLY ON THE GAS, AND IT WENT INTO REVERSE. I TRIED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, BUT THEY DIDN'T ENGAGE. I QUICKLY STEPPED ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, AND THAT STOPPED THE CAR. FORTUNATELY, I WAS IN A CUL-DE-SAC WITH OUT OTHER PEDESTRIANS OR VEHICLES AT THE TIME. IT WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO HAVE A CAR WHERE THE SHIFT ISN'T ENGAGED AT ALL. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN ALWAYS MAINTAINED BY THE LINCOLN DEALER, AND IT IS BEING TOWED TO THAT DEALERSHIP AT THIS TIME. IT'S TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. *TR

Mileage: 130,000

LAST WEEK MY 03 LINCOLN AVIATOR TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE CAME A LOOSE, IT WAS FIXED. TODAY ON MY WAY FROM WORK THE TRANSMISSION ACTED AS IF IS DIDN'T WANT TO SHIFT INTO THE NEXT GEAR AND THEM THE "CHECK TRANSMISSION" LIGHT AND "OVERDRIVE" LIGHT CAME ON. I MADE IT HOME SAFELY BUT NOW WILL BE UNABLE TO DRIVE IT, UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. WILL CALL TO CHECK TO SEE IF MY VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. SOMETHING REALLY NEEDS TO BE DONE REGARDING THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS REGARDING THIS VEHICLE, BEFORE IT CAUSES AN ACCIDENT. *TR

Mileage: 98,000

I HAD JUST GOT HOME WITH MY VEHICLE FROM THE REPAIR SHOP, HAD A VACUUM HOSE REPLACED. I COULD NOT GET MY KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. I KEPT TRYING & WAS FINALLY SUCCESSFUL AT REMOVING THE KEY. NOW THE GEAR SHIFTER IS STUCK IN PARK AND WILL NOT GO INTO ANY OTHER GEAR. I JUST GOT IT BACK FROM THE SHOP & STILL CAN'T DRIVE IT DUE TO GETTING IT IN GEAR. THIS REALLY DOES NEED TO BE LOOKED INTO & THEY NEED TO DO A RECALL. I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE 2 MORE YEARS TO PAY IT OFF & THEN IT IS GONE. *TR

Mileage: 158,000

THE DIFFERENTIAL AND TRANSFER CASE BOTH NEED TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE HAD 2 MECHANICS LOOK AT IT AND THEY ARE BOTH SAYING THAT THE DIFFERENTIAL AND TRANSFER CASE BOTH NEED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

Mileage: 110,000

THE SHIFTER KNOB ON MY 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR BROKE OFF. THE SHIFTER WAS LOCKED IN PLACE IN DRIVE AND YOU ARE UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO ANY OTHER GEAR EXCEPT THE GEAR YOU'RE IN. IT SEEMS THAT A VERY CHEAP PLASTIC PIECE BROKE UNDER THE SHIFTER KNOB AND THE DEALER QUOTED ME $1200 DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY. I HAVE CHECKED ONLINE AND SEEN THAT THIS IS A VERY-VERY COMMON PROBLEM AMONG OWNERS. THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE, BUT THIS IS SURELY A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE. I AM NOT SURE HOW MANY COMPLAINTS IT TAKES BUT THIS IS A HORRIBLE SAFETY ISSUE. ALSO, THIS VEHICLE HAS A WHOLE ARRAY OF FRONT AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL ISSUES ALONG WITH A SEVERE CLUNKING NOISE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS 1ST PUT INTO REVERSE, DRIVE OR DOWNSHIFTS AFTER ACCELERATION. *TR

Mileage: 143,145

MY AVIATOR WAS SHIFTING ROUGH FOR LESS THAN 24 HOURS WHEN THE TRANSFER CASE WENT OUT. LUCKILY, I HAD ONLY PULLED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY WHEN IT HAPPENED. THE VEHICLE MADE AN AWFUL WHINNING AND SCREECHING NOISE AND BECAME IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE FORWARD. I WAS ABLE TO WRESTLE IT INTO REVERSE TO GET IT IN MY DRIVEWAY. I LIVE ON A BUSY COUNTRY ROAD, THIS COULD HAVE BEEN DANGEROUS FOR ME AND MY 3 KIDS. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY QUOTED ME NEAR $1000 WITH NO PROMISE THAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE FIXED. ADDITIONALLY, I CALLED A WEEK AFTER I PUT IT IN THE SHOP AND THERE IS A NATIONAL BACKORDER FOR THE PART THAT MAY OR MAY NOT FIX MY CAR. I WILL BE WITHOUT A CAR FOR OVER A MONTH, $1000 IN REPAIRS, AND THAT IS IF THIS WILL FIX THE TRANSFER CASE. IF I OPT TO DO A WHOLE NEW CASE, I AM LOOKING AT $3000. NOT HAPPY WILL NOT BUY LINCOLN AGAIN. *JS

Mileage: 110,000

SHIFTER KNOB ON 03 AVIATOR BROKE OFF. THE SHIFTER WAS LOCKED IN PLACE IN DRIVE AT A GREENLIGHT. IT SEEMS THAT A VERY CHEAP PLASTIC PIECE BROKE. THE DEALER QUOTED ME $1200 DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY. I AM CHECKING OTHER OPTIONS BUT SEEING THE FURTHER I LOOK THE MORE COMMON THIS PROBLEM. I AM NOT SURE HOW MANY COMPLAINTS IT TAKES BUT THIS IS A HORRIBLE SAFETY ISSUE. *KB

Mileage: 126,450

SHIFTER KNOB ON 03 AVIATOR BROKE OFF. THE SHIFTER WAS LOCKED IN PLACE IN DRIVE AT A GREENLIGHT. IT SEEMS THAT A VERY CHEAP PLASTIC PIECE BROKE. THE DEALER QUOTED ME $1200 DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY. I AM CHECKING OTHER OPTIONS BUT SEEING THE FURTHER I LOOK THE MORE COMMON THIS PROBLEM. I AM NOT SURE HOW MANY COMPLAINTS IT TAKES BUT THIS IS A HORRIBLE SAFETY ISSUE. *KB

Mileage: 126,450

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR. THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE WHEN THE GEAR SHIFTER BECAME STUCK IN DRIVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A CABLE HAD BECOME DISLODGED FROM THE SHIFT CABLE BRACKET. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 02V313000 (POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE DEALER ADDED A STRAP TO THE SHIFT CABLE ADJUSTER TO PREVENT THE SHIFT CABLE FROM BECOMING DISLODGED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000. UPDATED 08/15/11 *BF UPDATED 3/05/2012 *LN

Mileage: 119,298

TRANSMISSION SHIFTER BREAKS AND LOCKS IN PLACE. THE RESULT IS TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS STRANDED IN A DANGEROUS NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE THEIR PERSONAL SAFETY IS AT RISK. THE PROBLEM IS A BROKEN $5 PIECE OF PLASTIC CONTAINED WITHIN THE SHIFTER KNOB. HOWEVER, FORD REFUSES TO SUPPLY THE $5 PIECE AND INSTEAD REQUIRES THE VEHICLE OWNER TO PURCHASE THE ENTIRE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY (WHICH COSTS ALMOST $1000). BASED ON THE NUMBER OF BACKORDERS FOR THIS PIECE AT ANY ONE POINT IN TIME, IT IS APPARENT THAT FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND IS NOT TAKING STEPS TO REMEDY. THE ONLY REMEDY THAT THEY OFFER IS TO FORCE THE CONSUMER TO PAY $1,000 IN ORDER FOR CONSUMERS TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE $5 PIECE OF PLASTIC. THIS HAPPENED TO ME WHEN I WAS OUT OF TOWN ON A TRIP WITH MY FAMILY. WE HAD PULLED OFF THE ROAD, BUT LEFT THE CAR RUNNING. WHEN WE WENT TO PLACE IT IN GEAR, IT REFUSED TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. WE WERE UNABLE TO PUSH THE VEHICLE OR MOVE IT IN ANY WAY BECAUSE IT WAS STUCK IN PARK. THE SUN WENT DOWN AND WE WERE STRANDED. I AM UNEMPLOYED AND WHILE I COULD AFFORD A SMALL REPAIR, I COUALD NOT AFFORD THE EXPENSIVE REPAIR (THE DEALERSHIP ALSO NEEDED TO CHARGE FOR THEIR LABOR, SO THE QUOTE WAS OVER $1500). AFTER BEING STRANDED OVERNIGHT, I CONVINCED THE DEALER TO JUST SHOW ME HOW TO SHIFT THE CAR WITHOUT REPLACING THE SHIFTER. NOW I HAVE TO KEEP THE GEAR SHIFT KNOB REMOVED (WHICH SUBJECTS THE MECHANISM TO ACCIDENTALLY HAVE THE OVERDRIVE BUTTON PUSHED). WITH THE KNOB REMOVED, I CAN LIFT THE ROD TO SHIFT INTO GEAR AND THEN MUST LOWER THE ROD (MANUALLY) TO LOCK IT INTO THE SELECTED LOCATION. FAILURE TO LOWER THE ROD ALLOWS THE SHIFTER TO MOVE FREELY AND ALSO PREVENTS THE KEYS FROM BEING REMOVED ONCE THE SHIFTER IS AGAIN IN PARK. FORDS UNWILLINGNESS TO PROVIDE AN ECONOMIC SOLUTION PROVIDES A SAFETY HAZARD TO CONSUMERS WHO TRUSTED FORD TO DO THE RIGHT THING. PLEASE HELP!

Mileage: 172,000

2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR. ATTORNEY WRITES ON BEHALF OF CLIENT IN REGARDS TO PROBLEMS WITH HIS VEHICLE SUCH AS GEAR SHIFT, CRUISE CONTROL AND REARVIEW MIRROR FUNCTIONS *TGW THE GEAR SHIFT WOULD NOT MOVE OUT OF PARK AT TIMES. THE ENTIRE SHIFTER MECHANISM, STOP/BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, INTERLOCK SOLENOID MECHANISM, AND ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY WERE ALL REPLACED, BUT THE CONSUMER CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR. THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE CONTINUOUSLY BECOMES DISLODGED FROM THE SHIFT CABLE BRACKETS. WHILE DRIVING THE SHIFTER WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. HE WOULD HAVE TO GO UNDER THE VEHICLE AND SNAP THE CABLES BACK TOGETHER. THERE WAS A RECALL NHTSA#02V313000; COMPONENT: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER IN REGARDS TO THE FAILURE HE WAS TOLD HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ALSO INFORMED HIM HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000. UPDATED 12/30/10 *BF THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE ACTIVATION SWITCH. THE POWER WINDOW MOTOR WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 01/07/11 UPDATED 04/07/11

Mileage: 52,000

SHIFT CABLE BECOMES DISLODGED ON MY 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR WHICH ONLY HAS 56,783 MILES AS OF 07.09.2010. *TR

Mileage: 56,783

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LINCOLN AVIATOR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE GEAR SHIFT CABLE BROKE. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS AN UNUSUAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE DRIVERS SIDE POWER WINDOW HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HER RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THERE WAS AN OPEN RECALL ON THE VEHICLE BUT DID NOT PERTAIN TO THE FAILURE SHE WAS EXPERIENCING. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 130,000.

Mileage: 130,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR. WHILE SHIFTING INTO PARK, THE SHIFTER LEVER BROKE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT BUT THE CONTACT PLANNED TO HAVE IT TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP. THE FAILURE AND MILEAGE WAS 127,467.

Mileage: 127,467

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED ABOUT RECALL 02V313000 (POWERTRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) WHICH CITED THE SAME FAILURE AS THE ONE THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED. HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 73,250. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 73,150. UPDATED 06/21/10 *BF UPDATED 06/24/10.*JB

Mileage: 73,150

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK IN THE DRIVE POSITION, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ABNORMALLY ACCELERATE IN THE REVERSE POSITION WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITHOUT INCIDENT. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, HE FOUND THAT THE SHIFTER CABLE WAS DISCONNECTED. HE WAS ABLE TO CONNECT THE CABLE AND PARK THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER; THE CABLE DISCONNECTED A SECOND TIME WHILE PARKING. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS DIRECTLY RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V313000: POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 62,000.

Mileage: 62,000

2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE. *NJ THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE DISLODGED FROM THE SHIFT CABLE BRACKET WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE NOT TO SHIFT PROPERLY OR AT ALL. THE CONSUMER FOUND A RECALL FOR THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER SHE WAS INFORMED HER VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. RECALL 02V313000. *JB

2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR

Mileage: 68,000

I HAVE A LOW GROWL COMING FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL OF MY 03 LINCOLN AVIATOR. *TR

Mileage: 62,500

REAR-END WHINE. LINCOLN REFUSED TO REPAIR BECAUSE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY . *TR

Mileage: 35,000

TRANSMISSION EITHER SHIFTS REAL SLOW OR VIOLENTLY JERKS FROM ONE GEAR TO ANOTHER. DEALER HAS HAD IN SHOP MANY TIMES WITHOUT ANY RESOLUTION AVAILABLE. THIS CAUSES HUGE LOSS IN FUEL MILEAGE NOT TO MENTION THE HARSHNESS OF THE DRIVING EXPERIENCE. *TR

Mileage: 10,000

ON JUNE 07 AT 1100HRS THE GEARSHIFT KNOB AND GEARSHIFT BOOT DISENGAGED FROM THE CONSOLE OF MY 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR; THE GEARSHIFT AND THEREFORE TRANSMISSION WERE LOCKED IN THE D(RIVE) POSITION COULD NOT BE SHIFTED TO ANOTHER POSITION OR DISENGAGED. THE LINCOLN-MERCURY DEALER WAS A SHORT DISTANCE FROM THE GAS STATION WHERE I WAS SO I ELECTED TO DRIVE IT THERE UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES. ONCE AT THE LINCOLN-MERCURY DEALER A TECHNICIAN EXAMINED THE GEARSHIFT AND INDICATED THAT AN INCIDENT LIKE MINE "HAPPENS ALL THE TIME" ... "A SCREW COMES LOOSE". WAS ADVISED TOO THAT LIKELY PARTS WOULD HAVE TO BE ORDERED. REPAIR TO THE AVIATOR IS ESTIMATED AT $584 SINCE THE ENTIRE "SHIFTER ASSEMBLY" HAD TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT OR INJURY BUT IT IS NOT UNREASONABLE TO EXPECT THAT SUCH A CRITICAL COMPONENT WOULD EXPERIENCE SUCH A DEFECT THAT APPARENTLY IS OR WAS A "KNOWN PROBLEM", AND THIS IS CERTAINLY NOT THE LEVEL OF QUALITY EXPECTED IN A $45000 "LUXURY" UTILITY VEHICLE.

Mileage: 30,686

2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR WARNING LIGHT "EMISSION". FOUND OUT IT IS A DESIGN FLAW WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. WE CONTACTED NHTSA AND FOUND OUT THERE IS A RECALL. OUR VIN # IS NOT IN THIS RECALL. FORD/LINCOLN WILL ONLY GIVE US $850.00 OFF ON A $3000.00. THIS CAR HAS 72,000 MILES ON IT. FOUND OUT THIS IS WHEN THESE TRANSMISSIONS GO. WHEN WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THERE WAS ANOTHER THERE WITH 45,000 MILES SAME PROBLEM. THE WARRANTY ON THE 2003 IS 4 YEARS 50,000 MILES. THE DIAGNOSE IS GEAR 2 RATIO, GEAR 5 RATIO AND SOLENOID B. *NM

Mileage: 72,000

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A WHINING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SALES/SERVICE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE RIGHT REAR AXLE AND PINION WERE REPLACED AS WELL AS THE C B SHAFT ASSEMBLY AND GEAR AND PINION LOCKING PIN. THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME THE REAR END WAS REPLACED IN A TWO YEAR PERIOD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND A TECHNICIAN WAS SENT TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE.*AK THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT, THE DOOR LOCK SWITCH WAS INOPERATIVE, THE REAR SHOCK WAS LEAKING OIL, THE E POWER STEERING HOSE WAS REPLACED, THERE WAS A TICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE TIMING CHAIN AND GASKET WERE REPLACED. THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT CAME ON AFTER ALL THE DOORS WERE CLOSED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE SHIFTING OF THE GEARS WERE HARSH, THE DEALER REPLACED VARIOUS COMPONETS IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE LIGHT BULB WAS REPLACED, THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. THE FRONT SEAT CLIMATE CONTROL WAS NOT COOLING. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED, THE ACCELERATOR CABLE WAS STICKING. UPDATED 12/05/06. *JB

Mileage: 16,864

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A WHINING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SALES/SERVICE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE RIGHT REAR AXLE AND PINION WERE REPLACED AS WELL AS THE C B SHAFT ASSEMBLY AND GEAR AND PINION LOCKING PIN. THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME THE REAR END WAS REPLACED IN A TWO YEAR PERIOD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND A TECHNICIAN WAS SENT TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE.*AK THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT, THE DOOR LOCK SWITCH WAS INOPERATIVE, THE REAR SHOCK WAS LEAKING OIL, THE E POWER STEERING HOSE WAS REPLACED, THERE WAS A TICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE TIMING CHAIN AND GASKET WERE REPLACED. THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT CAME ON AFTER ALL THE DOORS WERE CLOSED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE SHIFTING OF THE GEARS WERE HARSH, THE DEALER REPLACED VARIOUS COMPONETS IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE LIGHT BULB WAS REPLACED, THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. THE FRONT SEAT CLIMATE CONTROL WAS NOT COOLING. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED, THE ACCELERATOR CABLE WAS STICKING. UPDATED 12/05/06. *JB

Mileage: 16,864

'03 AVIATOR, SINCE PURCHASE FELT SOMETHING WASN'T RIGHT WITH THE CAR'S TRANSMISSION. CAR SEEMED TO HESITATE SHIFTING INTO NEXT GEAR I.E. STAYING IN GEAR TOO LONG. ALSO AT TIMES DURING STARTUP CAR CAN BE EXTREMELY LOUD, MAKING TRANSMISSION ISSUE MORE PRONOUNCED. CONCERNS MENTIONED DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE APPOINTMENTS BUT WAS ALWAYS TOLD THE CAR WAS FUNCTIONING NORMAL. WINTER '06 CAR BEGAN TO IDLE VERY ROUGH DURING STOPS AND IN NEUTRAL/PARK. 3/3/06 CAR SERVICED FOR ROUGH IDLE -GARAGE FOUND SSM 17478 WHICH SAID THE PCM NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. CAR STILL WASN'T RUNNING SMOOTHLY. 4/3/06 CAR BACK IN GARAGE FOR MAJOR ENGINE PROBLEM. #8 CYLINDER HEAD WAS REPLACED. I EXPRESSED MY CONCERNS AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSING SOME OF THE ISSUES I WAS COMPLAINING ABOUT. WAS ALSO TOLD THEY HAD MULTIPLE '03 AVIATORS COME IN WITH THE SAME MAJOR ENGINE PROBLEM. OF COURSE CAR STILL DID NOT FEEL RIGHT. 5/8/06 AND ONLY 2,000 MILES TO GO ON MY WARRANTY THE TRANSMISSION FINALLY WENT. PULLED OUT FROM A RED LIGHT WHEN CAR WOULDN'T SHIFT AND BUCKED INTO NEXT GEAR. ENGINE LIGHT AND TRANSMISSION LIGHT WENT ON AND OVERDRIVE OFF LIGHT WAS FLASHING. TRANSMISSION SOLENOID REPLACED ALONG WITH MANY OTHER PARTS. NEEDLESS TO SAY THE CAR'S BEEN DRIVEN 2 OR 3 TIMES SINCE WE'VE PICKED IT UP FROM THE GARAGE AND IT IS STILL NOT RIGHT. CAR IS GOING BACK INTO THE GARAGE FOR SHIFTING PROBLEM AND EXCESSIVE LOUD ENGINE NOISE DURING STARTUP THAT DOESN'T DISSIPATE. TRANSMISSION PROBLEM IS HUGE SAFETY CONCERN. HAD CARS BEHIND ME BEEPING AND FLASHING THEIR LIGHTS AT ME BECAUSE I COULDN'T ACCELERATE THE CAR FAST ENOUGH. WITH COMPUTERS IN CARS MAKES ME WONDER WHERE THE VOICE OF THE CONSUMER HAS GONE. FELT AS THOUGH MY CONCERNS DIDN'T MATTER BECAUSE THE COMPUTER DIDN'T REGISTER ANYTHING WRONG. NOW WITH ONLY MILES FROM MY WARRANTY ENDING I'M FACED WITH ALL THESE MAJOR PROBLEMS OCCURRING WITH MY CAR. *JB

Mileage: 48,033

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY LOST POWER. THE ENGINE REVVED, BUT THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT ENGAGE. THE CONTACT MOVED INTO THE SLOW LANE UNTIL THE VEHICLE RETURNED TO NORMAL OPERATION, WHICH TOOK ONLY A MINUTE OR TWO. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER FOR INSPECTION SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK UPDATED 1/25/2006. THE CONSUMER RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND TRADED IT FOR A 2005 MODEL. *NM

Mileage: 15,000

THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A SUDDEN ACCELERATION PROBLEM. WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SURGE FORWARD. THE CONSUMER SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY STOPPED. *AK RECALL CAMPAIGN# 02V313000. *SC *JB

Mileage: 13,450

I OWN A 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR, STILL UNDER WARRANTY. SINCE AROUND NOVEMBER OF 2004 I HAVE BEEN HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE PROBLEM IS THE TRANSMISSION WILL SLIP OUT OF GEAR WHILE DRIVING AT A STEADY SPEED, ACCELERATING FROM A STOP OR SLOWING DOWN AND THEN ACCELERATING. THIS IS VERY HAZARDOUS WHEN TRYING TO MERGE ONTO A HIGHWAY OR TURN INTO TRAFFIC AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE. THE PROBLEM EXISTS IN ALL GEARS, HOWEVER, IT DOES NOT DO IT ALL THE TIME. IT HAS CONTINUED TO GET WORSE. EACH TIME THE DEALERSHIP HAS TOLD ME THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. ON APRIL 15TH 2005 AS I WAS LEAVING MY OFFICE PARKING LOT THE TRANSMISSION STARTED ACTING UP. IT WAS SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR IN ALL GEARS. I IMMEDIATELY DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE FORD DEALER. ON THE 21ST OF APRIL ALMOST A WEEK AFTER I DROPPED IT OFF I WAS TOLD AGAIN THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. ON THE SAME DAY, 21 APRIL 05 I WENT TO PICK UP MY VEHICLE AND THE HEAD MECHANIC HAD IT OUT FOR A TEST DRIVE. HE STATED UPON RETURN THAT THE VEHICLE ACTED UP. MY VEHICLE STAYED WITH THE DEALER FOR THE NEXT 15 DAYS WHILE THEY TOOK APART THE TRANSMISSION, ORDERED PARTS, ETC. A FEW DAYS AFTER I RECEIVED THE VEHICLE BACK THE DEALERSHIP CALLED TO SEE HOW THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING. I EXPLAINED THAT IT STILL DIDNT FEEL RIGHT BUT I WOULD CONTINUE DRIVING IT AND NOTE ANY PROBLEMS I ENCOUNTER. AS OF TODAY, 23 MAY 05, THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ALWAYS SHIFT SMOOTHLY AND I HAVE HAD THREE OCCASIONS WERE THE TRANSMISSION TOOK A VERY LONG TIME TO SHIFT FROM ONE GEAR TO ANOTHER. THIS TO ME IS JUST A SIGN AND THE BEGINNING OF MORE PROBLEMS. DURING THE COURSE OF MY MANY VISITS TO THE DEALER I WAS INFORMED THAT PROBLEMS EXIST WITH MY MAKE OF TRANSMISSION, NOT ONLY IN THE AVIATOR BUT WITH THE EXPLORER AND THE MERCURY SUVS. WHAT I DONT UNDERSTAND, IF THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION WHY HASNT FORD/LINCOLN ACTED ON IT AND PUT OUT A BULLETIN OR RECALL. SINCERELY LORI BELL

Mileage: 35,000

AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE GEARS WOULD STICK WHEN SHIFTING TO DRIVE/REVERSE. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Mileage: 20,000

SHIFT CABLE EITHER BECOMES STUCK,OR DISLODGED FROM SHIFT CABLE BRACKET.WHICH LEAVES ME FEELING VERY UNSAFE ,AS I DO ALOT OF TRAVELING WITH MY CHILDREN,AND THIS CAN,AS IT HAS HAPPENED AT ANY PLACE OR ANY TIME.*AK

Mileage: 7,991

TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE BECAME DISLODGED FROM THE CABLE BRACKET. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO SWITCH GEARS. *AK

Mileage: 19,500

MY 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR LOST POWER STEERING CAUSING ME TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR ON A COUNTY ROAD AND MISSING DEATH BY GOD'S LOVE LAST TUESDAY,2/22/05. I STRUGGLED AND MANAGED TO DRAG THE CAR OFF THE ROAD ONTO THE BUSH AND AVOIDED HEATING AN ONCOMING CAR AND BEING CRUSHED BY A SEMI-TRAILER THAT WAS BEHIND ME. THE CAR WAS TOWED(FLAT-BEDDED) TO THE LOCAL LINCOLN-MERCURY DEALERSHIP. THE HEAD MECHANIC TOLD ME LATER THAT MY CAR HAD SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC BIRTH DEFECT FROM THE FACTORY BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING HOSE WAS IMPROPERLY MOUNTED AT THE TIME MANUFACTURED, AS A CONSEQUENCE THE HOSE FELL OFF THE MOUNTING/ATTACHMENT AND WAS CUT BY THE AIR CONDITION FAN. HE TOLD ME NEW HOSE HAS BEEN INSTALLED AND MOUNTED PROPERLY UNDER THE FACTORY WARRANTY. I HAVE TAKEN POSSESSION OF THE CAR, BUT I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT FOR ANY DISTANCE. FIRST, I WOULD LIKE YOUR OFFICE TO FORCE FORD LINCOLN,THE MANUFACTURER OF THE LINCOLN AVIATOR SUV, TO SEND AN IMMEDIATE ALERT TO THE PUBLIC THAT THIS POTENTIALLY FATAL PROBLEM IS POSSIBLE IN THE AVIATOR BRAND OF THEIR SUV. IF I DIED IN THE ACCIDENT,MY FAMILY WOULD NEVER KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE ACCIDENT. WE DO NOT WANT ANY BODY TO BE HURT OR KILLED IN THE LINCOLN AVIATOR. SECOND, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT MY COURSE OF ACTION SHOULD BE: GET A BRAND NEW REPLACEMENT CAR OR FEEL UNSAFE IN A LINCOLN AVIATOR FOR A EVER? THIRD DOES YOUR OFFICE HAVE A RECORD OF THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM WITH THIS LINE OF VEHICLE? THANK YOU FOR YOUR QUICK RESPONSE AND ASSISTANCE. UNYIME O. NSEYO. *NM

Mileage: 30,737

MULTIPLE FAILURES IN 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR. DIFFICULTY TURNING , STARTING, JERK IN STEERING WHEEL, VIBRATION IN TIRES, GEAR CHANGER LOOSE AND ECT. *BF THE CONSUMER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE WITH 18 INCH RIMS BUT FORD REQUIRES 17 INCH RIMS TO BE LEGAL (OEM) EQUIPMENT. THE CONSUMER FELT THAT THIS WAS MALICIOUSLY DISHONEST SALE OF AN AUTOMOBILE. THE SIDE FENDER HAD A GAUGE ON THE INSIDE, THE REAR STORAGE SECTION LEATHER RIPPED, THE TIRE MONITOR SYSTEM KEPT COMING ON WITH A WARNING SIGN FROM THE COMPUTER OF A MECHANICAL DEFECT, DIFFICULTY STARTING THE VEHICLE, JERKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL, NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL, NOISE IN HEATING/VENT BUBBLING, PASSENGER FRONT WINDOWS WERE RATTLING, THERE WAS MOTOR NOISE UPON ACCELERATION, FRONT END NOISE, REAR HATCH RATTLED AND WAS SHAKING, THE WHEELS SQUEALED AND RUBBED, THE DOORS DID NOT AUTOMATTICALLY LOCK WHEN THE VEHCILE WAS ENGAGED INTO DRIVE, AND THE ENGINE KNOCK AS IF IT WERE RUNNING ROUGH. WHEN THE SERVICE TECH TRIED TO SHIFT THE GEAR LEVER OUT OF PARK, THE ENTIRE GEAR LEVER HAD COME APART IN PIECES. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS WORSE THAN EVER. CURRENTLY WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE STEERING WOULD GO OUT OF CONTROL, JERK LEFT AND RIGHT, SHAKED OUT OF CONTROL AND UNABLE TO STEER. *SC

CONSUMER STATES THAT DEALER PUT AFTERMARKET RIMS TIRES ON VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE FOLLOWING; DIFFICULTY TURNING THE VEHICLE, HEATER BUBBLING MAKING NOISES, DIFFICULTY STARTING THE VEHICLE, JERKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL, NOISE IN THE STEERING, NOISE IN THE HEATING/VENT BUBBLING, PULSATING IN THE STEERING WHEEL, VIBRATION OF THE TIRES, THE TIRE MONITORING SYSTEM HAD TO BE CUT OFF RECONNECTED AND ADJUSTED, THE PASSENGER FRONT WINDOWS RATTLED, MOTOR MADE LOUD NOISES WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED, FRONT END NOISES, REAR HATCH RATTLED AND WOULD SHAKE, THE WHEELS SQUEALED AND RUBBED, THE WHEEL JERKED WHEN TAKING OFF, THE GEAR CHANGER LEVER WAS LOOSE, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE AND VIBRATED WHEN IN MOTION, AND THE ENGINE SOUNDED AS IF IT WAS KNOCKING OR RUNNING ROUGH. *SC

2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR HAS BEEN IN SHOP 12 TIMES , 4 FOR WHINE IN REAR END. REAR END REPLACED TWICE & STILL WHINES . LAST TIME THEY TOLD ME THIS WAS NORMAL AND COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THIS AVIATOR HAS 17,000 MILES . I TIRED OF THE WHINE AND TRIPS TO DEALER , I DO NOT WAS THIS AVIATOR OR A NEW AVIATOR... I DEMAND FULL REFUND.*AK

AUGUST 9, 2003, MY 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR STARTED A REAR END WHINING NOISE APPROXIMATELY A 1000 MILES AFTER PURCHASED. THE DEALER WAS TOLD BY THE MANUFACTURER TO DO NOTHING. ON 9/29/03, THE DEALER ADDED A SYNTHETIC OIL (LUBRICANT) TO QUIET THE WHINING. IT DID NOT WORK. THE DEALER PROMISED A REPAIR BY 11/15/03 AND 12/15/03. I WILL ATTEMPT TO ADDRESS THIS UNDER MARYLAND'S LEMON LAW.*AK

Mileage: 1,057

2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR HAS A HOWLING REAR END NOISE THAT STARTS AT AROUND 30 M.P.H., LINCOLN SERVICE ADVISOR STATES THAT FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND IT IS AN ENGINEERING DEFECT THAT THEY ARE WORKING ON RESOLVING. THE DEFECT IS THE ENGINEERING OF THE DIFFERENTIAL. IF THIS WAS TO FAIL COMPLETELY THE VEHICLE WOULD LOOSE CONTROL. WE CONTINUE TO CALL TO FIND OUT WHEN THEY WILL HAVE RESOLUTION AND ARE TOLD NO SOLUTION BUT THAT THE ENGINEERS ARE WORKING ON IT.*AK

Mileage: 3,000

CONSUMER STATED REAR END DIFFERENTIAL PRODUCED A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. THE DEALERS WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR THE PART. *AK

Mileage: 67,000

LOVE MY '03 LINCOLN AVIATOR EXCEPT FOR THE SAME ANNOYING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR END AS COMPLAINT NUMBER 10045568. CURRENTLY ON MY SECOND REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY. NOISE RETURNED AT 1200-1500 MILES, AND WAS SO LOUD MY 76 YEAR OLD MOTHER ASKED WHAT THE WHINING NOISE WAS. LINCOLN NEEDS TO CORRECT PROBLEM, AND THIS MACHINE WILL BE PERFECT. *AK

OUR 2003 LINCOLN AVIATOR STARTED A REAR END WHINE OR DRONE WITHIN THE FIRST 1000 MILES. THE DEALER HAS TWICE PUT IN A NEW DIFFERENTIAL BUT THE NOISE IS BACK. THE DEALER NOW WILL NOT ATTEMPT ANOTHER REPAIR AND HAS PUT US OFF UNTIL 12/10/03. WE SEEM TO HAVE NO ONE TO VOICE A COMPLAINT TO. THE DEALER GETS ONE MORE CHANCE UNDER SC LEMON LAW AND IS STALLING. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN NOTICED IN FORD EXPLORERS AND LINCOLN MOUNTAINEERS TOO.*AK

Mileage: 500