Last updated: 2026-10-10
Lincoln Aviator Reliability by Year
Lincoln Aviator owners most often report failing door releases and backup cameras. The 2020 is the year to skip, and the 2024 is the pick.
Lincoln Aviator Reliability Overview
Electronic door releases that stop working and trap passengers are the Aviator's biggest weak spot, and the 2020 model year adds transmissions that drop into neutral at highway speed. Reliability is rated good, though below average among SUVs on the site. The 2024 is the year to favor, and the 2020 is the one to skip.
Current generation: 2nd gen (2020–2023), facelifted 2025.
Best & Worst Lincoln Aviator Years
Best Lincoln Aviator Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreThe 2024 has only 5 owner complaints, against 99 for the 2020, and far fewer recalls. Its reports are mainly a backup camera that flickers and a noisy headlight switch, not stalling or trapped passengers. It has also been on the road long enough to trust that picture.
Lincoln Aviator Years to Avoid
Owners filed the most complaints on this year, led by electrical faults. Door release buttons stop working and trap passengers. Some drivers lose power or shift into neutral at highway speed. Transmissions slip or stop accelerating, and panoramic sunroofs have shattered with no road debris involved. It also carries the most recalls of any year.
Lincoln Aviator Reliability Score Trend
Lincoln Aviator reliability has improved in recent years, with newer models scoring an average of 68/100 compared to 61/100 for older years.
Scores 0–100. Higher is better.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 57/100 | Mixed |
| 2021 | 62/100 | Good |
| 2022 | 63/100 | Good |
| 2023 | 66/100 | Good |
| 2024 | 70/100 | Good |
| 2025 | 68/100 | Good |
Year-by-Year Reliability
2025 Lincoln Aviator
14 recalls · 13 complaints
Good standing and a 5-star crash rating, offset by 14 recalls and owner reports of brake assist loss and repeat no-starts.
2024 Lincoln Aviator
8 recalls · 5 complaints
Best of six scored Aviator years, with only 5 owner complaints, though 8 recalls and an intermittent backup camera fault deserve a check.
2023 Lincoln Aviator
16 recalls · 21 complaints
Final second-generation year, with recurring rear camera faults after recall work and some reports of engine stalling, and fewer complaints than 2022.
2022 Lincoln Aviator
21 recalls · 43 complaints
Middle of the pack among Aviator years, with 21 recalls and owner reports of stalling, backup camera blackouts and roof leaks.
2021 Lincoln Aviator
28 recalls · 38 complaints
Below average for its class and among the weaker Aviator years, with early engine seizures and 28 recalls, though it fares better than the 2020 model.
2020 Lincoln Aviator
29 recalls · 99 complaints
First year of the redesign and the weakest of the six scored years, with failing door releases, transmission faults, and backup camera problems.
Found Your Lincoln Aviator? Check Its History
Electrical system (3) problems come up most in Lincoln Aviator owner complaints, and 116 recalls cover the years we track. A VIN check shows whether the car you found had its recall work done, plus accident and title history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
Lincoln Aviator Repair Costs
Reliability Rating
3.5/5
Annual Repair Cost
$807
Repair Frequency
0.6/yr
Lincoln Aviator Years to Avoid
See which model years have the most problems
Most Reliable Lincoln Models
Compare all Lincoln models by reliability
Compare Lincoln Aviator With Similar SUVs
The Lincoln Aviator competes with other midsize suvs such as Acura MDX, Audi Q7, and BMW X5.
Aviator vs Acura MDX
8 years tracked · 692 complaints
Aviator vs Audi Q7
9 years tracked · 314 complaints
Aviator vs BMW X5
9 years tracked · 647 complaints
Aviator vs Volvo XC90
9 years tracked · 229 complaints
Aviator vs Lexus RX
9 years tracked · 729 complaints
More Lincoln Aviator comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best year for the Lincoln Aviator?
- The 2024 is the best year to buy. It has the fewest recalls and complaints of any year, and it has been on the road long enough for problems to show up. Its owners mostly report a flickering backup camera and a noisy headlight switch.
- Is the Lincoln Aviator reliable?
- Mostly yes, with caveats. The Aviator is rated good for reliability but ranks below average among SUVs on the site. Later years hold up much better than the 2020. Electrical faults are the main weakness, so test the doors, screen, and cameras before you buy.
- What are the most common Lincoln Aviator problems?
- Electrical problems lead, with 54 complaints. Electronic door releases stop working and trap passengers, and the center screen can go black and take the cameras with it. Transmission faults, backup camera failures, and shattering panoramic sunroofs follow.
- How much does it cost to repair a Lincoln Aviator each year?
- Independent repair-cost data estimates about $807 a year. That is an average. A transmission valve body or full transmission replacement, which some 2020 owners report, would cost far more than routine repairs.
- Are Lincoln Aviator backup camera problems common?
- Yes, backup camera faults are a recurring complaint, with 17 reports. Screens turn blue, green, or blank when the car shifts into reverse. Some owners say the recall repair did not fix it, and others waited on parts.
How we score the Lincoln Aviator
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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