The verdict
A capable mid-size luxury suv, strong on safety and held back by ownership.
The refreshed 2025 Aviator is a serene, tech-loaded three-row luxury SUV that finally fixes its weakest link: a 13.2-inch Google-powered screen and BlueCruise hands-free highway driving are now standard on every trim, alongside a 5-star NHTSA rating and 400-hp twin-turbo V6. What it asks in return is money — $59,890 to start, $68,890 for the volume Reserve after a $5,155 price hike, then 20 MPG combined, roughly $3,100 a year in fuel and about 45% of your purchase price left after five years. The plug-in hybrid Grand Touring was dropped for 2025, so there is no economical version of this car anymore, and 14 NHTSA recalls in a single model year — including two transmission campaigns and a front subframe bolt — keep it from feeling bulletproof. Buy it for the hushed cabin, the 30-way massaging seats and the hands-free commute; do not buy it expecting a cheap or worry-free five years.
Jump to scoresStrengths
- Hands-free highway driving and a full safety suite standard on every trim
- The infotainment overhaul this car needed
- Seats and cabin materials that justify the badge
What holds it back
- The 2025 price hike broke the value argument
- Thirsty, with no efficient version to escape to
- Steep depreciation and short warranty coverage
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7 scored model years · 2020–2026
Subject scores by year
Hover or tap a score to see what moved it versus the year before. A corner mark flags a big swing.
| Year | Performance | Efficiency | Safety | Space | Cost | Reliability | Tech | Use-case | Driving | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 62 | 33 | 86 | 72 | 25 | 65 | 86 | 74 | 69 | 72 |
| 2025 | 62 | 32 | 86 | 72 | 30 | 57 | 85 | 65 | 67 | 70 |
| 2024 | 66 | 31 | 71 | 72 | 38 | 55 | 68 | 61 | 63 | 65 |
| 2023 | 68 | 31 | 73 | 74 | 41 | 59 | 65 | 63 | 69 | 65 |
| 2022 | 68 | 31 | 77 | 74 | 45 | 55 | 65 | 63 | 69 | 67 |
| 2021 | 68 | 31 | 77 | 72 | 45 | 47 | 64 | 62 | 69 | 68 |
| 2020 | 67 | 31 | 75 | 73 | 40 | 42 | 69 | 59 | 68 | 72 |
Compare two years
Best fit & conditions
Higher scores mean a better fit for that use case. Learn more about use-case fit →
Subject profile
Academic Probation · NHTSA safety recalls
Jul 21, 2026Seats: front assembly: power adjustAn unoccupied driver's seat may recline unintentionally during certain scenarios, such as remote unlock or remote start.
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2027 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. An unoccupied driver's seat may recline unintentionally during certain scenarios, such as remote unlock or remote start.
Risk
Unexpected movement of the driverâs seat back may trap a second-row occupant, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
Dealers will disable the driver seat module (DSM) feature until parts are available. Once available, the motor will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 3, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S53.
NHTSA campaign 26V470000 ↗Manufacturer no. 26S5376,748 vehicles potentially affected (all models in the campaign)Owners notified Sep 3, 2026Filed by Ford Motor CompanyFiled as AVIATORJul 14, 2026Seats: mid/rear assemblyThe switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, tipping, or sliding unexpectedly.
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2027 Aviator and 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, tipping, or sliding unexpectedly.
Risk
A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters explaining the safety risk were mailed August 19, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in January 2027. Lincoln Aviator owner notification letters were mailed August 21, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S52. This recall expands Recall 25V393. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 16, 2026.
NHTSA campaign 26V451000 ↗Manufacturer no. 26S52387,911 vehicles potentially affected (all models in the campaign)Owners notified Aug 21, 2026Filed by Ford Motor CompanyFiled as AVIATORMar 18, 2026Back over prevention: software · Electrical system: adasThe 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 assist, and blind-spot monitoring.
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2025 Lincoln Navigator, 2024-2025 Lincoln Nautilus, 2025 Lincoln Aviator and Explorer vehicles. 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 assist, and blind-spot monitoring.
Risk
Loss of the rearview camera image and certain driver assistance features, can reduce the driverâs ability to detect hazards, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
The Image Processing Module A software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. This is a Phased campaign. Phase 1 will include 2025 Aviator, 2025 Explorer, 2025 Nautilus notified owners on 4/13/2026. Phase 2 will include 2025 Navigator will notify owners on or about 4/20/2026. Phase 3 will include 2022-2024 Navigator will notify owners on or about 6/8/2026. Phase 4 will include 2024 Nautilus will notify owners on or about 6/22/2026. Owner notification letters were mailed April 13, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S21. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning March 25, 2026.
NHTSA campaign 26V165000 ↗Manufacturer no. 26S21254,640 vehicles potentially affected (all models in the campaign)Owners notified Apr 13, 2026Filed by Ford Motor CompanyFiled as AVIATORMar 17, 2026Seat beltsThe seat belt anchor bolts at the second-row outer seating positions may be improperly secured.
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2026 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The seat belt anchor bolts at the second-row outer seating positions may be improperly secured.
Risk
A loose seat belt buckle may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the second-row outer seat belt lower anchor bolts and replace or repair them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 30, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C18. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 19, 2026.
NHTSA campaign 26V159000 ↗Manufacturer no. 26C18561 vehicles potentially affected (all models in the campaign)Owners notified Mar 30, 2026Filed by Ford Motor CompanyFiled as AVIATOROct 24, 2025Visibility: windshieldThe windshield glass may have visible air bubbles, which can obscure the driver's visibility. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 205, "Glazing Materials."
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Lincoln Corsair, Lincoln Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The windshield glass may have visible air bubbles, which can obscure the driver's visibility. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 205, "Glazing Materials."
Risk
Reduced visibility while driving can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the windshield as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 6, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C60. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning October 27, 2025.
NHTSA campaign 25V730000 ↗Manufacturer no. 25C6056,841 vehicles potentially affected (all models in the campaign)Owners notified Nov 6, 2025Filed by Ford Motor CompanyFiled as AVIATOROct 10, 2025Trailer hitchesThe trailer hitch assembly bolts may be loose.
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Explorer and 2024-2026 Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The trailer hitch assembly bolts may be loose.
Risk
While towing a trailer, loose trailer hitch bolts can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, or cause the trailer to detach. Either of these conditions can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and tighten the trailer hitch bolts, or replace them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 29, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA3. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 15, 2025.
NHTSA campaign 25V687000 ↗Manufacturer no. 25SA31,412 vehicles potentially affected (all models in the campaign)Owners notified Oct 29, 2025Filed by Ford Motor CompanyFiled as AVIATORAug 22, 2025Exterior lighting: tail lightsWhen towing a trailer, the tail lights on the trailer may fail to illuminate due to an improperly manufactured body control module. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Explorer and Aviator vehicles. When towing a trailer, the tail lights on the trailer may fail to illuminate due to an improperly manufactured body control module. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk
Trailer tail lights that do not illuminate as intended can reduce visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the body control module C on vehicles with less than 9,000 miles. For vehicles over 9,000 miles, dealers will perform a functional check on the body control module C and replace it as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Aviator 2025 owner notification letters were mailed October 13, 2025. Explorer 2025 owner letters were mailed November 25, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C42.
NHTSA campaign 25V543000 ↗Manufacturer no. 25C42213,121 vehicles potentially affected (all models in the campaign)Owners notified Oct 13, 2025Filed by Ford Motor CompanyFiled as AVIATORJul 25, 2025Visibility: power window devices and controlsWhen closing the windows with the global closing feature, the side rear windows may exert excessive force when encountering an object, before they automatically reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 118, "Power-Operated Window Systems."
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Lincoln Aviator vehicles. 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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 118, "Power-Operated Window Systems."
Risk
A closing window that does not reverse direction as expected can pinch a passenger before retracting, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
Dealers will update the Body Control Module (BCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 7, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C33.
NHTSA campaign 25V484000 ↗Manufacturer no. 25C3323,111 vehicles potentially affected (all models in the campaign)Owners notified Oct 7, 2025Filed by Ford Motor CompanyFiled as AVIATORJun 13, 2025Structure: bodyThe rear door window bars and C-pillar trim may have insufficient adhesive bonding, which can allow the trim to detach from the vehicle.
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Aviator vehicles. The rear door window bars and C-pillar trim may have insufficient adhesive bonding, which can allow the trim to detach from the vehicle.
Risk
Detached trim may cause a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will repair or replace C-pillar appliques and window division bars, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 29, 2025. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S66.
NHTSA campaign 25V407000 ↗Manufacturer no. 25S66132,914 vehicles potentially affected (all models in the campaign)Owners notified Sep 29, 2025Filed by Ford Motor CompanyFiled as AVIATORJun 13, 2025Seats: mid/rear assemblyThe switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, folding, or sliding unexpectedly while driving.
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. 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.
Risk
A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the second-row seat switch, and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S67.
NHTSA campaign 25V393000 ↗Manufacturer no. 25S67304,662 vehicles potentially affected (all models in the campaign)Owners notified Aug 7, 2025Filed by Ford Motor CompanyFiled as AVIATORMay 9, 2025Structure: frame and membersA mounting bolt for the front subframe may have been tightened improperly.
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Explorer and Aviator vehicles. A mounting bolt for the front subframe may have been tightened improperly.
Risk
A loose subframe bolt may reduce the vehicle's performance in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and tighten the subframe bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Owner notification letters were mailed May 21, 2025. Ford's number for this recall is 25S43.
NHTSA campaign 25V316000 ↗Manufacturer no. 25S43206 vehicles potentially affected (all models in the campaign)Owners notified May 21, 2025Filed by Ford Motor CompanyFiled as AVIATORMar 14, 2025Power train: automatic transmission: fluid/lubricant: valves/valve bodyThe transmission valve body may have been machined incorrectly, which can cause reverse gear failure, or unexpected forward movement in reverse or neutral gear.
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 F-150, Bronco, 2024 Ranger, 2025 Mustang, Explorer, and Aviator vehicles. The transmission valve body may have been machined incorrectly, which can cause reverse gear failure, or unexpected forward movement in reverse or neutral gear.
Risk
Unexpected vehicle movement increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the transmission main control valve body, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 11, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S19.
NHTSA campaign 25V164000 ↗Manufacturer no. 25S19269 vehicles potentially affected (all models in the campaign)Owners notified Apr 11, 2025Filed by Ford Motor CompanyFiled as AVIATORJan 17, 2025Power train: automatic transmission · Structure: frame and membersThe transmission may be improperly secured due to loose cross member bolts.
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The transmission may be improperly secured due to loose cross member bolts.
Risk
An improperly secured transmission can result in a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the transmission cross member bolts as necessary, free of charge. If the cross member bolts are missing, dealers will replace the cross member and install new bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 29, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S03.
NHTSA campaign 25V020000 ↗Manufacturer no. 25S03259 vehicles potentially affected (all models in the campaign)Owners notified Jan 29, 2025Filed by Ford Motor CompanyFiled as AVIATORNov 8, 2024Equipment: other: labelsThe air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirement Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, 2020-2024 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2018-2024 F-150, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirement Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk
Without a label that shows the proper restraint usage guidelines, the occupants may have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy
Ford will mail owners the warning labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 19, 2024. Owners may call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C39.
NHTSA campaign 24V852000 ↗Manufacturer no. 24C3927,678 vehicles potentially affected (all models in the campaign)Owners notified Dec 19, 2024Filed by Ford Motor CompanyFiled as AVIATOROct 25, 2024Back over prevention: softwareThe rearview camera image may fail when the vehicle speed reaches 10 MPH or greater. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The rearview camera image may fail when the vehicle speed reaches 10 MPH or greater. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk
The loss of the rearview camera image while in reverse can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
The accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software will be updated through an over-the-air (OTA) update or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C34.
NHTSA campaign 24V801000 ↗Manufacturer no. 24C34391 vehicles potentially affected (all models in the campaign)Owners notified Mar 28, 2025Filed by Ford Motor CompanyFiled as AVIATOR
36 recalls on other model years of the Aviator (2020–2024, 2026)
Jun 24, 2026Power train: automatic transmissionThe transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage.
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Navigator, Expedition, 2020-2021 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2021 F-150 vehicles. The transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage.
Risk
Park system damage may result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, and inspect and replace any damaged transmission components as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 10, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in April 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S48. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on June 26, 2026.
NHTSA campaign 26V402000 ↗Manufacturer no. 26S48741,195 vehicles potentially affected (all models in the campaign)Filed by Ford Motor CompanyFiled as AVIATORMar 31, 2026Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motorThe heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system may fail, which can cause the defrosting and defogging system to become inoperative.
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Lincoln Aviator and Explorer vehicles. The heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system may fail, which can cause the defrosting and defogging system to become inoperative.
Risk
An inoperative windshield defrosting and defogging system may decrease the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and secure the instrument panel joints as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S22. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning April 3, 2026.
NHTSA campaign 26V202000 ↗Manufacturer no. 26S2255 vehicles potentially affected (all models in the campaign)Owners notified Apr 10, 2026Filed by Ford Motor CompanyFiled as AVIATORMar 3, 2026Back over prevention: softwareThe image on the center display may flip or invert, resulting in an incorrectly displayed rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2020-2024 Lincoln Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The image on the center display may flip or invert, resulting in an incorrectly displayed rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk
An incorrectly displayed rearview image can reduce the driverâs view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will update the accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 23, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C11. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 5, 2026.
NHTSA campaign 26V123000 ↗Manufacturer no. 26C11889,950 vehicles potentially affected (all models in the campaign)Owners notified Jun 23, 2026Filed by Ford Motor CompanyFiled as AVIATORMar 3, 2026Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motorThe windshield wiper motor may fail and prevent the windshield wipers from operating properly.
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer, Escape, Lincoln Aviator, and Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The windshield wiper motor may fail and prevent the windshield wipers from operating properly.
Risk
Windshield wipers that fail to operate properly can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the front wiper motors as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed April 2, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in October 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S14. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 4, 2026.
NHTSA campaign 26V117000 ↗Manufacturer no. 26S14604,533 vehicles potentially affected (all models in the campaign)Filed by Ford Motor CompanyFiled as AVIATORJul 7, 2025Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pumpThe low-pressure fuel pump may fail, which can result in an engine stall while driving.
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Bronco, Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, 2021-2022 Lincoln Navigator, Mustang, F-150, and 2022 Expedition vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump may fail, which can result in an engine stall while driving.
Risk
An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the low pressure fuel pump on super duty vehicles and update the powertrain control module (PCM) software on all other affected vehicles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 27, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S75.
NHTSA campaign 25V455000 ↗Manufacturer no. 25S75850,318 vehicles potentially affected (all models in the campaign)Owners notified Jul 27, 2026Filed by Ford Motor CompanyFiled as AVIATORJun 27, 2025Back over prevention: softwareA software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
Risk
A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.
NHTSA campaign 25V442000 ↗Manufacturer no. 25S72200,237 vehicles potentially affected (all models in the campaign)Owners notified Sep 4, 2025Filed by Ford Motor CompanyFiled as AVIATORMay 23, 2025Electrical system: propulsion system: traction batteryA manufacturing defect in one or more of the high voltage battery cells may result in an internal short circuit and battery failure.
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with 3.0L PHEV engines that were repaired incorrectly under recall 23V626. A manufacturing defect in one or more of the high voltage battery cells may result in an internal short circuit and battery failure.
Risk
Battery failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Battery failure can also increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will update the Battery Energy Control Module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 26, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S58.
NHTSA campaign 25V349000 ↗Manufacturer no. 25S588 vehicles potentially affected (all models in the campaign)Owners notified Jun 26, 2025Filed by Ford Motor CompanyFiled as AVIATORMay 23, 2025Seat belts: front: warning light/devicesWhen the driver's seat belt is not buckled and the vehicle is started, the seat belt warning system may activate the audible warning chime for an insufficient amount of time of less than 4 seconds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Lincoln Aviator and Lincoln Corsair vehicles equipped with a Revel Audio System that were repaired incorrectly under recall 22V-953. When the driver's seat belt is not buckled and the vehicle is started, the seat belt warning system may activate the audible warning chime for an insufficient amount of time of less than 4 seconds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk
An audible warning chime that does not properly alert of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will update the audio control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 3, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C18.
NHTSA campaign 25V338000 ↗Manufacturer no. 25C184,442 vehicles potentially affected (all models in the campaign)Owners notified Jul 3, 2025Filed by Ford Motor CompanyFiled as AVIATORMar 14, 2025Back over prevention: softwareThe video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 23V-342. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
Risk
Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will update the Image Processing Module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 25, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S27.
NHTSA campaign 25V159000 ↗Manufacturer no. 25S2749,399 vehicles potentially affected (all models in the campaign)Owners notified Apr 25, 2025Filed by Ford Motor CompanyFiled as AVIATORFeb 14, 2025Seat beltsThe seat belt buckle anchor bolts at one or more seating positions may be improperly secured. Additionally, vehicles may have an improperly secured seat belt retractor anchor bolt and/or seat belt anchor bolt at the second-row center seating position, if equipped.
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Explorer and Aviator vehicles. The seat belt buckle anchor bolts at one or more seating positions may be improperly secured. Additionally, vehicles may have an improperly secured seat belt retractor anchor bolt and/or seat belt anchor bolt at the second-row center seating position, if equipped.
Risk
A loose seat belt or seat belt buckle may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect seat belt buckle anchor bolts in all seating positions. Additionally, dealers will inspect the seat belt retractor anchor bolt and seat belt anchor bolt at the second-row center seating position, if equipped. If loose anchor bolts are found, the affected seat components will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 5, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S09.
NHTSA campaign 25V093000 ↗Manufacturer no. 25S09240,510 vehicles potentially affected (all models in the campaign)Owners notified Jun 5, 2025Filed by Ford Motor CompanyFiled as AVIATORAug 23, 2024Engine and engine cooling: engine: hard parts internal/mechanicalThe engine intake valves may break while driving, which can result in engine failure and a loss of drive power.
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Bronco, F-150, Edge, Explorer, Lincoln Nautilus, and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with either a 2.7L or 3.0L Nano EcoBoost engine. The engine intake valves may break while driving, which can result in engine failure and a loss of drive power.
Risk
A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will perform an engine cycle test and replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 3, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S55.
NHTSA campaign 24V635000 ↗Manufacturer no. 24S5590,736 vehicles potentially affected (all models in the campaign)Owners notified Jul 3, 2025Filed by Ford Motor CompanyFiled as AVIATORMay 24, 2024Back over prevention: display functionThe accessory protocol image module (APIM) can be affected by electromagnetic interference with a cell phone in the vehicle, causing the rearview camera image to flicker or become distorted.
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The accessory protocol image module (APIM) can be affected by electromagnetic interference with a cell phone in the vehicle, causing the rearview camera image to flicker or become distorted.
Risk
A flickering or distorted rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Owners are advised not to use their cell phones while reversing until the remedy is completed. Dealers will install shielding on the accessory protocol image module (APIM), free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 23, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S35.
NHTSA campaign 24V368000 ↗Manufacturer no. 24S35109,283 vehicles potentially affected (all models in the campaign)Owners notified Oct 23, 2024Filed by Ford Motor CompanyFiled as AVIATORSep 8, 2023Electrical system: propulsion system: traction batteryA manufacturing defect in one or more of the high voltage battery cells may result in an internal short circuit and battery failure.
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Lincoln Aviator and Ford Explorer vehicles equipped with 3.0L PHEV engines. A manufacturing defect in one or more of the high voltage battery cells may result in an internal short circuit and battery failure.
Risk
Battery failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Battery failure can also increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will perform a Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) diagnostic test and replace the high voltage battery pack, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 8, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford Motor Company's number for this recall is 23S53.
NHTSA campaign 23V626000 ↗Manufacturer no. 23S532,954 vehicles potentially affected (all models in the campaign)Owners notified Apr 8, 2024Filed by Ford Motor CompanyFiled as AVIATORAug 25, 2023Back over prevention: sensing system: cameraThe rearview camera, or 360-degree view camera if equipped, may not display a rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse.
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Lincoln Aviator, 2018-2021 Lincoln Navigator, 2022-2023 Ford Transit, and 2021 Ford Bronco vehicles. The rearview camera, or 360-degree view camera if equipped, may not display a rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse.
Risk
Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the rearview camera, and update the software and wiring as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 20, 2023 to Lincoln owners. Ford vehicle owners notification letters were mailed March 4, 2024. Ford remedy parts are anticipated 2nd Quarter 2024. Ford's number for this recall is 23S48.
NHTSA campaign 23V598000 ↗Manufacturer no. 23S48177,402 vehicles potentially affected (all models in the campaign)Owners notified Nov 20, 2023Filed by Ford Motor CompanyFiled as AVIATORMay 12, 2023Back over prevention: sensing system: cameraThe video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles equipped with a 360-degree camera. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
Risk
Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the 360-degree camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 10, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S23. This recall expands and replaces NHTSA recall number 23V-022. Vehicles previously repaired under 23V-022 will need to have the new remedy performed.
NHTSA campaign 23V342000 ↗Manufacturer no. 23S23442,973 vehicles potentially affected (all models in the campaign)Owners notified Nov 10, 2023Filed by Ford Motor CompanyFiled as AVIATORFeb 10, 2023Power train: automatic transmissionThe transmission may contain a loose bolt which could prevent the transmission from engaging the park gear, although the gear shifter position may indicate that the vehicle has been shifted to "PARK."
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 F-150, Mustang, Explorer, Bronco, and 2023 Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. The transmission may contain a loose bolt which could prevent the transmission from engaging the park gear, although the gear shifter position may indicate that the vehicle has been shifted to "PARK."
Risk
The inability to secure the vehicle in the park position can result in a rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transmissions, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 25, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S06.
NHTSA campaign 23V070000 ↗Manufacturer no. 23S061,138 vehicles potentially affected (all models in the campaign)Owners notified Apr 25, 2023Filed by Ford Motor CompanyFiled as AVIATORJan 23, 2023Back over prevention: sensing system: cameraThe video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles equipped with a 360-degree camera. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
Risk
Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will update the image processing module (IPMB) software, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed April 25, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed February 13, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S02. This recall expands and replaces NHTSA recall number 21V-735. Vehicles previously repaired under 21V-735 will need to have the new remedy performed.
NHTSA campaign 23V022000 ↗Manufacturer no. 23S02382,759 vehicles potentially affected (all models in the campaign)Owners notified Feb 13, 2023Filed by Ford Motor CompanyFiled as AVIATORDec 23, 2022Seat belts: front: warning light/devicesWhen the driver's seat belt is not buckled and the vehicle is started, the seat belt warning system may activate the audible warning chime for an insufficient amount of time of less than 4 seconds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Lincoln Aviator and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles equipped with a Revel Audio System. When the driver's seat belt is not buckled and the vehicle is started, the seat belt warning system may activate the audible warning chime for an insufficient amount of time of less than 4 seconds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk
An audible warning chime that does not properly alert of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will update the audio control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 7, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22C35.
NHTSA campaign 22V953000 ↗Manufacturer no. 22C35101,001 vehicles potentially affected (all models in the campaign)Owners notified Feb 7, 2023Filed by Ford Motor CompanyFiled as AVIATORJun 24, 2022Engine · Structure: frame and membersThe engine rails may have been improperly heat-treated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 208, "Occupant Crash Protection" and 301, "Fuel System Integrity."
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022 Lincoln Aviator and Ford Explorer vehicles. The engine rails may have been improperly heat-treated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 208, "Occupant Crash Protection" and 301, "Fuel System Integrity."
Risk
Improperly heat-treated engine rails may reduce the vehicle's structural protection in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. In addition, an engine rail may detach and contact the road while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will perform an engine rail strength test and replace the rails as necessary, free of charge. If the engine rails require replacement, owners will have the option for a vehicle replacement or buyback. Owner notification letters were mailed August 22, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22C13.
NHTSA campaign 22V454000 ↗Manufacturer no. 22C13776 vehicles potentially affected (all models in the campaign)Owners notified Aug 22, 2022Filed by Ford Motor CompanyFiled as AVIATORApr 14, 2022Seats: front assembly: head restraintThe front-row driver and passenger seat power head restraint cushion may detach from the head restraint assembly when adjusted to the full forward position.
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022 Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The front-row driver and passenger seat power head restraint cushion may detach from the head restraint assembly when adjusted to the full forward position.
Risk
A detached head restraint cushion can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the front-row passenger and driver head restraints, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters to notify owners of the safety risk were mailed May 11, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed July 29, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S23.
NHTSA campaign 22V247000 ↗Manufacturer no. 22S23933 vehicles potentially affected (all models in the campaign)Owners notified Jul 29, 2022Filed by Ford Motor CompanyFiled as AVIATORMar 25, 2022Hybrid propulsion systemThe inlet charge port harness bus bar may become unseated, leading to a loss of drive power.
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022 Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with the 3.0L plug-in hybrid powertrain. The inlet charge port harness bus bar may become unseated, leading to a loss of drive power.
Risk
A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the inlet charge port harness date code label, and replace the harness, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 2, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S19.
NHTSA campaign 22V187000 ↗Manufacturer no. 22S19585 vehicles potentially affected (all models in the campaign)Owners notified May 2, 2022Filed by Ford Motor CompanyFiled as AVIATOR PHEVFeb 16, 2022Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and capThe fuel filler tube may detach during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 301, "Fuel System Integrity."
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The fuel filler tube may detach during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 301, "Fuel System Integrity."
Risk
A detached fuel filler tube can result in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will install a fuel vapor line redundant locking clip, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 4, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22C02.
NHTSA campaign 22V088000 ↗Manufacturer no. 22C0218,366 vehicles potentially affected (all models in the campaign)Owners notified Apr 4, 2022Filed by Ford Motor CompanyFiled as AVIATORNov 10, 2021Suspension: rearIncorrect rear suspension module components may have been installed due to a labeling error.
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. Incorrect rear suspension module components may have been installed due to a labeling error.
Risk
A rear suspension module with incorrect components may affect vehicle handling, ride height, and braking characteristics, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the rear suspension module, and replace any incorrect parts, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 3, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S47.
NHTSA campaign 21V870000 ↗Manufacturer no. 21S4720 vehicles potentially affected (all models in the campaign)Owners notified Dec 3, 2021Filed by Ford Motor CompanyFiled as AVIATORSep 22, 2021Back over prevention: sensing system: camera · Back over prevention: softwareThe video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Explorer, Lincoln Corsair, and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with 360-degree cameras. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
Risk
A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will update the Image Processing Module (IPMB) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 16, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S44.
NHTSA campaign 21V735000 ↗Manufacturer no. 21S44228,297 vehicles potentially affected (all models in the campaign)Owners notified Nov 16, 2021Filed by Ford Motor CompanyFiled as AVIATORAug 23, 2021Air bags: critical fasteners · Air bags: side/window: curtainThe side air bag attachment weld studs could detach during the deployment of the side air bag, resulting in an improper deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 214, "Side Impact Protection".
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The side air bag attachment weld studs could detach during the deployment of the side air bag, resulting in an improper deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 214, "Side Impact Protection".
Risk
Improper deployment of a side air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the side air bag assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 10, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C19.
NHTSA campaign 21V652000 ↗Manufacturer no. 21C19592 vehicles potentially affected (all models in the campaign)Owners notified Sep 10, 2021Filed by Ford Motor CompanyFiled as AVIATORJul 15, 2021Electrical system: wiring · Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: compressorThe wire harness may not be secured properly, possibly contacting the air conditioning (A/C) compressor pulley, and resulting in damage to electrical wires, or the A/C compressor drive belt.
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with 3.0L gasoline engines. The wire harness may not be secured properly, possibly contacting the air conditioning (A/C) compressor pulley, and resulting in damage to electrical wires, or the A/C compressor drive belt.
Risk
Damaged electrical wires may short-circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the harness and A/C compressor belt for damage, replacing them as necessary, and install a tie strap to secure the wire harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 30, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S34.
NHTSA campaign 21V534000 ↗Manufacturer no. 21S3433,298 vehicles potentially affected (all models in the campaign)Owners notified Jul 30, 2021Filed by Ford Motor CompanyFiled as AVIATORMar 30, 2021Back over prevention: display functionThe image processing module may be unable to provide video feed to the display, which could result in a loss of the backup camera image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The image processing module may be unable to provide video feed to the display, which could result in a loss of the backup camera image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk
A backup camera that displays a blank or distorted image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the image processing module software with the latest level, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 21, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C09.
NHTSA campaign 21V223000 ↗Manufacturer no. 21C0934,952 vehicles potentially affected (all models in the campaign)Owners notified May 21, 2021Filed by Ford Motor CompanyFiled as AVIATORMar 10, 2021Suspension: rearThe rear lower control arm (RLCA) bolts that attach the rear lower control arms to the wheel knuckles may not have been heat-treated, which could cause them to break.
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Lincoln Aviator and Ford Explorer vehicles. The rear lower control arm (RLCA) bolts that attach the rear lower control arms to the wheel knuckles may not have been heat-treated, which could cause them to break.
Risk
Broken RLCA bolts can cause a loss of steering control, and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace both RLCA bolts, free of charge. The recall began on April 2, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S11.
NHTSA campaign 21V154000 ↗Manufacturer no. 21S1149 vehicles potentially affected (all models in the campaign)Owners notified Apr 2, 2021Filed by Ford Motor CompanyFiled as AVIATORJan 15, 2021Visibility: windshield wiper/washerThe affected vehicles contain windshield washer fluid that was contaminated with brake fluid. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 104, "Windshield Wiping and Washing Systems."
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Utility and 2020 Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The affected vehicles contain windshield washer fluid that was contaminated with brake fluid. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 104, "Windshield Wiping and Washing Systems."
Risk
A washer system contaminated with brake fluid can reduce the driver's ability to clear windshield, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will flush out the washer system, replacing the washer bottle neck, washer pump assembly, fluid level sensor and the front and rear wiper blades. Dealers will also inspect and repair the vehicle's paint and exterior components if affected, free of charge. The recall began March 2, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C01.
NHTSA campaign 21V014000 ↗Manufacturer no. 21C01283 vehicles potentially affected (all models in the campaign)Owners notified Mar 2, 2021Filed by Ford Motor CompanyFiled as AVIATORDec 17, 2020EngineThe right hand motor mount fasteners may have been incorrectly tightened, and may loosen over time.
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The right hand motor mount fasteners may have been incorrectly tightened, and may loosen over time.
Risk
With a loose motor mount, motor vibration may cause the axle to disconnect from the engine and could result in loss of power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove and replace the right hand motor mount fasteners, free of charge. The recall began February 3, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S72.
NHTSA campaign 20V788000 ↗Manufacturer no. 20S721,405 vehicles potentially affected (all models in the campaign)Owners notified Feb 3, 2021Filed by Ford Motor CompanyFiled as AVIATORNov 20, 2020SteeringThe steering knuckles may have been manufactured improperly.
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The steering knuckles may have been manufactured improperly.
Risk
The improperly manufactured knuckle may fracture, reducing steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front knuckle, and replace it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 16, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S69.
NHTSA campaign 20V726000 ↗Manufacturer no. 20S69690 vehicles potentially affected (all models in the campaign)Owners notified Dec 16, 2020Filed by Ford Motor CompanyFiled as AVIATORNov 10, 2020Power train: driveline: driveshaftThe drive shaft may fracture along the weld seam.
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with a 2.0L or 3.3L engine and a 10 Speed Automatic Transmission with the All Wheel Drive package. The drive shaft may fracture along the weld seam.
Risk
Defective drive shafts may fail and cause a loss of connection between the transfer case and rear axle, possibly resulting in a vehicle rollaway when in Park or a loss of drive. Either condition can increase the risk of a crash. The drive shafts can also deform and separate from the driveline and potentially contact the fuel tank, increasing the risk of fuel leaks and/or fire.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the drive shaft label inspected and replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S65.
NHTSA campaign 20V693000 ↗Manufacturer no. 20S6510,905 vehicles potentially affected (all models in the campaign)Owners notified Dec 11, 2020Filed by Ford Motor CompanyFiled as AVIATORAug 21, 2020Air bags: critical fasteners · Air bags: side/window · SeatsThe side air bag and/or seat back module attachments may not have been properly tightened in the front seat backs.
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Explorer and 2020 Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The side air bag and/or seat back module attachments may not have been properly tightened in the front seat backs.
Risk
If the side air bag or seat back fasteners were not properly tightened, the side air bag deployment could be affected, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove front seat back panels from one or both front seats (VIN-specific) and verify that the fasteners have been properly tightened, free of charge. The recall began September 10, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S48.
NHTSA campaign 20V497000 ↗Manufacturer no. 20S48488 vehicles potentially affected (all models in the campaign)Owners notified Sep 10, 2020Filed by Ford Motor CompanyFiled as AVIATORDec 4, 2019Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsOver time, the protective sleeve on the vapor fuel line may chafe through the plastic liquid fuel line and cause a fuel leak.
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. Over time, the protective sleeve on the vapor fuel line may chafe through the plastic liquid fuel line and cause a fuel leak.
Risk
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install a longer protective sleeve on the liquid fuel line, as necessary, free of charge. Ford issued owners and interim notification on January 29, 2020. Recall began March 23, 2020. A second notice will be sent once parts are available, expected to be late in the first quarter of 2020. A renotification letter was sent on July 10, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S49.
NHTSA campaign 19V859000 ↗Manufacturer no. 19S493,857 vehicles potentially affected (all models in the campaign)Owners notified Mar 23, 2020Filed by Ford Motor CompanyFiled as AVIATORAug 28, 2019Seats: front assembly: recliner · Seats: mid/rear assemblyAlso included are certain 2020 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with rear outboard seats and manual seat back recliner mechanisms. The recliner mechanisms may be missing the third pawl required for seat back strength, resulting in a loose seat back. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 202, "Head Restraints" and 207, "Seating Systems."
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's manual front seat back recliner mechanisms. Also included are certain 2020 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with rear outboard seats and manual seat back recliner mechanisms. The recliner mechanisms may be missing the third pawl required for seat back strength, resulting in a loose seat back. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 202, "Head Restraints" and 207, "Seating Systems."
Risk
A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19C07.
NHTSA campaign 19V633000 ↗Manufacturer no. 19C07639,137 vehicles potentially affected (all models in the campaign)Owners notified Oct 21, 2019Filed by Ford Motor CompanyFiled as AVIATORAug 5, 2019Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel · Parking brake · Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (prndl)The Manual Park Release (MPR) cover may not be installed. In addition, the vehicles may be in Factory Mode, which disables warning alerts and does not display the transmission gear selected. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 114, "Theft Prevention" and 102, "Trans Shift Lever Seq/Starter Interlock/Trans Braking Effect."
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The Manual Park Release (MPR) cover may not be installed. In addition, the vehicles may be in Factory Mode, which disables warning alerts and does not display the transmission gear selected. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 114, "Theft Prevention" and 102, "Trans Shift Lever Seq/Starter Interlock/Trans Braking Effect."
Risk
Without the cover, the MPR lever may be unintentionally moved, allowing the vehicle to roll away. Being in Factory Mode, the vehicle will not display warnings and/or gear selection on the instrument cluster. Both conditions increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, install a MPR cover. Dealers will verify the instrument cluster is not in Factory Mode and clear any fault codes, free of charge. The recall began August 23, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19C06.
NHTSA campaign 19V575000 ↗Manufacturer no. 19C0613,896 vehicles potentially affected (all models in the campaign)Owners notified Aug 23, 2019Filed by Ford Motor CompanyFiled as AVIATOR
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall database, model years 2020–2026. Recalls are listed by model year as the manufacturer filed them; whether a specific car is affected depends on its VIN — check a VIN at nhtsa.gov ↗. NHTSA model names matched to this page: AVIATOR, AVIATOR PHEV.
Detailed scoring by subject
1Performance & PowertrainMid-pack among this car's ten categories.2.18C
The refreshed 2025 Aviator carries a single powertrain across Premiere, Reserve and Black Label: the 3.0L twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6 at 400 hp. The 494-hp Grand Touring PHEV that topped the 2024 range was dropped for 2025, so 400 hp is both the volume figure and the model-range maximum.
Peak torque of 415 lb-ft from the standard twin-turbo V6, identical on RWD and AWD and unchanged by the 2025 refresh — a strong figure for a mid-size luxury three-row.
Published reviews of the 2025 car put the twin-turbo V6 in the mid-5-second range to 60 mph; Edmunds' own instrumented AWD test returned a slower 5.9 s, so 5.5 s is taken as the representative figure for the volume AWD trim with a real spread noted.
The twin-turbo V6 is consistently described as smooth and effortlessly muscular with little turbo lag, and the 2025 refresh keeps the quiet-cabin tuning; the one recurring criticism is that the V6 gets audibly coarse at full throttle, which keeps it short of the silkiest sixes in the segment.
The 10R80 10-speed automatic is calibrated for smoothness over aggression here — reviewers report unobtrusive, well-timed shifts and a wide ratio spread that keeps the V6 on boost, without the gear-hunting some 10-speeds show. It is a comfort tune rather than a quick-witted sport tune.
For 2025 Lincoln made the Class III Trailer Tow Package standard on every trim and rates the Aviator at 5,000 lbs in both RWD and AWD; no higher-capacity configuration is offered, and the rating is a step down from the 5,600 lbs available in 2024.
Rear-wheel drive is standard on Premiere and Reserve with Intelligent AWD optional, and AWD is standard on Black Label — so it is widely available rather than restricted to the top of the range. The system is a competent all-weather setup with Slippery and Deep Conditions drive modes but no low range, locking differentials, or torque-vectoring rear axle.
A pavement-first luxury three-row with roughly 8.1 in of ground clearance, no dedicated off-road trim, no skid plates and no lockers. The optional Air Glide suspension raises and lowers the body for entry/exit and light unpaved roads, not trail work.
2025 is the year the Aviator lost its electrified option: the Grand Touring PHEV was discontinued with the refresh, leaving the 3.0L twin-turbo V6 as the only powertrain on every trim. Mid-size luxury three-row rivals from Volvo, Lexus, BMW and Cadillac all offer a hybrid, PHEV or EV alternative, so this is a single take-it-or-leave-it choice.
2Efficiency & RangeOne of the Aviator's weakest categories.0.06F
EPA rates the 2025 Aviator AWD at 20 MPG combined and the RWD at 21 MPG, both with the 3.0L twin-turbo V6 and 10-speed automatic. A ~5,000 lb three-row with 400 hp is never going to be thrifty, and 20 MPG sits well below the gas-SUV median.
17 MPG city for the AWD volume trim — the weakest part of the Aviator's efficiency picture, with no hybrid assist available for 2025 after the Grand Touring PHEV was dropped.
25 MPG highway, the same for RWD and AWD — the 10-speed's tall top gears make cruising the Aviator's best efficiency case, though it is still only mid-pack for a gas SUV.
The 20.2-gallon tank paired with the AWD's 20 MPG combined rating gives roughly 404 miles between fills, rising to about 424 miles on the RWD. Adequate for road trips but unremarkable — the big tank is doing the work, not the engine.
EPA estimates $3,100 a year to fuel the AWD Aviator at 15,000 miles, near the top of the gas-SUV cost band. It is at least computed on regular unleaded rather than premium, which keeps it from being worse.
EPA lists the 2025 Aviator as a regular-gasoline vehicle, so 87 octane is all that is required and the car can be run on the cheapest pump grade anywhere. Lincoln still recommends 91+ premium to realize the full 400 hp / 415 lb-ft, which is a real optional cost for owners who want the rated output — a mixed rather than clean requirement.
3SafetyThe Aviator's best-graded category.3.85A+
NHTSA rated the 2025 Aviator 5 stars overall, with 5 stars in both frontal and side crash and 4 stars for rollover — the top NCAP result, matching the segment's best.
Every published IIHS crashworthiness result for the Aviator is Good — small overlap front driver and passenger, the updated moderate overlap test (tested on a 2023 Aviator Reserve) and the updated side test — but the 2025 model carries no Top Safety Pick award, because IIHS has never published a headlight rating for this generation and the generation's seat belt reminders rated Poor.
The 2025 refresh made Lincoln Co-Pilot360 Drive 2.0 standard on every trim including the base Premiere, so AEB with pedestrian detection, BLIS with cross-traffic alert, lane keeping, lane centering, adaptive cruise with stop-and-go, a 360-degree camera, parking sensors, reverse brake assist and hands-free BlueCruise all arrive on the entry car — nothing meaningful is locked behind a trim walk.
IIHS rates the 2025 Aviator's standard front crash prevention system Good for pedestrian detection under the updated evaluation, which includes nighttime scenarios — the top mark on the current scale, and a clear improvement on the pre-refresh car's Basic night result. Held below 90 because IIHS has not published a result for this generation under the updated vehicle-to-vehicle test.
BLIS with cross-traffic alert is standard on every trim and IIHS lists blind spot detection as standard equipment; reverse brake assist adds real braking intervention when backing out rather than warning alone, though the blind-spot system itself is alert-only with no steering intervention.
Lane-keeping assist and lane centering are standard across the lineup, and the BlueCruise hardware behind them adds in-lane repositioning that shifts the car within its lane rather than tracking the exact centerline; reviewers describe the Aviator holding itself centered convincingly, without the ping-ponging that marks weaker systems.
Full-speed-range adaptive cruise with stop-and-go, lane centering and predictive speed assist is standard on every 2025 Aviator and integrates directly into BlueCruise for highway assist; Edmunds found it drives 'much like a person would', with occasional handbacks the only real rough edge.
Standard BlueCruise on every trim — including the $59,890 Premiere — is the headline change for 2025, and it is a mature system: over 130,000 miles of Blue Zones covering roughly 97% of controlled-access highways in the US and Canada, with automatic lane change on the turn signal and in-lane repositioning, plus a four-year Connected Services plan included rather than a short trial.
IIHS has published no headlight rating for the 2025 Aviator, and the pre-refresh generation's lamps rated Good on some trims and Marginal on others — the classic split that costs a vehicle its award. The 2025 refresh brought new LED headlamps, with adaptive pixel headlights and adaptive bending lighting standard on Reserve and Black Label via the Illumination Package but only available on the Premiere, so the split by trim persists in hardware terms and the improvement is unverified by IIHS.
Reviewers describe clear sightlines in nearly every direction, helped by relatively thin windshield pillars and large sideview mirrors, and the standard 360-degree camera with front and rear parking sensors covers the close-quarters blind zones a tall three-row body creates; the rearward view tightens with the third row raised.
The second row is exemplary — straight A grades from the Cars.com Car Seat Check with exposed lower anchors and easy-to-find top tethers — but the third row drags the score down: lower anchors buried in the seat bight, fixed head restraints that push a car seat off the seatback, and a center console between the captain's chairs that blocks walk-through access once seats are installed.
4Space & ComfortOne of the Aviator's strongest categories.2.88B-
The 2025 refresh made second-row captain's chairs the standard configuration, so the Aviator leaves the showroom as a six-seater unless the buyer takes the no-cost bench — maximum capacity is still seven.
Published first-row headroom is unchanged by the 2025 facelift; the panoramic Vista Roof standard on Reserve and above costs about 1.3 in.
Front legroom carries over unchanged through the facelift — generous in absolute terms but only mid-band against an SUV scale that runs to 44.5 in.
Second-row headroom sits near the top of the SUV band thanks to the 69.6-in roofline over the rear-drive CD6 platform; the panoramic roof trims it by 1.3 in.
2025-specific sources publish 39.0 in of second-row legroom rather than the 40.1 in quoted through 2024, consistent with captain's chairs becoming the standard, measured configuration; still adult-sized, while the third row's 29.2 in is not.
With 36.9 in of headroom but only 29.2 in of legroom the third row remains a kids-and-teens space that reviewers split over, though access via the tilt-and-slide captain's chairs is easy and the row gets its own vents, cupholders and two USB-C ports.
Space behind the folded third row is modest for a mid-size three-row SUV: the Aviator spends its length on second-row room and a rakish roofline rather than outright cube.
Maximum cargo volume lands mid-band for the segment — about what the Ford Explorer that shares its platform offers, and short of boxier three-rows.
The piano-key shifter frees a deep console with a wireless charging bin, the full second-row console adds storage and controls for captain's-chair passengers, and there is a 110V/150W household outlet — competitive, but no headline storage innovation of the Escalade or EV9 sort.
Heated and ventilated front seats are standard, the available 30-way Perfect Position chairs with independent thigh extenders and Active Motion massage are a segment high point reviewers single out, and second-row captain's chairs can be heated and cooled; only the thinly padded third row lets it down.
Adaptive suspension is standard and the optional Air Glide air setup (Dynamic Handling Package, standard on Black Label) adds genuine plushness; testers report composure over broken pavement, with the softness only showing up as float when hurried.
Active noise control and acoustic laminated glass make the Aviator one of the hushed cars in its class, but the big-wheel trims give some of it back — one tester found highway road noise more pronounced than expected on 22-in wheels.
Heated and ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, tri-zone automatic climate and remote start are standard even on Premiere for 2025, with quad-zone climate and ambient lighting on the volume Reserve and heated/cooled second-row chairs available.
5Cost of OwnershipThe Aviator's lowest-graded category.0.00F
The 2025 refresh carried a steep price increase — the entry Premiere rose $5,155 over the 2024 car to $58,495, or $59,890 with destination, putting the Aviator's floor near the top of the mid-size luxury three-row range. Only the Grand Touring PHEV leaving the lineup keeps the top of the range from climbing further.
Reserve is the volume trim — it adds the 14-speaker Revel audio, upgraded leather and 24-way seating that most buyers of this car actually want — and lands at $67,495, or $68,890 with destination. That is above the top of the SUV normalization band, so the item bottoms out.
Two independent estimators land in the same place: CarEdge projects $3,966 in maintenance and repairs over the first five years, and RepairPal puts the Aviator at $626/yr against a $879/yr Lincoln brand average. Sharing its powertrain and much of its hardware with the Ford Explorer keeps parts and labor cheaper than the German three-rows, though a 15,000-mi/yr owner exits the 4-yr/50,000-mi warranty partway through year four and pays out of pocket after that.
Estimates bracket the mid-40s: CarEdge projects 42.4% retained (58% depreciation) and iSeeCars 48.1% (51.9% depreciation), so roughly 45% is the fair midpoint. That beats the 54.3% average depreciation of the luxury large SUV class but trails all SUVs (44.9%) and the market as a whole (41.5%) — and applied to the 2025's raised MSRP it means a large absolute dollar loss.
Lincoln's New Vehicle Limited Warranty runs 4 years or 50,000 miles, standard across the brand for 2025. That is the luxury-segment norm — matching BMW and Audi — but well short of Genesis's 5 yr/60,000 mi.
Powertrain coverage is 6 years or 70,000 miles — the same figure Lincoln has carried for years. It is at the bottom of the luxury field next to Genesis (10 yr/100,000 mi) and Jaguar, and the low mileage cap bites first for anyone driving average annual miles.
No complimentary scheduled maintenance on Premiere or Reserve — that stays a Black Label privilege — which caps this item below the Genesis/BMW/Volvo tier. What the 2025 car does bring is unusually substantive for the price: BlueCruise hands-free driving is standard on every trim with a four-year Connected Services plan included (rivals charge a subscription for far less capable systems), plus complimentary Lincoln Pickup & Delivery with a loaner Lincoln for the full 4-yr/50,000-mi warranty period and 24/7 roadside assistance.
$68,890 volume-trim price minus its estimated resale value after 5 years (45% retained, or about $31,001) leaves about $37,890 in depreciation. Add the projected $3,966 in 5-year maintenance and repairs, and owning this vehicle for 5 years costs about $41,856 in total.
6Reliability & QualityOne of the Aviator's weakest categories.1.81C-
Both major predictors now land on "average" for the 2025 Aviator, which is a real improvement on 2024 — J.D. Power scores it 78/100, inside its own Average band, and Consumer Reports, which opened the model year telling buyers to avoid the car, reversed to average predicted reliability and a recommendation in its December 2025 survey. It stays at the bottom of the average band rather than mid-band because that reversal came late, CR still logs no per-trouble-spot data for the year, and the refresh introduced an all-new 13.2-inch infotainment stack whose long-term behavior is unproven.
Lincoln is climbing steadily but is still measurably below average on multi-year dependability: after finishing dead last in the 2024 VDS it rose six places in 2025 and improved again to 217 PP100 in the 2026 study, yet remains behind the 204 PP100 industry average, and Consumer Reports' 2025 survey ranks it 20th of 26 brands. Initial quality is the brighter half of the record — sixth among premium brands two years running — which is enough to put the brand at the floor of mid-pack rather than in the bottom band.
Fourteen NHTSA campaigns touch the 2025 Aviator — nearly double the eight that reached 2024 — and unlike last year the list is no longer confined to trim and software. Two are powertrain (an incorrectly machined valve body that can fail reverse or move the vehicle forward unexpectedly, and loose transmission cross-member bolts), one is structural (an improperly tightened front subframe bolt that degrades crash performance), and the second-row seats have been recalled twice for switches that let them unlatch or slide while driving, alongside unsecured seat belt anchor bolts. Repeated safety-system and powertrain campaigns in a single model year are squarely in the low band.
The volume 2025 Aviator is gas-only — the Grand Touring PHEV was dropped for this year — leaving the 3.0L twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 and 10R80 10-speed, both high-volume Ford families with large fleets in F-150 and Explorer service. That proven-at-scale footprint is undercut by this model year drawing two transmission campaigns of its own, and by the 10R80's June 2026 park-system recall across 741,195 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, which shows the family still generating fundamental transmission defects even though the affected Aviators are 2020-2021 rather than 2025. Add the usual out-of-warranty turbo exposure and this is a mixed record, not a proven one.
Materials remain the Aviator's strongest suit and the 2025 refresh concentrated its effort inside: reviewers describe premium materials and considered design, with open-pore wood, real metal, quilted leather and the 30-way Perfect Position seats, and the new hood-less 12.4-inch cluster lowering the dash for a more open cabin. It stops short of the top band because critics still place it behind the German and Japanese benchmarks for perceived richness, and hard plastics persist below eye level.
Reviewers still judge the finish luxury-grade, and Lincoln's measured initial quality improved for a second straight year to sixth among premium brands — but the 2025 recall record is overwhelmingly an assembly-execution record, not a design one. Loose subframe and cross-member bolts, unsecured seat belt anchor bolts, insufficient adhesive bonding on C-pillar trim, loose hitch bolts, binding seat switches and air bubbles in windshield glass are all things fastened or bonded wrong on the line, and owner reports of A-pillar fabric defects and loose sound-deadening foam causing high-speed vibration fit the same pattern.
Lincoln has been deliberately shrinking its retail footprint — roughly 416 US stores now against 685 in 2021 — which is thin even by premium standards, though mechanical work on shared CD6/Explorer hardware is within reach of the far denser Ford network. Lincoln Pickup & Delivery is a genuine differentiator most rivals charge for: complimentary valet collection and a loaner throughout the warranty period. Service satisfaction holds it back, as Lincoln does not appear among the premium brands scoring above the segment average.
The Aviator is cheap to keep by luxury three-row standards — RepairPal puts annual maintenance and repair at about $626 against an $807 average for luxury mid-size SUVs, roughly $2,000 less over ten years — and sharing the CD6 platform and most hardware with the Ford Explorer keeps parts broadly available rather than dealer-exclusive. Dropping the Grand Touring PHEV for 2025 also removes the hybrid-battery cost outlier. Turbocharger replacement, the upper-trim air suspension and Lincoln-specific trim and electronics remain expensive and largely dealer-channel, which keeps it out of the top band.
7Technology & InfotainmentOne of the Aviator's strongest categories.3.80A
The 2025 facelift replaced the outgoing 10.1-inch display with a 13.2-inch capacitive touchscreen standard across Premiere, Reserve and Black Label — the single biggest change of the model year.
The new Lincoln Digital Experience (a Lincoln-skinned Ford Digital Experience with Google built-in) is a generational leap over SYNC 3.4 — tile-based, quick, with native apps and a Play Store — though it is a first-year system that pushes more functions onto the screen than the outgoing setup did.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto are standard on every 2025 trim — the change buyers of the wired-only 2024 car were waiting for.
Google Maps is the native navigation and Google Assistant the native voice assistant, with Amazon Alexa selectable instead — natural-language control and live-traffic maps that owners have no reason to bypass for their phone.
A 10-speaker system is standard, the volume Reserve trim gets a 14-speaker Revel setup, and the 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D on Black Label is among the best factory systems sold at any price.
A 12.4-inch full-digital driver display is standard on every trim and can run Google built-in apps such as Maps directly in the cluster; crisp and configurable, if short of a pillar-to-pillar panoramic panel.
The move to Lincoln Digital Experience brings Power-Up style whole-vehicle over-the-air updates covering infotainment and vehicle modules — explicitly called out as improved for 2025 and a step change from the 2024 car's Wi-Fi map updates.
The Lincoln Way app handles remote start and climate, lock/unlock, vehicle locate, vehicle health and service scheduling, and Phone As A Key lets an owner unlock, start and drive without the fob.
USB-C smart-charging ports and power outlets are spread across all three rows — two USB-C in the third row alone — with a wireless charging pad in the front media bin and a 110V/150W household outlet.
Intelligent Access with push-button and remote start is standard, the volume Reserve adds a hands-free power liftgate with approach detection, and Phone As A Key covers the phone-as-key case.
A 360-degree camera with bird's-eye view, front and rear parking sensors and Active Park Assist 2.0 — which steers, brakes and accelerates into parallel or perpendicular spaces — cover the parking case well for a vehicle this size.
A large colour windshield head-up display is standard on the volume Reserve and on Black Label and available below it — broader availability than most mid-size luxury rivals, which reserve HUD for option packs.
8Use-Case FitMid-pack among this car's ten categories.2.42C+
Wide rear door openings, a tall roofline and standard tilt-and-slide second-row captain's chairs make third-row access workable with a seat installed, and 19.2 cu ft behind the third row swallows a stroller; the trade is that the standard captain's chairs seat only six unless the bench is specified.
NHTSA five-star overall plus Lincoln Co-Pilot360 standard across the line, and for 2025 BlueCruise hands-free driving is standard on every trim rather than an upper-trim option — a genuinely strong family safety proposition, though the entry price keeps it out of most family budgets.
A hushed cabin, plush heated and ventilated seating in the first two rows, quad-zone climate on Reserve, third-row vents and USB-C ports, and 42.7 cu ft of cargo with the third row folded make this one of the Aviator's strongest missions.
The 400-hp twin-turbo V6 and 10-speed make low-speed progress effortless, the ride isolates well and standard BlueCruise removes the worst of the commute — held back by a soft, long-travel brake pedal and a footprint that has to be managed in traffic.
20 mpg combined in the AWD configuration on 91-octane-recommended fuel is expensive per commuting mile even against three-row luxury rivals, and the 2025 deletion of the PHEV Grand Touring removes the only cheap-commute version of this car.
199.7 in of length, 82.3 in of mirror-folded width and a 39.0-ft turning circle on 21-in wheels make tight urban parking a full-effort exercise; the 360-degree camera and Active Park Assist 2.0 do a lot to compensate.
Every 2025 Aviator carries the Class III Trailer Tow Package, but the rating fell to 5,000 lbs for both drivetrains — down from the 5,600–6,700 lbs earlier Aviators managed — and with no bed and no payload headroom this is a boat-and-small-trailer tool, not a work vehicle.
The CD6 rear-drive platform and 3.0L twin-turbo V6 / 10R80 combination it shares with the Ford Explorer are proven enough, but leather, open-pore wood, 21-inch wheels and an air-suspension option are exactly the wrong equipment list for hard use, and there is no fleet history to lean on.
A standard hitch receiver, roof rails, cargo tie-downs and a 110V/150W outlet are the whole of the work provisions — no high-output onboard power, no washable surfaces, and no upfit ecosystem behind it.
This is what the Aviator is for: 30-way massaging front seats, an unusually quiet cabin, Revel audio, roughly 400–425 miles between fills from the 20.2-gallon tank, and BlueCruise hands-free driving standard on every trim for 2025.
Available intelligent AWD, roof rails, a 5,000-lb hitch and Air Glide suspension that lifts about 1.2 in at low speed cover gravel roads and trailheads, but modest clearance, 21-inch wheels on the volume trim and no off-road hardware keep it near the pavement.
78.6 cu ft with the power-folding second and third rows down, a hitch receiver on every trim, roof rails and underfloor storage behind the third row handle bulky gear well; the sloping roofline is what stops it competing with boxier three-rows.
9Driving ExperienceMid-pack among this car's ten categories.2.51C+
The rear-drive CD6 chassis keeps a 4,745–4,862 lb three-row SUV flatter and more precise than its size suggests, and the optional Air Glide setup tightens body control further — but reviewers agree it is tuned to cruise, not to be hurried.
Accurate and consistently weighted enough to place the Aviator precisely and make it easy to thread at low speed, but light and short on feedback — tuned for isolation in the Lincoln idiom rather than for communication.
Four-wheel discs with AdvanceTrac stop the car's mass adequately and no 2025 tester reported fade, but the soft, long-travel luxury-tuned pedal that drew consistent criticism on earlier second-generation Aviators carries over unchanged.
The 400-hp / 415 lb-ft twin-turbo V6 pulls hard and cleanly from low revs and the 10-speed automatic shifts almost imperceptibly; auto stop-start is the only rough edge in an otherwise well-calibrated driveline.
Active noise control and thorough isolation keep the V6 distant and vibration-free in normal driving, with a purposeful rather than musical note under full throttle; what intrudes at speed is tyre roar on the big wheels, not the engine.
A 39.0-ft turning diameter over a 119.1-in wheelbase is mid-pack for a mid-size three-row SUV and noticeably wide in parking structures.
A commanding sightline, easy step-in, tilt/telescoping wheel and the available 30-way Perfect Position seat with independent thigh extenders accommodate almost any driver; the 2025 move to a 13.2-inch screen pulls a few more functions onto the display but keeps the piano-key shifter and a physical volume control.
Genuinely quick in a straight line and a pleasure to waft in, but the soft brake pedal, muted steering and comfort-first tuning mean the Aviator is enjoyed for its serenity rather than driven for the sake of it.
10Value & Market PositionGrades above the middle of the scale.2.72B-
The 2025 refresh made the base Premiere genuinely well-equipped: 400-hp twin-turbo V6, 20-inch wheels, adaptive suspension, panoramic Vista Roof, tow hitch receiver, wireless charging, the 13.2-inch Lincoln Digital Experience with Google built-in, and BlueCruise hands-free driving standard on every trim — hands-free driving is an extra-cost option or subscription at most rivals. The whole Co-Pilot360 safety suite is standard with no crash-prevention item left on the options sheet. Revel audio, true leather and the 28-way Perfect Position seats still require Reserve or Black Label, which is what keeps this out of the 80s.
The content is there — 400 hp, three rows, a genuinely quiet cabin and a modern infotainment stack — but 2025 is the year Lincoln took a large bite out of the value case, raising the Premiere $5,155 to $58,495 and pushing the volume Reserve to $67,495. At that money an Acura MDX A-Spec or Genesis GV80 undercuts it with comparable or better material quality, and Edmunds' 6.5/10 verdict reflects a car that no longer reads as the value play in the segment.
Three well-spaced trims — Premiere, Reserve, Black Label — cover a $58.5K–$87K ladder with RWD standard and AWD optional throughout, plus second-row bench or captain's chairs and Black Label interior themes. The 2025 refresh subtracted rather than added, though: the Grand Touring plug-in hybrid was discontinued, so the lineup is now a single powertrain, where the Lexus TX and Volvo XC90 still offer buyers a hybrid or PHEV choice.
2024 was the nameplate's best year in a while — 21,438 US deliveries, up 48.7% — but the refreshed 2025 car did not hold that momentum: sales fell about 6% through the first three quarters of 2025 (16,410 units), with Q1 down 24% and the Aviator's segment share halved. That is steady mid-pack volume that clears the Audi Q7 / Volvo XC90 tier while trailing the Lexus TX, Acura MDX and Genesis GV80, and it is trending the wrong way rather than rising.
Lincoln's Quiet Flight identity — the Sanctuary cabin ethos, Perfect Position seating, concierge Pickup & Delivery and Black Label member perks — has done real work rehabilitating a brand that spent the 2000s badging Fords. It still lacks the aspirational pull and resale strength of the German trio, Lexus or Genesis, and the Explorer-sibling association follows the Aviator in buyers' minds.
Scored as buyer benefit, this is one of the Aviator's strongest cards. Through 2025 Lincoln ran 0% APR nationwide with payments deferred up to 90 days, stacked with $1,000–$3,000 bonus cash and regional lease specials — the softening sales that produced those offers translate directly into thousands off for anyone shopping the car.
2025 is the refresh year itself — revealed February 5, 2024, with a redesigned front fascia and connected headlights, a reworked interior, and the new Lincoln Digital Experience on a 13.2-inch center screen with a 12.4-inch cluster, Google built-in and standard BlueCruise. The underlying second generation dates to 2020, so the platform is not new, but a buyer in 2025 gets current-generation cabin tech with no replacement imminent.
Reviewers credit the refresh with fixing the old infotainment and praise the hushed cabin, plush ride and strong twin-turbo V6, but the aggregate verdicts are middling — Edmunds 6.5/10, The Car Connection 7.1/10 — with consistent criticism that it lacks composure on a winding road and that the 2025 price hike undercuts the argument. No 10Best, NACTOY or comparison-test wins for this generation; the recognition it does hold is safety (five-star NHTSA overall, Good IIHS scores in the primary crashworthiness tests) and above-class-average resale.
