2003 Lincoln Aviator Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 14%of 111 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 63,052miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the body and structure of the 2003 Lincoln Aviator, 14% of the 111 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 63,052 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“On my 2003 Aviator the door ajar light comes on at various times during the day and night. My interior lights flash and my car alarm goes off. It's been doing this for about two years, but has gotten worse this year 2016. My battery has died twice in two days. So frustrated with this vehicle. Was summoned over the intercom in a department store and at work saying that a Lincoln SUV's alarm was going off and that the lights were flashing. I knew it was mine. I hit the alarm button on the key fob which cut off the alarm for about 30 seconds and it started up again. …”
NHTSA complaint #10826028, filed 2016-02, 45,000 miles“Shifter knob on 03 Aviator broke off. The shifter was locked in drive, had to shut off vehicle and brace the tires from rolling on an incline. With my child in the car with me. Scary!!!!!! The problem is a plastic piece broke in the shifter column. Has yet to be fixed. Quoted $900 to fix. Also the liftgate cracked at the Lincoln emblem witch I was told that it holds the glass in place and it sound like a gunshot when it cracked, shook me up. This is a ford/Lincoln failure on a manufacturer defect. The hatch is not being able to close completely because of where the crack is located. …”
NHTSA complaint #10915223, filed 2016-10, 107,231 miles“The back lift component has a crack on each side of the Lincoln emblem. The body shop near where I work told me that this is very common with the aviators, and that he has replaced many of them. It is a manufacturing error and should be replaced by ford/Lincoln. I have purposely looked at other aviators and found that they have the same cracks in the same place by the emblem. I was told by the ford dealership here that the company would not fix it. My vehicle is no longer in warranty. …”
NHTSA complaint #10260953, filed 2009-03, 50,000 miles“There has been a unprovoked crack in the lift gate panel for a couple years now (which seems to be a very common problem in this model), we have not had issues until the rear window started flying open while driving at around 30mph. The latch has malfunctioned due to water seeping into crack.”
NHTSA complaint #11010322, filed 2017-07, 75,000 miles“There is a crack below my back window that causes lots of air to come in and also lots of water leaks and when it rains I have small children and the dealership is unable to work with me to get this repaired it gets very cold in there with all the cold air that comes in with my small children hopefully something can be done for the amount that we paid on this vehicle”
NHTSA complaint #10949957, filed 2017-02Body and structure: other model years
Other parts of the 2003 Lincoln Aviator
55 complaintsEngine cooling
15 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 complaintsBrakes
9 complaintsElectrical system
8 complaintsAir bags
7 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsSuspension
5 complaintsTires
5 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsEquipment
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Lincoln Aviator
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology