2003 Lincoln Aviator Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 55about this part
- Share
- 50%of 111 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 67,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 55 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 Lincoln Aviator, 50% of the 111 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 67,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Takata recall when I park in my drive way my car won't shift out of park I have to have it pushed an rocked back an forth to get the gear to shift an it won't let me drive it in drive gear I can only drive it in 3rd gear it has this jurk when I stop to park it constantly getting stuck.”
NHTSA complaint #10808053, filed 2015-12, 162,732 miles“Our 2003 Lincoln Aviator continues to experience the same problem - once in park, you cannot move the gear shift to any other gear - it's stuck. Occasionally, my husband can wiggle a wire underneath the brake and gas pedals so we can shift into reverse or drive but this continues to happen. I have been stuck, alone and with our small children. Is there a permanent correction for this issue?”
NHTSA complaint #10549749, filed 2013-10, 120,000 miles“Shifter knob on 03 Aviator broke off. The shifter was locked in place in drive at a greenlight. It seems that a very cheap plastic piece broke. The dealer quoted me $1200 dollars to replace the entire shifter assembly. I am checking other options but seeing the further I look the more common this problem. I am not sure how many complaints it takes but this is a horrible safety issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10437707, filed 2011-11, 126,450 miles“I had just got home with my vehicle from the repair shop, had a vacuum hose replaced. I could not get my key out of the ignition. I kept trying & was finally successful at removing the key. Now the gear shifter is stuck in park and will not go into any other gear. I just got it back from the shop & still can't drive it due to getting it in gear. This really does need to be looked into & they need to do a recall. I have seen a lot of complaints about this problem. I have 2 more years to pay it off & then it is gone.”
NHTSA complaint #10510573, filed 2013-05, 158,000 miles“My Aviator was shifting rough for less than 24 hours when the transfer case went out. Luckily, I had only pulled out of my driveway when it happened. The vehicle made an awful whinning and screeching noise and became impossible to drive forward. I was able to wrestle it into reverse to get it in my driveway. I live on a busy country road, this could have been dangerous for me and my 3 kids. I had it towed to the dealer and they quoted me near $1000 with no promise that the problem could be fixed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10464079, filed 2012-07, 110,000 milesRelated recalls
- 02V313000Nov 21, 2002On certain sport utility vehicles, the transmission shift cable can become dislodged from the shift cable bracket.Covers: Lincoln Aviator 2003
Related service bulletins
- 10028736May 1, 2009Ford: some vehicles may exhibit oil separation from the internal lube found in the unitized cartridge seal. Oil separation appears to be and is often misdiagnosed, as an axle…
- 10012952Jun 7, 2005Driveline 1st order vibration/boom/drone.
- 10014668May 1, 2005Axle seal leaks.
- 10017892Apr 1, 2005Rear axle noise repair.
- 10012959Feb 1, 2005Axle whine howl service with individual parts instead of an axle assembly.
- 10014086Dec 13, 2004General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures.
- 10013369Nov 1, 2004General power train control module (pcm) programming procedures.
- 10013121Sep 6, 2004Front axle tube leak.
- 10011333Sep 1, 2004Updated rear halfshaft removal procedure.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2003 Lincoln Aviator
15 complaintsBody and structure
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 30, 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