2005 Lincoln Aviator Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 24%of 51 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 76,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2005 Lincoln Aviator, 24% of the 51 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 76,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The gear knob on my 2005 Lincoln Aviator broke causing the vehicle to get stuck in reverse. This is a major safety hazard. This appears to be a poor design by ford. Based on my research, several Lincoln Aviator owners are having the same problem. Ford needs to do a recall and fix this issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10594186, filed 2014-05, 92,000 miles“I have a 2005 Lincoln Aviator and the shifter, transmission,and ball joints, drive shaft all fell apart at 56,000 miles my wife and 2 young children were in the vehicle when the drive shaft came loose almost causing us to be rear ended by a 18 wheeler something has to be done. I have read thousands of complaints from others having similar complaints.”
NHTSA complaint #10345732, filed 2010-07, 56,000 miles“Shift lever became stuck in drive in our garage. We were not able to move the shifter out of drive to park or any other gear. We were able to turn the car engine off but the key remained lodged in the column. This occurred on a 2005 Aviator as was discussed in another report in the database. The dealer has quoted a $950 repair charge. No coverage by ford/Lincoln.”
NHTSA complaint #10362559, filed 2010-10, 85,000 miles“Owner of 2005 Lincoln Aviator. I was not able to get the gear shift out of park. I had the Aviator towed to a family member's automotive garage and was told that I will need to have the entire gear shift replaced. Upon doing some research, it seems that this is a very common problem in this year, make, and model. I have read endless testimonies from other vehicle owners with the exact dispute. The part and labor will cost me approximately $1100.00 at my family's garage, one can only guess the dollar amount will double at the local dealership. …”
NHTSA complaint #10735385, filed 2015-07, 86,000 miles“Transmission shift problems= we where ok when truck was on garage and just use it as weekends,but everything change when we stared to use it on daily basics transmission begin to slip and now lately begin to pull and back and forward and o/d sensor light up and afraid the rear shift go off any minute... And add up the rear panel just broke for the 2th time... It begins to make funny noise on rear axle,I very disappointed after paid closed to 20,000 dollars I want to return it to dealer but nobody wants to take charge. No fire or property damage but I not waiting to happen to me.”
NHTSA complaint #10343719, filed 2010-07, 74,000 milesRelated 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…
- 10018069Sep 1, 2005A tiny crack, or cracks, around the transfer case drain plug hole.
- 10012952Jun 7, 2005Driveline 1st order vibration/boom/drone.
- 10013306May 27, 2005Improperly formulated transmission fluid that, over time, may cause delayed/harsh reverse engagements. Customer satisfaction program 04b22. 5r55s/e & 5r44e transmission fluid…
- 10014668May 1, 2005Axle seal leaks.
- 10017898Apr 1, 2005Delayed or harsh reverse engagements - 5r55s transmission - vehicles built prior to 09/23/2004.
- 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.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2005 Lincoln Aviator
28 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsWheels
2 complaintsElectrical system
1 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 Lincoln Aviator
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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