2020 Lincoln Aviator Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 23about this part
- Share
- 21%of 110 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 82,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 23 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2020 Lincoln Aviator, 21% of the 110 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 82,000 miles. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My vehicle has 4960 miles and the transmission started to slow down as if I was driving a stick shift car, then 2 or 3 days later began to kick and lose power when increasing speed after a stop sign. Dealer diagnosed an internal failure on the transmission and it needs to be replaced. A couple of times in the morning after starting the vehicle, when putting the reverse gear I had my foot on the brake but the car still moved and the brakes were very stiff, I had to release the brake and apply it again in order to stop the car from moving. …”
NHTSA complaint #11331333, filed 2020-06, 4,800 miles“My car slammed into park while I was driving on the highway and now is in limp mode only going into neutral and I am stranded without a vehicle. The Lincoln dealership wants to charge me 1500 to diagnose it but that’s the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #11761094, filed 2026-08“My warning light stating a AWD malfunction has occurred has gone off 4 times, along with warnings for malfunctions in precollision assist and hill climb assist and the light has come on 4 times for each of these. When driving these lights come on and when the AWD malfunction light comes on the car drives very loose and I do not seem to have firm control over the steering and i feel like the car wants to swerve and I do not feel safe driving .”
NHTSA complaint #11523476, filed 2023-05“Without notice the transmission would downshift and lunge forward. So hard that it felt like we were hit from behind. When trying to accelerate it would stay in gear longer than normal and clunk forward again. Smelled burning through the vents. Also when accelerating it would slip out of gear and the rpms would increase without me being able to move and then shift hard into gear again. We were on the highway at highway speed in traffic and without warning the vehicle wouldn't accelerate and were inches from being rear ended by the tractor trailer behind me. …”
NHTSA complaint #11538750, filed 2023-08“While traveling on the freeway the transmission slipped out of gear. I appreciate it. I proceeded to pump the fuel, It caught after about five seconds and took off. I was barely able to hit the brakes before hitting the car in front of me. We were on our way to a family vacation to Southern California. We live in Fresno, California. This is the second time this happened, Both times were on longer trips after about 2 to 3 hours of driving. My wife and kids were with me this time as we barely avoided a collision. This happened one time before when I was driving to San Francisco. …”
NHTSA complaint #11538273, filed 2023-08Related recalls
- 26V402000Jun 24, 2026Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Navigator, Expedition, 2020-2021 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2021 F-150 vehicles. The transmission…Covers: Lincoln Aviator 2020–2021, Ford Expedition 2018–2021, Lincoln Navigator 2018–2021 +2 more
- 20V693000Nov 10, 2020Ford 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…Covers: Lincoln Aviator 2020, Ford Explorer 2020
Related service bulletins
- 11036595Aug 26, 2026This article supersedes 26-2287. Reason for update: update the labor operation numbers to add MT to operations C, F, G, H, J, K, L and M, and correct the part number LIMZ-4A015-B…
- 11035556Aug 3, 2026Some 2021-2023 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 3.5L PowerBoost engine, 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 3.3L hybrid engine, and 2020-2023 Lincoln Aviator vehicles…
- 11034011Jun 18, 2026This article supersedes 25-2302. Reason for update: update the labor time allowance for F-150 vehicles, update the Parts list to replace the part number W716979-S439 with…
- 11033775Jun 5, 2026For 20202026 vehicles equipped with the 10R60 transmission, a new Transmission Clutch Circuit Leak Test has been introduced in the Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS)…
- 11032760May 15, 2026Some 2020-2026 Explorer/Police Interceptor Utility/Aviator vehicles may require replacement of the front drive halfshaft inner/outer CV joint boot for various reasons.
- 11029081Feb 17, 2026For 20172026 vehicles equipped with a 10R transmission, a revision to the Road Testing Vehicle procedure has been made in the WSM, located in Section 307-01 > Diagnosis and…
- 11025611Nov 12, 2025Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022…
- 11023301Sep 19, 2025This article supersedes TSB 22-2177 to update labor times from M-time to AP-time and add a limit. Some of the vehicles listed in the model statement above may exhibit an…
- 11022389Aug 22, 2025This article supersedes TSB 23-2174 to update the Service Procedure, Part List and adding an additional labor operation. Some vehicles listed in the model statement above may…
- 11021973Aug 16, 2025This article supersedes TSB 24-2252 to update the Title, Action Statement, Service Procedure and Part List. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2020 Lincoln Aviator
39 complaintsOther or unknown
24 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
16 complaintsBrakes
10 complaintsForward collision avoidance
8 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaintsEngine
7 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsSeats
3 complaintsSuspension
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2020 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