According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2024 Lincoln Aviator has 9 documented known issues, with 6 rated critical. The most serious are Unexpected Acceleration and Phantom Braking With Driver-Assist (Co-Pilot360 / BlueCruise) Engaged ($0-$500 repair), Rearview Camera Image Flicker/Distortion from Cell Phone EMI (APIM) ($0-$0 repair), Aviator Air Glide Suspension — Compressor and Bag Failures ($700-$2,500 repair), 12V Battery Drain / Repeated Dead Battery, Rearview / 360-Degree Camera Image Failure - Recalls 23S23 & 24S35 and Panoramic Vista Roof Spontaneous Shattering / Explosion While Driving or Parked ($1,200-$3,500 repair). Across all issues, repair costs range from $100 to $3,500. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
On the 2020-2024 Lincoln Aviator, on 2020-2024 Aviators, the Accessory Protocol Image Module (APIM) is susceptible to electromagnetic interference from cell phones placed in the center console or cup holders, especially when the phone has poor signal. The rear camera image flickers, distorts, or disappears, violating FMVSS 111 rear-visibility requirements and increasing the risk of backing crashes. Ford received 478+ owner complaints before issuing recall 24V368 for 109,283 vehicles.
Common Symptoms
Backup camera image flickers
Distorted or garbled rear view display
Image cuts out when phone is nearby
Black or static-filled rear camera screen
Image worse when phone has weak signal
How to Fix
Free recall fix under NHTSA 24V368 / Ford 24S35. Dealers install additional electromagnetic shielding on the APIM. As a workaround, keep phones out of the center console/cup holders until repaired. Owner letters mailed October 23, 2024.
High ConfidenceVerified0 reportsLast reported by owners Invalid DateReviewed Jun 2026
On the 2020-2025 Lincoln Aviator, many Aviator owners report the 12V battery going dead after the vehicle sits for several days to a week, often requiring repeated jump-starts. Causes traced by owners and dealers include parasitic drain from modules that fail to enter deep-sleep mode, telematics/TCU software faults, and in some cases a defective electronic door-latch actuator continuously drawing current. The car's deep-sleep protection that should activate below ~9.5V sometimes fails to engage.
Common Symptoms
Dead battery after sitting a few days
Repeated need for jump-starts
Charging System Service Soon message
Vehicle won't start / no power
Electronics behaving erratically on low voltage
How to Fix
Dealers perform a parasitic-draw test, apply TCU/module software updates (and Asbuilt/APIM reprogramming), and replace the battery or a faulty door-latch actuator if identified. Owners with infrequent use often add a battery maintainer/tender as a workaround.
High ConfidenceVerified0 reportsLast reported by owners Invalid DateReviewed Jun 2026
On the 2020-2024 Lincoln Aviator, the Aviator's rearview and 360-degree camera image can fail to display, flicker, or show a blue/black screen, removing the driver's view when reversing and increasing crash risk. A 2023 recall (23S23, ~80,000 vehicles) addressed camera video output failure, and a 2024 recall (24S35, ~109,000 vehicles, MY2020-2024) addressed electromagnetic interference from a cell phone causing the image module (APIM) to distort the rear camera image.
Common Symptoms
Blank, blue, or black backup camera screen
Flickering or distorted rear camera image
Camera image drops out when phone is nearby
Backup camera not displaying
How to Fix
Under recall 23S23 dealers update software / replace the camera or image processing module. Under recall 24S35 dealers install electromagnetic shielding on the APIM, free of charge. Owners were temporarily advised not to use cell phones while reversing until repaired.
High ConfidenceVerified0 reportsLast reported by owners Invalid DateReviewed Jun 2026
On the 2020-2024 Lincoln Aviator, aviator owners report the fixed or movable panels of the large panoramic Vista Roof spontaneously shattering with a loud explosion-like bang and no impact from road debris. Verified NHTSA complaints include a brand-new 2023 Aviator (owned less than a week) shattering at interstate speed with a child in a second-row car seat and glass raining into the cabin, and a separate incident where the roof blew out while driving at 70 MPH on an expressway with six occupants. This is a distinct failure mode from the sunroof drain-clog/water-leak issues: here the tempered glass itself fractures, most likely from residual tensile stress in the large thermally-tempered panel combined with the frame/adhesive constraint. Ford/Lincoln has not issued a recall for spontaneous glass breakage, so most repairs are out-of-pocket or via comprehensive insurance.
Common Symptoms
Loud explosion or gunshot-like bang from the roof
Sunroof/moonroof glass suddenly shatters into pieces
Glass fragments fall into the cabin onto occupants
Occurs with no visible road debris or impact
Happens at highway speed or while parked, sometimes on nearly new vehicles
How to Fix
Dealer inspects for any external impact point; when none is found the entire shattered tempered-glass panel (and often the surrounding seal/frame) is replaced, as tempered glass cannot be repaired. Owners are advised to document the event, file an NHTSA complaint, and pursue goodwill/warranty coverage since impact cannot be proven; comprehensive auto insurance (glass coverage) frequently covers replacement minus deductible. No software or mechanical adjustment prevents recurrence.
Medium ConfidenceVerified0 reportsLast reported by owners Invalid DateReviewed Jul 2026
On the 2020-2024 Lincoln Aviator, 2020+ Aviators with the panoramic moonroof are widely reported to leak after heavy rain or carwashes when the rear sunroof drain lines clog with debris. Water tracks down the A-pillars or C-pillars, soaks the headliner, drips onto third-row seats or visors, and can enter interior light controls causing flickering or unresponsive switches. Multiple forum threads document the problem and dealer warranty drain-cleaning service.
Common Symptoms
Water dripping above sun visors
Wet headliner around panoramic roof
Water on third-row seats after rain
Musty smell from headliner
Interior dome light malfunctions after rain
How to Fix
Have dealer flush all four sunroof drain tubes with compressed air (covered under bumper-to-bumper warranty if within 4yr/50k). Owners can preventively blow out drains annually with a soft air line. If headliner is soaked, mold remediation may be required.
High ConfidenceVerified0 reportsLast reported by owners Invalid DateReviewed Jun 2026
On the 2021-2025 Lincoln Aviator, owners across multiple model years report two opposite but related ADAS misbehaviors. With adaptive cruise / driver-assist (Co-Pilot360, ActiveGlide/BlueCruise) engaged, the Aviator has unexpectedly ACCELERATED toward a stopped vehicle instead of continuing to slow, and separately has applied PHANTOM BRAKING — abrupt, unprompted automatic braking triggered by harmless objects such as a crack in the driveway, overpass shadows, or roadside features. Some events come with 'Antilock brake fault' or 'Pre-Collision Assist not available' messages. These are hard to reproduce on demand and are documented in NHTSA complaints and owner forums; no broad recall specifically targets this behavior.
Common Symptoms
Vehicle accelerates toward a stopped car while adaptive cruise/driver-assist is on
Sudden hard automatic braking for no real obstacle (phantom braking)
Abrupt stops triggered by pavement cracks, shadows, or overpasses
'Pre-Collision Assist not available' or 'Antilock brake fault' messages
Driver-assist disengages unexpectedly during the event
How to Fix
Report any unexpected-acceleration or phantom-braking event to NHTSA (vehicle safety hotline / nhtsa.gov) and to the dealer, with date/time so the module can be scanned for stored events. Ensure all camera/radar sensors are clean, undamaged, and properly aimed (especially after any windshield or bumper work, which requires ADAS recalibration), and that the IPMA/ADAS modules are on the latest software (see related camera/IPMA recalls). Until resolved, use driver-assist features cautiously and keep ready to override with throttle/brake; treat repeated events as a safety concern warranting dealer investigation.
What you need to fix it
The exact parts — OEM, plus what owners actually use. Skip the internet hunt.
Cruise Control Distance Radar Sensor (front radar / CCM) — the adaptive-cruise radar that governs following distance and
OEMLB5Z-9E731-ABOwners useLB5T-9G768-AB (engineering/casting number), Bruce & Shark LB5T-9G768-AB, SAOKNCE LB5T-9G768-AB$290–$810
OEM service PN LB5Z-9E731-AB (engineering number LB5T-9G768-AB). Fits 2020-2025 Lincoln Aviator / Ford Explorer / Lincoln Corsair (U611/CD6 platform) — era-correct for this 2021-2025 issue.
Medium ConfidenceVerified0 reportsLast reported by owners Invalid DateReviewed Jun 2026
On the 2020-2024 Lincoln Aviator, 2020+ Aviator with the optional Air Glide suspension shares its compressor and air spring design with the related Ford Explorer ST/Platinum. Owners report compressor noise becoming progressively louder by 40,000-80,000 miles, then bag leaks (rear first), then compressor burnout. Warning message: "Service Air Suspension."
Diagnose with FORScan to confirm air bag vs. compressor failure. OEM bags $700-$1,100 per corner installed. Compressor (Wabco/Continental unit) ~$600-$900 installed. Replace compressor dryer at the same time as a bag (~$80) — extends compressor life.
Medium Confidence0 reportsLast reported by owners Invalid DateReviewed Invalid Date
On the 2020-2025 Lincoln Aviator, on 2020-2025 Aviators built at Chicago Assembly Plant between Oct 19, 2018 and May 30, 2025, the C-pillar trim appliques and rear door window division bars were not properly bonded due to improper application pressure at supplier Cooper Standard Automotive's Aguascalientes, Mexico facility. The adhesive is inadequate, allowing trim pieces to lift, flap, or detach completely while driving, creating road hazards to following vehicles. NHTSA Recall 25V407000 (Ford reference 25S66) covers approximately 132,914 vehicles.
Common Symptoms
C-pillar trim piece lifting/flapping at speed
Rear door window trim loose or rattling
Trim piece missing after highway drive
Wind noise from C-pillar area
Visible adhesive separation around C-pillar
How to Fix
Free recall fix - dealers will properly re-bond or replace the C-pillar appliques and rear door division bars. Owner notification letters began late July 2025. Inspect trim periodically and avoid power-washing those areas at high pressure until repaired.
High ConfidenceVerified0 reportsLast reported by owners Invalid DateReviewed Jun 2026
On the 2020-2024 Lincoln Aviator, aviator owners widely report interior NVH complaints: rattles and buzzes from the dash/center-stack bezel, the passenger door window-switch bezel, the center console/display screen area, and door trim panels, often provoked by audio bass or rough roads. Ford has acknowledged specific sources including SSM 51539 (passenger door window control switch-to-bezel rattle on 2020-2023 Aviator, easily misdiagnosed as a bad speaker) and TSB 23-2079 (buzz/rattle from heater tubes vibrating against a bracket behind the instrument panel, documented on the Explorer platform-mate). Additional owner-documented sources are loose/incorrectly seated interior trim clips and loose connectors under the front seats. Individually minor, but a persistent and common luxury-SUV fit-and-finish complaint.
Common Symptoms
Rattle or buzz from dash/center-stack bezel
Rattle from passenger door window-switch area, worse with audio playing
Squeak/rattle in center console or around the display screen
Buzz from behind the instrument panel
Door trim panel rattles on rough roads
How to Fix
Diagnose by pressing on dash/bezel/trim while the noise is present to isolate the source. Fixes per the bulletins and owner reports include: reseating or replacing the passenger window-switch bezel (SSM 51539), adding flock/anti-rattle tape or re-securing the heater-tube bracket behind the dash (TSB 23-2079), re-seating misaligned interior trim clips, and securing loose harness connectors under the seats. Typically a labor/foam-and-clip repair rather than a parts-heavy job.
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.
Campaign #24V36800024/05/2024
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
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."
Campaign #24V85200008/11/2024
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY
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.
Campaign #25V39300013/06/2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
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.
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What are the most common Lincoln Aviator problems?
According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2024-2024 Lincoln Aviator has 9 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Unexpected Acceleration and Phantom Braking With Driver-Assist (Co-Pilot360 / BlueCruise) Engaged, Rearview Camera Image Flicker/Distortion from Cell Phone EMI (APIM), Aviator Air Glide Suspension — Compressor and Bag Failures. Of these, 6 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
Is the Lincoln Aviator reliable?
The 2024-2024 Lincoln Aviator has 9 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 6 issues are rated critical: Unexpected Acceleration and Phantom Braking With Driver-Assist (Co-Pilot360 / BlueCruise) Engaged and Rearview Camera Image Flicker/Distortion from Cell Phone EMI (APIM) and Aviator Air Glide Suspension — Compressor and Bag Failures and 12V Battery Drain / Repeated Dead Battery and Rearview / 360-Degree Camera Image Failure - Recalls 23S23 & 24S35 and Panoramic Vista Roof Spontaneous Shattering / Explosion While Driving or Parked. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
How much does it cost to fix common Lincoln Aviator problems?
Repair costs for known Lincoln Aviator issues range from $0 to $3,500, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, Unexpected Acceleration and Phantom Braking With Driver-Assist (Co-Pilot360 / BlueCruise) Engaged, typically costs $0-$500 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
What is the 2021-2025 Lincoln Aviator Unexpected Acceleration and Phantom Braking With Driver-Assist (Co-Pilot360 / BlueCruise) Engaged?
Owners across multiple model years report two opposite but related ADAS misbehaviors. With adaptive cruise / driver-assist (Co-Pilot360, ActiveGlide/BlueCruise) engaged, the Aviator has unexpectedly ACCELERATED toward a stopped vehicle instead of continuing to slow, and separatel… Repairs typically run $0-$500. Severity: high.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.
Campaign #25V40700013/06/2025
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE
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."
Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check recalls specific to your vehicle.
What is the 2020-2024 Lincoln Aviator Rearview Camera Image Flicker/Distortion from Cell Phone EMI (APIM)?
On 2020-2024 Aviators, the Accessory Protocol Image Module (APIM) is susceptible to electromagnetic interference from cell phones placed in the center console or cup holders, especially when the phone has poor signal. The rear camera image flickers, distorts, or disappears, viola… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
What is the 2020-2024 Lincoln Aviator Aviator Air Glide Suspension — Compressor and Bag Failures?
2020+ Aviator with the optional Air Glide suspension shares its compressor and air spring design with the related Ford Explorer ST/Platinum. Owners report compressor noise becoming progressively louder by 40,000-80,000 miles, then bag leaks (rear first), then compressor burnout. Repairs typically run $700-$2,500. Severity: high.
What is the 2020-2025 Lincoln Aviator 12V Battery Drain / Repeated Dead Battery?
Many Aviator owners report the 12V battery going dead after the vehicle sits for several days to a week, often requiring repeated jump-starts. Causes traced by owners and dealers include parasitic drain from modules that fail to enter deep-sleep mode, telematics/TCU software faul… Severity: high.
What is the 2020-2024 Lincoln Aviator Rearview / 360-Degree Camera Image Failure - Recalls 23S23 & 24S35?
The Aviator's rearview and 360-degree camera image can fail to display, flicker, or show a blue/black screen, removing the driver's view when reversing and increasing crash risk. A 2023 recall (23S23, ~80,000 vehicles) addressed camera video output failure, and a 2024 recall (24S… Severity: high.
What is the 2020-2024 Lincoln Aviator Panoramic Vista Roof Spontaneous Shattering / Explosion While Driving or Parked?
Aviator owners report the fixed or movable panels of the large panoramic Vista Roof spontaneously shattering with a loud explosion-like bang and no impact from road debris. Verified NHTSA complaints include a brand-new 2023 Aviator (owned less than a week) shattering at interstat… Repairs typically run $1,200-$3,500. Severity: high.
What is the 2020-2024 Lincoln Aviator Panoramic Sunroof Drain Clog Causing Headliner/Interior Water Damage?
2020+ Aviators with the panoramic moonroof are widely reported to leak after heavy rain or carwashes when the rear sunroof drain lines clog with debris. Water tracks down the A-pillars or C-pillars, soaks the headliner, drips onto third-row seats or visors, and can enter interior… Repairs typically run $150-$1,200. Severity: medium.
What is the 2020-2025 Lincoln Aviator C-Pillar Trim and Rear Door Division Bars Detaching at Highway Speed?
On 2020-2025 Aviators built at Chicago Assembly Plant between Oct 19, 2018 and May 30, 2025, the C-pillar trim appliques and rear door window division bars were not properly bonded due to improper application pressure at supplier Cooper Standard Automotive's Aguascalientes, Mexic… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: medium.
What is the 2020-2024 Lincoln Aviator Interior Dash Bezel / Door Trim / Console Rattles and Buzzes (SSM 51539, TSB 23-2079)?
Aviator owners widely report interior NVH complaints: rattles and buzzes from the dash/center-stack bezel, the passenger door window-switch bezel, the center console/display screen area, and door trim panels, often provoked by audio bass or rough roads. Ford has acknowledged spec… Repairs typically run $100-$500. Severity: low.
