2020 Lincoln Aviator Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
100/100
#1 most-complained of 7 Aviator years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2020 Lincoln Aviator has 108 owner complaints and 30 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 100 out of 100 — the highest of 7 Aviator model years (verdict: Avoid). The most reported problem area is electrical system (40 complaints, 37% of the total). Complaints report 2 crashes and 1 fire.
- Complaints
- 108
- Recalls
- 30
- Crashes / fires
- 2 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 18 city / 25 hwy
Top 2020 Lincoln Aviator problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System40 (37%)
- Other24 (22%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras23 (21%)
- Transmission & Powertrain22 (20%)
- Structure & Body12 (11%)
- Brakes10 (9%)
- Engine9 (8%)
- Visibility & Wipers8 (7%)
- Steering4 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (4%)
2020 Lincoln Aviator recalls
30 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V451000Jul 14, 2026Structure & Body387,911 vehicles
Seats:mid/rear assembly
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2027 Aviator and 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, tipping, or sliding unexpectedly.
Risk: A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters explaining the safety risk were mailed August 19, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in January 2027. Lincoln Aviator owner notification letters were mailed August 21, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S52. This recall expands Recall 25V393. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 16, 2026.
- NHTSA 26V402000Jun 24, 2026Transmission & Powertrain741,195 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Navigator, Expedition, 2020-2021 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2021 F-150 vehicles. The transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage.
Risk: Park system damage may result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, and inspect and replace any damaged transmission components as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 10, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in April 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S48. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on June 26, 2026.
- NHTSA 26V159000Mar 17, 2026Seat Belts561 vehicles
Seat belts
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2026 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The seat belt anchor bolts at the second-row outer seating positions may be improperly secured.
Risk: A loose seat belt buckle may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the second-row outer seat belt lower anchor bolts and replace or repair them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 30, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C18. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 19, 2026.
2020 Lincoln Aviator fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18 MPG
- Highway
- 25 MPG
- Combined
- 21 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,100
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2020 compared with other Aviator years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Lincoln Aviator a reliable year?
- Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2020 Lincoln Aviator ranks worst among Aviator model years (Complaint Index 100/100, verdict: Avoid). It has 108 complaints and 30 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
- What are the most common problems with the 2020 Lincoln Aviator?
- The most reported problem areas are electrical system (40 complaints), collision avoidance & cameras (23 complaints), and transmission & powertrain (22 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 11,000 miles.
- Does the 2020 Lincoln Aviator have any recalls?
- Yes — NHTSA lists 30 recall campaigns for the 2020 Lincoln Aviator, most recently reported 2026, covering structure & body, transmission & powertrain, seat belts, and collision avoidance & cameras.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2020 Lincoln Aviator?
- EPA rates the 2020 Lincoln Aviator at 21 MPG combined (18 city / 25 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,100. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.