2020 Lincoln Aviator Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2020 Lincoln Aviator ranks worst among all 7 model years, with a complaint index of 100 and 108 complaints plus 30 recall campaigns. Electrical System issues make up 37% of complaints, followed by Collision Avoidance & Cameras at 21% and Transmission & Powertrain at 20%.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 7 Aviator years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 108
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 30
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 18 city / 25 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2020 Lincoln Aviator problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Parking brake or transmission park function fails to hold the vehicle, letting it roll away on its own even after the driver exits.
- Electrical system faults trigger a burning smell and smoke from the starter area, with clicking that continues after the key is removed.
- Back-up and forward cameras jitter or flicker rapidly, making it hard to see clearly while parking or driving.
- Vehicle unexpectedly creeps forward or backward a few feet after shifting into drive or reverse while the driver's foot is on the brake.
- Transmission hesitates or loses power like a manual gear change, sometimes followed by a diagnosed internal transmission failure.
- Windshield wiper fluid system fails to spray enough fluid to clear the windshield, requiring repeated dealer visits.
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 reliable?
- Among Aviator model years with data, 2020 ranks worst, with a complaint index of 100, 108 owner complaints, and 30 recall campaigns, earning an Avoid verdict.
- What are the most common 2020 Lincoln Aviator problems?
- NHTSA complaints show Electrical System issues lead at 37% of complaints, followed by Collision Avoidance & Cameras at 21% and Transmission & Powertrain at 20%.
- Does the 2020 Lincoln Aviator have transmission recalls?
- Yes. Recall 26V402000 covers 2020-2021 Aviator vehicles where the transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is moving, and the median mileage at failure for transmission complaints is 82,000 miles.
- Which Aviator year is better than 2020?
- The 2005 model year has the lowest complaint index at 17 with a Good verdict and no recalls, making it a lower-risk choice compared to 2020.
- Are there fire risks with the 2020 Aviator?
- NHTSA data lists 1 fire report for the 2020 Aviator, tied to the Electrical System, which is the model's top problem area.