The Verdict
Worst problem area
Transmission & Drivetrain
Transmission & Drivetrain leads by volume: 55 of 111 complaints (50%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (5) than those mentioning any other identified area.
At a glance
- NHTSA complaints
- 111
- Recall campaigns
- 1
- EPA fuel cost per year
- $4,450
- Combined MPG
- 14
Complaints by model year
Where owners report problems
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | vs. 2003 Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 4,450 | 5,550–5,950 | 5,950 | |
| Combined MPG | 14 | 13–14 | 13 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 12 / 17 | 12 / 16–17 | 11 / 16–17 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 635 | 635–684 | 684 | |
| Complaints filed | 111 | 81 | 51 | |
| Recalls issued | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 5 | 2 | 3 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 7 | 3 | 2 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2003 Lincoln Aviator have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2003 Lincoln Aviator?
Transmission & Drivetrain: 55 of 111 NHTSA complaints (50%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Lincoln Aviator get?
EPA rates it 14 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2003 Lincoln Aviator?
EPA estimates $4,450 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 5-spd | 8 | 4.6L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 12 mpg | 17 mpg | 14 mpg | $4,450 | 635 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 5-spd | 8 | 4.6L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 12 mpg | 17 mpg | 14 mpg | $4,450 | 635 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 55 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 9 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 11 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (1)
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
- Defect
- ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE CAN BECOME DISLODGED FROM THE SHIFT CABLE BRACKET.
- Consequence
- THIS COULD RESULT RESULTING IN INCORRECT GEAR INDICATION.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL ADD A STRAP TO THE SHIFT CABLE ADJUSTER TO PREVENT THE SHIFT CABLE FROM BECOMING DISLODGED. FORD HAS NOT YET PROVIDED AN OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.