Is the 2020 Lincoln AVIATOR reliable?

The 2020 Lincoln AVIATOR has 159 complaints filed with NHTSA (2.8x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: ELECTRICAL problems.

What are common problems with the 2020 Lincoln AVIATOR?

Top problems: ELECTRICAL (37 complaints, avg repair $500); DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS (26 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (25 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2020 Lincoln AVIATOR?

Yes, there are 29 recall(s): FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS, ENGINE, SUSPENSION:REAR, BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE, BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT, VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:COMPRESSOR, AIR BAGS:CRITICAL FASTENERS, VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER, SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL), SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WARNING LIGHT/DEVICES, BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA, BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA, BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY, BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION, EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS, SEAT BELTS, BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE, SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WARNING LIGHT/DEVICES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY, SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY, STRUCTURE:BODY, BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE, VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR, BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE, SEAT BELTS, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. Contact any Lincoln dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2020 Lincoln AVIATOR?

The 2020 Lincoln AVIATOR gets 20 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2400. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2020 Lincoln AVIATOR?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2020 Lincoln AVIATOR is approximately $2,124/year (suv-luxury class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2020 Lincoln AVIATOR

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2020 Lincoln AVIATOR has 159 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.8x the segment average of 56. The most common issue is electrical problems (23% of all complaints), specifically: i purchased the auto on aug 24, 2019. i have encountered 5 issues with the vehicle so far - 3 mechanical and 2, cosmetic. i'll focus on the mechanical. beside the pending recall, i am experiencing the following: 1) the passenger seat in front row lacks the motor for the massage function. lincoln ha. There are 29 recalls issued for this model year.

2 crash reports

159

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

2.8x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ELECTRICAL

37 complaints

23%

• I PURCHASED THE AUTO ON AUG 24, 2019. I HAVE ENCOUNTERED 5 ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE SO FAR - 3 MECHANICAL AND 2, COSMETIC. I'LL FOCUS ON THE MECHANICAL. BESIDE THE PENDING RECALL, I AM EXPERIENCING THE FOLLOWING: 1) THE PASSENGER SEAT IN FRONT ROW LACKS THE MOTOR FOR THE MASSAGE FUNCTION. LINCOLN HA
• I WAS DRIVING HOME AND THE ENGINE COOLANT DISPLAY ON THE PANEL ALL OF THE SUDDEN WAS AT THE MAXIMUM. IT THEN WOULD NOT LET ME THROTTLE ANY MORE, SO I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE AND TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. I DID AND LET IT SIT 20 MINUTES AND THE ISSUE WAS STILL PRESENT. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER
• WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN BACKING UP OR PULLING FORWARD THE BACK UP CAMERA, AND THE FORWARD CAMERA ARE NOT CONSTANT, AND JITTER RAPIDLY. THIS CAN LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT WHEN A PERSON IS BACKING UP AND THE CAMERA JITTERS TO THE POINT WHERE THE PERSON CAN NOT SEE CLEARLY USING THE BACK UP CAMERA OR

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“I PURCHASED THE AUTO ON AUG 24, 2019. I HAVE ENCOUNTERED 5 ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE SO FAR - 3 MECHANICAL AND 2, COSMETIC. I'LL FOCUS ON THE MECHANICAL. BESIDE THE PENDING RECALL, I AM EXPERIENCING THE FOLLOWING: 1) THE PASSENGER SEAT IN FRONT ROW LACKS THE MOTOR FOR THE MASSAGE FUNCTION. LINCOLN HA”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2020 Lincoln AVIATOR

Based on 41 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 5K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 3K mi · 10 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 2K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 14K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

VISIBILITY

In line with typicalmedian 5K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (29)

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS04/12/2019

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. Over time, the protective sleeve on the vapor fuel line may chafe through the plastic liquid fuel line and cause a fuel leak.

Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install a longer protective sleeve on the liquid fuel line, as necessary, free of charge. Ford issued owners and interim notification on January 29, 2020. Recall began March 23, 2020. A second notice will be sent once parts are available, expected to be late in the first quarter of 2020. A renotification letter was sent on July 10, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S49.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2020 Lincoln AVIATOR

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,401

Per month

$200

Per mile

20.0¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,824/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$2,001/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2020 Lincoln AVIATOR

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$2,124

Full coverage / month

$177

Liability only / year

$688

vs US avg

+27%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-luxury)1.35x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.94x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$2124

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Lincoln AVIATOR Service Intervals

Oil change

10K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

20K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

Complimentary maintenance for select models; check with your dealer for eligibility.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Lincoln New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

6 yr / 70K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

6 yr / 70K mi

These are the terms for a new Lincoln. If you're buying a used 2020 AVIATOR, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Lincoln dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 159 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: I PURCHASED THE AUTO ON AUG 24, 2019. I HAVE ENCOUNTERED 5 ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE SO FAR - 3 MECHANICAL AND 2, COSMETIC. I'LL FOCUS ON THE MECHANICAL. BESIDE THE PENDING RECALL, I AM EXPERIENCING THE FOLLOWING: 1) THE PASSENGER SEAT IN FRONT ROW LACKS THE MOTOR FOR THE MASSAGE FUNCTION. LINCOLN HA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: Rear backup camera tuns to blue screen when the vehicle is put into reverse. Also rear brake assist works sometimes. Vehicle was turned into service for previous rear camera recall, but condition has returned.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: I PURCHASED THE AUTO ON AUG 24, 2019. I HAVE ENCOUNTERED 5 ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE SO FAR - 3 MECHANICAL AND 2, COSMETIC. I'LL FOCUS ON THE MECHANICAL. BESIDE THE PENDING RECALL, I AM EXPERIENCING THE FOLLOWING: 1) THE PASSENGER SEAT IN FRONT ROW LACKS THE MOTOR FOR THE MASSAGE FUNCTION. LINCOLN HA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: 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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 29 recalls have been completed — free at any Lincoln dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)