The most-reported Aviator run is 5LM5J7XC6LG (2020 builds) with 11 complaints, 4.8× the typical run. Power train problems make up 24% of reports; 2020 is the worst model year at 3.3 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 51 recall campaigns for Aviator model years 2003–2026.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Lincoln Aviator has 184 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 11% of every Aviator complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5LM5J7XC6LG•••••• | 2020 | 1 | — | |
| 5LMYJ8XY5NN•••••• | 2022 | — | — | |
| 5LM5J7XC8LG•••••• | 2020 | — | — | |
| 5LM5J7XC5LG•••••• | 2020 | — | — | |
| 5LM5J7XC0LG•••••• | 2020 | — | — | |
| 5LM5J7XC3LG•••••• | 2020 | — | — | |
| 5LM5J7XC9LG•••••• | 2020 | — | — | |
| 5LMEU68H13Z•••••• | 2003 | — | — | |
| 5LMEU88HX4Z•••••• | 2004 | — | — | |
| 5LMEU88H74Z•••••• | 2004 | — | — | |
| 5LMEU68H73Z•••••• | 2003 | — | — | |
| 5LMEU88H24Z•••••• | 2004 | — | — |
Each of the other 172 Aviator runs has 5 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 118 Aviator VINs so far, most often 2020, 2025, 2023 builds; 15 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Lincoln Aviator the gap between build years is 1.7×: a 2020 car draws 3.3 complaints per run, a 2021 one 1.9.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 18 | 15 | — | |
| 2024 | 7 | 5 | — | |
| 2023 | 23 | 18 | 1 | |
| 2022 | 44 | 20 | 4 | |
| 2021 | 40 | 21 | 1 | |
| 2020 | 109 | 33 | 2 | |
| 2005 | 35 | 17 | 1 | |
| 2004 | 69 | 26 | 2 | |
| 2003 | 81 | 29 | 5 |
Heaviest year here is 2020 at 3.3 complaints per run; lightest is 2025 at 1.2. The 2025 line is still collecting reports, so it reads low.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 24% of everything Lincoln Aviator owners report: Power Train, 103 of 426 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 2 | — | |
| Electrical System | — | 1 | |
| Structure | — | — | |
| Unknown Or Other | — | — | |
| Service Brakes | 2 | — | |
| Back Over Prevention | 2 | — | |
| Engine | 1 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | — | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 51 recall campaigns on the Lincoln Aviator; the 6 below cover build years 2020 to 2026. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 26V159000 | Seat Belts | 2020–2026 |
| 26V451000 | Seats:mid/rear Assembly | 2020–2026 |
| 25V393000 | Seats:mid/rear Assembly | 2020–2025 |
| 24V852000 | Equipment:other:labels | 2020–2025 |
| 25V407000 | Structure:body | 2020–2025 |
| 26V123000 | Back Over Prevention:software | 2020–2024 |
26V159000 was opened in 2026 on cars built from 2020: 6 years on the road before the recall.
The Aviator against its rivals
The Aviator draws 2.3 complaints per production run; the Toyota Highlander 2.9, the Hyundai Palisade 4 and the Toyota Sequoia 5.1. That is the lowest rate of the 4.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Aviator | 426 | 184 | 3.8% | |
| Toyota Highlander | 5,259 | 1,799 | 8.3% | |
| Hyundai Palisade | 2,431 | 602 | 2.2% | |
| Toyota Sequoia | 2,696 | 529 | 3.4% |
How serious were they
Of the 426 reports on the Lincoln Aviator, 3.8% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | Lincoln Aviator | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 426 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 16 (3.8%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 4 (0.9%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 14 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 34% below the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Lincoln Aviator share of that is 426 complaints over 184 runs, 0.04% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Lincoln Aviator VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 426 NHTSA complaints from 184 Aviator runs and 51 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Aviator production run has the most complaints?
5LM5J7XC6LG, a 2020 build, with 11 complaints, 1 of them after a crash. The typical Aviator run has 2.3.
Which Aviator years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2020 is heaviest at 3.3 complaints per run and 2025 lightest at 1.2.
Does the Aviator get more complaints than the Toyota Highlander?
No: 2.3 complaints per production run for the Aviator against 2.9 for the Toyota Highlander.
How many Aviator complaints involve a crash?
3.8% of 426 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 4 involved a fire.
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