Dt*: the contact stated while traveling 60 MPH the transmission suddenly lost power. The engine revved, but the transmission did not engage. The contact moved into the slow lane until the vehicle returned to normal operation, which took only a minute or two. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer for inspection several times, but the dealer was unable to duplicate the problem. *ak updated 1/25/2006. The consumer returned the vehicle to the dealer and traded it for a 2005 model.
2003 Lincoln Aviator transmission complaints
Page 3 of 3: complaints 41 to 55 of 55, newest first, as owners wrote them.
The consumer complained about a sudden acceleration problem. While backing out of the driveway the vehicle began to surge forward. The consumer slammed on the brakes and the vehicle eventually stopped. *ak recall campaign# 02v313000. *sc
I own a 2003 lincoln aviator, still under warranty. Since around november of 2004 I have been having transmission problems. The problem is the transmission will slip out of gear while driving at a steady speed, accelerating from a stop or slowing down and then accelerating. This is very hazardous when trying to merge onto a highway or turn into traffic and the vehicle will not accelerate. The problem exists in all gears, however, it does not do it all the time. It has continued to get worse. Each time the dealership has told me that they could not duplicate the problem. On april 15th 2005 as I was leaving my office parking lot the transmission started acting up. It was slipping out of gear in all gears. I immediately drove the vehicle to the ford dealer. On the 21st of april almost a week after I dropped it off I was told again they could not duplicate the problem. On the same day, 21 april 05 I went to pick up my vehicle and the head mechanic had it out for a test drive. He stated upon return that the vehicle acted up. My vehicle stayed with the dealer for the next 15 days while they took apart the transmission, ordered parts, etc. A few days after I received the vehicle back the dealership called to see how the vehicle was running. I explained that it still didnt feel right but I would continue driving it and note any problems I encounter. As of today, 23 may 05, the transmission does not always shift smoothly and I have had three occasions were the transmission took a very long time to shift from one gear to another. This to me is just a sign and the beginning of more problems. During the course of my many visits to the dealer I was informed that problems exist with my make of transmission, not only in the aviator but with the explorer and the mercury suvs. What I dont understand, if there is a problem with the transmission why hasnt ford/lincoln acted on it and put out a bulletin or recall. Sincerely lori bell
After starting the vehicle gears would stick when shifting to drive/reverse. Vehicle had to be towed. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
Shift cable either becomes stuck,or dislodged from shift cable bracket.which leaves me feeling very unsafe ,as I do alot of traveling with my children,and this can,as it has happened at any place or any time.
Transmission shift cable became dislodged from the cable bracket. As a result, the vehicle was unable to switch gears.
My 2003 lincoln aviator lost power steering causing me to loose control of the car on a county road and missing death by god's love last tuesday,2/22/05. I struggled and managed to drag the car off the road onto the bush and avoided heating an oncoming car and being crushed by a semi-trailer that was behind me. The car was towed(flat-bedded) to the local lincoln-mercury dealership. The head mechanic told me later that my car had suffered a catastrophic birth defect from the factory because the power steering hose was improperly mounted at the time manufactured, as a consequence the hose fell off the mounting/attachment and was cut by the air condition fan. He told me new hose has been installed and mounted properly under the factory warranty. I have taken possession of the car, but I am afraid to drive it for any distance. First, I would like your office to force ford lincoln,the manufacturer of the lincoln aviator SUV, to send an immediate alert to the public that this potentially fatal problem is possible in the aviator brand of their SUV. If I died in the accident,my family would never know what caused the accident. We do not want any body to be hurt or killed in the lincoln aviator. Second, I would like to know what my course of action should be: get a brand new replacement car or feel unsafe in a lincoln aviator for a ever? Third does your office have a record of this type of problem with this line of vehicle? Thank you for your quick response and assistance. Unyime o. Nseyo.
Multiple failures in 2003 lincoln aviator. Difficulty turning , starting, jerk in steering wheel, vibration in tires, gear changer loose and ect. *bf the consumer purchased the vehicle with 18 inch rims but ford requires 17 inch rims to be legal (oem) equipment. The consumer felt that this was maliciously dishonest sale of an automobile. The side fender had a gauge on the inside, the rear storage section leather ripped, the tire monitor system kept coming on with a warning sign from the computer of a mechanical defect, difficulty starting the vehicle, jerking in the steering wheel, noise in the steering wheel, noise in heating/vent bubbling, passenger front windows were rattling, there was motor noise upon acceleration, front end noise, rear hatch rattled and was shaking, the wheels squealed and rubbed, the doors did not automattically lock when the vehcile was engaged into drive, and the engine knock as if it were running rough. When the service tech tried to shift the gear lever out of park, the entire gear lever had come apart in pieces. The consumer stated that the vehicle was worse than ever. Currently when the brakes were applied the steering would go out of control, jerk left and right, shaked out of control and unable to steer.
Consumer states that dealer put aftermarket rims tires on vehicle. The vehicle experienced the following; difficulty turning the vehicle, heater bubbling making noises, difficulty starting the vehicle, jerking in the steering wheel, noise in the steering, noise in the heating/vent bubbling, pulsating in the steering wheel, vibration of the tires, the tire monitoring system had to be cut off reconnected and adjusted, the passenger front windows rattled, motor made loud noises when the vehicle accelerated, front end noises, rear hatch rattled and would shake, the wheels squealed and rubbed, the wheel jerked when taking off, the gear changer lever was loose, the vehicle would shake and vibrated when in motion, and the engine sounded as if it was knocking or running rough.
2003 lincoln aviator has been in shop 12 times , 4 for whine in rear end. Rear end replaced twice & still whines . Last time they told me this was normal and could not be repaired. This aviator has 17,000 miles . I tired of the whine and trips to dealer , I do not was this aviator or a new aviator... I demand full refund.
August 9, 2003, my 2003 lincoln aviator started a rear end whining noise approximately a 1000 miles after purchased. The dealer was told by the manufacturer to do nothing. On 9/29/03, the dealer added a synthetic oil (lubricant) to quiet the whining. It did not work. The dealer promised a repair by 11/15/03 and 12/15/03. I will attempt to address this under maryland's lemon law.
2003 lincoln aviator has a howling rear end noise that starts at around 30 m.p.h., lincoln service advisor states that ford is aware of the problem and it is an engineering defect that they are working on resolving. The defect is the engineering of the differential. If this was to fail completely the vehicle would loose control. We continue to call to find out when they will have resolution and are told no solution but that the engineers are working on it.
Consumer stated rear end differential produced a loud grinding noise. The dealers was unable to repair the part.
Love my '03 lincoln aviator except for the same annoying noise coming from the rear end as complaint number 10045568. Currently on my second rear axle assembly. Noise returned at 1200-1500 miles, and was so loud my 76 year old mother asked what the whining noise was. Lincoln needs to correct problem, and this machine will be perfect.
Our 2003 lincoln aviator started a rear end whine or drone within the first 1000 miles. The dealer has twice put in a new differential but the noise is back. The dealer now will not attempt another repair and has put us off until 12/10/03. We seem to have no one to voice a complaint to. The dealer gets one more chance under sc lemon law and is stalling. This problem has been noticed in ford explorers and lincoln mountaineers too.
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