2003 Lincoln Aviator: stuck in gear or won't shift

Filed Jun 26, 2017 · Transmission · CA

I have a lincoln aviator 2003, it has been having problems with the transmission and it seems like it doesn't shift gears when it's supposed too. Thos happens when I press on the accelerator. Is anyone having this problem?

Filed Dec 2, 2015 · Transmission · 162,732 miles · LA

Takata recall when I park in my drive way my car won't shift out of park I have to have it pushed an rocked back an forth to get the gear to shift an it won't let me drive it in drive gear I can only drive it in 3rd gear it has this jurk when I stop to park it constantly getting stuck.

Filed Sep 24, 2015 · Transmission · 82,000 miles · TN

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 lincoln aviator. While the vehicle was parked on an incline, the gear shift cable would not go into drive or reverse. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician stated that the gear shift cable needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was awaiting a diagnosis. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 82,000.

Filed Nov 20, 2013 · Acceleration, Transmission · 89,000 miles · VA

My husband and I were driving our 2003 lincoln aviator when it basically stopped going and wouldn't change gear or speed up. (this is the second time it's gotten stuck in gear, the 1st time was when it was parked and wouldn't move but the gear shift moved freely). We got it back home and realized again the transmission shift cable had come dislodged. Lincoln had a recall on 25 vehicle regarding this problem, when I called I was told my vehicle wasn't one of them and wasn't included in the recall even thought I'm having the exact same issue. I've complained about the one here one time before and nothing happened. This is crazy. I could've been in a serious accident behind this.

Filed Sep 25, 2013 · Transmission · 137,135 miles · AL

I was sitting in park. Just had stopped to make a deposit. Put my foot on the brake & my 2003 aviator would not shift from park. Called the dealer, got their tow service. The tow guy told me to put my feet on the brakes, my brake lights did not come on. He said that's why it will not shift from park. It is not getting the signal that the brakes were mashed. Got it towed. Dealer replaced the shifter, that they said had gone out that was the issue. Out of $1306.00 & less than one week later, at the store, got in my aviator.. Can't get out of park. Same issue.. Same tow guy called.. He works to get it out of park with a screw driver.. Towed back to the dealer. No brake lights indicated=no shift from park to. Is the new shifter for $950 now out? Not!!! Has to be another issue.

Filed May 3, 2013 · Electrical, Transmission · 158,000 miles · NC

I had just got home with my vehicle from the repair shop, had a vacuum hose replaced. I could not get my key out of the ignition. I kept trying & was finally successful at removing the key. Now the gear shifter is stuck in park and will not go into any other gear. I just got it back from the shop & still can't drive it due to getting it in gear. This really does need to be looked into & they need to do a recall. I have seen a lot of complaints about this problem. I have 2 more years to pay it off & then it is gone.

Filed May 27, 2011 · Electrical, Transmission · 172,000 miles · IA

Transmission shifter breaks and locks in place. The result is to leave the vehicle occupants stranded in a dangerous neighborhood where their personal safety is at risk. The problem is a broken $5 piece of plastic contained within the shifter knob. However, ford refuses to supply the $5 piece and instead requires the vehicle owner to purchase the entire shifter assembly (which costs almost $1000). Based on the number of backorders for this piece at any one point in time, it is apparent that ford is aware of the problem and is not taking steps to remedy. The only remedy that they offer is to force the consumer to pay $1,000 in order for consumers to gain access to the $5 piece of plastic. This happened to me when I was out of town on a trip with my family. We had pulled off the road, but left the car running. When we went to place it in gear, it refused to shift out of park. We were unable to push the vehicle or move it in any way because it was stuck in park. The sun went down and we were stranded. I am unemployed and while I could afford a small repair, I couald not afford the expensive repair (the dealership also needed to charge for their labor, so the quote was over $1500). After being stranded overnight, I convinced the dealer to just show me how to shift the car without replacing the shifter. Now I have to keep the gear shift knob removed (which subjects the mechanism to accidentally have the overdrive button pushed). With the knob removed, I can lift the rod to shift into gear and then must lower the rod (manually) to lock it into the selected location. Failure to lower the rod allows the shifter to move freely and also prevents the keys from being removed once the shifter is again in park. Fords unwillingness to provide an economic solution provides a safety hazard to consumers who trusted ford to do the right thing. Please help!

Filed Sep 22, 2010 · Brakes, Transmission · 52,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 lincoln aviator. The transmission shift cable continuously becomes dislodged from the shift cable brackets. While driving the shifter would not go into gear. He would have to go under the vehicle and snap the cables back together. There was a recall the federal safety agency#02v313000; component: power train:automatic transmission. After contacting the dealer in regards to the failure he was told his VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was contacted and also informed him his VIN was not included in the recall and he would have to pay for the repairs. The failure mileage was 52,000. Updated 12/30/10 *bf the ABS light illuminated. The dealer replaced the brake activation switch. The power window motor was replaced. Updated 01/07/11 updated 04/07/11

Filed May 26, 2006 · Transmission · 48,033 miles · PA

'03 aviator, since purchase felt something wasn't right with the car's transmission. Car seemed to hesitate shifting into next gear I.e. Staying in gear too long. Also at times during startup car can be extremely loud, making transmission issue more pronounced. Concerns mentioned during routine maintenance appointments but was always told the car was functioning normal. Winter '06 car began to idle very rough during stops and in neutral/park. 3/3/06 car serviced for rough idle -garage found ssm 17478 which said the PCM needed to be reprogrammed. Car still wasn't running smoothly. 4/3/06 car back in garage for major engine problem. #8 cylinder head was replaced. I expressed my concerns and was told that this could have been causing some of the issues I was complaining about. Was also told they had multiple '03 aviators come in with the same major engine problem. Of course car still did not feel right. 5/8/06 and only 2,000 miles to go on my warranty the transmission finally went. Pulled out from a red light when car wouldn't shift and bucked into next gear. Engine light and transmission light went on and overdrive off light was flashing. Transmission solenoid replaced along with many other parts. Needless to say the car's been driven 2 or 3 times since we've picked it up from the garage and it is still not right. Car is going back into the garage for shifting problem and excessive loud engine noise during startup that doesn't dissipate. Transmission problem is huge safety concern. Had cars behind me beeping and flashing their lights at me because I couldn't accelerate the car fast enough. With computers in cars makes me wonder where the voice of the consumer has gone. Felt as though my concerns didn't matter because the computer didn't register anything wrong. Now with only miles from my warranty ending I'm faced with all these major problems occurring with my car.