Transmission died at 92000 miles. The car shifted to park while my wife was driving it. Shortly after the transmission started jerking in gears 1,2 and 7. Took it to the dealership and had to have the whole transmission replaced at about $7200. A transmission should last more than 92000 miles and should never shift to park while driving.
2020 Lincoln Aviator transmission problems
23 complaints (21% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 82,000.
- owner complaints
- 23
- of this car's complaints
- 21%
- typical mileage
- 82,000
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 2
Which part fails
Owners did not name a specific part.
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Lincoln Aviator transmission problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2020 Lincoln Aviator transmission
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Navigator, Expedition, 2020-2021 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2021 F-150 vehicles. The transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage.
- Risk
- Park system damage may result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, and inspect and replace any damaged transmission components as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 10, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in April 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S48. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on on June 26, 2026.
Recall number 26V402000 · Recall details
Power train: driveline: driveshaft
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with a 2.0L or 3.3L engine and a 10 Speed Automatic Transmission with the All Wheel Drive package. The drive shaft may fracture along the weld seam.
- Risk
- Defective drive shafts may fail and cause a loss of connection between the transfer case and rear axle, possibly resulting in a vehicle rollaway when in Park or a loss of drive. Either condition can increase the risk of a crash. The drive shafts can also deform and separate from the driveline and potentially contact the fuel tank, increasing the risk of fuel leaks and/or fire.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the drive shaft label inspected and replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S65.
Recall number 20V693000 · Recall details
What 2020 Lincoln Aviator owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Transmission started shifting hard when going from 1-2, up and down shifting. Sometimes there is a grinding sound and then a very hard shift into 2nd gear. 1 time it would not shift at all after coming to a stop. Diagnosed by Ford as bad A clutch and needing to be replaced.
My car slammed into park while I was driving on the highway and now is in limp mode only going into neutral and I am stranded without a vehicle. The Lincoln dealership wants to charge me 1500 to diagnose it but that’s the problem.
The contact owns a 2020 Lincoln Aviator. The contact stated that on several occasions while shifted to reverse(R), and occasionally while in drive(D), the vehicle jerked violently and did not stop jerking until the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the rear differential needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
The contact owns a 2020 Lincoln Aviator. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V402000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle shutoff while coming to a complete stop, with an abnormally rough grinding sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was restarted after several attempts but was undrivable. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 84,464.
The contact owns a 2020 Lincoln Aviator. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V402000 (Power Train). The contact stated that while stopped at a stop sign, the transmission unexpectedly shifted into park(P), and the gear shifter could not be shifted out of park(P). The vehicle was towed to a dealer to be diagnosed. The dealer determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired, and the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 78,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Lincoln Aviator. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V402000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. Upon taking the vehicle to a collision repair shop, the contact was informed that the gear shifter had failed to shift out of park(P). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the failure was associated with the recall. The contact was advised that the vehicle would be repaired at the owner's expense because the part for the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Lincoln Aviator. The contact stated that after restarting the vehicle, the transmission was shifted to drive (D), but the vehicle failed to move while the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the engine was revving. The messages "Park Brake Malfunction Service", "System Braking Issue", "Service Advancetrac", "Park Malfunction Service Now", and "Check Brake System" were displayed. Additionally, the vehicle previously hesitated to accelerate while driving. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 89,635.
while moving in reverse, the vehicle automatic breaking system engages on and off giving a jerking movement of the car and makes you feel like you hit something. Once the vehicle is placed into Drive mode the same thing happens with the breaking system. because of this the check vehicle lights come on and gives a "Hill start assist warning" also "Pre-collision Assist Not Available". Also all wheel drive mode is not available and the drive mode selection no longer works. Took the car to the Lincoln dealership and they said it is a known problem and that there is a TSB out on this issue. The vehicle has only 66,000 miles on it and it is out of warranty. How can there not be a recall on this issue? They said they need to replace two shafts in the front end costing $5,000.
replaced 2 valve bodies, and now the CDF has an open statement bulletin on it, and I have to do an entire transmission replacement
Questions about the 2020 Lincoln Aviator transmission
Does the 2020 Lincoln Aviator have transmission problems?
Owners have filed 23 complaints about the transmission of the 2020 Lincoln Aviator, 21% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2020 Lincoln Aviator transmission problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 82,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2020 Lincoln Aviator transmission?
Yes, 2 recalls: 26V402000, 20V693000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Lincoln Aviator have bad transmission?
The Lincoln Aviator model years with the most transmission complaints are 2003 (55 complaints), 2020 (23 complaints) and 2004 (21 complaints).
Other 2020 Lincoln Aviator problems
Electrical 39Driver assistance 24Brakes 10Body 8Engine 8Visibility 8Steering 6Lights 4Seats 3Suspension 3Acceleration 2Fuel system 2Seat belts 2Wheels 2Locks 1
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