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.
2020 Lincoln Aviator: harsh or hard shifting
5 of the 111 complaints about the 2020 Lincoln Aviator describe harsh or hard shifting.
- owner complaints
- 5
- of this car's complaints
- 5%
- recalls
- 2
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls and 59 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Harsh or hard shifting by model year
- 20205
- 20042
- 20031
What owners say
Suddenly car is excessively loud when first started for roughly 30 seconds and then quiets to normal. However when placed in Drive there is a loud "clunk" that takes place to allow the car to shift into gear. While driving the car shakes vigorously. These issues all point to the enigine mount recall that did not include my vehicle, but should have. the federal safety agency Recall Number 20V788000 should be expanded to include my vehicle.
While turning a corner or going up a slight incline I lose power and the pedal becomes unresponsive for a few seconds. Then the car jutts forward and clunks.
Without notice the transmission would downshift and lunge forward. So hard that it felt like we were hit from behind. When trying to accelerate it would stay in gear longer than normal and clunk forward again. Smelled burning through the vents. Also when accelerating it would slip out of gear and the rpms would increase without me being able to move and then shift hard into gear again. We were on the highway at highway speed in traffic and without warning the vehicle wouldn't accelerate and were inches from being rear ended by the tractor trailer behind me. I was fearful for my life and the life of my family in the vehicle. Due to all of the issues with the vehicle it is now causing me financial hardship and undue stress and I am unable to perform my normal job duties due to this issue. The vehicle has been inspected by the dealer and confirmed that this component is bad and needs to be replaced. The were no warning lights when this happened.
Avatar was bought with 189 miles on it. 4th day after purchase driving car 25mph and car made a clunk noise and multiple warnings appeared drive control malfunction, pre collision assist not available, service advancetrac dealership towed car. Car came back and 2 days later I was reversing out of my driveway and breaks locked up (my surveillance video caught 2 angles. 2 days later received door fault and was not able to open the doors the dealership kept my car for a few days working with lincoln tecs and on day 2 of having it back (22 days of owning it) again driving 25mph I heard a clunk and received hill start assist not available, service advancetrac, drive control malfunction and pre collision assist not available. Car was towed back to dealership they kept it for a few weeks and I received it back in my driveway and upon getting in and starting it the door fault warning happened again and I was locked in.
Service bulletins that may apply
- This article supersedes 26-2287
- This article supersedes 25-2302
- For 20202026 vehicles equipped with the 10R60 transmission, a new Transmission Clutch Circuit Leak Test...
- Some 2020-2026 Explorer/Police Interceptor Utility/Aviator vehicles may require replacement of the front...
- For 20172026 vehicles equipped with a 10R transmission, a revision to the Road Testing Vehicle procedure...
- This article supersedes TSB 24-2252 to update the Title, Action Statement, Service Procedure and Part List
- Harsh or delayed engagement/shift concerns
- Harsh/delayed engagements and/or harsh/delayed shifts, an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL)...
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
Questions about the 2020 Lincoln Aviator harsh shifting
Is harsh or hard shifting a common problem on the 2020 Lincoln Aviator?
5 of 111 owner complaints about the 2020 Lincoln Aviator (5%) mention harsh or hard shifting. The model year with the most reports is 2020.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2020 Lincoln Aviator?
There are 2 recalls and 59 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2020 Lincoln Aviator
Backup camera 21Loss of power 8Collision warning 5Screen failure 5Transmission failure 5
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