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.
Lincoln Aviator jerking problems
15 of the 499 owner complaints about the Lincoln Aviator describe jerking or lurching, most of them for the 2003 model year.
- owner complaints
- 15
- worst model year
- 2003
- typical mileage
- 60,000
Is there a fix? There are 6 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
- 20231
- 20221
- 20204
- 20051
- 20042
- 20036
Often reported together
Steering noise 2Stalling 2Loss of power 2Knocking 2Check engine light 2Grinding brakes 2Whining noise 1Transmission failure 1
What owners say
The contact owns a 2022 Lincoln Aviator. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle experienced excessive fuel consumption and reduced power, hesitation and jerking while accelerating. Additionally, while turning left, the steering was difficult to turn. The contact stated that there was an abnormal burning odor while driving at high speeds. The contact associated the failure with the wheels, and the vehicle was taken to the Chevrolet dealer where it was purchased and an alignment was performed; however, the failure persisted. The contact was advised that the failure might be associated with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V455000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, a local dealer and Webb Ford, Inc. (9809 Indianapolis Blvd, Highland, IN 46322); informed the contact that parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The manufacturer, Ford Motor Company, was contacted and confirmed that the part was unavailable. The failure mileage was approximately 34,000.
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.
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.
I have taken my car more times than I can count for recalls in the little time that I have owned my can bought new. My work requires me to drive a lot covering 6 states. Scheduling recall repairs has become a serious issue for me in a two year old car. As it seems that most of the recalls have been fixed except one small one where it sounds like wind is blowing in and the rear view camera and display work whenever it wants. A lot of time the screen just goes dark when it’s needed the most. I just recently took my car to the dealership bec the engine light came on and my car started sputtering g while driving. Ford serviced it and within a week it did the same thing and light was back on. This time it started not cranking easy time I had to get gas. As I was driving on hwy after fuel up my car started jerking and just shut down engine. I rolled over to shoulder and it took a hand full of tries to start and I got it home asap. I took back to ford and they said it was due to a fuel pump and needed to go to Lincoln. It’s been weeks now and my car is getting worse. I dont trust it to drive as I have had now two stalls and multiple hard starts where engine won’t turn over. With me on highway a lot and no recall repairs i. Sore as Lincoln said I’m not sure what to do. This is very dangerous. I was lucky I wasn’t in Heavy traffic or crossing over lanes.
The contact owns a 2020 Lincoln Aviator. The contact stated while attempting to accelerate, the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration and lurched forward. The service vehicle wrench icon was displayed. The vehicle then started to experience reduced engine power. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the front axle actuator and intermediate shaft was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 82,000.
Transmission shifter cable is broken; intermittent problem moving geer and when moved, it may generate a violent jerk before moving. Multiple people have this problem. But the federal safety agency campaign number: 02v313000 is only covering a selected amount of vehicles. My vehicle was not included but the same problem.
I had just gotten onto the highway,at about 40 MPH the rear wheels started to skip and jerk also there was a loud cluck from under the front....the mechanic found the transfer case was damaged due to cheap ford parts.....
The vehicle began with problems that seemed related to the battery. It jerks when accelerating between 40 and 60 MPH. Problem codes keep changing and check engine light remains on. First codes indicated cam/crank shaft, then misfiring, then crankshaft, even after cam and crank shaft sensors were replaced. Jerking continues to worsen. Ford 'claims' the code was not in their system, initially. Problem seems to be causing many things at once to go bad: battery, compressor, fuel getting to engine, etc. Problems have occurred over several months.
When I turn on my 2004 lincoln aviator to warm up in the morning the smell of the gas is so strong. When I am at a red light or stop sign the car shakes so much that I have to put it the car in neutral to avoid the car from turning off. When I am driving the car jerks and stalls I feel scared when driving on the freeway because my car sometimes doesn't go as fast as the other cars because it stalls. The car drives rough and makes a whining noise all the time. Everytime I turn on the AC it makes a loud popping sound. I have not had my vehicle fixed or looked at due to my financial circumstance. My vehicle does not have warranty. I fear for the safety of me, my family and the public when I drive this vehicle.
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: automatic transmission: fluid/lubricant: valves/valve body
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 F-150, Bronco, 2024 Ranger, 2025 Mustang, Explorer, and Aviator vehicles. The transmission valve body may have been machined incorrectly, which can cause reverse gear failure, or unexpected forward movement in reverse or neutral gear.
- Risk
- Unexpected vehicle movement increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the transmission main control valve body, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 11, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S19.
Recall number 25V164000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The transmission may be improperly secured due to loose cross member bolts.
- Risk
- An improperly secured transmission can result in a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the transmission cross member bolts as necessary, free of charge. If the cross member bolts are missing, dealers will replace the cross member and install new bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 29, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S03.
Recall number 25V020000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 F-150, Mustang, Explorer, Bronco, and 2023 Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. The transmission may contain a loose bolt which could prevent the transmission from engaging the park gear, although the gear shifter position may indicate that the vehicle has been shifted to "PARK."
- Risk
- The inability to secure the vehicle in the park position can result in a rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transmissions, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 25, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S06.
Recall number 23V070000 · 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
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- On certain sport utility vehicles, the transmission shift cable can become dislodged from the shift cable bracket.
- Risk
- This could result resulting in incorrect gear indication.
- Remedy
- Dealers will add a strap to the shift cable adjuster to prevent the shift cable from becoming dislodged. Ford has not yet provided an owner notification schedule for this campaign. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1‑866‑436‑7332.
Recall number 02V313000 · Recall details
Questions about the Lincoln Aviator jerking
Which Lincoln Aviator years have jerking or lurching problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2003 (6 complaints), 2020 (4 complaints) and 2004 (2 complaints).
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