My 2004 lincoln aviator started making a loud whining noise.
Lincoln Aviator whining noise problems
11 of the 499 owner complaints about the Lincoln Aviator describe whining or grinding noise, most of them for the 2003 model year.
- owner complaints
- 11
- worst model year
- 2003
- typical mileage
- 16,864
Is there a fix? There are 5 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
- 20043
- 20038
Often reported together
What owners say
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.
Rear-end whine. Lincoln refused to repair because vehicle was out of warranty .
Dt*: the contact stated a whining noise was heard coming from the rear of the vehicle while driving 55 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the sales/service dealer for repairs. The right rear axle and pinion were replaced as well as the c b shaft assembly and gear and pinion locking pin. This was the third time the rear end was replaced in a two year period. The manufacturer was notified and a technician was sent to inspect the vehicle.*ak the vehicle pulled to the left, the door lock switch was inoperative, the rear shock was leaking oil, the e power steering hose was replaced, there was a ticking sound coming from the engine compartment. The timing chain and gasket were replaced. The door ajar light came on after all the doors were closed. The consumer stated the shifting of the gears were harsh, the dealer replaced various componets in the transmission. The right rear brake light bulb was replaced, the master cylinder was replaced. The front seat climate control was not cooling. The battery was replaced, the accelerator cable was sticking. Updated 12/05/06.
Rough idling at stand still and with acceleration and decceleration with a whining noise, miss firing happened 1st time the day after we bought the car- dealer said he fixed the problem. Happened again just a few weeks later. The car is six weeks old and in the shop for the second time. Dealer says problem is the management processor.
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.
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.
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 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 whining noise
Which Lincoln Aviator years have whining or grinding noise problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2003 (8 complaints) and 2004 (3 complaints).
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