2020 Lincoln Aviator Phev Recalls & Complaints

Incident: March 20, 2026 · Filed: March 24, 2026

My 2020 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring Plug‑In Hybrid has experienced multiple high‑voltage powertrain failures that create an immediate safety hazard. The vehicle has twice lost propulsion while driving, displaying “Powertrain Malfunction / Reduced Power” and “Service Engine Soon” before shutting down completely. During the first failure, the vehicle stopped in active traffic and would not restart; a police officer stopped to assist and called a tow truck because the disabled vehicle posed a roadway hazard. In addition, the digital instrument cluster has repeatedly gone completely black while the vehicle is in motion, eliminating all visibility of speed, gear position, warning indicators, and hybrid system status. During the most recent blackout, an [XXX] child was in the vehicle with me, significantly increasing the danger. These failures are accompanied by hybrid‑system fault code P0A1E (Starter/Generator Control Module), a pink charging‑port indicator signaling a charging fault, and irregular hybrid‑battery behavior (range not updating, battery not depleting). The vehicle has been inspected four times by authorized Lincoln/Ford dealers and has been out of service more than 34 cumulative days. Although the P0A1E code and symptoms were documented, the dealers repeatedly stated they were “unable to verify” the concern and returned the vehicle unrepaired. Required high‑voltage diagnostics were not completed. The problem is ongoing, intermittent, and has not been corrected. Sudden propulsion loss, dashboard blackout, and high‑voltage control failures put occupants and other motorists at significant risk. I am requesting NHTSA investigate this as a potential safety defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Incident: January 12, 2026 · Filed: February 6, 2026

While driving, the vehicle displayed a “Stop Safely Now” warning and immediately began limiting operation. At the same time, steering effort increased significantly, similar to a loss or reduction of power steering assist, making the vehicle difficult to control. I was unable to safely pull over when the warning appeared and was forced to limp the vehicle into a nearby residential street to avoid traffic. After stopping, the vehicle became immobilized and repeatedly engaged the electronic parking brake. The vehicle could not remain in neutral and required roadside assistance. Towing was difficult due to the inability to keep the vehicle in neutral. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer, and diagnostics identified a high-voltage isolation fault (DTC P0AA6) traced to the air conditioning compressor on the hybrid system. The component is currently being replaced. The sudden shutdown combined with increased steering effort and inability to safely pull over created a significant safety risk.

Incident: December 4, 2024 · Filed: December 23, 2024

-Check engine light on - Service vehicle soon light on -Fault with hight voltage system. Can't drive the vehicle.

Incident: May 31, 2024 · Filed: June 2, 2024

Unsure what component failed specifically, has been inspected by dealer multiple times. This randomly occurs while driving. It disables a number of safety features such a collision assist and traction control as well as several driving modes until the car is fully powered off and restarted. There are multiple reports of this occurring frequently in online groups. No warnings prior to the failure but multiple warnings when it fails. This can occur daily, even multiple times a day during normal driving. Dealer has tried replacing multiple modules and sensors but problem persists.

Incident: January 10, 2024 · Filed: February 16, 2024

Ever since buying my 2023 Lincoln aviator hybrid, I’ve been experiencing brake pedal issues, a constant pressure and a pulsating feeling when applying the brakes like the ABS is kicking on. I have taken it to my dealership that I bought the vehicle from over four times for the same issue. They keep saying that it’s normal, I see that the old aviators had the same issue on the hybrid system And a TSB was released for it at one point. While driving the vehicle one day it would not stop so I had to slam on the brakes, causing them to lock up temporarily once I did that it seemed to have improved the breaking almost like something was stuck from the factory! Still to this day I still feel the pressure and the feeling like the ABS is kicking on periodically. I have tried taken it into my dealer multiple times and they keep saying that it’s normal. I opened a case with Lincoln but they keep taking the word of the dealer that nothing is wrong with the vehicle.

Incident: August 28, 2021 · Filed: September 28, 2023

The contact owns a 2020 Lincoln Aviator. The contact stated that the vehicle had previously experienced rear camera failures and was taken to the dealer, where the recall repair of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V735000 (Back Over Prevention) was completed; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated while reversing, the rear-view camera image was intermittently blue or black. The contact also stated that the infotainment screen image was intermittently black or blue while starting the vehicle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V342000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. 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. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Incident: June 1, 2021 · Filed: October 2, 2022

Lane keep assist does not keep vehicle in the center of the lane, but pulls the vehicle to the left almost on top of the strip dividing lanes. Since I first purchased the Lincoln Aviator, the center screen used to interface with audio, HVAC, settings and especially Apple CarPlay goes completely black hence losing many controls. This has been consistent since I purchased the vehicle. Lincoln has tried to repair the vehicle several times without success. I lose the back up camera also. I have to stop and shutdown the vehicle and the screen reactivates. I have address all previous Lincoln recalls on this vehicle.

Incident: December 24, 2021 · Filed: April 13, 2022

The contact owns a 2020 Lincoln Aviator. The contact stated while driving at 45 MPH on an entrance ramp onto the highway, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond. The warning message "Stop Safely Now" and "Full Accessory Power Mode" were displayed. The contact veered to the side of the road for a moment. The contact then continued to drive. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that no issues were found; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that no issues were found. The contact's husband later received a warning message in his app stating, "High Voltage Battery". The vehicle was then taken to the dealer where unknown wires were tightened. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.

Incident: February 16, 2022 · Filed: February 17, 2022

I was driving and an alert to pull over came on. The car would not accelerate and I was in the middle of a parkway where speeds were 55 mph. It almost seemed like the car couldn't figure out to go to gas mode when the battery depleted the range. The car is a hybrid.

Incident: January 30, 2021 · Filed: February 17, 2021

BRAKES FAILED WHEN DRIVING DOWN MY DRIVEWAY, WHICH IS A STEEP HILL. RECEIVED SIX ERROR "SERVICE NOW" MESSAGES: SERVICE ADVANCETRAC, CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM, HILL DESCENT CONTROL FAULT, PARK BRAKE MALFUNCTION, PRE-COLLISION ASSIST NOT AVAILABLE. WAS ABLE TO ROLL TO A STOP AND HAD TO CALL TOW TRUCK. SUBSEQUENT CONVERSATION WITH DEALER SERVICE DEPT , WAS TOLD RECALL 20U29 APPLIES. GAVE ME A DOZEN 'CODES' FOR FAULTY/AFFECTED SYSTEMS ON CAR BEFORE I STOPPED HIM BECAUSE I DID NOT UNDERSTAND THE ACRONYMS. I HAVE SEARCHED AND CANNOT FIND A RECALL BY THAT NUMBER. THE BRAKE FAILURE WAS SCARY AND I AM GLAD IT OCCURRED AT HOME.