NHTSA vehicle safety data

2026 Lincoln Aviator Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2026 Lincoln Aviator has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 4 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Lincoln dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2026 Lincoln Aviator, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2026 Lincoln Aviator owner complaints

Owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA about the 2026 Lincoln Aviator, describing incidents dated August 8, 2026 to September 16, 2026.

Most-cited components

Seats 2 complaints
Latches/Locks/Linkages 1 complaint
Unknown or Other 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #11768026 · Filed September 30, 2026
On the Lincoln Aviator, the exterior mirrors "Auto-Fold" function has a software issue which can unexpectedly not open or close the mirrors. There is an online forum of Ford/Lincoln owners reporting the same problem. Sometimes only one mirror unfolds and other times only one mirror unfolds. With…
ODI #11762779 · Filed September 8, 2026
Ford's remedy is to disable the memory seatback in recall 26S53. This is not a remedy. This is disabling a feature that I paid for on this vehicle. Not sure why Ford / Lincoln think this is ok. I understand that this could put a child or person at harm in the back seat. But the recall shows a…
ODI #11761585 · Filed September 2, 2026
The contact owns a 2026 Lincoln Aviator. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, the hood unlatched unexpectedly and raised up towards the windshield. The view ahead of the vehicle was blocked due to the failure. The dealer was contacted by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 3,000.

Read all 4 complaints

Driver's Seat May Recline Unexpectedly

NHTSA #26V470000 · Seats — Front Assembly — Power Adjust · NHTSA notice

Reported July 21, 2026 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 76,748 vehicles

Repair completion: 43.13% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 26S53 · Owners notified September 3, 2026

Defect description

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2027 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. An unoccupied driver's seat may recline unintentionally during certain scenarios, such as remote unlock or remote start.

Safety consequence

Unexpected movement of the driver’s seat back may trap a second-row occupant, increasing the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will disable the driver seat module (DSM) feature until parts are available. Once available, the motor will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 3, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S53.

Second-Row Seat May Move Unexpectedly

NHTSA #26V451000 · Seats — Mid/Rear Assembly · NHTSA notice

Reported July 14, 2026 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 387,911 vehicles

Repair completion: 2.89% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 26S52 · Owners notified August 21, 2026

Defect description

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2027 Aviator and 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, tipping, or sliding unexpectedly.

Safety consequence

A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters explaining the safety risk were mailed August 19, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in January 2027. Lincoln Aviator owner notification letters were mailed August 21, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S52. This recall expands Recall 25V393. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 16, 2026.

Inoperative Defrosting and Defogging System

NHTSA #26V202000 · Visibility — Defroster/Defogger/HVAC System — Fan/Motor · NHTSA notice

Reported March 31, 2026 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 55 vehicles

Repair completion: 61.82% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 26S22 · Owners notified April 10, 2026 · Vehicles built October 20, 2025 – December 18, 2025 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Lincoln Aviator and Explorer vehicles. The heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system may fail, which can cause the defrosting and defogging system to become inoperative.

Safety consequence

An inoperative windshield defrosting and defogging system may decrease the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will inspect and secure the instrument panel joints as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S22. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning April 3, 2026.

Improperly Secured Seat Belt Anchors

NHTSA #26V159000 · Seat Belts · NHTSA notice

Reported March 17, 2026 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 561 vehicles

Repair completion: 46.17% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 26C18 · Owners notified March 30, 2026 · Vehicles built through February 12, 2026 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2026 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The seat belt anchor bolts at the second-row outer seating positions may be improperly secured.

Safety consequence

A loose seat belt buckle may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will inspect the second-row outer seat belt lower anchor bolts and replace or repair them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 30, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C18. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 19, 2026.

Windshield Air Bubbles Can Obscure Visibility/FMVSS 205

NHTSA #25V730000 · Visibility — Windshield · NHTSA notice

Reported October 24, 2025 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 56,841 vehicles

Repair completion: 72.72% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 25C60 · Owners notified November 6, 2025 · Vehicles built through September 5, 2025 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Lincoln Corsair, Lincoln Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The windshield glass may have visible air bubbles, which can obscure the driver's visibility. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 205, "Glazing Materials."

Safety consequence

Reduced visibility while driving can increase the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the windshield as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 6, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C60. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning October 27, 2025.

Trailer Hitch Assembly May Detach

NHTSA #25V687000 · Trailer Hitches · NHTSA notice

Reported October 10, 2025 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 1,412 vehicles

Repair completion: 65.79% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 25SA3 · Owners notified October 29, 2025

Defect description

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Explorer and 2024-2026 Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The trailer hitch assembly bolts may be loose.

Safety consequence

While towing a trailer, loose trailer hitch bolts can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control, or cause the trailer to detach. Either of these conditions can increase the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will inspect and tighten the trailer hitch bolts, or replace them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 29, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA3. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 15, 2025.

2026 LINCOLN AVIATOR GAS SUV N/A RWD

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Frontal Crash

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Rollover

15% rollover risk

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

2026 LINCOLN AVIATOR GAS SUV N/A AWD

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Frontal Crash

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Rollover

15% rollover risk

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

4 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2026 Lincoln Aviator.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11768026

Incident: September 16, 2026 · Filed: September 30, 2026

On the Lincoln Aviator, the exterior mirrors "Auto-Fold" function has a software issue which can unexpectedly not open or close the mirrors. There is an online forum of Ford/Lincoln owners reporting the same problem. Sometimes only one mirror unfolds and other times only one mirror unfolds. With these mirrors not opening correctly, it can affect the Blind Spot Warning and other safety systems which are software driven. Ford-Lincoln is aware of this issue but has not opted to recall all affected vehicles with a simple software update to address this issue.

Seats

ODI #11762779

Incident: September 8, 2026 · Filed: September 8, 2026

Ford's remedy is to disable the memory seatback in recall 26S53. This is not a remedy. This is disabling a feature that I paid for on this vehicle. Not sure why Ford / Lincoln think this is ok. I understand that this could put a child or person at harm in the back seat. But the recall shows a complete disable. Not a temporary disable while we find a solution to the issues. I have also filed a formal complaint with Lincoln Client Relationships Center, with the help of the Lincoln recall phone number on the letter I received in the mail.

Latches/Locks/Linkages

ODI #11761585

Incident: August 16, 2026 · Filed: September 2, 2026

The contact owns a 2026 Lincoln Aviator. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, the hood unlatched unexpectedly and raised up towards the windshield. The view ahead of the vehicle was blocked due to the failure. The dealer was contacted by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 3,000.

Seats

ODI #11756125

Incident: August 8, 2026 · Filed: August 11, 2026

When unlocking the vehicle, the driver seat slides backwards and reclines to the maximum unexpectedly. If there is a passenger in the rear seat, the seat will trap the occupant and not stop when it meets resistance. This is similar to an already identified recall, but my vehicle was not on that list. I believe the recall should be expanded to more vehicles.

Other Lincoln Aviator model years

Check your 2026 Lincoln Aviator VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Lincoln Aviator at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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