Used Car Checklists

2024 Lincoln Aviator: What to check before buying

Owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the electrical. The 7 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.

Lincoln Aviator2024
Owner complaints
5
Recalls
8
Crashes reported
0
Reliability
Good
70/100 on Auto Reliability Index

Run the VIN before you go

A history report shows accidents, title brands, odometer readings, and open recalls for this 2024 Lincoln Aviator. Ask the seller for the VIN; it is also on the dash at the base of the windshield.

Your inspection sheet

Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.

These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.

Reported on neighboring Aviator years

Nearby years usually share most parts, so their problems are worth checking on this car too.

2025 Aviator

13 owner complaints
  • Brakes 3
  • Electrical 3
  • Seats 2

Worth adding to your 2024 checks

  • Start the car several times and watch for a parking brake fault service message on the cluster.
  • Brake firmly from highway speed and confirm the pedal responds immediately with full power assist.
  • Drive on a residential street and watch for brakes applying on their own or ABS and pre-collision warnings.
Open the 2025 checklist

2023 Aviator

21 owner complaints
  • Electrical 5
  • Backup camera 3
  • Engine 3

Worth adding to your 2024 checks

  • Shift into reverse repeatedly while turning the wheel and watch the camera for pixelation, flipping, or blue or black screens.
  • Engage the front and 360-degree cameras several times and watch for flicker or a blank display.
  • Plug a phone into the vehicle and drive a while, confirming the center screen never goes black.
Open the 2023 checklist

2022 Aviator

43 owner complaints
  • Electrical 6
  • Body and structure 6
  • Backup camera 4

Worth adding to your 2024 checks

  • Shift into reverse several times and confirm the backup camera image appears every time without the screen going dark.
  • Restart the car a few times and confirm the center display loads with working defrost controls.
  • Run the VIN through federal recall records and ask the dealer for proof that open recall repairs are done.
Open the 2022 checklist

Which Aviator is it?

EPA figures for each version of the 2024 Lincoln Aviator. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.

VersionDriveEPA rating
3.0L 6-cyl4WD, RWD20–21 mpg
  • Reset the trip computer at the start of the drive. A Aviator that averages well under the EPA 20 mpg combined on a mixed route may have an engine or tire problem.

Why these checks: what owners reported

NHTSA complaints for the 2024 Lincoln Aviator, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.

  • Electrical2No crashes

    The rear backup camera image flickers, distorts, or blanks out while reversing, and the fault comes and goes. Replacing the camera did not fix it, so the car went back to the dealer a second time. A separate report describes a high-pitched noise from the headlight control switch when it is turned between settings. Disconnecting the battery stopped the noise for a while, but the problem was never resolved, and the owner fears a fire risk. Both problems involve repeat dealer visits without a lasting fix. A failing camera image reduces rear visibility when backing up.

In owners' own words

Excerpts from complaints Aviator owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.

Electrical
The vehicle was already in for service once for this issue and is going back a second time the rear camera when backing up randomly starts to flicker and go crazy, and sometimes blanking out. The first fix replaced the camera to no avail. It seems to happen randomly, but about 50% of the time. I have video of the rear backup camera going crazy.

Filed with NHTSA, April 2024

How the 2024 compares with other Aviator years

Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.

The 2024 has the fewest owner complaints of the 6 Aviator years we cover, well under the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.

2024 Average of other years
  • Electrical210

Recalls to confirm (8)

Recall repairs are free at any Lincoln dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.

  1. 26V451000SeatsJul 2026

    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.

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

    Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters explaining the safety risk are expected to be mailed July 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in January 2027. 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.

  2. 26V159000Seat beltsMar 2026

    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.

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

    Fix: 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.

  3. 26V123000Backup cameraMar 2026

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2020-2024 Lincoln Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The image on the center display may flip or invert, resulting in an incorrectly displayed rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility.".

    Risk: An incorrectly displayed rearview image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Dealers will update the accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 23, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C11. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 5, 2026.

  4. 25V687000Trailer HitchesOct 2025

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

    Risk: 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.

    Fix: 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.

  5. 25V407000Body and structureJun 2025

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Aviator vehicles. The rear door window bars and C-pillar trim may have insufficient adhesive bonding, which can allow the trim to detach from the vehicle.

    Risk: Detached trim may cause a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Dealers will repair or replace C-pillar appliques and window division bars, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 29, 2025. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S66.

  6. 25V393000SeatsJun 2025

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, folding, or sliding unexpectedly while driving.

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

    Fix: Dealers will inspect the second-row seat switch, and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S67.

  7. 24V852000EquipmentNov 2024

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, 2020-2024 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2018-2024 F-150, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirement Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection.".

    Risk: Without a label that shows the proper restraint usage guidelines, the occupants may have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

    Fix: Ford will mail owners the warning labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 19, 2024. Owners may call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C39.

  8. 24V368000Backup cameraMay 2024

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The accessory protocol image module (APIM) can be affected by electromagnetic interference with a cell phone in the vehicle, causing the rearview camera image to flicker or become distorted.

    Risk: A flickering or distorted rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Owners are advised not to use their cell phones while reversing until the remedy is completed. Dealers will install shielding on the accessory protocol image module (APIM), free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 23, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S35.

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