Free. Instant. No signup. Pulls recalls and complaints for your exact vehicle.
Couldn't find that VIN. Check the digits and try again.
ProblemsByVinFile / 2020-LINCOLN-AVIATORNHTSA data synced 4 days ago
Lincoln
2020 Lincoln Aviator problems
The 2020 Lincoln Aviator has 99 NHTSA owner complaints and 1 active recall campaign on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
The 2020 Lincoln Aviator has 99 NHTSA owner complaints and 1 recall on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is electrical at 29 complaints, typically surfacing around 24,286 miles (~$850 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2020 Aviator?
Generally reliable
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average
1 recall campaign on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings
5 / 5 overall
Overall★★★★★5/5
Frontal crash★★★★★5/5
Side crash★★★★★5/5
Rollover★★★★★4/5
Driver-assist features on the tested model:
Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2020 Lincoln Aviator SUV 4WD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2020 Lincoln Aviator? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
electrical — 29 owner reports
· tends to show around 24,286 mi · ~$850 to fix
powertrain — 15 owner reports
· tends to show around 41,100 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
body — 7 owner reports
· tends to show around 15,000 mi · ~$1,500 to fix
engine — 4 owner reports
· tends to show around 79,000 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: engine is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 79,000 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 1 active recall on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 7.6/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Embed this reliability snapshot
Free to use on your site, post, or video — just keep the "Source" credit line below the chart. Preview the widget →
What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2020 Aviator· powertrain
First the engine broke (critical damage) was replaced second the turbos were jammed, werereplaced third the throttle was inoperative stil unattended fourth the transmission ailed stil unattended
Display screen /rear camera goes blank and displays error message intermittently part for image processor was replaced and still occurs this happens when driving and also when in reverse
The contact owns a 2020 Lincoln Aviator. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated while responding…
the radio screen at night will not dim/switch to night mode and it's a bright spotlight in your face while driving. This is blinding and dangerous. I believe this is a software glitch and I don’t believe Lincoln is in a hurry to fix it unless the NHTSA steps in like they did for…
Had a problem with your 2020 Lincoln Aviator?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Utility and 2020 Lincoln Aviator vehicles
A washer system contaminated with brake fluid can reduce the driver's ability to clear windshield, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will flush out the washer system, replacing the washer bottle neck, washer pump assembly, fluid level sensor and the front and rear wiper blades. Dealers will also inspect and repair the vehicle's paint and exterior components if affected, free of charge. The recall began March 2, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C01.
Common questions
Is the 2020 Lincoln Aviator reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.6 out of 10 based on 99 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2020 Lincoln Aviator is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2020 Lincoln Aviator?
On the NHTSA data, the 2020 Lincoln Aviator does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average; 1 recall campaign on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2020 Lincoln Aviator?
Inspect the electrical first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 29 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 24,286 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2020 Lincoln Aviator a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 99 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is electrical. Typical failure occurs around 24,286 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2020 Lincoln Aviator?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 29 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 24,286 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 24,286 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Lincoln Aviator has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2020 Lincoln Aviator?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 99 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 4 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2020/Lincoln/Aviator.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
We are not affiliated with Lincoln. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we
may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
