I've had plenty of Lincoln in the bay over the years, and the body and structural complaints on these don't surprise me. 213 on the NHTSA record across 35 model-year entries (2005–2022) is not a fluke. The 2005 Lincoln Aviator leads the list but the pattern shows up across multiple years and models. Not a one-off. 7 injury reports on the record — not a category to wave off. Repair exposure averages $1,500, which is meaningful money outside warranty. For trucks especially, get under it with a flashlight. Frame rust on rust-belt vehicles tells you everything you need to know about how it was kept.
ProblemsByVin LINCOLN / BODY
35 model-year entries · 2005–2022
Lincoln body problems
213 owner complaints filed with NHTSA against Lincoln vehicles for body issues. 1 active recall campaign. See body across all makes →
Complaints
213
Recalls
1
Year-models
35
Avg fix
$1,500
10crashes
7injuries
Worst-affected Lincoln model-years for body Top 25 by complaint volume
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
2005 Lincoln Aviator
26 complaints · ~$1,500 moderate
2017 Lincoln Continental
12 complaints · ~$1,500 moderate
2006 Lincoln Zephyr
11 complaints · ~$1,500 severe
2013 Lincoln MKZ
10 complaints · ~$1,500 moderate
2014 Lincoln MKT
9 complaints · ~$1,500 severe
2011 Lincoln MKX
8 complaints · ~$1,500 moderate
2020 Lincoln Aviator
7 complaints · ~$1,500 moderate
2012 Lincoln MKZ
7 complaints · ~$1,500 moderate
2012 Lincoln MKX
7 complaints · ~$1,500 severe
2011 Lincoln MKZ
7 complaints · ~$1,500 severe
2007 Lincoln Town Car
7 complaints · ~$1,500 severe
2022 Lincoln Aviator
6 complaints · ~$1,500 moderate
2015 Lincoln MKC
6 complaints · ~$1,500 severe
2014 Lincoln MKZ
6 complaints · ~$1,500 moderate
2013 Lincoln MKX
6 complaints · ~$1,500 moderate
2005 Lincoln Town Car
6 complaints · ~$1,500 severe
2015 Lincoln MKT
5 complaints · ~$1,500 moderate
2006 Lincoln Town Car
5 complaints · ~$1,500 moderate
2005 Lincoln Navigator
5 complaints · ~$1,500 moderate
2016 Lincoln MKX
4 complaints · ~$1,500 moderate
2015 Lincoln MKZ
4 complaints · ~$1,500 moderate
2010 Lincoln MKZ
4 complaints · ~$1,500 severe
2010 Lincoln MKT
4 complaints · ~$1,500 severe
2008 Lincoln MKZ
4 complaints · ~$1,500 severe
2008 Lincoln MKX
4 complaints · ~$1,500 moderate
Active recalls — Lincoln body 2 on file
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Aviator vehicles
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.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKT vehicles
Door trim that detaches while driving can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will repair the B-pillar trim, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 23, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in June 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SD5. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 2, 2025.
Common questions
How many Lincoln body complaints are on file with NHTSA?
213 complaints across 35 model-year entries from 2005 to 2022. 1 active recall campaigns cover body issues across the Lincoln lineup.
Which Lincoln model has the most body complaints?
The 2005 Lincoln Aviator leads with 26 complaints in this category. Next: 2017 Continental (12) and 2006 Zephyr (11).
What does it cost to fix Lincoln body problems?
Independent shops average $1,500 for body repairs across the Lincoln lineup. Dealer pricing tends to run twenty to forty percent higher. Specific cost depends on the failure mode and parts availability.
Are there Lincoln body recalls?
Yes — 2 active recall campaigns cover body on Lincoln vehicles. Recall fixes are free regardless of mileage or warranty status. The list below shows current campaigns with their NHTSA numbers.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database.
Editorial commentary written by Mark Driver, an independent contributor to ProblemsByVin
and not affiliated with Lincoln.
Severity ratings derive from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities on the NHTSA complaint and recall record.
Repair cost averages reflect independent-shop pricing and may differ in your area.