Anyone moving on from 2020 or newer Aviator?

[icemantx]

So we are on our second Aviator and have had a checkered history with the Aviator. Our 2020 Aviator AWD Reserve was bought back by Lincoln under the lemon law and we then moved to a 2023 model in hopes our experience would improve. While the recalls are fewer and the last year and half has been relatively trouble free, the first year was problematic and now gremlins are starting to show up such as: 1) Driver door latch does not always engage leaving the door not latching closed 2) Two open recalls recently announced 3) Map lights going on and off intermittently 4) Occasional rattles

The issues with our 2nd Aviator date back to the first year of ownership led to Lincoln providing the Lincoln Premium Care extended warranty until 100k miles or October 2028. Even though I have time with extended warranty coverage, my confidence in its reliability is simply gone.

All that said, for those who are considering or have moved away from the Aviator, what did you or will you consider moving to?

For everyone who is enjoying their Aviators, I am very happy for you and wish we experienced the same as we have had a rough ride with the Aviator over the last 5 years.

 

[moose66]

Howdy. How ironic you posted this. I just bought a 2026 Cadillac Vistiq Premium Luxury last Friday. I will be unloading my Aviator before the end of the month. It was a decent ride. I had some issues. Would I buy again? Maybe if they still offered the PHEV.

I am sitting on two recalls (2nd row seat and the body trim coming off). Neither of which have caused me any issues. I too have the map light that turns on when it wants to.

In the end, I enjoyed the Avi, but probably will not miss it when it is gone.

 

[Vikingstaff]

So far, so good, with our ‘22 BL Aviator. We have the extended warranty until 2030 or 2031. We will ride that out at this point.

Prior to getting it I was strongly leaning into an Audi Q7 or maybe a CPO Audi SQ7. If I were going to look at other options, probably that. The Audi rides better than a BMW X5, and comfort is our main thing due to me having a very bad back and hip issues. So the BMW’s would be out. I don’t think the mid-size Cadillac’s compare favorably, so unless going up into a better line like Moose, I would probably rule those out too. I’d take a good look at a couple lines of Lexus perhaps as well. I am not enamored with the Genesis, but I know some like to compare the Aviator with their mid-size offering. Just not my cup of tea, and I frankly don’t trust the Genesis either.

 

[sspradley]

Good timing. I just contacted a lawyer about the 'lemon' law and if it applies to our 2022 GT Aviator. I really like the car but we've gotten 17 recall notices and every time we take it in, they keep it for almost a week - not enough mechanics - and never have a loaner. I'm going back to Mercedes. They always gave a loaner and never kept the car for a week for a couple of minor adustments. Oh, and they had to replace the transmission - that was kind of the kicker. What else - the display screen never appears if the phone is plugged in prior to starting car, Apple play detects the phone sporadically. Had to replace the usb port once. Husband says not to get a MBZ because it's expensive to maintain. I've had 4 MBZ and none were in the shop as much as this Aviator and their costs were actually comparable to his Prius. Sigh. The Aviator is a good idea - I don't know what they need to do to fix all the issues ...

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[tvanhall]

Howdy. How ironic you posted this. I just bought a 2026 Cadillac Vistiq Premium Luxury last Friday. I will be unloading my Aviator before the end of the month. It was a decent ride. I had some issues. Would I buy again? Maybe if they still offered the PHEV.

I am sitting on two recalls (2nd row seat and the body trim coming off). Neither of which have caused me any issues. I too have the map light that turns on when it wants to.

In the end, I enjoyed the Avi, but probably will not miss it when it is gone.

Moose, are you on a forum for the Lyriq/Vistiq or can you post some observations of both the 24 and 26 Cadillac models here?

 

[FordLincoln]

Sorry to hear about your Aviator problems. We traded our 2020 Aviator on a 2025 Aviator. Only problem we had with the 2020 was with the key fobs and the radio station presets - they would NEVER save. Lincoln FINALLY got it fixed and the car ran great.

Currently no issues with the 2025 - we are 7 months in. A couple of generic recalls that had ZERO impact on anything. Also have a 2021 Nautilus that runs great as well. Don't know if we are lucky with ours or you are just unlucky with yours!! Good luck with your next purchase!!!

 

[peterk9]

I lease my vehicles. Had a 2020, 2023 and now a 2025 Aviator. No issues with any of them, although they were/are all low mileage. The 2025 will be going in tomorrow to have 2 recalls completed.

Peter

 

[Vin0770]

Traded a 2023 Aviator BL with 24,000 on it, one warranty rattle from the Chicago assembly forgetting some underneath hardware that connects plastic/metal parts at the frame and transmitted a rattle all the way up the passenger B pillar. My dealer new it right away as I wasn’t the first with this poor assembly issue. Also the driver side R leg extender motor needed replacement. All fixed at first service interval and that was it for 18 months.

New 2025 Aviator BL SE with 3,200 has had no warranty issues thus far. But the dealer prep guy put 9 nice deep razor blade cuts in the second row passenger glass getting decals off and a big gouge out of the passenger side black plastic outside mirror shell. Both being repaired next Wednesday. And I got the 2025 bubbles in the windshield recall notice that I’ll be taking advantage of. Maybe some small spot bubbles noticed, but during assembly again an issue. It was not properly centered in the frame with a tight fit on the driver side and huge filled in gap on the passenger side. I don’t get how they don’t correct this $hit at final inspection. They think the buyer of their listed $97,250 product is going to roll with that?

Last four vehicles, 2022 GV70 3.5 Sport Advanced, 2023 G80 2.5 Sport Prestige, 2024 Acura MDX Advanced and 2025 GV3.5 Sport Prestige all NEVER had early factory warranty issues which maybe dumb luck. As the new dream car a 2021 BMW 430x was traded after seven months of outrageous electrical gremlins, so maybe everything evens out in the wash.

I will tell you the dude pricing these Lincoln products is clearly on psychedelics. I got $10,000 off the 2023 BL in March of 2024 and $10,000 discount off the 2025 BL SE in September and zero % interest and still felt like that’s way to much $ for the domestic product coming out of Chicago. Just disappointed, it seems that our US production isn’t buttoned up as tight as some of these foreign mfg. I’m hoping to keep both our 2025 vehicles well through retirement starting next year and keep them for a long time. I’m hopeful that once you clean up the assembly flaws that it’s just oil changes from here on out.

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[moose66]

Moose, are you on a forum for the Lyriq/Vistiq or can you post some observations of both the 24 and 26 Cadillac models here?

Hey tvanhall,
Yes, I have joined Cadillacforums.com with the same username and have made a few post there. The Lyric forum is heavily used, the Vistiq, not so much. I can provide some feedback/observations here. However, it'll take me a minute or two. I at least wanted to acknowledge your post and your request. Stay tuned!