2026 Lincoln Aviator
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2026 models.

- Class
- Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV AWD, 4dr SUV RWD
- Engines
- 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 21 combined · 18 city / 25 hwy
- Length
- 199.6 in
- Curb weight
- 4,852–4,969 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 6 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
- Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
Watch out for
- 6 recallsMore than similar models (about 1). Confirm repairs with the VIN.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 35 similar 2026 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2026 Lincoln Aviator is a standard SUV offered with a 3.0L 6-cyl turbo engine and rear-wheel drive and part-time 4-wheel drive.
It measures about 200 inches long and 80 inches wide on a 119-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,969 lb (4dr SUV AWD).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 21 MPG combined (18 city / 25 highway), 3% worse than the 2026 standard SUV average of 21.7 MPG, for an estimated $3,200 a year in fuel.
It has 6 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the seats.
What changed for 2026
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2025 Aviator — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2025; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2025 Aviator →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: Chicago, Illinois
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 1 2026 Aviator configuration; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV AWD | 199.6 in | 79.5 in | 69.3 in | 118.9 in | 66.9 / 66.9 in | 4,969 lb | |
| 4dr SUV RWD | 199.6 in | 79.5 in | 69.3 in | 118.9 in | 66.9 / 66.9 in | 4,852 lb | 53/47 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aviator RWD | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S10) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 / 25 / 21 | -3% | $3,200 | 423 |
| Aviator AWD | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S10) | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 17 / 25 / 20 | 0% | $3,350 | 447 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2026 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2026 Lincoln Aviator.
Similar 2026 standard SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Lincoln Aviator (this car) | 21 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2026 Land Rover Range Rover | 23 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2026 Porsche Cayenne | 19 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2026 BMW X5 | 25 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2026 Lexus RX | 36 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2026 Volvo XC90 | 27 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2026 Audi Q7 | 22 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
Recalls (6)
Seats › Front Assembly › Power Adjust · Jul 21, 2026
NHTSA campaign 26V470000 · 76,748 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- Unexpected movement of the driverâs seat back may trap a second-row occupant, increasing the risk of injury.
- Fix
- 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.
Seats › Mid/Rear Assembly · Jul 14, 2026
NHTSA campaign 26V451000 · 387,911 vehicles
- Problem
- 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. 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.
Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Fan/Motor · Mar 31, 2026
NHTSA campaign 26V202000 · 55 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- An inoperative windshield defrosting and defogging system may decrease the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- 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.
Seat Belts · Mar 17, 2026
NHTSA campaign 26V159000 · 561 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
Visibility › Windshield · Oct 24, 2025
NHTSA campaign 25V730000 · 56,841 vehicles
- Problem
- 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."
- Risk
- Reduced visibility while driving can increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- 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 Hitches · Oct 10, 2025
NHTSA campaign 25V687000 · 1,412 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
Not every 2026 Lincoln Aviator is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Other Aviator years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Aviator | 20 | – | Not rated | 2 | 0 |
| 2025 Aviator | 21 | 199.6 in | ★★★★★ | 15 | 18 |
| 2024 Aviator | 21 | 200 in | ★★★★★ | 8 | 7 |
| 2023 Aviator | 23 | 200 in | ★★★★★ | 16 | 30 |
| 2022 Aviator | 23 | 200 in | ★★★★★ | 22 | 64 |
| 2021 Aviator | 23 | 200 in | ★★★★★ | 28 | 45 |
| 2020 Aviator | 23 | 200 in | ★★★★★ | 30 | 120 |
| 2005 Aviator | 13 | 192.9 in | Not rated | 0 | 10 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Lincoln. How we calculate this →