Lincoln Aviator CD6
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
The Lincoln Aviator is Ford's answer to the question of what happens when you load up an Explorer platform with leather, ambient lighting, and the ambition of a German premium SUV. Under the skin the Aviator shares its CD6 architecture with the Explorer, but it presents itself as considerably more luxurious and stretched. As a three-row midsize SUV, it targets buyers who find an X5 or GLE too European. The heart of the car is the 3.0L EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 (BQWA), fitted here as a better-cooled variant with reinforced bearings. On top of that sits the Grand Touring PHEV version with an added electric motor and high-voltage battery.
On the engine side: the 3.0 V6 is fundamentally solid, but not worry-free. The usual EcoBoost themes show up – timing chain rattle, intake valve coking from direct injection, camshaft phaser faults (VCT, P000A), and the twin-turbo system, which shows wear over the years. More serious are head gasket failure with coolant loss and the leaking plastic oil pan. Recall 24S55 covers brittle Silchrome intake valves. Early builds through May 2020 additionally suffered A-clutch snap-ring problems in the 10R60 transmission, which can lead to a catastrophic gearbox failure – sorted from summer 2020 onward.
The recalls are where it gets serious. The 20S65 recall covers a fracturing driveshaft weld: the dropped shaft can contact the fuel tank – a fire risk. On the PHEV, add recall 23V-626, where LG lithium-ion cells in the high-voltage battery can short and catch fire. Also PHEV-typical is a sudden loss of power with a Stop-Safely-Now message (P1A0C). Then the everyday annoyances: the 24V-368 recall for the rearview camera failing due to cellphone interference at the APIM, a 12-volt battery deep-discharge caused by the RACM module, and factory-crimped panoramic sunroof drain tubes that let water into the A-pillar.
Anyone buying a used Aviator should absolutely confirm that all open recalls have been completed – especially the driveshaft and, on the PHEV, the high-voltage battery. A build date from summer 2020 sidesteps the early transmission woes. The straight V6 gasser is the more pragmatic choice over the PHEV, whose HV electronics bring extra risk. All told, the Aviator is a comfortable but maintenance-hungry luxury SUV with Ford genes – as long as the recall history is clean and coolant level is checked regularly, it's a genuinely recommendable pick for fans of American comfort.
Engine Overview
The Lincoln Aviator CD6 is available with 2 engine variants — from 400 to 494 hp.
The 3.0L TT V6 in the Aviator is a more heavily cooled variant of the Cyclone block with reinforced main bearings. Pre-May 2020 builds had a 10R60 A-clutch snap ring issue — resolved by summer 2020. Recall 24S55 for brittle Silchrome intake valves covers June–October 2021 build dates. The PHEV Grand Touring pairs the V6 with a 47-kWh battery pack and a rear electric axle.
- !! Twin-Turbo System Wear from 140,000 km
The 3.0 EcoBoost V6 BQWA uses two turbochargers that wear quickly in poor oil conditions or at long service intervals. Oil changes every 10,000 km are critical for turbo longevity.
Symptoms: Boost pressure fluctuations, whistling from one or both turbos, bluish smoke - !! Head Gasket Failed — Coolant Loss from 60,000 km
The 1.5 EcoBoost (Focus, Kuga from 2014) shows a concentration of head gasket failures from a design-related weak point: narrow coolant passages between cylinders increase thermal stress on the gasket.
Symptoms: Dropping coolant without visible leak, overpressure in coolant reservoir, white exhaust smoke with coolant smell, temperature gauge spike - !! Timing Chain Rattle from 150,000 km
The 3.0L EcoBoost V6 BQWA (S-Max Vignale, Mondeo Vignale) can develop wear on the timing chain tensioner at high mileages. Rattling on cold start is the typical warning sign.
Symptoms: Metallic rattle on cold start from the timing chain area, stops after warm-up
+ 3 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
The 3.0L TT V6 in the Aviator is a more heavily cooled variant of the Cyclone block with reinforced main bearings. Pre-May 2020 builds had a 10R60 A-clutch snap ring issue — resolved by summer 2020. Recall 24S55 for brittle Silchrome intake valves covers June–October 2021 build dates. The PHEV Grand Touring pairs the V6 with a 47-kWh battery pack and a rear electric axle.
- !! Twin-Turbo System Wear from 140,000 km
The 3.0 EcoBoost V6 BQWA uses two turbochargers that wear quickly in poor oil conditions or at long service intervals. Oil changes every 10,000 km are critical for turbo longevity.
Symptoms: Boost pressure fluctuations, whistling from one or both turbos, bluish smoke - !! Head Gasket Failed — Coolant Loss from 60,000 km
The 1.5 EcoBoost (Focus, Kuga from 2014) shows a concentration of head gasket failures from a design-related weak point: narrow coolant passages between cylinders increase thermal stress on the gasket.
Symptoms: Dropping coolant without visible leak, overpressure in coolant reservoir, white exhaust smoke with coolant smell, temperature gauge spike - !! Timing Chain Rattle from 150,000 km
The 3.0L EcoBoost V6 BQWA (S-Max Vignale, Mondeo Vignale) can develop wear on the timing chain tensioner at high mileages. Rattling on cold start is the typical warning sign.
Symptoms: Metallic rattle on cold start from the timing chain area, stops after warm-up
+ 3 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| 10R60 Transmission: Snap Ring Dislodges – Clutch Damage In pre-May 2020 builds, the A-clutch snap ring in the 10R60 can dislodge and destroy the clutch pack. Repair cost: clutch set to $5,000, full transmission to $11,000. Fixed by build changes from summer 2020. Symptoms: Hard lurch on 7-6 downshift, vehicle lunges, transmission fault message. from 30,000 km | High |
Top Reported Issues
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Known Problems and Issues +
A total of 13 weaknesses have been documented for the Lincoln Aviator CD6 (2020–2025) — 6 engine-related and 7 vehicle-related. Typical issues affect Gearbox, Other, Electronics, Body.
Aviator (BQWA, 2020–2025) — Be Careful: Twin-Turbo System Wear, Head Gasket Failed — Coolant Loss, Timing Chain Rattle. Power: 400 PS.
Aviator (BQWA, 2020–2025) — Be Careful: Twin-Turbo System Wear, Head Gasket Failed — Coolant Loss, Timing Chain Rattle. Power: 494 PS.
What to watch out for with the Lincoln Aviator? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee