Ford Recalls Over 130,000 Lincoln Aviators for Safety Defect

Ford Motor Company is recalling more than 130,000 Lincoln Aviator SUVs across the U.S. due to a potentially dangerous safety defect, and if you’re a California resident who purchased or leased one of these vehicles, you may have legal rights under the state’s Lemon Law.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the recall affects 132,914 Lincoln Aviator models from the 2020 through 2025 model years. The issue? Certain parts of the vehicle — specifically the C-pillar trim and rear door window bars — may not be properly bonded. In some cases, they could detach while the vehicle is in motion, posing a serious risk to both drivers and others on the road.

The problem stems from insufficient adhesive bonding during the manufacturing process at a supplier facility, where the components may not have been pressed into place with enough force. As a result, about 3.2% of these recalled vehicles may experience parts coming loose or falling off entirely.

While Ford is offering to repair the issue free of charge at authorized dealerships, California consumers who continue to experience issues — or who have dealt with repeated problems related to vehicle safety or performance — should consider whether their vehicle qualifies as a “lemon” under California’s Lemon Law.

What Are Your Rights Under California Lemon Law?

If your Lincoln Aviator has been in the shop repeatedly for warranty-related repairs, or has been out of service for an extended period, you may be entitled to a refund, replacement, or cash compensation. The California Lemon Law (Civ. Code § 1793.2 et seq.) protects consumers who have purchased or leased a defective vehicle that the manufacturer cannot fix after a reasonable number of attempts.

What You Can Do

If you own a 2020–2025 Lincoln Aviator, watch for an official recall notice in the mail by the end of next month.
Schedule an appointment with your dealership at no cost to you.
Keep records of all repair visits, symptoms, and communications with the dealership or Ford.
If your vehicle continues to experience problems or you’ve already had multiple repair attempts for other defects, now may be the time to speak with a California lemon law attorney.

How Our Lemon Law Firm Can Help

Johnson Attorneys Group has helped thousands of Californians stand up to auto manufacturers and recover what they’re owed. Our lemon law consultations are free, and we don’t charge you a dime unless we win your case.

Call us today at 1-800-558-1087– or use our online form to schedule your free case review.

Let’s make sure you’re not stuck with a lemon—especially one that could put your family in danger.

We highly recommend car owners obtain invoices for all repairs and recall visits from the dealership. These documents are a paper trail that will support your potential case. Should the vehicle experience repeated issues or become a safety risk, these documents validate your Lemon Law Claim.

Published on June 25, 2025

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about vehicles that may be covered by the California lemon law. However, the lemon law has very specific requirements that must be met for your vehicle to be considered a lemon. Every case has a unique set of circumstances and there are specific criteria that must be met for the lemon law to apply. It is imperative that you take immediate action if you believe your vehicle may qualify.