2023 Lincoln Aviator — Carivo review Representative photo — may show another model year
SUV

2023 Lincoln Aviator

Independent review & score by Carivo

Price Range $55,032–$70,878
Fuel Economy 21 MPG
Seating 7 passengers
Category SUV
Est. Annual Fuel $2,500/yr
The 2023 Lincoln Aviator scores 7.4/10 at Carivo, ranking #1166 of 2454 suvs, with 16 NHTSA recalls on record and an estimated $2,500/year fuel cost.

Key Specifications — 2023 Lincoln Aviator

Seating Capacity7 passengers
Body StyleSUV
Base Price$55,032–$70,878

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.

About the 2023 Lincoln Aviator

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator is a suv that earns a Carivo score of 7.4/10 — rated Good. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.6/10, while Reliability at 6.5/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional suv — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.

Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. At 6.5/10 for reliability, this suv trails its segment. That doesn't rule it out, but go in with eyes open on running costs. On safety, it scores 8.6/10 in our assessment. Always confirm the official crash-test results for your exact trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.

With 7.3/10 for performance, this is a car tuned for daily driving rather than excitement — perfectly capable on the commute, unremarkable on a back road. On technology it rates 8.3/10: a modern, well-integrated suite that compares favorably with anything at this price point.

Priced from $55,032–$70,878, 21 MPG, seating 7, the Lincoln Aviator sits in the premium tier of the suv category. The value score of 6.9/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 3 years old, it's worth checking whether a newer generation or refresh has addressed any weaker dimensions — compare it to the current model year before buying.

Verdict: The 2023 Lincoln Aviator sits in the middle of the field. Until its value and reliability scores improve, stronger options exist at this price. Worth a look if it fits a specific need; otherwise use our compare tool against the segment leaders first.

Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →

How It Ranks Among SUVs

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator ranks #1166 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 53% of the segment. Its 7.4/10 overall score is exactly at the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $55,032 starting price is about 53% above the segment's median of $36,079.

Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking →

5-Year Cost Snapshot — 2023 Lincoln Aviator

Fuel (75,000 miles)~$12,500 ($2,500/year at $3.50/gal)
Recall repairs$0 — 16 campaigns on record; recall work is always free at franchised dealers
InsuranceVaries widely by driver and state — always quote the exact trim before buying

We only print costs we can compute from sourced data (EPA fuel economy, NHTSA recalls). We don't estimate maintenance or depreciation — anyone who gives you one number for those is guessing.

Which Aviator Year Should You Buy?

Smart-money pick: the 2020 Lincoln Aviator scores 7.4/10 — within striking distance of the 2023's 7.4 — and starts roughly $5,000 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.

YearScoreStarting price (MSRP when new)
2026 7.5/10$58,437 Read review →
2025 7.5/10$58,437 Read review →
2024 7.6/10$56,735 Read review →
2023 (this review) 7.4/10$55,032
2022 7.4/10$53,330 Read review →
2021 7.4/10$51,628 Read review →
2020 7.4/10$49,926 Read review →

Pros & Cons — 2023 Lincoln Aviator

✓ What it does well

  • Top-tier safety scores across crash tests and driver-assistance tech
  • Modern, intuitive tech suite with wireless connectivity and up-to-date ADAS
  • Versatile body style handles daily commuting and weekend adventures equally well

✗ Where it falls short

  • Reliability scores are mid-pack; some owners report higher-than-expected maintenance needs
  • Driving dynamics are adequate but uninspiring; not the choice for enthusiast drivers
  • Fuel economy at 21 MPG is low — running costs will add up quickly

NHTSA Recalls — 2023 Lincoln Aviator (16 on record)

The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle with our free VIN recall checker.

Seat belts / Front / Warning light/devices
23/12/2022 · 22V953000
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Lincoln Aviator and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles equipped with a Revel Audio System. When the driver's seat belt is not buckled and the vehicle is started, the seat belt warning system may…
Back over prevention / sensing system / camera
23/01/2023 · 23V022000
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles equipped with a 360-degree camera. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
Power train / Automatic transmission
10/02/2023 · 23V070000
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 F-150, Mustang, Explorer, Bronco, and 2023 Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. The transmission may contain a loose bolt which could prevent the transmission from…
Back over prevention / sensing system / camera
12/05/2023 · 23V342000
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles equipped with a 360-degree camera. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
Back over prevention / sensing system / camera
25/08/2023 · 23V598000
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Lincoln Aviator, 2018-2021 Lincoln Navigator, 2022-2023 Ford Transit, and 2021 Ford Bronco vehicles. The rearview camera, or 360-degree view camera if equipped, may not display a rearview image when…

Showing 5 of 16 campaigns — see the full list on NHTSA's site.

Own a 2023 Lincoln Aviator that's been repaired repeatedly for the same problem? It may qualify under your state's lemon law — run the free lemon law check →

Common Questions — 2023 Lincoln Aviator

Is the 2023 Lincoln Aviator reliable?

We rate the 2023 Lincoln Aviator's reliability 6.5/10 — below the segment average, so budget for higher maintenance. It has 16 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).

How many recalls does the 2023 Lincoln Aviator have?

16 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Is the 2023 Lincoln Aviator worth buying?

It scores 7.4/10 overall, ranking #1166 of 2454 suvs in our database (better than 53% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.

How much does the 2023 Lincoln Aviator cost?

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator starts at $55,032 and ranges up to $70,878 across trims (MSRP when new). At 21 MPG, expect roughly $2,500/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.

Which Aviator years should you avoid?

No standout weak years: across the 7 Aviator model years we've scored, every year lands within half a point of the best (7.6/10). Pick on price and condition rather than year.

What problems does the 2023 Lincoln Aviator have?

The documented issues for the 2023 Lincoln Aviator are its NHTSA recall campaigns, which involve: Seat belts, Back over prevention, Power train, Equipment (details in the recalls section above; repairs are free at dealers). For wear-and-tear patterns beyond recalls, owner forums are the best source — we only report what federal data documents.

Owner Essentials — Lincoln Aviator

Practical extras owners actually buy. These are Amazon search links — as an Amazon Associate, Carivo earns from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.

All-weather floor mats → Dash cam → OBD2 scanner → Phone mount →

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More Lincoln Reviews

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