On certain sport utility vehicles, the transmission shift cable can become dislodged from the shift cable bracket.
Risk: This could result resulting in incorrect gear indication.
Sell your 2003 Lincoln Aviator for cash
The 2003 Lincoln Aviator is a SUV that came with a 4.6L 8-cyl engine. At 23 years old, many are reaching the point where repairs cost more than the car is worth. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.
- Free offer for your 2003 Aviator in about 30 seconds
- Free towing, running or not
- Paid at pickup
LincolnAVIATOR2003
2003 Lincoln Aviator at a glance
| Body style | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD |
|---|---|
| Engines | 4.6L 8-cyl |
| Transmissions | Automatic 5-spd |
| Drive | Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
| Fuel economy | 12 city / 17 highway / 14 combined MPG |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $4,800 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles) |
| Tailpipe CO₂ | 635 grams per mile |
| Versions tested by EPA | 2 configurations: Aviator 2WD, Aviator 4WD |
| Age | 23 years |
Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data. Your car's exact equipment may differ.
What affects its junk value
- Age: at 23 years old, most of a 2003 Aviator's value comes from reusable parts and scrap metal, not resale.
- Weight: as a SUV, it's heavier than a typical car, and scrap weight is a big part of any junk offer. See how scrap prices by weight work.
- Catalytic converter: like all gas and diesel cars, it has a catalytic converter containing precious metals, one of the most valuable parts on a junk car. An offer assumes it's still in place. More on catalytic converters.
- Recalls: NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2003 Aviator. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking it.
- Known problems: owners reported the most issues with the power train, typically around 110,000 miles. If that's what failed on yours, it can still be sold as-is.
2003 Lincoln Aviator recalls
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall covering the 2003 Lincoln Aviator. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.
Common 2003 Aviator problems
Owners have filed 111 complaints about the 2003 Lincoln Aviator with NHTSA. 5 reports involved a crash. Owners reported 7 injuries.
Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.
Most-reported components
Typical mileage when problems were reported
- Power Train110,000 mi
- Power Train52,000 mi
- Engine and Engine Cooling82,000 mi
- Structure75,000 mi
- Electrical System92,000 mi
- Vehicle Speed Control64,000 mi
2003 Lincoln Aviator service bulletins
Manufacturers have filed 73 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 2003 Lincoln Aviator. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.
Most common bulletin topics
Recent bulletins
Ford: some vehicles may exhibit oil separation from the internal lube found in the unitized cartridge seal. Oil separation appears to be and is often misdiagnosed, as an
Extended warranty coverage on ignition coil assemblies. *kb
Malfunction indicator lamp on with PCM diagnostic trouble code p0463 and/or ic diagnostic trouble code b1201 - fuel gauge drops to empty or slow to update after refueling
Low tire indicator on - TPMS system sensor wake up. *tt
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).
NHTSA defect investigations
NHTSA opened 2 defect investigations covering the 2003 Lincoln Aviator.
Vehicle Rollaway Allegations
This investigation is being closed based on several considerations.By the most inclusive counting of all alleged rollaway incidents (i.e., counting all alleged rollaway incidents and assuming a singular failure mechanism), the incident rate is low, however during EA09-013, ODI identified a number of different failure m
Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
On september 6, 2005, odi received a petition requesting that the agency investigate allegations of engine spark plug ejection in certain model year 1997 through 2004 ford vehicles with triton v-8 and v-10 engines.odi received a total of 474 non-duplicative complaints on the subject vehicles where the complainant, or t
Other Lincoln Aviator years
Sell a 2004 Aviator › · All Lincoln Aviator years
Other 2003 Lincoln models
Selling a 2003 Aviator: questions
How much is a 2003 Lincoln Aviator worth for junk?
It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. As a heavier vehicle, its scrap weight adds to the offer. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.
Can I junk a 2003 Aviator that doesn't run?
Yes. We buy 2003 Aviators that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.
Can I sell a 2003 Aviator with open recalls?
Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2003 Lincoln Aviator; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What paperwork do I need to sell my 2003 Aviator?
Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.
Before you sell
Sources
- EPA fuel economy data (specs and MPG)fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA recallsnhtsa.gov
- NHTSA complaints, service bulletins and investigationsnhtsa.gov
Data retrieved October 2026.
Get cash for your 2003 Aviator today
Get a free offer in minutes. Towing is always free and you get paid at pickup.