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Lincoln recalls for loose trim and weak body structure
This small group splits in two. Two recalls are about exterior trim letting go: 2020-2025 Aviator rear door window division bars and C-pillar appliques with insufficient adhesive bonding, and 2016-2019 MKT front B-pillar door trim that can detach while driving. The other two involve structure and fasteners on newer Aviators: the 2022 Aviator engine rails may have been improperly heat-treated, leaving the vehicles out of compliance with federal crash protection standards, and a front subframe mounting bolt on the 2025 Aviator may have been tightened improperly. Aviator appears in three of the four. The 2022 engine rail recall is the only critical one, and the only one where Ford offered a vehicle replacement or buyback.
Warning signs to watch for
- Trim along the rear doors or C-pillar of an Aviator that looks lifted, loose, or is already missing.
- B-pillar door trim on an MKT that has pulled away at the edges or fallen off.
- A trim piece discovered missing after highway driving.
- The engine rail and subframe bolt recalls describe no symptom an owner could see or feel; inspection is the only way to know.
Is it safe to keep driving?
None of the four notices tells you to stop driving or park outside. The trim recalls on Aviator and MKT are the mildest: the vehicle drives normally, and the real danger is a piece coming off at highway speed and hitting someone behind you. The 2022 Aviator engine rail recall is the one to treat as urgent, because a rail can come loose on the road and the vehicle may protect you less in a crash. The 2025 subframe bolt is a crash-protection concern rather than a driving failure, but have it inspected soon.
What the free repair involves
Dealers run a strength test on the 2022 Aviator engine rails and replace them if needed; if rails require replacement, owners can choose a vehicle replacement or buyback instead. On the 2025 Aviator they inspect and tighten the front subframe bolts. Loose bodywork is repaired or replaced: C-pillar appliques and window division bars on Aviator, B-pillar trim on MKT, whose final remedy was still pending. Everything is free.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| critical | 1 |
| medium | 3 |
Models affected most
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-12-01 | Lincoln MKT door pillar trim can detach while driving | medium |
| 2025-06-13 | Lincoln Aviator rear window trim can fall off | medium |
| 2025-05-09 | Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator subframe bolt may be loose | medium |
| 2022-06-24 | Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator engine rails may be weak | critical |
Common questions
What happens if my 2022 Aviator's engine rails fail the test?
Dealers replace the rails free of charge, and Ford gives owners whose rails require replacement the option of a vehicle replacement or buyback instead. The strength test performed at the dealer is the only way to know which applies.
Is detaching trim really worth a safety recall?
Yes. Ford recalled the Aviator C-pillar appliques and window division bars and the MKT B-pillar door trim because the pieces can come off while driving. The hazard falls mainly on vehicles behind you rather than on your own occupants.
Has the MKT B-pillar trim repair been released yet?
Not as of the notice. Ford mailed interim letters in December 2025 describing the safety risk and said additional letters would follow once the final remedy is available. The notice does not ask owners to park the vehicle meanwhile.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.