LINCOLN Aviator Incident

On March [XXX], 2026, at approximately 11:13 AM, a Lincoln Aviator was involved in an incident while traveling on [XXX] South near exit [XXX]. The driver alleged she was traveling at 78 mph with BlueCruise engaged when her leg contacted the steering wheel, causing the vehicle to steer and impact the center steel highway guardrail. According to the driver, airbags deployed, and a rear-row passenger was later treated at the hospital for a concussion. Ford's investigation confirmed the Aviator is equipped with Co-Pilot 360 Drive 2.0, including Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Centering Assist (LCA), and BlueCruise. Telemetry connected vehicle data was retrieved, and Ford's initial analysis shows: 1) BlueCruise was engaged at the time of the incident; 2) the vehicle was traveling at a pre-collision speed of 78 mph; 3) the vehicle experienced a non-system initiated leftward steer input of 39 degrees resulting in impact with the steel guardrail; 4) side and curtain airbags deployed; and 5) a rightward steer input of 94 degrees was recorded after the impact. The initial rapid leftward angle change at a high vehicle speed (78 mph) far exceeds the steering input capabilities of the BlueCruise system. Ford's investigation is ongoing.