YearToAvoid

2021 Lincoln Aviator Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

60/100

#3 most-complained of 6 Aviator years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator has a Complaint Index of 60 and ranks 3rd-worst out of 6 model years, earning a Caution verdict. It has 39 NHTSA complaints, 28 recalls, 1 crash, and 1 fire, with Electrical System issues the top problem area (33% of complaints).

Complaints
39
Recalls
28
Crashes / fires
1 / 1
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
21
18 city / 25 hwy

Top 2021 Lincoln Aviator problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System13 (33%)
  2. Engine9 (23%)
  3. Other7 (18%)
  4. Structure & Body7 (18%)
  5. Visibility & Wipers6 (15%)
  6. Collision Avoidance & Cameras5 (13%)
  7. Fuel System5 (13%)
  8. Transmission & Powertrain4 (10%)
  9. Brakes3 (8%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (5%)

What owners report

  • Owners report the vehicle stalling or shutting off unexpectedly while driving, including on the freeway.
  • Some describe the engine losing power suddenly, seizing, or requiring full replacement, in one case after 79,403 miles.
  • Rear backup cameras flicker, show a blue screen, or fail to display an image, sometimes persisting after dealer repair.
  • Owners report unexplained battery drain leading to a dead battery repeatedly, even after dealer service and a recall repair.
  • One owner reported a heated seat causing a burn to their skin and clothing, indicating a fire hazard in that component.
  • Powertrain issues include the vehicle failing to respond to the accelerator (neutral-out) while stopped in an intersection.
2021 Lincoln Aviator complaints: complaints filed per month7Mar 2022Feb 2023Oct 2023Sep 2024Jul 2025Nov 2025Mar 2026Jul 2026
63 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2022 to Sep 2026; peak Nov 2025 (7).

2021 Lincoln Aviator recalls

28 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 26V451000Jul 14, 2026Structure & Body387,911 vehicles

    Seats:mid/rear assembly

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2027 Aviator and 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, tipping, or sliding unexpectedly.

    Risk: A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters explaining the safety risk were mailed August 19, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in January 2027. Lincoln Aviator owner notification letters were mailed August 21, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S52. This recall expands Recall 25V393. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 16, 2026.

  2. NHTSA 26V402000Jun 24, 2026Transmission & Powertrain741,195 vehicles

    Power train:automatic transmission

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Navigator, Expedition, 2020-2021 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2021 F-150 vehicles. The transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage.

    Risk: Park system damage may result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, and inspect and replace any damaged transmission components as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 10, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in April 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S48. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on June 26, 2026.

  3. NHTSA 26V159000Mar 17, 2026Seat Belts561 vehicles

    Seat belts

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2026 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The seat belt anchor bolts at the second-row outer seating positions may be improperly secured.

    Risk: A loose seat belt buckle may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the second-row outer seat belt lower anchor bolts and replace or repair them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 30, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C18. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 19, 2026.

See all 28 recalls for the 2021 Lincoln Aviator →

2021 Lincoln Aviator fuel economy and fuel cost

City
18 MPG
Highway
25 MPG
Combined
21 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,100
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2021 compared with other Aviator years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100202020212022202320242025
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2020Avoid1001083021
2021Caution60392821
2022Avoid80452121
2023Best20241620.5

All Lincoln Aviator years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Lincoln Aviator reliable based on NHTSA data?
The 2021 Aviator has a Complaint Index of 60 and ranks 3rd-worst among 6 model years, giving it a Caution verdict. It has fewer complaints (39) than the 2020 model (108) but more than the 2023 and 2024 models.
What is the top problem area for the 2021 Lincoln Aviator?
Electrical System issues are the top problem area, accounting for 13 complaints, or 33% of the total, with a median mileage at failure of 60,000 miles.
How many recalls does the 2021 Lincoln Aviator have?
NHTSA lists 28 recalls for the 2021 Lincoln Aviator, covering areas including Structure & Body, Transmission & Powertrain, Seat Belts, Collision Avoidance & Cameras, Visibility & Wipers, and Fuel System.
Which Lincoln Aviator model years should I avoid?
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2020 model year (Complaint Index 100) and 2022 model year (Complaint Index 80) rank worse than 2021, both carrying an Avoid verdict, while 2023 and 2024 rank as Best.
Does the 2021 Lincoln Aviator have a transmission recall?
Yes. Recall campaign 26V402000 covers the 2021 Aviator for a transmission park pawl that may engage while the vehicle is in motion.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.