YearToAvoid

2021 Lincoln Corsair Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

40/100

#4 most-complained of 6 Corsair years

The 2021 Lincoln Corsair has a complaint index of 40, ranking 4th worst out of 6 model years, with a

Complaints
34
Recalls
22
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
24.5
21.5 city / 29 hwy

Top 2021 Lincoln Corsair problems

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

  1. Other13 (38%)
  2. Collision Avoidance & Cameras10 (29%)
  3. Electrical System6 (18%)
  4. Engine5 (15%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain5 (15%)
  6. Structure & Body3 (9%)
  7. Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (6%)
  8. Visibility & Wipers2 (6%)
  9. Brakes1 (3%)
  10. HVAC1 (3%)

What owners report

  • Owners report the sign recognition/cruise control system misreading speed limit signs and abruptly slowing the vehicle on the highway.
  • Owners describe complete electrical shutdowns where interior lights, dashboard displays, and the rear hatch stop working even though the battery tests fine.
  • Owners report struts and shocks leaking or breaking, with oil pooling under the rear wheel.
  • Owners describe the transmission failing to accelerate promptly when the pedal is pressed, sometimes requiring transmission replacement, reported around 12,000 miles.
  • Owners report the panoramic sunroof shattering on its own with no impact.
  • Owners describe the check engine and battery warning lights illuminating followed by the vehicle stalling at low speed, reported around 32,000 miles.
  • Owners report the liftgate opening on its own from a distance due to a faulty hands-free sensor, in some cases becoming entangled with a garage door.
  • Owners describe the backup camera screen turning blue and staying non-functional even after a recall repair was applied.
2021 Lincoln Corsair complaints: complaints filed per month5Mar 2021Feb 2022Nov 2022Apr 2023Jul 2024Jun 2025Jan 2026
49 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2021 to Jun 2026; peak Jun 2026 (5).

2021 Lincoln Corsair recalls

22 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 26V123000Mar 3, 2026Collision Avoidance & Cameras889,950 vehicles

    Back over prevention:software

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2020-2024 Lincoln Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The image on the center display may flip or invert, resulting in an incorrectly displayed rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

    Risk: An incorrectly displayed rearview image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will update the accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 23, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C11. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 5, 2026.

  2. NHTSA 26V117000Mar 3, 2026Visibility & Wipers604,533 vehicles

    Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer, Escape, Lincoln Aviator, and Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The windshield wiper motor may fail and prevent the windshield wipers from operating properly.

    Risk: Windshield wipers that fail to operate properly can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the front wiper motors as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed April 2, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in October 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S14. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 4, 2026.

  3. NHTSA 25V685000Oct 10, 2025Other59,006 vehicles

    Equipment:electrical:engine block heater

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.

    Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 3, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated September 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 15, 2025.

See all 22 recalls for the 2021 Lincoln Corsair →

2021 Lincoln Corsair fuel economy and fuel cost

City
21.5 MPG
Highway
29 MPG
Combined
24.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,650
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 Corsair 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
2020Caution60601624
2021Good40342224.5
2022Avoid100341924.5
2023Best014825

All Lincoln Corsair years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Lincoln Corsair reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2021 Corsair has a complaint index of 40 and ranks 4th worst among the 6 model years with data, earning a 'Good' verdict relative to other Corsair years.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Lincoln Corsair?
The top problem area is Collision Avoidance & Cameras, accounting for 29% of complaints (10 of 34), followed by Electrical System at 18% and Engine and Transmission & Powertrain each at 15%.
Does the 2021 Lincoln Corsair have recalls?
NHTSA lists 22 recalls for the 2021 Corsair, covering areas including cameras, wiper motors, seat belts, and the 2.5L HEV/PHEV engine.
How does the 2021 Corsair compare to other years?
The 2021 model's complaint index of 40 is better than 2020 (60), 2022 (100), and 2024 (80), but worse than 2023 (0) and 2025 (20).
Were there any crashes or fires reported for the 2021 Corsair?
NHTSA data shows 0 crashes and 0 fires reported for the 2021 Corsair, though 2 injuries were recorded across its 34 complaints.

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.