repaired · 2026 Q3
Seats: mid/rear assembly
NewRisk. A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
2021 Lincoln AviatorProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 42 owner complaints about the 2021 Lincoln Aviator, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 28 safety recalls, and for recall 25V-455 the manufacturer reports only 19% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 5, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: DestinationFearFan, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2021 Lincoln Aviator has problems
42 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
12Electrical system1 crash/fire/injury
6Engine
5Structure1 crash/fire/injury
5Visibility/wiper
4Power train
4Seats1 crash/fire/injury
4Service brakes
3Back over prevention
3Fuel/propulsion system
1810 other systems2 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 12 | 1 |
| Engine | 6 | 0 |
| Structure | 5 | 1 |
| Visibility/wiper | 5 | 0 |
| Power train | 4 | 0 |
| Seats | 4 | 1 |
| Service brakes | 4 | 0 |
| Back over prevention | 3 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 0 |
| 10 other systems | 18 | 2 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
28 recalls
2021 Lincoln Aviator recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Power train: automatic transmission
NewRisk. Park system damage may result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2026 Q3
Seat belts
NewRisk. A loose seat belt buckle may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
repaired · 2026 Q3
Back over prevention: software
NewRisk. An incorrectly displayed rearview image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Show 24 more recalls
no report yet
Windshield wiper/washer: motor
NewRisk. Windshield wipers that fail to operate properly can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2026 Q3
Delivery: fuel pump
Risk. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2026 Q3
Back over prevention: software
Risk. A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle.
repaired · 2026 Q3
Structure: body
Risk. Detached trim may cause a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2026 Q3
Seats: mid/rear assembly
Risk. A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
repaired · 2026 Q3
Propulsion system: traction battery
Risk. Battery failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2026 Q3
Front: warning light/devices
Risk. An audible warning chime that does not properly alert of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
repaired · 2026 Q3
Back over prevention: software
Risk. Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2026 Q3
Seat belts
Risk. A loose seat belt or seat belt buckle may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
repaired · 2026 Q3
Other: labels
Risk. Without a label that shows the proper restraint usage guidelines, the occupants may have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
repaired · 2026 Q3
Engine: hard parts internal/mechanical
Risk. A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2026 Q3
Back over prevention: display function
Risk. A flickering or distorted rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2026 Q1
Propulsion system: traction battery
Risk. Battery failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2025 Q3
Sensing system: camera
Risk. Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2025 Q3
Sensing system: camera
Risk. Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2023 Q3
Sensing system: camera
Risk. Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2024 Q4
Front: warning light/devices
Risk. An audible warning chime that does not properly alert of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
repaired · 2023 Q3
Suspension: rear
Risk. A rear suspension module with incorrect components may affect vehicle handling, ride height, and braking characteristics, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2023 Q3
Sensing system: camera
Risk. A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2024 Q1
Air bags: critical fasteners
Risk. Improper deployment of a side air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
repaired · 2023 Q2
Electrical system: wiring
Risk. Damaged electrical wires may short-circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
repaired · 2023 Q1
Back over prevention: display function
Risk. A backup camera that displays a blank or distorted image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2022 Q4
Engine
Risk. With a loose motor mount, motor vibration may cause the axle to disconnect from the engine and could result in loss of power, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2022 Q3
Steering
Risk. The improperly manufactured knuckle may fracture, reducing steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Lincoln.
Best & worst years
2021 vs. every other Aviator year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Aviator median. How we score
'03'04'05'20'21'22'23'24'25'26'27
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2021 Lincoln Aviator safety ratings
2021 Lincoln Aviator SUV 4WD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
★★★★★
- Rollover: 4 stars (15.1% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: Optional
- Lane departure warning: Standard
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2021 Lincoln Aviator, and the recalls they led to.
- Loss of Motive PowerLed to recall 24V-635
In owners' words
What Aviator owners report
Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
The Driver Seat Module (DSM) is known to develop software glitches across the 2020–2024 Aviator/Corsair/Explorer platform, causing the seat to not move to the correct programmed memory position. Lincoln’s fix (per Special Service Message 51406, issued for Corsair but describing the same shared…
I have been having issues with my breaks sticking when applied. To the point that it’s completely stopping my car and i need to use my foot to release the brake from behind. I have had the dealership look at this issue and they can’t seem to find the problem. They also broke my car and claimed they…
The contact owns a 2021 Lincoln Aviator. The contact stated that the vehicle did not start, the vehicle was, the hood was raised, the contact went back to the vehicle to try to start, the vehicle would not turn over with clicking in the engine. the vehicle began to smoke with very thick white…
Own a 2021 Aviator?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.