2021 Lincoln Aviator Safety Report
2021 LINCOLN AVIATOR SAFETY ANALYSIS
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2021 Lincoln Aviator
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2021 Lincoln Aviator. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (26) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (31) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 1 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Back Over Prevention | Compare back over prevention issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2024 | Compare against the 2024 Lincoln Aviator with 5 complaints and 7 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2020 | Check the 2020 Lincoln Aviator before buying across this generation. |
Lincoln Aviator Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Lincoln Aviator years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Lincoln Aviator | 37 | 20 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2020 Lincoln Aviator | 93 | 28 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2023 Lincoln Aviator | 17 | 15 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2024 Lincoln Aviator | 5 | 7 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2025 Lincoln Aviator | 8 | 13 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2021 Lincoln Aviator Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2021 Lincoln Aviator, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Back Over Prevention
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Back Over Prevention issues Lincoln onlyEngine
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Lincoln onlyElectrical System,Exterior Lighting,Visibility/Wiper
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Exterior Lighting,Visibility/Wiper issues Lincoln onlyStructure
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Structure issues Lincoln onlyUnknown Or Other
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Lincoln onlyInterior Lighting
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Interior Lighting issues Lincoln onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2021 Lincoln Aviator
Reliability Score
The 2021 Lincoln Aviator receives a reliability score of 85 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2021 Lincoln Aviator
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2021 Lincoln Aviator
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2021 Lincoln Aviator:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Back Over Prevention System Recalled for software issues leading to unintended braking and random seat belt activation. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Windshield Wiper Motor Recalled for intermittent failure, affecting visibility during rain or snow. |
Low | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
| Seat Belt Activation Recalled for random activation, posing safety risks. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Trim Piece Detachment Detachment of trim pieces can cause distraction and safety hazards. |
Low | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2021 Lincoln Aviator:
Issues with seat belt activation and functionality.
Windshield wiper motor failure affecting visibility.
Software issues leading to unintended braking and seat belt activation.
Detachment of trim pieces affecting safety and comfort.
Recall Details for the 2021 Lincoln Aviator
The following 26 recalls have been issued for the 2021 Lincoln Aviator by NHTSA:
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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 are expected to be mailed March 23, 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 1...
Summary: 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."
Consequence: An incorrectly displayed rearview image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The remedy is currently under development. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, are expected to be mailed April 17, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated second quarter of 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 re...
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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, are expected to be mailed March 9, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in May 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S14. Vehicle Identification Num...
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Bronco, Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, 2021-2022 Lincoln Navigator, Mustang, F-150, and 2022 Expedition vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump may fail, which can result in an engine stall while driving.
Consequence: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The remedy is under development. Interim notification letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 16, 2025. Second letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated 2nd Quarter 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S75.
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
Consequence: A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Aviator vehicles. The rear door window bars and C-pillar trim may have insufficient adhesive bonding, which can allow the trim to detach from the vehicle.
Consequence: Detached trim may cause a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will repair or replace C-pillar appliques and window division bars, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 29, 2025. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S66.
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, folding, or sliding unexpectedly while driving.
Consequence: A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the second-row seat switch, and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S67.
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with 3.0L PHEV engines that were repaired incorrectly under recall 23V626. A manufacturing defect in one or more of the high voltage battery cells may result in an internal short circuit and battery failure.
Consequence: Battery failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Battery failure can also increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will update the Battery Energy Control Module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 26, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S58.
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Lincoln Aviator and Lincoln Corsair vehicles equipped with a Revel Audio System that were repaired incorrectly under recall 22V-953. When the driver's seat belt is not buckled and the vehicle is started, the seat belt warning system may activate the audible warning chime for an insufficient amount of time of less than 4 seconds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 20...
Consequence: An audible warning chime that does not properly alert of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the audio control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 3, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C18.
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 23V-342. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
Consequence: Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the Image Processing Module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 25, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S27.
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Explorer and Aviator vehicles. The seat belt buckle anchor bolts at one or more seating positions may be improperly secured. Additionally, vehicles may have an improperly secured seat belt retractor anchor bolt and/or seat belt anchor bolt at the second-row center seating position, if equipped.
Consequence: A loose seat belt or seat belt buckle may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect seat belt buckle anchor bolts in all seating positions. Additionally, dealers will inspect the seat belt retractor anchor bolt and seat belt anchor bolt at the second-row center seating position, if equipped. If loose anchor bolts are found, the affected seat components will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on Jun...
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, 2020-2024 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2018-2024 F-150, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirement Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: Ford will mail owners the warning labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 19, 2024. Owners may call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C39.
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Bronco, F-150, Edge, Explorer, Lincoln Nautilus, and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with either a 2.7L or 3.0L Nano EcoBoost engine. The engine intake valves may break while driving, which can result in engine failure and a loss of drive power.
Consequence: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will perform an engine cycle test and replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 3, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S55.
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The accessory protocol image module (APIM) can be affected by electromagnetic interference with a cell phone in the vehicle, causing the rearview camera image to flicker or become distorted.
Consequence: A flickering or distorted rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to use their cell phones while reversing until the remedy is completed. Dealers will install shielding on the accessory protocol image module (APIM), free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 23, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S35.
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Lincoln Aviator and Ford Explorer vehicles equipped with 3.0L PHEV engines. A manufacturing defect in one or more of the high voltage battery cells may result in an internal short circuit and battery failure.
Consequence: Battery failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Battery failure can also increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will perform a Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) diagnostic test and replace the high voltage battery pack, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 8, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford Motor Company's number for this recall is 23S53.
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Lincoln Aviator, 2018-2021 Lincoln Navigator, 2022-2023 Ford Transit, and 2021 Ford Bronco vehicles. The rearview camera, or 360-degree view camera if equipped, may not display a rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse.
Consequence: Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rearview camera, and update the software and wiring as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 20, 2023 to Lincoln owners. Ford vehicle owners notification letters were mailed March 4, 2024. Ford remedy parts are anticipated 2nd Quarter 2024. Ford's number for this recall is 23S48.
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles equipped with a 360-degree camera. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
Consequence: Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the 360-degree camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 10, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S23. This recall expands and replaces NHTSA recall number 23V-022. Vehicles previously repaired under 23V-022 will need to have the new remedy performed.
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles equipped with a 360-degree camera. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
Consequence: Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the image processing module (IPMB) software, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed April 25, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed February 13, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S02. This recall expands and replaces NHTSA recall number 21V-...
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Lincoln Aviator and 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair vehicles equipped with a Revel Audio System. When the driver's seat belt is not buckled and the vehicle is started, the seat belt warning system may activate the audible warning chime for an insufficient amount of time of less than 4 seconds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Consequence: An audible warning chime that does not properly alert of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the audio control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 7, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22C35.
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. Incorrect rear suspension module components may have been installed due to a labeling error.
Consequence: A rear suspension module with incorrect components may affect vehicle handling, ride height, and braking characteristics, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear suspension module, and replace any incorrect parts, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 3, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S47.
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Explorer, Lincoln Corsair, and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with 360-degree cameras. The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
Consequence: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the Image Processing Module (IPMB) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 16, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S44.
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The side air bag attachment weld studs could detach during the deployment of the side air bag, resulting in an improper deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 214, "Side Impact Protection".
Consequence: Improper deployment of a side air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the side air bag assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 10, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C19.
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with 3.0L gasoline engines. The wire harness may not be secured properly, possibly contacting the air conditioning (A/C) compressor pulley, and resulting in damage to electrical wires, or the A/C compressor drive belt.
Consequence: Damaged electrical wires may short-circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the harness and A/C compressor belt for damage, replacing them as necessary, and install a tie strap to secure the wire harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 30, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S34.
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The image processing module may be unable to provide video feed to the display, which could result in a loss of the backup camera image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: A backup camera that displays a blank or distorted image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the image processing module software with the latest level, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 21, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C09.
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The right hand motor mount fasteners may have been incorrectly tightened, and may loosen over time.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove and replace the right hand motor mount fasteners, free of charge. The recall began February 3, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S72.
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The steering knuckles may have been manufactured improperly.
Consequence: The improperly manufactured knuckle may fracture, reducing steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front knuckle, and replace it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 16, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S69.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2021 Lincoln Aviator
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2021 Lincoln Aviator with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 1 involved fires. 1 reported injuries or fatalities.
Interior front reading lights turn on and off randomly when driving and when not driving. This is incredibly distracting especially at night.
The vehicle is intermittently braking on its own while driving. The issue has become significantly worse over the course of a month. The dashboard message reads, “brake applied, power reduced”. This is a danger to both myself and other drivers as we are unable to control the speed of the vehicle.
My car start making a very loud squeaking noise when I turn or hit any small bumb in the road. So I took it to the shop and was told both front lower ball joint boots are broken the exact same way. Now what bother me is what the mechanic said next. I quote " some type of suspension problem always happens on these cars. So my question is were there any recall about suspension on these cars? Onlin...
The driver-side front window regulator failed and was replaced on October 4, 2025. The passenger-side window regulator also failed and was removed and replaced on November 21, 2025. At the time each incident, the window would not raise using the car controls and remained stuck in the down position. Two window regulator failures on opposite sides of this vehicle just seven weeks and within roughly ...
1.) Exhaust System Failure (Flex Pipe / Catalytic Converter) The vehicle’s exhaust system—specifically the flex pipe connected to the catalytic converter—cracked and malfunctioned. This component is available for inspection upon request. As a result of the failure, exhaust fumes entered the cabin, creating a significant safety risk due to potential exposure to carbon monoxide. Prior to the failure...
My vehicle’s camera system, including the backup camera, is experiencing an issue where the passenger-side camera fails to display properly, showing only a blank black area. I have reported this issue to my dealership for future inspection. It is not yet clear whether the problem persists during daylight hours; however, it poses a significant safety risk at night when visibility is already limited...
For the first 39 months of my ownership my 2021 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring plug-in electric hybrid would not charge properly and resulted in thousands of charge station fault alerts. The dealership was dismissive of the issue for years because it seemed to work for the few minutes when they charged it on their high voltage charger even though I voiced concerns about the charger port being bad ...
The "auto" mode on my Sync screen on my 2021 Lincoln Aviator does not always automatically switch between day and night based on ambient light levels. This is a blinding experience at night when the screen doesn't switch to night mode and the brightness is intense. This blinding screen makes it hard to see outside when it is dark which could lead to an accident. My dealer says I have the most u...
The contact owns a 2021 Lincoln Aviator. The contact stated that the seat folding switch on the third-row seat failed to function as intended. The seat was stuck in the down position. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
My 2021 Lincoln Aviator PHEV lift gate safety stop does not function properly. It will come closing down extremely hard. This will happen when the button is pressed on the lift gate or the hands free feature is triggered. The lift gate will not safety stop and pop back open as it should unless a significant amount of force is used; this is usually 2 or more people trying with all their strength t...
My 2021 Lincoln Aviator grand touring PHEV has on 3 separate occasions randomly gone into “brick” mode where power is to some components like the Sync screen, and some lights, but main dash won’t boot, the lock/unlock doesn’t work but lock icon flashes on door panel, the vehicle won’t start. This is after short trips out with my family for the evening. Not a fob issue. All 3 times the same. First ...
The contact owns a 2021 Lincoln Aviator. The contact stated that while 5 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. The message to “Shift to Park” was displayed. The contact pulled over to right side of the road, turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle operated as intended. A dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the failure had occur...
Trim piece on back drivers side window has fallen off while driving down the highway.
The contact owns a 2021 Lincoln Aviator. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's side rear door trim detached and flew off the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that after it rained, water entered the interior of the vehicle through the sunroof. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a detached driver's rear door trim and clogged drai...
When pumping gas it always overflows. Tried several gas stations. Two different dealers have attempted to fix (they did confirm the issue). Each had had at least 3 attempts with no success. Lincoln seems disinterested in finding a remedy. This feels very unsafe to me in many ways.
Driving 75mph. Cruise set to 75mph. Vehicle randomly reset cruising speed to 85 and 105mph or two separate occasions over 4 days. I went through the settings and disabled intelligent cruise control and switched it to adaptive cruise control, which doesn't use radar and navigation data. Only tell will tell if that fixed it. I already had speed sign recognition disabled.
I have been reporting an issue for over two years with multiple dealerships regarding a sulphur and other strong exhaust smell. This Sulphur smell is most problematic and occurs most often at least one per day. This issue started off intermittently but is now occurring as increase frequencies. The Lincoln dealerships tell me this is normal. I am not sure what system is exactly failing as no...
I am writing to express my frustration regarding the unresolved issue related to recall 24V368 concerning the rearview camera image. This has been an ongoing problem for several years, and despite receiving multiple safety recall notices and scheduling appointments with your service department, the issue remains unaddressed.
The contact owns a 2021 Lincoln Aviator. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V342000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The ...
The engine of my 2021 Lincoln Aviator with only 79,403 miles has failed, leaving myself and my family stranded on the side of a very busy interstate in another state far from home. There were absolutely no warnings given before the engine acted as if it had a significant loss of power. Shortly afterwards, very heavy and foul-smelling smoke started coming out of the tail pipe. Had the vehicle tra...
Showing 20 of 31 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2021 Lincoln Aviator
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Engine
Opened 2023-09-29 · Closed 2024-10-31
On July 22, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) granted a Defect Petition (DP22001) and opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE22007) to investigate allegations of loss of motive power in model year (MY) 2021 Ford Bronco vehicles equipped with 2.7L EcoBoost engines. Complainants were reporting sudden engine failure while driving resulting in a loss of motive power, often without the ability to restart. During PE22007, the cause of engine failure and loss of motive power in the subject ve...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2021 Lincoln Aviator
Has the 2021 LINCOLN AVIATOR been recalled?
Yes, the 2021 LINCOLN AVIATOR has 26 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2021 LINCOLN AVIATOR have?
The 2021 LINCOLN AVIATOR has 31 complaints filed with NHTSA. None of the complaints involved crashes. 2 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2021 LINCOLN AVIATOR?
The 2021 LINCOLN AVIATOR received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 5/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 LINCOLN AVIATOR?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2021 LINCOLN AVIATOR involve back over prevention (3 complaints), engine (3 complaints), electrical system,exterior lighting,visibility/wiper (2 complaints). Other affected components include structure, unknown or other, interior lighting.
How many crash reports does the 2021 LINCOLN AVIATOR have?
There are no crash reports associated with the 2021 LINCOLN AVIATOR in the NHTSA database.
How many fire reports does the 2021 LINCOLN AVIATOR have?
There are 1 fire reports for the 2021 LINCOLN AVIATOR out of 31 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2021 LINCOLN AVIATOR?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 LINCOLN AVIATOR.
How many injuries are reported for the 2021 LINCOLN AVIATOR?
2 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 LINCOLN AVIATOR. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2021 LINCOLN AVIATOR?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2021 LINCOLN AVIATOR is acceptable with caveats. It has 31 complaints, 26 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2021 LINCOLN AVIATOR?
The components with the most failures on the 2021 LINCOLN AVIATOR are: 1. BACK OVER PREVENTION (3 complaints), 2. ENGINE (3 complaints), 3. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VISIBILITY/WIPER (2 complaints), 4. STRUCTURE (2 complaints), 5. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (2 complaints). BACK OVER PREVENTION is the single most-reported problem area with 3 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2021 LINCOLN AVIATOR?
Consider the specific recalls and known issues before purchasing, especially regarding back over prevention and electrical system failures. The 2021 LINCOLN AVIATOR has 31 NHTSA complaints and 26 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2021 LINCOLN AVIATOR?
The 2021 LINCOLN AVIATOR receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 31 owner complaints, 26 recalls, and 1 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Back over prevention system and Windshield wiper motor.
What are the known issues with the 2021 LINCOLN AVIATOR?
Known issues with the 2021 LINCOLN AVIATOR include: Back over prevention system, Windshield wiper motor, Seat belt activation, Trim piece detachment. These are based on patterns found across 31 NHTSA complaints. 26 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any recalls for the 2021 Lincoln Aviator?
Yes, there are recalls for back over prevention system software issues and windshield wiper motor failures.
What are the common electrical system issues?
Common issues include windshield wiper motor failure and trim piece detachment.
Are there any safety concerns with the back over prevention system?
Yes, there are software issues that can lead to unintended braking and random seat belt activation.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Consider the specific recalls and known issues before purchasing, especially regarding back over prevention and electrical system failures.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2021 Lincoln Aviator
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2021 Lincoln Aviator. The data includes 31 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 26 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 1 fire incidents, 2 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2021 Lincoln Aviator an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16