NHTSA has 45 owner complaints on file for the 2021 Lincoln Aviator[1]. Electrical issues lead the list with 12 complaints[2].
Most reported problems
Here are the complaint groups in the NHTSA reports, biggest first.
- Electrical System. 12 complaints[2]. Owners describe cameras that go blank until the car is restarted, batteries that die soon after a dealer visit, and a car that shuts off while driving.
- Power Train. 6 complaints[6]. In the stories we read, owners describe shaking at certain speeds, the car slipping into neutral when they press the pedal, and trouble with charging.
- Engine. 6 complaints[7]. Owners describe engines that failed without warning and left families stranded, plus smoke and a cracked exhaust part.
- Unknown Or Other. 6 complaints[8]. These reports do not point to one clear part.
- Visibility/Wiper. 5 complaints[9]. Owners describe a screen that stays too bright at night, a camera that shows a black area, and window regulators that failed.
- Back Over Prevention. 4 complaints[10].
- Structure. 4 complaints[11].
- Seats. 4 complaints[12].
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2021 Aviator is necessarily included.
- Seats › Mid/Rear Assembly (26V451), July 2026. About 387,911 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[13]
- Power Train › Automatic Transmission (26V402), June 2026. About 741,195 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, the car rolling away. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[14]
- Seat Belts (26V159), March 2026. About 561 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[15]
- Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor (26V117), March 2026. About 604,533 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced visibility. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[16]
- Back Over Prevention › Software (26V123), March 2026. About 889,950 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[17]
- Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump (25V455), July 2025. About 850,318 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, stalling. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[18]
- Back Over Prevention › Software (25V442), June 2025. About 200,237 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[19]
- Structure › Body (25V407), June 2025. About 132,914 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[20]
- Seats › Mid/Rear Assembly (25V393), June 2025. About 304,662 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[21]
- Electrical System › Propulsion System › Traction Battery (25V349), May 2025. About 8 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire, a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[22]
- Seat Belts › Front › Warning Light/Devices (25V338), May 2025. About 4,442 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[23]
- Back Over Prevention › Software (25V159), March 2025. About 49,399 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced visibility. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[24]
- Seat Belts (25V093), February 2025. About 240,510 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[25]
- Equipment › Other › Labels (24V852), November 2024. About 27,678 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[26]
- Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine › Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical (24V635), August 2024. About 90,736 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[27]
- Back Over Prevention › Display Function (24V368), May 2024. About 109,283 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced visibility. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[28]
- Electrical System › Propulsion System › Traction Battery (23V626), September 2023. About 2,954 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire, a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[29]
- Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera (23V598), August 2023. About 177,402 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced visibility. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[30]
- Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera (23V342), May 2023. About 442,973 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced visibility. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[31]
- Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera (23V022), January 2023. About 382,759 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced visibility. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[32]
- Seat Belts › Front › Warning Light/Devices (22V953), December 2022. About 101,001 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[33]
- Suspension › Rear (21V870), November 2021. About 20 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced braking. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[34]
- Back Over Prevention › Software (21V735), September 2021. About 228,297 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[35]
- Air Bags › Side/Window › Curtain (21V652), August 2021. About 592 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[36]
- Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Compressor (21V534), July 2021. About 33,298 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[37]
- Back Over Prevention › Display Function (21V223), March 2021. About 34,952 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[38]
- Engine (20V788), December 2020. About 1,405 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, loss of power. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[39]
- Steering (20V726), November 2020. About 690 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, steering problems. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[40]
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| Aviator PHEV AWD, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S10), Regular Gas and Electricity[41] | 22 / 25 / 23 | n/a |
| Aviator RWD, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S10), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive[4] | 18 / 26 / 21 | $3,200 |
| Aviator AWD, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S10), Regular, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive[42] | 17 / 24 / 20 | $3,350 |
Safety ratings
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUV 4WD[5] | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 15.1% |
| SUV RWD[43] | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 14.7% |
NHTSA lists these versions as not rated: SUV 4WD[44].
Engine and size
Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.
| Engine | Horsepower |
|---|---|
| 2021 Lincoln Aviator with 3.0L 6-cylinder[45] | 393 hp |
These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.
How 2021 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 111 | 1 |
| 2004 | 81 | 0 |
| 2005 | 51 | 0 |
| 2020 | 120 | 30 |
| 2021 | 45 | 28 |
| 2022 | 61 | 22 |
| 2023 | 30 | 16 |
| 2024 | 7 | 8 |
| 2025 | 18 | 15 |
| 2026 | 4 | 6 |
NHTSA's counts for the Aviator show 45 complaints and 28 recalls for 2021[3]. Among the 11 model years listed, 5 have fewer complaints than 2021 and 5 have more[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2027 (0) and the most are for 2020 (120)[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2021 Aviator?
The 2021 Aviator has a modest pile of reports, 45 complaints in all[1]. Electrical problems are the largest group[2]. Engine and power train reports are smaller but describe serious moments for the owners involved[6][7]. The reports are unverified and not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a guide to what to check. Recalls are listed on this page too[3].
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2021 Lincoln Aviator?
- Electrical complaints are the largest group on file[2]. Power train and engine come next[6][7].
- Does the 2021 Lincoln Aviator have recalls?
- Yes. The Recalls section on this page lists them, and the count is in the by-year facts[3].
- How many complaints are there for the 2021 Lincoln Aviator?
- NHTSA has 45 owner complaints on file[1].
- What is the gas mileage of the 2021 Lincoln Aviator?
- See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.
- Is the 2021 Lincoln Aviator reliable?
- The complaint groups above show where owners ran into trouble[1]. The by-year section shows how this year compares with others.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Lincoln Aviator
Compare all model years of the Lincoln Aviator
Other Lincoln models from 2021
Similar cars from 2021: suvs
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 45 owner complaints on file for the 2021 Lincoln Aviator (1 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 2 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 12 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Lincoln Aviator model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Aviator RWD, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S10), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 26 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV 4WD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 15.1%. NHTSA vehicle records
- 6 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 6 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 6 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 5 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 4 complaints name the back over prevention component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 4 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 4 complaints name the seats component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 26V451, filed July 14, 2026: Seats › Mid / Rear Assembly. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 26V402, filed June 24, 2026: Power Train › Automatic Transmission. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 26V159, filed March 17, 2026: Seat Belts. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 26V117, filed March 3, 2026: Visibility › Windshield Wiper / Washer › Motor. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 26V123, filed March 3, 2026: Back Over Prevention › Software. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 25V455, filed July 7, 2025: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 25V442, filed June 27, 2025: Back Over Prevention › Software. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 25V407, filed June 13, 2025: Structure › Body. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 25V393, filed June 13, 2025: Seats › Mid / Rear Assembly. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 25V349, filed May 23, 2025: Electrical System › Propulsion System › Traction Battery. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 25V338, filed May 23, 2025: Seat Belts › Front › Warning Light / Devices. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 25V159, filed March 14, 2025: Back Over Prevention › Software. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 25V093, filed February 14, 2025: Seat Belts. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 24V852, filed November 8, 2024: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 24V635, filed August 23, 2024: Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine › Hard Parts Internal / Mechanical. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 24V368, filed May 24, 2024: Back Over Prevention › Display Function. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 23V626, filed September 8, 2023: Electrical System › Propulsion System › Traction Battery. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 23V598, filed August 25, 2023: Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 23V342, filed May 12, 2023: Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 23V022, filed January 23, 2023: Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 22V953, filed December 23, 2022: Seat Belts › Front › Warning Light / Devices. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 21V870, filed November 10, 2021: Suspension › Rear. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 21V735, filed September 22, 2021: Back Over Prevention › Software. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 21V652, filed August 23, 2021: Air Bags › Side / Window › Curtain. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 21V534, filed July 15, 2021: Visibility › Defroster / Defogger / Hvac System › Compressor. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 21V223, filed March 30, 2021: Back Over Prevention › Display Function. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 20V788, filed December 17, 2020: Engine. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 20V726, filed November 20, 2020: Steering. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Aviator PHEV AWD, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S10), Regular Gas and Electricity: 23 MPGe combined, 460 miles of range. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Aviator AWD, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S10), Regular, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV RWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 14.7%. NHTSA vehicle records
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV 4WD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA Test Car List, 2021 Lincoln Aviator with 3.0L 6-cylinder: rated 393 hp. www.epa.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, AVIATOR 4DR SUV: length 200 in, width 79 in, height 68 in, wheelbase 119 in, curb weight 4,863 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, AVIATOR 4DR SUV HYBRID: length 200 in, width 79 in, height 68 in, wheelbase 119 in, curb weight 5,679 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov