What are the most common problems with the 2021 Lincoln Navigator?

Engine complaints lead with 8, followed by power train with 6. See the problems section above for the other groups.

How many complaints does the 2021 Lincoln Navigator have?

NHTSA has 33 owner complaints on file. Two mention a crash.

Does the 2021 Lincoln Navigator have recalls?

Yes. The by-year count is 12 recalls. The recalls section lists each one.

What is the gas mileage of the 2021 Lincoln Navigator?

See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.

Is the 2021 Lincoln Navigator reliable?

Owners filed 33 complaints. Read the problems section and the recalls section, then compare with other years in the by-year section.

2021 Lincoln Navigator Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 33 owner complaints on file for the 2021 Lincoln Navigator^[1]. The engine group is the biggest, with 8 complaints^[2].

33owner complaints^[1]

12recalls^[3]

17–18MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

5★NHTSA overall rating^[5]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Owners filed complaints across several parts of the SUV. Here are the groups, biggest first.

Engine. 8 complaints^[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe waiting a long time for parts to finish a recall repair. One owner describes the engine failing without warning on a busy highway.
Power Train. 6 complaints^[6]. Owners describe the vehicle slipping into neutral while accelerating, losing power, and jerking back into gear. Some say it happened at highway speed and made lane changes feel unsafe.
Unknown Or Other. 4 complaints^[7]. These do not point to one clear part.
Fuel/Propulsion System. 4 complaints^[8]. Owners describe the vehicle stalling and losing power while driving. Some link it to a fuel pump recall that still awaits a fix.
Fuel System, Gasoline. 4 complaints^[9]. Owners describe hard starts and shaking, and waiting on parts for a recall repair.
Visibility/Wiper. 3 complaints^[10].
Steering. 3 complaints^[11].
Electrical System. 3 complaints^[12]. One of these mentions a crash.

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2021 Navigator is necessarily included.

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.^[13]
Seat Belts › Pretensioner (26V344), May 2026. About 419,967 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.^[14]
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Linkages (26V204), March 2026. About 422,613 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.^[15]
Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly (25V729), October 2025. About 174,853 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.^[16]
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.^[17]
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.^[18]
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.^[19]
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.^[20]
Equipment › Other › Owners/Service/Other Manual (23V420), June 2023. About 691,133 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]
Engine (22V346), May 2022. About 66,221 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire, injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[22]
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Linkages (22V250), April 2022. About 652,996 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.^[23]
Air Bags › Sensor › Side Impact (21V805), October 2021. About 777 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.^[24]

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
Navigator 2WD, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S10), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[4]	16 / 22 / 18	$3,700
Navigator L 2WD, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S10), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[25]	16 / 21 / 18	$3,700
Navigator 4WD, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S10), Regular, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive^[26]	16 / 20 / 17	$3,950

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
SUV 2WD^[5]	5	5	5	3	20.8%
SUV 4WD^[27]	5	5	5	4	19.3%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2021 Lincoln Navigator with 3.5L 6-cylinder^[28]	450 hp

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
NAVIGATOR 4DR SUV 4WD^[29]	210 in	80 in	76 in	122 in	5,855 lb
NAVIGATOR L 4DR SUV 4WD^[30]	222 in	80 in	76 in	131 in	6,056 lb

How 2021 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Navigator model year. The 2021 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
1998	192	5
1999	132	5
2000	109	4
2001	81	3
2002	32	1
2003	127	0
2004	86	0
2005	48	0
2006	60	3
2007	45	2
2008	30	2
2009	10	1
2010	16	0
2011	9	0
2012	12	3
2013	14	0
2014	17	0
2015	21	4
2016	25	4
2017	32	5
2018	52	12
2019	85	10
2020	32	13
2021	33	12
2022	21	14
2023	7	8
2024	16	7
2025	13	6

NHTSA's counts for the Navigator show 33 complaints and 12 recalls for 2021^[3]. Among the 30 model years listed, 18 have fewer complaints than 2021 and 11 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2026 (0) and the most are for 1998 (192)^[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 Navigator?

The 2021 Navigator has 33 complaints on file^[1]. Engine and power train reports lead the list^[2]^[6]. Owners describe losing power while driving, which is worth taking seriously. Some reports are about waiting for recall parts. Check the recalls section and ask a dealer about open repairs before you buy.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2021 Lincoln Navigator?: Engine complaints lead with 8^[2], followed by power train with 6^[6]. See the problems section above for the other groups.
How many complaints does the 2021 Lincoln Navigator have?: NHTSA has 33 owner complaints on file^[1]. Two mention a crash^[1].
Does the 2021 Lincoln Navigator have recalls?: Yes. The by-year count is 12 recalls^[3]. The recalls section lists each one.
What is the gas mileage of the 2021 Lincoln Navigator?: See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.
Is the 2021 Lincoln Navigator reliable?: Owners filed 33 complaints^[1]. Read the problems section and the recalls section, then compare with other years in the by-year section.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Lincoln Navigator

2008 30 complaints, 2 recalls
2015 21 complaints, 4 recalls
2016 25 complaints, 4 recalls
2017 32 complaints, 5 recalls
2018 52 complaints, 12 recalls
2019 85 complaints, 10 recalls
2020 32 complaints, 13 recalls
2021 this page

Compare all model years of the Lincoln Navigator

Other Lincoln models from 2021

2021 Lincoln Aviator 45 complaints, 28 recalls
2021 Lincoln Corsair 43 complaints, 23 recalls

All Lincoln models

Similar cars from 2021: suvs

2021 Buick Enclave 26 complaints, 2 recalls
2021 GMC Acadia 154 complaints, 2 recalls
2021 GMC Yukon 570 complaints, 14 recalls
2021 Hyundai Palisade 446 complaints, 6 recalls
2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class 9 complaints, 8 recalls
2021 Nissan Armada 13 complaints, 2 recalls

All suvs we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 33 owner complaints on file for the 2021 Lincoln Navigator (2 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 0 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
8 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Lincoln Navigator model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Navigator 2WD, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S10), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 22 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV 2WD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 20.8%. NHTSA vehicle records
6 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
4 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
4 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
4 complaints name the fuel system, gasoline component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
3 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
3 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
3 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 26V402, filed June 24, 2026: Power Train › Automatic Transmission. NHTSA recall database
Recall 26V344, filed May 27, 2026: Seat Belts › Pretensioner. NHTSA recall database
Recall 26V204, filed March 31, 2026: Visibility › Windshield Wiper / Washer › Linkages. NHTSA recall database
Recall 25V729, filed October 24, 2025: Visibility › Sun / Moon Roof Assembly. 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 24V852, filed November 8, 2024: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
Recall 23V598, filed August 25, 2023: Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera. NHTSA recall database
Recall 23V420, filed June 9, 2023: Equipment › Other › Owners / Service / Other Manual . NHTSA recall database
Recall 22V346, filed May 17, 2022: Engine. NHTSA recall database
Recall 22V250, filed April 14, 2022: Visibility › Windshield Wiper / Washer › Linkages. NHTSA recall database
Recall 21V805, filed October 15, 2021: Air Bags › Sensor › Side Impact. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Navigator L 2WD, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S10), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 21 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Navigator 4WD, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S10), Regular, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 20 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,950. 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 19.3%. NHTSA vehicle records
EPA Test Car List, 2021 Lincoln Navigator with 3.5L 6-cylinder: rated 450 hp. www.epa.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, NAVIGATOR 4DR SUV 4WD: length 210 in, width 80 in, height 76 in, wheelbase 122 in, curb weight 5,855 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, NAVIGATOR L 4DR SUV 4WD: length 222 in, width 80 in, height 76 in, wheelbase 131 in, curb weight 6,056 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2021 Lincoln Navigator: problems, recalls and fuel economy