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2021 Lincoln Aviator Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 40 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Lincoln Aviator, most often about the electrical (30% of complaints). It is 6th of 10 Aviator model years by number of complaints and has 28 recalls.
Most common 2021 Lincoln Aviator problems
Electrical
12 complaints · 30%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 smoke, the contact was…
Visibility and wipers
7 complaints · 18%Parts named most often: sun/moon roof assembly.
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…
Engine
6 complaints · 15%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 smoke, the contact was…
Other or unspecified
6 complaints · 15%Fuel system
5 complaints · 13%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 âshift to parkâ was displayed. The contact pulled over to right side of the road, turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle…
The contact owns a 2021 Lincoln Aviator. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 25v455000 (fuel system, gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving 70-75 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle stalled.…
Body and structure
4 complaints · 10%Parts named most often: body.
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…
Seats
4 complaints · 10%Transmission
4 complaints · 10%The contact owns a 2021 Lincoln Aviator. The contact stated that while the vehicle was unoccupied and parked on an incline, the vehicle rolled backwards several feet and then came to a complete stop. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact related the failure to…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2021 Lincoln Aviator recalls
Seats: mid/rear assembly
Risk: A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters explaining the safety risk were mailed august 19, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in january 2027. Lincoln aviator owner notification letters were mailed august 21, 2026. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26s52. This recall expands recall 25v393. Vehicle identificati
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2020-2027 aviator and 2020-2026 explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, tipping, or sliding unexpectedly.
Transmission: automatic transmission
Risk: Park system damage may result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, and inspect and replace any damaged transmission components as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed july 10, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in april 2027. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26s48. Vehicle identification numbers (vins) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on june 26, 2026.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2018-2021 navigator, expedition, 2020-2021 explorer, lincoln aviator, and 2021 f-150 vehicles. The transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage.
Seat belts
Risk: A loose seat belt buckle may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: 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 were mailed march 30, 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 19, 2026.
Full defect 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.
Backup camera: software
Risk: An incorrectly displayed rearview image can reduce the driverâs view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect 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."
Visibility and wipers: motor
Risk: Windshield wipers that fail to operate properly can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect 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.
Fuel system: fuel pump
Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the low pressure fuel pump on super duty vehicles and update the powertrain control module (PCM) software on all other affected vehicles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed july 27, 2026. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25s75.
Full defect 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.
Backup camera: software
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect 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.
Seats: mid/rear assembly
Risk: A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Full defect 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.
Body and structure: body
Risk: Detached trim may cause a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect 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.
Seat belts: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect 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 208, "occupant crash protection."
Electrical: traction battery
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect 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.
Backup camera: software
Risk: Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect 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.
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.
Fix: 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 june 5, 2025. Owners may contact ford customer service at 866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25s09.
Full defect 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.
Equipment: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect 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."
Engine: hard parts internal/mechanical
Risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect 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.
Backup camera: display function
Risk: A flickering or distorted rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect 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.
Electrical: traction battery
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect 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.
Backup camera: camera
Risk: Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect 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.
Backup camera: camera
Risk: Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect 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.
Backup camera: camera
Risk: Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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-735. Vehicles previously repaired under 21v-735 will need to have the new remedy performed.
Full defect 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.
Seat belts: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect 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."
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect 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.
Backup camera: software
Risk: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect 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.
Air bags: curtain
Risk: Improper deployment of a side air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect 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".
Visibility and wipers: compressor
Risk: Damaged electrical wires may short-circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect 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.
Backup camera: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect 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."
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect 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.
Steering
Risk: The improperly manufactured knuckle may fracture, reducing steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain 2021 lincoln aviator vehicles. The steering knuckles may have been manufactured improperly.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Loss of motive power
Summary
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 vehicles was determined to be intake valve fracture, and the full scope of vehicles affected by the subject defect was identified as all my 2021-2022 ford and lincoln models equipped with either the 2.7
Questions about the 2021 Lincoln Aviator
- What are the most common problems with the 2021 Lincoln Aviator?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (12 complaints); visibility and wipers (7 complaints); engine (6 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2021 Lincoln Aviator have?
- 28 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from July 14, 2026 (seats). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2021 a bad year for the Lincoln Aviator?
- It is 6th of 10 Aviator model years by number of complaints, with 40 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.