NHTSA (USA)
The official notice
Defect
This page covers 30 recalls, 35 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2021 Lincoln Aviator.
20–23 mpg combined
10.2–11.8 L/100km
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 3 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Complaints about the 2021 Lincoln Aviator are spread across several systems, with no single dominant failure standing out at high volume. The most-reported category involves the back-over prevention system, where owners describe the vehicle braking unexpectedly while driving, not just while reversing, with the dashboard displaying a message about brakes being applied and power being reduced. A handful of engine and structural complaints round out the top reported areas, though complaint counts are low across the board. Structural reports include front suspension noise and ball joint boot failures. A few owners also mention electrical nuisances, such as interior reading lights cycling on and off randomly while driving. Window regulator failures appear in isolated reports, with both driver and passenger sides described as getting stuck in the down position.
35
Total Complaints
1
Crash-Related
1
Fire-Related
1
With Injuries
By System
The 2021 Lincoln Aviator has 29 recalls, the most serious involving the high-voltage battery on plug-in hybrid models, which can short internally, cut drive power without warning, or start a fire.
The battery issue affects PHEV-equipped vehicles, and prior repair attempts did not fully resolve the problem for some of those vehicles, prompting a follow-up recall. Engine reliability is another major area of concern: intake valves in certain 2.7L and 3.0L EcoBoost engines can break while the engine is running, triggering rough running and a check engine light before the engine fails entirely and leaves the vehicle without power. Separately, the low-pressure fuel pump in non-hybrid models can fail and stall the engine mid-drive. A motor mount fastener that was not tightened correctly can loosen over time, allowing the axle to disconnect from the engine and cut drive power. The transmission's park pawl can also engage while the vehicle is still moving, which can damage the park system and allow the vehicle to roll away. On top of that, some vehicles have a wiring harness near the air conditioning compressor pulley that can contact the spinning belt, wear through, and short-circuit, creating a fire risk under the hood.
Steering and chassis safety are also in play: the steering knuckles on certain vehicles may be cracked internally and can fracture, reducing steering control. Some vehicles had incorrect rear suspension components installed, which can alter ride height, handling, and braking. On the occupant safety side, seat belt anchor bolts at multiple seating positions, including second-row
The official notice
Defect
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
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.
Safety Risk
A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters explaining the safety risk are expected to be mailed July 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in January 2027. 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 Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 16, 2026.
At a glance
What can fail
The transmission park pawl may lock while the vehicle is moving, damaging the park system.
What the fix does
Dealers will update transmission software and replace any damaged transmission parts at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The bolts securing the seat belt anchors at the second-row outer seats may not be properly tightened, potentially allowing the seat belts to come loose.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and tighten, repair, or replace the second-row outer seat belt anchor bolts as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The center display screen may flip or invert when you shift into reverse, causing the rearview camera image to display upside down or backwards.
What the fix does
Ford will send you a letter with instructions for a software or hardware update to correct the display orientation.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The windshield wiper motor may fail, causing the windshield wipers to stop working properly.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the front wiper motors and replace them if needed at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The low-pressure fuel pump may fail, causing rough running, starting problems, check engine light illumination, or sudden loss of engine power while driving.
What the fix does
Ford will mail owners with instructions once the repair procedure is finalized.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The low-pressure fuel pump may fail, causing the engine to stall while driving.
What the fix does
Ford is developing a fix. A second letter with repair instructions will be mailed when available, expected in Q2 2026.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image or fail to clear the image after backing up.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the rearview camera software at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, causing the seats to unlatch, fold, or slide unexpectedly while driving.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the second-row seat switch and replace the bezel around the switch as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear door window bars and C-pillar trim may not be bonded securely enough, allowing the trim to separate and detach from the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will repair or replace the C-pillar trim and window bars at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
High voltage battery cells may develop an internal short circuit and fail due to a manufacturing defect in certain vehicles repaired under a previous recall.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the Battery Energy Control Module software at no cost to address the defect.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The seat belt warning chime may sound for less than 4 seconds when the driver starts the vehicle without buckling the seat belt, instead of the required duration.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the audio control module software at no charge to restore proper warning chime duration.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rearview camera image may not display on the screen due to video output failure in vehicles that received an incorrect repair under a previous recall.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the Image Processing Module software at no cost to restore rearview camera display.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Seat belt buckle anchor bolts at any seating position may not be properly tightened. The seat belt retractor and anchor bolts at the second-row center seat may also be loose.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect all seat belt anchor bolts. Loose bolts will be corrected by replacing affected seat components at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The air bag warning label on the dashboard may be missing, which means the vehicle doesn't have the required safety information label.
What the fix does
Ford will mail you the warning label at no cost. Letters were sent December 19, 2024. Call 1-866-436-7332 with questions.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Engine intake valves may break during driving, potentially causing the engine to fail and loss of driving power.
What the fix does
Dealers will test the engine and replace it if needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Intake valves in your engine may have been improperly manufactured and could break, causing engine failure, rough running, and the check engine light to illuminate.
What the fix does
Ford will mail you instructions to visit a dealership, where technicians will inspect your engine and replace it if necessary.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Electromagnetic interference from a cell phone in the vehicle can cause the rearview camera image to flicker or become distorted.
What the fix does
Dealers will install shielding on the accessory protocol image module to prevent the interference.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A manufacturing flaw in the high voltage battery cells can cause an internal short circuit, leading to battery failure.
What the fix does
Dealers will test the battery control module and replace the high voltage battery pack if needed, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rearview camera or 360-degree view camera may fail to display an image when you shift into reverse.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the camera and update software and wiring as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The 360-degree camera system may fail to output video, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying on the vehicle's screen.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the 360-degree camera at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rearview camera image may stop displaying because the video processing system can fail.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the image processing module software at no cost to restore camera functionality.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The seat belt warning chime may sound for less than 4 seconds when the driver's seat belt is unbuckled and the vehicle starts, instead of sounding long enough to alert the driver.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the audio control module software at no cost to reprogram the warning chime duration.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Some 2021 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles may have incorrect parts installed in the rear suspension module due to a labeling mistake during manufacturing.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect your rear suspension module and replace any incorrect parts at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The 360-degree camera system's video output may fail, causing the rearview camera image to stop displaying on your screen.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the Image Processing Module software at no cost to restore camera display function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The welds attaching the side air bag could fail during deployment, causing the air bag to not work properly.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the side air bag assemblies at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The wire harness securing the A/C compressor may be loose, allowing it to contact the compressor pulley and damage electrical wires or the drive belt.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the harness and belt for damage, replace them if needed, and install a tie strap to secure the harness.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The image processing module may fail to send video feed to the display, causing the backup camera image to disappear.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the image processing module software to the latest version at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fasteners securing the right motor mount may have been insufficiently tightened during manufacturing and could gradually loosen.
What the fix does
Dealers will remove and replace the right motor mount fasteners at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The steering knuckles may have been manufactured improperly, which could affect front steering function.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the front knuckle and replace it if necessary, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
