NHTSA (USA)High Risk
At a glance
What can fail
The seat belt pretensioner may lock the seat belt in place, preventing it from retracting or extending normally.
This page covers 12 recalls, 26 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2021 Lincoln Navigator.
17 mpg combined
13.8 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.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The dominant complaint pattern for the 2021 Lincoln Navigator centers on the engine and powertrain. On the engine side, owners report rough running, power loss, and abnormal shaking while driving, sometimes paired with hard-start conditions that require multiple attempts before the vehicle will turn over. Powertrain complaints focus on the transmission dropping into what feels like neutral during highway acceleration, causing the vehicle to lose speed unexpectedly mid-lane-change or during passing maneuvers; at least one owner reports the problem persisting after a full transmission overhaul. Steering draws a smaller but notable cluster of reports. A single owner describes exterior pillar trim melting and bubbling along with a burning smell during a remote start after snowfall, though this appears isolated. The transmission behavior, sudden power loss at highway speeds without any warning light or message, is the most consistently described symptom across multiple reports.
26
Total Complaints
1
Crash-Related
By System
The 2021 Lincoln Navigator has 12 recalls, the most serious being a risk of engine compartment fire that can occur while driving or even with the ignition off, and a low-pressure fuel pump that can fail and stall the engine while driving.
On the safety equipment side, front-door side impact sensors may have been damaged during assembly and can fail to deploy the side airbags in a crash. The front seatbelt pretensioners can inadvertently lock, preventing the belt from retracting or extending and leaving occupants without proper restraint. Rear visibility is a recurring concern: the rearview camera, or 360-degree camera if equipped, may not display an image when the vehicle is shifted into reverse, and a separate software issue can also cause a blank rearview camera image. The windshield wiper arms can break and stop wiping entirely, reducing visibility in wet conditions. The moonroof wind deflector clips can let go and send the deflector onto the road. There are also two documentation recalls: the owner's manual on vehicles with third-row seating lacks instructions for adjusting or removing certain head restraints, and the airbag warning label may be missing from the dashboard.
At a glance
What can fail
The seat belt pretensioner may lock the seat belt in place, preventing it from retracting or extending normally.
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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 →
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt retractors as needed at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The windshield wiper arms may break, causing the wipers to stop working.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the wiper arms at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The clips holding the moonroof wind deflector to the moonroof frame may not be secure enough, allowing the deflector to detach from the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and repair the moonroof wind deflector as 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 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 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
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 owner's manual lacks instructions for adjusting or removing head restraints in certain seating positions, making these vehicles non-compliant with federal head restraint safety standards.
What the fix does
Ford will mail free owner's manual addendums with instructions for adjusting and removing center-position head restraints.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A fire may start in the engine compartment while driving or when parked, even if the ignition is off. This is caused by an issue with the battery junction box and a ground wire.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the battery junction box if needed, and remove a ground wire. Some models will also receive an auxiliary electrical box with a wire jumper. Repairs are free.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The windshield wiper arms can break, causing the windshield wipers to stop working.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace both front windshield wiper arms at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Side-impact sensors in the front doors may have been damaged during assembly, which could prevent the side airbags from working properly during a side-impact crash.
What the fix does
Ford will mail you instructions to bring your vehicle to a Ford dealer to have the driver and passenger front door side-impact pressure sensors replaced.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front-door side impact pressure sensors may have been damaged during assembly, preventing the side impact airbags from deploying properly in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the driver and passenger front door side impact sensors at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
