Last updated: 2026-10-10
2021 Lincoln Aviator Reliability Report
The 2021 Lincoln Aviator has good reliability but trails other 2021 SUVs, with seized engines on nearly new cars as its most serious problem.
Recalls
28
Complaints
38
Complaint Rate
18.2per 10,000 sold
Est. Repair Cost
$807
Annual Fuel Cost
$2,850–$3,000
Detailed Score Breakdown
Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume
Independent repair cost ratings
Recall count weighted by severity
Breadth of reported problem categories
The Verdict
Below average for its class and among the weaker Aviator years, with early engine seizures and 28 recalls, though it fares better than the 2020 model.
Top Issues to Watch
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (9)
- POWER TRAIN (4)
- ENGINE (4)
Generation & Refresh (US)
2021 is year 2 of the Second generation (U611).
- Redesigned for the 2020 model year.
- A refresh arrives in 2025.
- 2nd generation Aviator (US).
What this means for buyers
Year 2 is typically a safer pick than the first model year — early issues are more likely to be identified, but the platform is still new.
If you're comparing prices, check 2020 (redesign year) vs 2021+ pricing and recalls.
2020: Second generation (U611) Launch
Generation start — new platform.
2021: This Model Year
2021 is year 2 of the Second generation (U611).
2025: Mid-Cycle Refresh
Updated features and styling tweaks.
Should You Buy the 2021 Lincoln Aviator?
Reliability standing is good, but this year sits below average among 2021 SUVs and among the weaker of the Aviator years scored. Owners filed 38 complaints, and federal recall records list 28 recalls. The 2020 model rates worse. The 2022 rates about the same, with fewer recalls. The federal crash-test rating is 5 of 5 stars.
The worst problems are in the engine and electrical system. Engines have seized on nearly new cars, at 4,181 and 5,400 miles, after shaking and shutting off while driving. Other cars shut off or brake on their own with a "brake applied, power reduced" message. The power liftgate can slam shut without reversing, and two injuries are reported. Plug-in hybrids can go dead after short trips and need a tow. Rear cameras go blue or blank, and owners say recall parts were unavailable with no date given.
Ask for proof that every recall repair is done, especially the rear camera. Test the liftgate and camera before buying, and check engine service records. The 2022 is worth comparing.
Compared to the 2022 Lincoln Aviator, which scored 1 points higher. See also the 2020 Lincoln Aviator for an earlier comparison.
Pros
- +Acceptable reliability score
- +Below-average complaint rate for SUV
- +5-star NHTSA crash rating
Cons
- −Above-average recall count
- −ELECTRICAL SYSTEM issues reported (9 complaints)
- −POWER TRAIN: Plug-in hybrid versions can go dead after short trips (4 complaints)
- −1 fire incident reported in owner complaints
Compare 2021 Lincoln Aviator With
2021 Audi Q7
Reliability: 59/100
2021 BMW X5
Reliability: 57/100
2021 Volvo XC90
Reliability: 72/100
2021 Lexus RX
Reliability: 86/100
Common Problem Categories
Safety
LOW RISK- 28 manufacturer recalls issued
Other
HIGH RISK- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (9)
- POWER TRAIN (4)
Recall Overview
28
recalls on record
The 2021 Lincoln Aviator has 28 recalls on record, which is above average. A high count can flag multiple component concerns, though it also shows the manufacturer is actively addressing known issues.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
18.2
per 10,000 soldSegment avg: 16.7
Safety Incidents
1
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths
NHTSA 5/5 Stars
Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.
2021 Lincoln Aviator Recall Details
28 recalls have been issued for the 2021 Lincoln Aviator. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.
SEATS
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.
Consequence
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.
POWER TRAIN
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.
Consequence
Park system damage may result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
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.
SEAT BELTS
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.
Consequence
A loose seat belt buckle may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
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.
Showing 10 of 28 recalls. View all on NHTSA.gov →
Buying a used 2021 Lincoln Aviator? Check its history first
Electrical system problems lead owner complaints about the 2021 Lincoln Aviator, and 28 recalls were issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
2021 Lincoln Aviator NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall Safety Rating
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)
Gas Powertrain
Rollover risk: 15.1%
Safety Technologies
Lincoln AviatorRepair Costs & Maintenance
Maintenance Rating
3.5Maintenance rating: 3.5 out of 5Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.
Est. Annual Maintenance
$807
Repair Frequency
0.6
unscheduled repair visits per year
Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.
MPG & Annual Running Costs
Gas
20–21 MPG
Running cost: $3,650–$3,800/yr
Fuel + repair
17–18 city / 24–26 hwy MPG
Plug-in Hybrid
23 MPG
Running cost: $3,400/yr
Fuel + repair
22 city / 25 hwy MPG
Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2021 EPA label cycle.
Gas trims
| Trim | Drive | Trans. | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aviator RWD 3.0L 6-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 18 | 26 | 21 | $2,850 |
| Aviator AWD 3.0L 6-cyl | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 17 | 24 | 20 | $3,000 |
Plug-in Hybrid trims
| Trim | Drive | Trans. | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aviator PHEV AWD 3.0L 6-cyl | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 22 | 25 | 23 | $2,600 |
Used Buying Checklist
Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2021 Lincoln Aviator.
Close the power liftgate onto a cardboard box and confirm it stops and reverses instead of crushing it.
Shift into reverse several times and watch the backup and 360 cameras for blue, black or flickering images.
Run a VIN recall check and get dealer paperwork showing open recall repairs were completed.
On plug-in hybrids, charge to full and watch for charge faults, sparking, smoke or a burning smell at the port.
Test drive from stops and at highway speed, watching for hesitation, neutral-outs, sudden downshifts or "brake applied, power reduced".
Start the engine cold and check the tailpipe for smoke. Ask for records of any engine replacement.
Idle with windows closed. Smell for sulfur or exhaust inside and listen for an exhaust rattle.
Check the headliner around the sunroof for water stains and confirm the rear door and window trim are secure.
2021 Lincoln Aviator Common Problems by Component
38 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
9 complaintsThe power liftgate can slam shut without stopping or reversing when something is in its path, and this category includes 2 injuries. Other reports describe the car braking on its own with a "brake applied, power reduced" message, or shutting off while driving, which risks a crash. Owners also describe batteries going dead again and again, along with warning messages, false door-open alerts and alarms going off. Backup and side cameras show black or blue screens, and the Sync screen sometimes fails to dim at night. Dealers often cannot find the cause.
POWER TRAIN
4 complaintsPlug-in hybrid versions can go dead after short trips. The dash stays dark, the car will not start or take a jump, and the parking brake stays locked, so it has to be towed. Charging faults are also reported, and in one case the charge port sparked, smelled of burning and smoked. Some drivers describe the car dropping into neutral when they press the accelerator in intersections, or suddenly downshifting at highway speed, leaving them close to being hit. A parked car rolling backward on a hill is also reported.
ENGINE
4 complaintsSeized motors show up on nearly new cars. The car shakes, shuts off while driving and will not restart, and dealers find it needs a complete engine replacement. Two of these failures came at 4,181 and 5,400 miles. At higher mileage, owners report a sudden loss of power with heavy, foul-smelling smoke from the tailpipe. A cracked exhaust flex pipe at the catalytic converter is also reported. It rattles at idle and lets exhaust fumes into the cabin, and the owner was told the repair was not covered by warranty.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER (3 complaints)
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
3 complaintsHybrid models show repeated high-voltage battery warnings and "pull over safely" messages, then drop into a limited auxiliary mode. Dealers have been unable to find the cause after several visits. A strong sulfur and exhaust smell in the cabin is also reported. It gets more frequent over time, no fault codes appear, and dealers call it normal. Other complaints are about owners frustrated that a rearview camera recall repair has stayed unfinished for a long time.
BACK OVER PREVENTION (3 complaints)
BACK OVER PREVENTION
3 complaintsThe rear camera flickers, shows distorted images, turns into a blue screen or shows nothing while the car is reversing. That makes it hard to see people or objects behind this large vehicle. The problem tends to get more frequent over time. Most of these complaints are about delays in the fix, not the failure itself. Owners say dealers told them recall repair parts were unavailable, with no date given. In one case a replacement camera did not stop the failure.
VISIBILITY (2 complaints)
VISIBILITY
2 complaintsThe rear door trim on the driver's side comes loose and flies off while the car is moving. Water also leaks into the cabin through the sunroof after rain. One dealer traced the leak to clogged sunroof drain tubes, but it came back after the repair. The other complaint covers no failure at all. That owner was waiting for parts to finish a recall repair, and the dealer said they would arrive at the end of June 2026.
FUEL SYSTEM (2 complaints)
FUEL SYSTEM
2 complaintsThe engine stalls at highway speed with the check engine light on and may not restart, which leaves the car stranded in traffic. At low speed, the car can stop responding to the accelerator and show a "Shift to Park" message, then work again after a restart. Owners link these problems to an open recall. They say repair parts were not available and that one dealer would only fix the car at the owner's expense.
SEATS (2 complaints)
SEATS
2 complaintsSafety-relatedA heated seat burned a hole through the seat cushion and the driver's coat and caused a burning feeling on the skin, so this category is flagged as fire-related. The risk is burns to anyone in that seat. The other report covers a third-row seat whose folding switch stopped working, leaving the seat stuck in the down position. No mileage pattern appears for either problem.
STRUCTURE (2 complaints)
STRUCTURE
2 complaintsThe trim piece on the rear driver-side window falls off at highway speed, which is a hazard to traffic behind. In heavy snow, the textured wheel-well material collects packed ice and slush that will not come off easily. The buildup fills the space around the tires and makes steering difficult.
AIR BAGS (1 complaints)
AIR BAGS
1 complaintSafety-relatedI was completely stopped in traffic a car failed to reduce speed and slammed into the back of my car. My neck whipped forward no air bags deployed.
When Do 2021 Lincoln Aviator Problems Start?
Based on owner complaint patterns, here's when common issues tend to appear.
Best & Worst Lincoln Aviator Years
Best Lincoln Aviator Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreLincoln Aviator Years to Avoid
Lincoln Aviator Reliability Score Trend
Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 57/100 | Mixed |
| 2021 | 62/100 | Good |
| 2022 | 63/100 | Good |
| 2023 | 66/100 | Good |
| 2024 | 70/100 | Good |
| 2025 | 68/100 | Good |
Lincoln Aviator Reliability Compared to Other Years
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2021 Lincoln Aviator reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Lincoln Aviator?
Does the 2021 Lincoln Aviator have engine problems?
How many recalls does the 2021 Lincoln Aviator have?
Is the 2021 Lincoln Aviator better than the 2020 or 2022?
Don’t buy a 2021 Lincoln Aviator without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.
How we score the 2021 Lincoln Aviator
Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2021 Lincoln Aviator does best on how many systems draw complaints (80/100) and worst on recall impact (39/100). Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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