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Lincoln AviatorModel year report

2021 Lincoln Aviator Problems

Compared with other Lincoln Aviator years

Fewer complaints than typical for this model

35/100 0.7× a typical year · 50 = typical

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
40filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
60,000miles, 8 complaints with mileage
Recalls
28campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
5 / 5stars overall, 2 rated versions
EPA fuel economy
21 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl RWD · 18 city / 26 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2021 Lincoln Aviator (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 40 consumer complaints for the 2021 Lincoln Aviator. The part named most often is electrical system, with 12 complaints (30% of the total), followed by other or unknown (7) and visibility (7). 8 of the complaints include a mileage, and 25% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 60,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 28 recall campaigns and 261 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the traction battery and 96 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Other or unknown complaints overlap with 48 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 2 Lincoln Aviator model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 35 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (fewer complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Vehicle speed control (3), Exterior lighting (2), Forward collision avoidance (2), Suspension (2), Air bags (1), Interior lighting (1), Steering (1).

Example complaints

Electrical system: “The auto mode on my Sync screen on my 2021 Lincoln Aviator does not always automatically switch between day and night based on ambient light levels. This is a blinding experience at night when the screen doesn't switch to night mode and the brightness is intense. This blinding screen makes it hard to see outside when it is dark which could lead to an accident. My dealer says I have the most up to date version of Sync for my vehicle and there is no fix for this problem.”

NHTSA complaint #11697487, filed 2025-11

Other or unknown: “I am writing to express my frustration regarding the unresolved issue related to recall 24V368 concerning the rearview camera image. This has been an ongoing problem for several years, and despite receiving multiple safety recall notices and scheduling appointments with your service department, the issue remains unaddressed.”

NHTSA complaint #11614521, filed 2024-09

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “I have a Lincoln Aviator 2021 that has had at least 6 recalls. I love Lincoln’s but this is ridiculous. I have 3 open right now with no remedy available. The first notice came to me March 2026. I haul grandkids a lot, my vehicle needs the recalls fixed so my vehicle is safe. Can anything be done about this?”

NHTSA complaint #11768999, filed 2026-10

Engine: “The engine of my 2021 Lincoln Aviator with only 79,403 miles has failed, leaving myself and my family stranded on the side of a very busy interstate in another state far from home. There were absolutely no warnings given before the engine acted as if it had a significant loss of power. Shortly afterwards, very heavy and foul-smelling smoke started coming out of the tail pipe. Had the vehicle transported to a local shop to my home. The car will start and immediately start smoking and running like crap. When you put it in gear it will barely move on it's own power.”

NHTSA complaint #11554373, filed 2023-11

Mileage when problems were reported

25% of the 8 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 50,000 and 67,000 miles.

0%0–1013%10–2513%25–5050%50–7513%75–10013%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (8 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 60,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

2022202320242025132026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2021 Lincoln Aviator. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Aviator · SUV 4WD★★★★★5 / 5554 · 15.1% risk
Aviator · SUV RWD★★★★★5 / 5554 · 14.7% risk

Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2021 model year: forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning standard, automatic emergency braking standard.

Neighbouring years: 2020: same overall rating; 2022: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2021 Lincoln Aviator version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Aviator AWD3.0L 6-cyl10-speed automatic172420$3,350
Aviator RWD3.0L 6-cyl10-speed automatic182621$3,200

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

See all 28 recalls for the 2021 Lincoln Aviator → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 261 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 261 bulletins →

Other model years of the Lincoln Aviator

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2025189,00015521—Too new
2024762,0008521—Too new
20232420,99016521—Too new
20224834,0002152150 · TypicalRising
20214060,0002852135 · FewerRising
202011011,0003052187 · MoreRising
20055170,9760—13Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20048170,5000—14Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200311164,0001—14Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Lincoln Aviator model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2021 Lincoln Aviator have?

NHTSA recorded 40 consumer complaints for the 2021 Lincoln Aviator as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2021 Lincoln Aviator is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 12 complaints (30% of the total), followed by other or unknown with 7.

Has the 2021 Lincoln Aviator been recalled?

NHTSA lists 28 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

How did the 2021 Lincoln Aviator do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2021 Lincoln Aviator 5 out of 5 stars overall, across 2 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.

What gas mileage does the 2021 Lincoln Aviator get?

The EPA rates the 2021 Lincoln Aviator (Aviator RWD, 3.0L 6-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 18 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,200 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2021 Lincoln Aviator reported?

Among the 8 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 60,000 miles and the middle half falls between 50,000 and 67,000 miles; 25% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.