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Lincoln NavigatorModel year report

2021 Lincoln Navigator Problems

Compared with other Lincoln Navigator years

More complaints than typical for this model

82/100 2.1× a typical year · 50 = typical

Nearby years with a typical complaint level and no open NHTSA investigation: 2018, 2020

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
33filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
19,700miles, 3 complaints with mileage
Recalls
12campaigns 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, 4 rated versions
EPA fuel economy
18 mpgcombined, 3.5L 6-cyl RWD · 16 city / 22 hwy

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

NHTSA recorded 33 consumer complaints for the 2021 Lincoln Navigator. The part named most often is engine, with 8 complaints (24% of the total), followed by fuel system (8) and transmission and drivetrain (6). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 67% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 19,700 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns and 147 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 5 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Fuel system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the fuel pump and 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Compared with the other 6 Lincoln Navigator model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 82 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (more 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: Suspension (1), Vehicle speed control (1).

Example complaints

Engine: “The contact owns a 2021 Lincoln Navigator. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V346000 (Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”

NHTSA complaint #11490782, filed 2022-10

Fuel system: “I am the owner of a 2021 Lincoln Navigator black label, currently subject to Safety Recall 25S75 concerning the low-pressure fuel pump that can cause engine stalling and increased crash risk. Ford’s recall filing and public reports make clear the hazard and that a remedy is still being developed. My vehicle has repeatedly exhibited hesitation and loss of acceleration consistent with the recall since I purchased the car in 2021. …”

NHTSA complaint #11692154, filed 2025-10

Transmission and drivetrain: “I purchased this 2021 Lincoln Navigator L Black Label used on March 22, 2024 with approximately 42,726mi. Beginning around Sept. 2025 (approximately 70,000-75,000 miles), the vehicle developed intermittent transmission failures that have progressively worsened. This is our primary family vehicle and routinely transports our three young children. The transmission hesitates, slips, skips gears, bangs into gear, and frequently delays engagement before suddenly surging forward. Engine RPM increases without corresponding acceleration. …”

NHTSA complaint #11749445, filed 2026-07

Other or unknown: “They recalled other models for back up camera navigation issues. My vehicle was having same issue and I paid for repair and update on this issue and mine isn’t part of this recall but should be”

NHTSA complaint #11671037, filed 2025-07

Mileage when problems were reported

67% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 19,000 and 70,300 miles.

0%0–1067%10–250%25–5033%50–750%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (3 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 19,700 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.

20212022202320242025202610
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 Navigator. 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
Navigator · SUV 2WD★★★★★5 / 5553 · 20.8% risk
Navigator · SUV 4WD★★★★★5 / 5554 · 19.3% risk
Navigator El · SUV 2WD★★★★★5 / 5553 · 20.8% risk
Navigator El · SUV 4WD★★★★★5 / 5554 · 19.3% risk

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

Neighbouring years: 2020: 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 Navigator 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
Navigator 2WD3.5L 6-cyl10-speed automatic162218$3,700
Navigator 4WD3.5L 6-cyl10-speed automatic162017$3,950
Navigator L 2WD3.5L 6-cyl10-speed automatic162118$3,700

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 12 recalls for the 2021 Lincoln Navigator → · 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. 147 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 147 bulletins →

Other model years of the Lincoln Navigator

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2025132,5006517—Too new
20241612,3507—18—Too new
2023743,2008—19—Too new
20222157,00014—19—Rising
20213319,7001251882 · MoreRising
20203250,7421351950 · TypicalRising
20198570,0001051973 · MoreRising
20185257,5001251956 · TypicalRising
20173287,000551712 · FewerRising
20162579,50045181 · FewerRising
20152166,5004518—Rising
20141786,0000416—Falling
20131420,0000416—Not enough data
20121230,0003416—Not enough data
2011986,3000—16—Not enough data
20101677,0000—16—Stable
20091066,0571—16—Not enough data
20083060,0002—1417 · FewerStable
20074570,0002—14Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20066073,7503—13Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20054860,0000—13Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20048666,5000—13Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200312772,5000—13Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20023290,0001—13Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20018178,0003—12Not compared (before 2008)Rising
200010975,0004—13Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199913285,0605—13Not compared (before 2008)Falling
199819298,0605—13Not compared (before 2008)Stable

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

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2021 Lincoln Navigator have?

NHTSA recorded 33 consumer complaints for the 2021 Lincoln Navigator as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

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

Engine is named most often, in 8 complaints (24% of the total), followed by fuel system with 8.

Has the 2021 Lincoln Navigator been recalled?

NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

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

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2021 Lincoln Navigator 5 out of 5 stars overall, across 4 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 Navigator get?

The EPA rates the 2021 Lincoln Navigator (Navigator 2WD, 3.5L 6-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 16 city and 22 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

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

Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 19,700 miles and the middle half falls between 19,000 and 70,300 miles; 67% 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.