The Lemon Index
202020222nd generation
Lincoln Aviator Plug-in Hybrid only: high-voltage battery recall (fire risk)
2 recalls on the high-voltage battery of the 2021 Lincoln Aviator Plug-in Hybrid mention a fire risk. Gas-only versions have no high-voltage battery, so this doesn't apply to them. The repair is free at any dealer if it's still open on the car.
Better than average · most complaints: engine
Fewest complaints of its generation (2nd generation).
18 owner complaints, first 3 years 20–23 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2021 Tesla Model X 1242021 Audi Q3 272021 Land Rover Discovery
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 26V451000 (seats), 26V402000 (transmission & drivetrain) and 26V159000 (seat belts) done? It has 28 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Lincoln sent dealers 271 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Intermittent no crank, inoperative remote”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Lincoln's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 18 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
In owners' words
Vehicle has 5400 miles and has catastrophic engine failure while driving. Vehicle towed to dealership and diagnosed engine seized needs complete engine replacement
2021 Lincoln Aviator owner · NHTSA complaint 11455395
More owner reports
The Rear View Camera (entire screen) constantly turns on and off when reversing the vehicle. It has been inspected several times with no resolve.
NHTSA complaint 11447655
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 17.0M views · 2020–2025 Lincoln Aviator
- Oil changes & service460K views
The 2020 Lincoln Aviator Resets The Bar With These Amazing Features and One That Blew Us Away!The Fast Lane Car · 460K views - Infotainment, battery & electrical55K views
Ford Explorer & Lincoln Aviator (2020 - present) - New Battery InstallThe Battery Shop · 55K views - Heat, A/C & blend door17K views
2021 Lincoln Aviator Cabin Air Filter Replace How To 22 21Karrs Kars · 17K views
Before you buy, watch
2025 Lincoln Aviator Review | Should You Buy?UsedCarsTV · 72K views
2022 Lincoln Aviator Problems and Reliability - Should you buy?car PROblems · 32K views
2020 Lincoln Aviator Problems and Recalls. Should you buy it?MaxTheCarGuy · 24K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2021 is the same generation.
Problems Lincoln told dealers about
Lincoln sent dealers 271 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Intermittent no crank, inoperative remote
- Some 2020-2021 Explorer/Aviator vehicles equipped with a 3.0L EcoBoost engine and built
- Some 2021 F-150/Explorer/Aviator/Police Interceptor Utility vehicles, excluding hybrid, with…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 28
- Seats · recall issued 2026 New: most likely still open
The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, tipping, or sliding unexpectedly.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2026 New: most likely still open
The transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage.
- Seat belts · recall issued 2026 New: most likely still open
The seat belt anchor bolts at the second-row outer seating positions may be improperly secured.
Show all 28 recalls
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2026 New: most likely still open
The image on the center display may flip or invert, resulting in an incorrectly displayed rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse.
- Visibility · recall issued 2026 New: most likely still open
The windshield wiper motor may fail and prevent the windshield wipers from operating properly.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2025
The low-pressure fuel pump may fail, which can result in an engine stall while driving.
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2025
A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
- Seats · recall issued 2025
The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, folding, or sliding unexpectedly while driving.
- Body structure · recall issued 2025
The rear door window bars and C-pillar trim may have insufficient adhesive bonding, which can allow the trim to detach from the vehicle.
- Seat belts · recall issued 2025
When the driver's seat belt is not buckled and the vehicle is started, the seat belt warning system may activate the audible warning chime for an insufficient amount of time of less than 4 seconds.
- Electrical · recall issued 2025 Plug-in hybrid only
A manufacturing defect in one or more of the high voltage battery cells may result in an internal short circuit and battery failure.
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2025
The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
- Seat belts · recall issued 2025
The seat belt buckle anchor bolts at one or more seating positions may be improperly secured.
- Equipment · recall issued 2024
The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard.
- Engine · recall issued 2024
The engine intake valves may break while driving, which can result in engine failure and a loss of drive power.
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2024
The accessory protocol image module (APIM) can be affected by electromagnetic interference with a cell phone in the vehicle, causing the rearview camera image to flicker or become distorted.
- Electrical · recall issued 2023 3.0L engines only
A manufacturing defect in one or more of the high voltage battery cells may result in an internal short circuit and battery failure.
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2023
The rearview camera, or 360-degree view camera if equipped, may not display a rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse.
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2023
The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2023
The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
- Seat belts · recall issued 2022
When the driver's seat belt is not buckled and the vehicle is started, the seat belt warning system may activate the audible warning chime for an insufficient amount of time of less than 4 seconds.
- Suspension · recall issued 2021
Incorrect rear suspension module components may have been installed due to a labeling error.
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2021
The video output may fail, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
- Airbags · recall issued 2021
The side air bag attachment weld studs could detach during the deployment of the side air bag, resulting in an improper deployment.
- Visibility · recall issued 2021 3.0L engines only
The wire harness may not be secured properly, possibly contacting the air conditioning (A/C) compressor pulley, and resulting in damage to electrical wires, or the A/C compressor drive belt.
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2021
The image processing module may be unable to provide video feed to the display, which could result in a loss of the backup camera image.
- Engine · recall issued 2020
The right hand motor mount fasteners may have been incorrectly tightened, and may loosen over time.
- Steering · recall issued 2020
The steering knuckles may have been manufactured improperly.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Lincoln Aviator recall, all years · All Lincoln recalls
Government investigations
- ClosedLoss of motive power2023–2024
- ClosedPedestrian alert sounds2023
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Aviator SUV 4WD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Lincoln Aviator SUV RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Lincoln Aviator PHEV SUV 4WD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,600–$3,000 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.0L 6-cyl.
Every Lincoln Aviator year. 2021 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 6 Lincoln Aviator years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2021 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/lincoln-aviator/?y=2021" title="Lincoln Aviator reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="307" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/lincoln-aviator/2021/">Lemon Index</a> (2021 Lincoln Aviator reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2021 Lincoln Aviator reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew about three-quarters as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 76; 100 is average, lower is better). 2021 is one of the better years of a model that draws 1.6× the average car's complaints.
What are the most common 2021 Lincoln Aviator problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (22%), backup camera (22%) and electrical (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2021 Lincoln Aviator have?
28 safety recalls (latest: seats). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Lincoln Aviator get?
20 to 23 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2021 Lincoln Aviator safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
Does the 2021 Lincoln Aviator have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 11% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2021 Lincoln Aviator cost in fuel a year?
About $2,600 to $3,000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2021 Lincoln Aviator have?
3.0L 6-cyl.
Is there a better Lincoln Aviator year than the 2021?
Not nearby: the 2021 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Lincoln Aviator years within 3 model years of it.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works