The Lemon Index
202020224th generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 15,631 in the U.S. in 2021 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 17 complaints in its first 3 years.
Better years to buy
17 owner complaints, first 3 years 17–18 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2021 Cadillac Escalade 512021 Volvo XC90 402021 Tesla Model X 124
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 26V402000 (transmission & drivetrain), 26V344000 (seat belts) and 26V204000 (visibility) done? It has 12 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 the wipers, washers, defrost and mirrors all work?
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Lincoln sent dealers 147 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “No start, engine runs rough, or misfires condition”?
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 17 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
Passenger whipper arm is loose especially when you lift the arm to clear snow from the windshield it will not align it its original location without multiple attempts.
2021 Lincoln Navigator owner · NHTSA complaint 11510155
More owner reports
Passenger windshield wiper arm flew off while driving vehicle in moderate rainy weather.
NHTSA complaint 11522277
Problems Lincoln told dealers about
Lincoln sent dealers 147 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- No start, engine runs rough, or misfires condition
- Intermittent audio echo/robotic voice heard
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 12
- 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 pretensioner in the driver and/or front passenger seat may inadvertently lock the seat belt, which will not allow the belt to retract or extend.
- Visibility · recall issued 2026 New: most likely still open
The windshield wiper arms may break, causing the wipers to fail.
Show all 12 recalls
- Visibility · recall issued 2025
The moonroof wind deflector clips may be inadequately attached to the moonroof frame, which can result in the wind deflector detaching from the vehicle.
- 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.
- Equipment · recall issued 2024
The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard.
- 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.
- Equipment · recall issued 2023
The owner's manual does not include instructions for adjusting or removing certain head restraints.
- Engine · recall issued 2022
An engine compartment fire may occur while driving or parked, even with the ignition in the "Off" position.
- Visibility · recall issued 2022
The windshield wiper arms may break, causing the windshield wipers to fail.
- Airbags · recall issued 2021
The front-door side impact pressure sensor modules may have been damaged during supplier assembly, which can cause the side impact air bags to not deploy properly in a crash.
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 Navigator recall, all years · All Lincoln recalls
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Navigator SUV 4WD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Lincoln Navigator SUV 2WD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Lincoln Navigator EL SUV 4WD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Lincoln Navigator EL SUV 2WD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,350–$3,550 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl.
Every Lincoln Navigator 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.
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-navigator/?y=2021" title="Lincoln Navigator 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-navigator/2021/">Lemon Index</a> (2021 Lincoln Navigator reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2021 Lincoln Navigator reliable?
We can't score it: only 15,631 were sold in the U.S. in 2021 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 17 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2021 Lincoln Navigator problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (35%), wipers & visibility (18%) and steering (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2021 Lincoln Navigator have?
12 safety recalls (latest: transmission & drivetrain). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Lincoln Navigator get?
17 to 18 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2021 Lincoln Navigator 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 Navigator have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 6% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2021 Lincoln Navigator cost in fuel a year?
About $3,350 to $3,550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2021 Lincoln Navigator have?
3.5L 6-cyl.
What Lincoln Navigator year is better than the 2021?
No year within 3 model years of it drew fewer complaints. Across every year, 2004 drew the fewest (somewhat fewer complaints than the average car).
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