AI Damage2021 Lincoln Aviator: common problems
Owners of the 2021 Lincoln Aviator filed 40 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and visibility. The maker issued 261 service bulletins for this year. We found 2 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 40
- involving a crash
- 1
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 261
- YouTube repair videos
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 30% of all complaints
- 2 Visibility 18% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 15% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 10% of all complaints
- 5 Structure 10% of all complaints
- 6 Seats 10% of all complaints
- 7 Service brakes 10% of all complaints
- 8 Backover prevention 8% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 12 complaints (30% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 96.
- Visibility: 7 complaints (18% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 7.
- Engine: 6 complaints (15% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 13.
- Powertrain: 4 complaints (10% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 75.
- Structure: 4 complaints (10% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 10.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3 L · petrol · turbo · 6 cyl
- 3 L · plug-in hybrid · turbo · 6 cyl
- automatic, 10-speed
Drive: 4WD, RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 40 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 12 | 0 | 96 |
| Visibility | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| Engine | 6 | 0 | 13 |
| Powertrain | 4 | 0 | 75 |
| Structure | 4 | 0 | 10 |
| Seats | 4 | 0 | 8 |
| Service brakes | 4 | 0 | 7 |
| Backover prevention | 3 | 0 | 7 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 0 | 5 |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| Fuel system | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 2 | 0 | 1 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
I 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.
Additionally, the drivers seat bladders and actuators engage without driver input and the seat controls on the touchscreen, increase and decrease bladder input and motor control beyond the selected settings. This often HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING.
The sync Bluetooth constantly connects and disconnects or if i plug my phone i to the charger for CarPlay it does not work. This biggest problem is my brakes sticking. Like i said when i am braking gradually they are sticking to the floor and not releasing. Thai doesn’t always happen but it has happen a lot recently.
The contact stated that while driving 70-75 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to a friend's residence, where it failed to restart.
The contact stated that while the vehicle was unoccupied and parked on an incline, the vehicle rolled backwards several feet and then came to a complete stop. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer.
The contact stated that the vehicle did not start, the vehicle was , the hood was raised, the contact went back to the vehicle to try to start, the vehicle would not turn over with clicking in the engine.
My car start making a very loud squeaking noise when I turn or hit any small bumb in the road. So I took it to the shop and was told both front lower ball joint boots are broken the exact same way. Now what bother me is what the mechanic said next.
The driver-side front window regulator failed and was replaced on October 4, 2025. The passenger-side window regulator also failed and was removed and replaced on November 21, 2025. At the time each incident, the window would not raise using the car controls and remained stuck in the down position.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 968 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 46% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Aviator has 31 complaints (8 years in the data). This year has 40, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Some 2020-2026 Aviator/Explorer/F-150/Bronco/Ranger vehicles equipped with a 2.7L or 3.0L (non-diesel)…
Some 2020-2026 Aviator/Explorer/F-150/Bronco/Ranger vehicles equipped with a 2.7L or 3.0L (non-diesel) engine may need the front engine cover removed and reinstalled for various reasons. The Workshop Manual (WSM)…
- For 2020-2026 Aviator/Corsair and 2018-2026 Navigator vehicles, if diagnostics in Workshop Manual (WSM)…
For 2020-2026 Aviator/Corsair and 2018-2026 Navigator vehicles, if diagnostics in Workshop Manual (WSM) Section 501-10A > Front Seats > Diagnosis and Testing lead to the replacement of the front seat cushion extension…
- Some 2020-2024 Explorer/Aviator vehicles equipped with 3.0L EcoBoost/hybrid engine may exhibit blue or…
Some 2020-2024 Explorer/Aviator vehicles equipped with 3.0L EcoBoost/hybrid engine may exhibit blue or black exhaust smoke on startup for the first 5 minutes after an overnight cold soak with no illuminated malfunction…
- Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit a front courtesy lamp that is inoperative
This may be due to a concern with the front courtesy lamp light module.
- This article supersedes TSB 25-2373 to update a print error on publication
Some vehicles listed in the model statement above may exhibit an illuminated powertrain malfunction (wrench) indicator with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) C00A6 and/or C0631. This may be due to the front axle…
- This article supersedes 26-2287. Reason for update
update the labor operation numbers to add MT to operations C, F, G, H, J, K, L and M, and correct the part number LIMZ-4A015-B to L1MZ-4A015-B. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit at…
- Some 2021-2023 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 3.5L PowerBoost engine, 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles equipped…
Some 2021-2023 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 3.5L PowerBoost engine, 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 3.3L hybrid engine, and 2020-2023 Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with a 3.0L EcoBoost hybrid engine…
- NEW VEHICLE DELIVERY HOLD - Emissions Recall 26E04 Certain 2021-2025 Model Year F-150, Maverick, Mustang,…
NEW VEHICLE DELIVERY HOLD - Emissions Recall 26E04 Certain 2021-2025 Model Year F-150, Maverick, Mustang, Ranger, Expedition, Bronco Sport, Explorer, Bronco, Navigator, and Aviator Vehicles Powertrain Control Module…
- Customer Satisfaction Program 26N09 Certain 2020 Model Year Escape, 2020-2021 Corsair, 2020-2021 Aviator,…
Customer Satisfaction Program 26N09 Certain 2020 Model Year Escape, 2020-2021 Corsair, 2020-2021 Aviator, and 2020- 2021 and 2023 Explorer Vehicles Front Windshield Wiper Motor Replacement, if Required After Dealer…
- This article supersedes 25-2302. Reason for update
update the labor time allowance for F-150 vehicles, update the Parts list to replace the part number W716979-S439 with W721084-S439, and add a note for LV fluids XT-10-QLVC and CXT-10-LV6 "Transfer Case Fluid". Some of…
- For 20202026 vehicles equipped with the 10R60 transmission, a new Transmission Clutch Circuit Leak Test…
For 20202026 vehicles equipped with the 10R60 transmission, a new Transmission Clutch Circuit Leak Test has been introduced in the Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS). This test utilizes the pressure and vacuum…
- Some 2020-2026 Explorer/Police Interceptor Utility/Aviator vehicles may require replacement of the front…
Some 2020-2026 Explorer/Police Interceptor Utility/Aviator vehicles may require replacement of the front drive halfshaft inner/outer CV joint boot for various reasons. If Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 205-04 >…
NHTSA lists 261 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Lincoln Aviator?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, visibility, engine. Total complaints: 40. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: infotainment or screen glitches (15%), rear-view camera (13%), windows, sunroof (10%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2021 Lincoln Aviator?
NHTSA lists 261 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2021 Lincoln Aviator from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2021 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.