AI Damage2021 Lincoln Navigator: common problems
Owners of the 2021 Lincoln Navigator filed 33 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and powertrain. The maker issued 147 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 33
- involving a crash
- 2
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 147
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 24% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 18% of all complaints
- 3 Visibility 12% of all complaints
- 4 Fuel system 12% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel/propulsion system 12% of all complaints
- 6 Electrical system 9% of all complaints
- 7 Backover prevention 9% of all complaints
- 8 Steering 9% of all complaints
- Engine: 8 complaints (24% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 5.
- Powertrain: 6 complaints (18% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 39.
- Visibility: 4 complaints (12% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 4.
- Fuel system: 4 complaints (12% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 4 complaints (12% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.5 L · petrol · turbo · 6 cyl
- automatic, 10-speed
Drive: RWD, 4WD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 33 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 8 | 0 | 5 |
| Powertrain | 6 | 0 | 39 |
| Visibility | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| Fuel system | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 3 | 1 | 48 |
| Backover prevention | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 9 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 32 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 11 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
My screen intermittently goes black, I have had it repaired/ updated once prior and it still does this..as a result I backed into a mailbox. It was very dark and I couldn’t see out of my windows.
The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V598000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue.
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 contact stated that that the engine seized with the check engine warning light illuminated. The failure mileage was approximately 70,300.
The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V455000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available.
The rear light bar develops leaks and can make the rear lighing go out. Dealer was made aware and states it's no longer a covered item.
While driving, the vehicle repeatedly hesitated during gear changes, lost power, and then abruptly jerked back into gear. This occurred intermittently for over a month without any warning messages, creating unpredictable and unsafe driving conditions.
After snowfall, during factory remote start, the vehicle produced a hot/burning smell, and I observed visible melting and bubbling of multiple driver-side and passenger side exterior pillars. The vehicle has a factory sunroof and no aftermarket electronics or modifications.
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 1,041 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 50% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Navigator has 26 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 33, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- 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…
- For Various Ford and Lincoln vehicles, if diagnostics lead to the replacement of the front seat cushion…
For Various Ford and Lincoln vehicles, if diagnostics lead to the replacement of the front seat cushion cover J-clips, lower-level service parts are now available. Use service part W709919-S901 if the J-clip is…
- 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…
- Some 2021-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an "Updating SYNC" message on the vehicle center…
Some 2021-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an "Updating SYNC" message on the vehicle center display screen after an over the air (OTA) update. The message can be cleared from the center display screen and…
- Some 2018-2024 Expedition and 2018-2027 Navigator vehicles equipped with a rear seat entertainment…
Some 2018-2024 Expedition and 2018-2027 Navigator vehicles equipped with a rear seat entertainment system/Lincoln Play may experience various system concerns. Rear seat entertainment systems are not on a controller…
- For 20212026 vehicles equipped with the 10R80 transmission, a new Transmission Clutch Circuit Leak Test…
For 20212026 vehicles equipped with the 10R80 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 2019-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC3 may experience various connectivity concerns…
Some 2019-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC3 may experience various connectivity concerns with The Ford App Lincoln App including but not limited to: missing activation prompt pop-upon the vehicle's…
- Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit a broken floor console armrest latch
- Some 2020-2022-Corsair, 2021-2023 Nautilus, 2020-2024 Navigator/Aviator, and 2021-2024 Mustang Mach-E…
Some 2020-2022-Corsair, 2021-2023 Nautilus, 2020-2024 Navigator/Aviator, and 2021-2024 Mustang Mach-E vehicles equipped with phone-as-a-key may exhibit various phone-as-a-key concerns with diagnostic trouble codes…
- Special Field Action 25L02 Certain 2017-2024 Model Year California Emissions-Certified Vehicles…
Special Field Action 25L02 Certain 2017-2024 Model Year California Emissions-Certified Vehicles Transmission Control Assembly Reimbursement
- Some 2021-2025 F-150/Expedition/Navigator vehicles equipped with a 3.5L EcoBoost engine may exhibit…
Some 2021-2025 F-150/Expedition/Navigator vehicles equipped with a 3.5L EcoBoost engine may exhibit diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0299 stored in the powertrain control module (PCM) and may also exhibit a rattle noise…
- Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes…
Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. Pinpoint test HK in…
NHTSA lists 147 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Lincoln Navigator?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, powertrain, visibility. Total complaints: 33. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (12%), windows, sunroof (12%), hesitation when accelerating (9%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2021 Lincoln Navigator?
NHTSA lists 147 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 Navigator 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.