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2021 Lincoln Aviator problems: engine and transmission complaints and recalls
No elevated drivetrain complaint concentration in the available NHTSA records for the 2021 Lincoln Aviator. Engine, transmission and fuel system account for 31% of relevant complaints.
Better than 69% of the 1,790 model years we track (2010–2023).
Excludes 3 airbag, lighting and seat-belt recall complaints that would otherwise mask the signal (unadjusted: 28%).
Does the 2021 Lincoln Aviator have engine or transmission problems?
Not as a pattern, going by owner complaints. 11 of 36 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2021 Lincoln Aviator concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (31%). For comparison, the 2020 scores 29% and the 2022 scores 18%. This describes the model year, not any one car: a well-maintained or already-repaired example can be fine, and a clean model year can still have a bad car in it.
Complaints by component
The years either side
Manufacturers fix things mid-generation. A bad year next to a clean one is common; the fix usually arrived in between.
How the 2021 compares with other Lincoln Aviator years
Of the 3 Lincoln Aviator years with enough complaints to score, the 2021 is the worst on engine and transmission share (31%). The best is the 2022 (18%). By volume, the 2021 drew 39 complaints (11 drivetrain), against 108 for the 2020 and 45 for the 2022.
Lincoln Aviator years to avoid and best years →
2020 Aviator problems · 2021 · 2022 Aviator problems
The rest of the picture on the 2021 Lincoln Aviator
- Up to 15 owner reports, with the ones about your car's own engine first.
- What to ask the seller and what to check on the test drive, for this car.
- Two cars side by side, if you are deciding between them.
What one owner reported
One of 11 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows up to 15, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.
2021 Lincoln Aviator engine and transmission recalls
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns on the 2021 Lincoln Aviator involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 28 in total. A recall is the manufacturer admitting a defect and paying to fix it; whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN, which the full report checks. The owner complaints above are a separate record and often point at problems that never became a recall.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Navigator, Expedition, 2020-2021 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2021 F-150 vehicles. The transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage.
Risk: Park system damage may result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, and inspect and replace any damaged transmission components as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed…
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Bronco, Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, 2021-2022 Lincoln Navigator, Mustang, F-150, and 2022 Expedition vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump may fail, which can result in an engine stall while driving.
Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the low pressure fuel pump on super duty vehicles and update the powertrain control module (PCM) software on all other affected vehicles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July…
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Bronco, F-150, Edge, Explorer, Lincoln Nautilus, and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with either a 2.7L or 3.0L Nano EcoBoost engine. The engine intake valves may break while driving, which can result in engine failure and a loss of drive power.
Risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will perform an engine cycle test and replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 3, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's…
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The right hand motor mount fasteners may have been incorrectly tightened, and may loosen over time.
Risk: With a loose motor mount, motor vibration may cause the axle to disconnect from the engine and could result in loss of power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove and replace the right hand motor mount fasteners, free of charge. The recall began February 3, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's…
24 other recalls on this model year (airbags, lighting, brakes and the rest)
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns filed against this year, make and model. Checked October 3, 2026.
Checking one particular 2021 Lincoln Aviator? This page is about the model year. Accidents, title brands and odometer records belong to the individual car, and that is what a vehicle history report covers.
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Does the 2021 Lincoln Aviator have engine or transmission problems?
Not as a pattern, going by owner complaints. 11 of 36 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2021 Lincoln Aviator concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (31%). It describes the model year, not any one car, so an inspection still matters.
What is the most common problem with the 2021 Lincoln Aviator?
Going by NHTSA owner complaints, the most common problem filed against the 2021 Lincoln Aviator is electrical system: 12 of 39 complaints (31%) name it, followed by engine (6) and power train (4). A complaint can name more than one component, so these overlap. Engine, transmission and fuel-system complaints together make up 31% of the relevant total.
Is the 2021 Lincoln Aviator reliable?
On the engine and transmission, nothing stands out: 31% of relevant complaints filed with NHTSA concern the drivetrain, below the 33% line where we call a signal elevated. That is better than 69% of the 1,790 model years we track. Among the 3 Lincoln Aviator years we score, it ranks worst. Complaint data describes the model year, not one car, and it says nothing about trim, paint or electronics outside the drivetrain; an independent inspection still decides it.
Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2021 Lincoln Aviator?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns on the 2021 Lincoln Aviator involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 28 in total: 26V402000 (power train: automatic transmission), 25V455000 (fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump), 24V635000 (engine and engine cooling: engine: hard parts internal/mechanical), and more. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.
Which Lincoln Aviator years are better?
Among the Lincoln Aviator years we track, the 2022 (18%) and the 2020 (29%) have a lower engine and transmission complaint share than the 2021 (31%). Manufacturers fix things mid-generation, so the year before or after can be a different car. Every year side by side: https://thelanecheck.com/cars/lincoln-aviator
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Check a VINExperimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across a model year, not the condition of any individual vehicle.