2021 Lincoln AVIATOR problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
38 owner complaints analyzed
28 distinct recall campaigns
60,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 38 complaints (28.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 5 | 13.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 13.2% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 7.9% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 5.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 11 |
| Engine | 6 |
| Unknown Or Other | 5 |
| Power Train | 4 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 4 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 |
| Service Brakes | 3 |
| Structure:Body | 3 |
Electrical System: 11; Engine: 6; Unknown Or Other: 5; Power Train: 4; Visibility/Wiper: 4; Fuel/Propulsion System: 3; Service Brakes: 3; Structure:Body: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 30 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 8 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 13 |
| 2026 | 10 |
2022: 4; 2023: 8; 2024: 3; 2025: 13; 2026: 10
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11549840 · 2023-10-13 (October 13, 2023)
Hello. My name is [XXX] and I have a potentially serious issue with my car and Lincoln refuses to look into it. The short story : When you press the brakes moderately or harder (as if stopping for a yellow light) it sounds like you’ve run over a brick or hit a BIG pothole. It has been in 6 times and to 3 dealerships and they all say it is normal for Aviators and Explorers. I have owned an auto repair shop for 12 years and my guys fix 2000 cars per year. I am an ASE master certified mechanic and I can assure anyone that there is nothing normal …
Owner-reported narrative. 33,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11549840 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11554066 · 2023-11-07 (November 7, 2023)
UNKNOWN ON several occasions the vehicle would just shut off. Another occasion while getting on the freeway I pressed the accelerator pedal and the car pumped the brakes,there was no one in front of me or on side of me upon entering the freeway. Another incident I was in the fast lane on the freeway and the vehicle just shut off Thank goodness the fast lane had a place where I could pull over and and restart the vehicle. Also where the vehicle pumped the brakes, that happened on several occasions. Another thing the vehicle shut of again in t…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11554066 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11506734 · 2023-02-11 (February 11, 2023)
Three times, battery was dead -- twice within 24 hours of bringing the car home from the dealer. We only drive the car home from the dealer, then the next day the battery is dead again. The dealer said they replaced the battery and fixed an electrical recall, and they said they checked for electrical draw, but the problem is still there. Yesterday, they said they contacted Lincoln corporate because they didn't know how to fix it. It is dead again this morning. We get messages on our phone app about the anti-lock bake system, hill start assi…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11506734 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11461050 · 2022-04-17 (April 17, 2022)
Driving this vehicle in snow and ice collects in my wheel wells because of the material used in them. It is felt like heavily textured that the snow and ice sticks to like glue. So, in lots of snow and slush on the road it quickly collects to its limit of area between tire and wheel well and then makes turning or steering the car difficult. It does NOT slide off easily even when going to the car wash to try and clean it off. Or by letting it sit in the sun to melt does not help either for a very long amount of time. So, in other words……I l…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11461050 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11554373 · 2023-11-09 (November 9, 2023)
The engine of my 2021 Lincoln Aviator with only 79,403 miles has failed, leaving myself and my family stranded on the side of a very busy interstate in another state far from home. There were absolutely no warnings given before the engine acted as if it had a significant loss of power. Shortly afterwards, very heavy and foul-smelling smoke started coming out of the tail pipe. Had the vehicle transported to a local shop to my home. The car will start and immediately start smoking and running like crap. When you put it in gear it will barely mo…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11554373 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11750650 · 2026-07-15 (July 15, 2026)
The contact owns a 2021 Lincoln Aviator. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V455000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. 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 dealer was contacted and informed that the vehicle would be repaired at the owner's expense because the recall remedy was unavailable. The contact was i…
Owner-reported narrative. 67,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11750650 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11519252 · 2023-04-27 (April 27, 2023)
Powertrain malfunctioning. The vehicle has had multiple neutral out (not reacting) when the accelerator is applied. Occurring in the middle of an intersection 3 times. Stuck in the middle of the intersection has resulted in two (2) cases of almost being hit by an oncoming vehicle. Pulling into traffic from a stop sign and losing the accelerator another time resulting in traffic breaking hard to avoid an accident. Recently while in cruise control on the highway driving 79 MPH, the vehicle suddenly shifted into what had to be the lowest gear lun…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11519252 at NHTSA ↗