2021 Lincoln NAVIGATOR problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
32 owner complaints analyzed
12 distinct recall campaigns
19,700 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 32 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 18.8% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 9.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 6.3% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 6.3% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 3.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 3.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 8 |
| Power Train | 6 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 4 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 4 |
| Unknown Or Other | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Steering | 3 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 3 |
Engine: 8; Power Train: 6; Fuel System, Gasoline: 4; Fuel/Propulsion System: 4; Unknown Or Other: 4; Electrical System: 3; Steering: 3; Visibility/Wiper: 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 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 29 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 |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 7 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 9 |
2021: 1; 2022: 7; 2023: 4; 2024: 5; 2025: 6; 2026: 9
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 6 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 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 11424748 · 2021-07-14 (July 14, 2021)
Within one week of delivery of this new vehicle, the transmission began slipping out of gear and the car loses power for 30-40 seconds in the middle of driving. Shift System Fault, Transmission failure, and PowerTrain Malfunction are the errors coming up on the screen- even after the vehicle was in Service for 2 weeks and they replaced the transmission valve system. Very dangerous to completely lose power on the highway.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11424748 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11657789 · 2025-04-30 (April 30, 2025)
Car purchased in Feb 2022. November 9, 2023 after a couple of previous complaints about the car riding rough, this time , after telling them the car jumps and throws into the next lane, it was diagnosed as having passenger rear leaking strut, front pinion seal leak, front driveshaft c/v joint torn and leaking grease. These were repaired under warranty. Dec 2024: had noise and had vibration felt through floorboard - diagnosed with problem in front differential and found carrier bearing failure and damage to case from bearing failure/spun. The a…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11657789 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11686153 · 2025-09-09 (September 9, 2025)
Car stalls often. Was not able to go through intersection. Held up traffic. Another incident was I was almost rear ended when car lost power. This is dangerous and not just an inconvenience.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11686153 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11692154 · 2025-10-08 (October 8, 2025)
I am the owner of a 2021 Lincoln Navigator black label, currently subject to Safety Recall 25S75 concerning the low-pressure fuel pump that can cause engine stalling and increased crash risk. Ford’s recall filing and public reports make clear the hazard and that a remedy is still being developed. My vehicle has repeatedly exhibited hesitation and loss of acceleration consistent with the recall since I purchased the car in 2021. While driving on the highway with my 10 year old daughter and her friend home from soccer on 495 last Monday 9/29, I t…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11692154 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11480120 · 2022-08-19 (August 19, 2022)
The contact owns a 2021 Lincoln Navigator. The contact received notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V346000 (Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was contacted after receiving the recall notification and the contact was informed that parts were not available because the cause of the defect was not yet determined. The contact was then notified that the recall had been divided into two separate recalls requiring two different repairs to fix the vehicle. The contact scheduled an appointment with the d…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11480120 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11710457 · 2026-01-12 (January 12, 2026)
I am reporting a serious safety concern involving a 2021 Lincoln Navigator with factory equipment only. 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. The melting appears on the exterior, indicating heat originating from inside the pillar cavities. Due to concern for electrical overheating and fire risk, I discontinu…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11710457 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11496268 · 2022-12-06 (December 6, 2022)
The contact owns a 2021 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the power steering suddenly malfunctioned causing the steering wheel to become very difficult the turn in either direction. Additionally, the instrument panel display became distorted and unreadable, the brake light remained illuminated, and the vehicle would not properly accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, but the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage…
Owner-reported narrative. 19,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11496268 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11593637 · 2024-06-11 (June 11, 2024)
A grinding noise was noticed during the driver memory function or when manually adjusting the power tilt or telescoping steering column. I took the car to Ford for service and was very surprised to hear that the entire steering column needs to be replaced at the cost of $1700.00. This defect is ONLY covered under the limited warranty. This is obviously a safety hazard if it requires a new motor in the steering column. Upon a quick investigation of the defect, it was learned that this is a KNOWN problem on all Navigators from 2018-2021. Ford KN…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11593637 at NHTSA ↗