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2021 Lincoln Aviator problems: engine and transmission complaints and recalls

NO ELEVATED SIGNAL
31%
11 of 36 relevant owner complaints are about the engine, transmission or fuel system

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 1,789 model years we track (2010–2023).

Excludes 3 airbag, lighting and seat-belt recall complaints that would otherwise mask the signal (unadjusted: 28%).

NHTSA data checked October 3, 2026
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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%). 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.

Drivetrain complaints
11
engine, transmission, fuel
Total complaints
39
this model year
Fires reported
1
owner-reported
Recall campaigns
28
1 crashes · 2 injuries

Complaints by component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM12 · 31%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER6 · 15%
ENGINE6 · 15%
POWER TRAIN4 · 10%
VISIBILITY/WIPER4 · 10%
STRUCTURE4 · 10%

The years either side

2010
no data
2011
no data
2012
no data
2013
no data
2014
no data
2015
no data
2016
no data
2017
no data
2018
no data
2019
no data
2020
29%
30 of 108
2021
31%
11 of 39
2022
18%
7 of 45
2023
too few complaints

Manufacturers fix things mid-generation. A bad year next to a clean one is common; the fix usually arrived in between.

What owners reported

POWER TRAIN06/30/2026
The contact owns a 2021 Lincoln Aviator. 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 related the failure to NHTSA…
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE06/03/2026
The contact owns a 2021 Lincoln Aviator. 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. the vehicle began to smoke with very thick white smoke, the contact was …
ENGINE,VISIBILITY/WIPER12/01/2025
1.) Exhaust System Failure (Flex Pipe / Catalytic Converter) The vehicle’s exhaust system—specifically the flex pipe connected to the catalytic converter—cracked and malfunctioned. This component is available for inspection upon request. As a result of the failure, exhaust fumes entered the cabin, creating a significan…

Three of 11 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows more, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.

Recall campaigns on the 2021 Lincoln Aviator (28)

SUSPENSION:REAR
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. Incorrect rear suspension module components may have been installed due to a l…
ENGINE
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,…
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Explorer, Lincoln Corsair, and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with 360-degree cameras. The video output may f…

This does not say whether a particular car has an open, unrepaired recall. That depends on the VIN.

Before you buy a 2021 Lincoln Aviator

Questions people ask about the 2021 Lincoln Aviator

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.

Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2021 Lincoln Aviator?

NHTSA lists 28 recall campaigns on the 2021 Lincoln Aviator. 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.

Should I buy a 2021 Lincoln Aviator?

That depends on the car in front of you, not just the model year. The 2021 Lincoln Aviator shows no elevated engine or transmission pattern in owner complaints, which is a good starting point. It is still one car with its own history, so get an independent pre-purchase inspection and a vehicle history report before you commit.

Have the VIN?Paste it and get the full report for that car. First report free, then a 30-day pass covers a whole car search.

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Experimental 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.