Reliable Auto DB

2021 Lincoln Navigator reliability

Is it reliable?

Owners have filed 33 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Lincoln Navigator over 6 years — 4 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Navigator years here — over the median of the other years, which is 1. NHTSA has 12 recalls on file, including Automatic transmission, Pretensioner, and Linkages.

2012 Lincoln Navigator
Photo by Kevauto, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

33

Per year

4

Recalls

12

Years on the road

6

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (8 of 33), then Powertrain (6) and Fuel and propulsion system (4). Those filings include 2 that report a crash.

Next to 2020 and 2022

The 2020 Navigator has 32 complaints, 1 per year, and the 2022 has 21 complaints, 4 per year. The 2021 has more complaints per year than the 2020. The 2021 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2022.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2021 Lincoln Navigator. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (12)

Recall powertrain, automatic transmission 2026-06-24 · NHTSA campaign 26V402000
Summary 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.
Remedy 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 July 10, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in April 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S48. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on June 26, 2026.
Recall seat belts, pretensioner 2026-05-27 · NHTSA campaign 26V344000
Summary Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The seat belt pretensioner in the driver and/or front passenger seat may inadvertently lock the seat belt, which will not allow the belt to retract or extend.
Remedy Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt retractors as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed June 8, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in August 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S34. This recall replaces and expands previous NHTSA recalls 24V099 and 25V197. Vehicles previously inspected or repaired under the prior recalls will need the new repair completed.
Recall visibility, windshield wiper, linkages 2026-03-31 · NHTSA campaign 26V204000
Summary Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, and 2022-2023 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, and F-600 SD vehicles. The windshield wiper arms may break, causing the wipers to fail.
Remedy Dealers will inspect and replace the wiper arms, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 5, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S24.Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 1, 2026.
Recall visibility, sunroof 2025-10-24 · NHTSA campaign 25V729000
Summary Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, 2021-2023 F-150, 2022 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, and F-450 SD vehicles. The moonroof wind deflector clips may be inadequately attached to the moonroof frame, which can result in the wind deflector detaching from the vehicle.
Remedy Dealers will inspect and repair the moonroof wind deflector as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 10, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SB7. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning October 30, 2025.
Recall Fuel pump 2025-07-07 · NHTSA campaign 25V455000
Summary 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.
Remedy 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 27, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S75.
Recall back-over prevention, software 2025-06-27 · NHTSA campaign 25V442000
Summary Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
Remedy Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.
Recall Labels 2024-11-08 · NHTSA campaign 24V852000
Summary Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, 2020-2024 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2018-2024 F-150, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirement Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Remedy Ford will mail owners the warning labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 19, 2024. Owners may call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C39.
Recall back-over prevention, sensing system, camera 2023-08-25 · NHTSA campaign 23V598000
Summary Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Lincoln Aviator, 2018-2021 Lincoln Navigator, 2022-2023 Ford Transit, and 2021 Ford Bronco vehicles. The rearview camera, or 360-degree view camera if equipped, may not display a rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse.
Remedy Dealers will replace the rearview camera, and update the software and wiring as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 20, 2023 to Lincoln owners. Ford vehicle owners notification letters were mailed March 4, 2024. Ford remedy parts are anticipated 2nd Quarter 2024. Ford's number for this recall is 23S48.
Recall Owner's manual 2023-06-09 · NHTSA campaign 23V420000
Summary Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with third-row seating; and 2019-2023 F-Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 SuperCab vehicles. The owner's manual does not include instructions for adjusting or removing certain head restraints. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 202, "Head Restraints."
Remedy Ford will mail the Owner's Manual addendums that describe how to adjust and remove the head restraints for the center seating positions, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 21, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C20.
Recall Engine 2022-05-17 · NHTSA campaign 22V346000
Summary Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. An engine compartment fire may occur while driving or parked, even with the ignition in the "Off" position.
Remedy Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures and other vehicles, until the remedy is performed. Dealers will inspect and replace the battery junction box, as necessary, and remove a ground wire. On models equipped with standard-duty radiator fan motors, dealers will also install an auxiliary electrical box with a wire jumper. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed May 25, 2022. Owners will receive a second letter once the remedy is available. Currently the remedy is available for vehicles equipped with heavy-duty radiator fan motors, and those letters were mailed July 21, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S36.
Recall visibility, windshield wiper, linkages 2022-04-14 · NHTSA campaign 22V250000
Summary Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 F-150, Expedition, 2020-2022 Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, and 2020-2021 Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The windshield wiper arms may break, causing the windshield wipers to fail.
Remedy Dealers will replace both front windshield wiper arms, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed on May 24, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available 3rd Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 21, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S26.
Recall air bags, sensor, side impact 2021-10-15 · NHTSA campaign 21V805000
Summary Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022 Super Duty F-250, F-350, 2021 F-150, Expedition, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The front-door side impact pressure sensor modules may have been damaged during supplier assembly, which can cause the side impact air bags to not deploy properly in a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 214, "Side Impact Protection."
Remedy Dealers will replace the driver and passenger front door side impact sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 3, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C26.

Complaints by component (33 total)

Engine
8
Powertrain
6
Fuel and propulsion system
4
Fuel system, gasoline
4
Back-over prevention
3
Electrical system
3
Steering
3
Visibility and wipers
3
Carry handle, shell, and base
1
Exterior lighting
1
Seats
1
Speed control
1
Suspension
1
Visibility
1
Show 6 more Show less
Crash-flagged

2

Fire-flagged

0

Injury reports

0

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

1202172022420235202462025102026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "My husband secured our infant into the car seat and attached the seat to the base installed in the car. He then drove our child. When he removed the car seat it was discovered the right side of the seat (when facing)…"
    carry handle, shell, and base · filed 2026-09-24
  • "I am reporting a serious intermittent transmission and loss-of-propulsion problem with my 2021 Lincoln Navigator, VIN 5LMJJ3LT6MEL05416. While driving, including at highway speeds, the transmission will unpredictably…"
    Powertrain, Engine, Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2026-08-29
  • "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."
    Electrical system, Back-over prevention · filed 2026-08-02
  • "I purchased this 2021 Lincoln Navigator L Black Label used on March 22, 2024 with approximately 42,726mi. Beginning around Sept. 2025 (approximately 70,000-75,000 miles), the vehicle developed intermittent transmission…"
    Powertrain, Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2026-07-09
  • "The contact owns a 2021 Lincoln Navigator. The contact received notification of NTHSA Campaign Number: 25V455000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer…"
    Fuel system, gasoline · filed 2026-07-02

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2021 Lincoln Navigator EL SUV 2WD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 3 stars
2021 Lincoln Navigator EL SUV 4WD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2021 Lincoln Navigator SUV 2WD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 3 stars
2021 Lincoln Navigator SUV 4WD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Navigator two-wheel drive 3.5L, 6-cyl Automatic (10-speed) Rear-wheel drive 16 22 18 MPG $3600
Navigator four-wheel drive 3.5L, 6-cyl Automatic (10-speed) Part-time four-wheel drive 16 20 17 MPG $3800
Navigator L two-wheel drive 3.5L, 6-cyl Automatic (10-speed) Rear-wheel drive 16 21 18 MPG $3600

Specs and fitment

U554 generation, 2018–present
Body styles SUV
Oil 0W-20 full synthetic (3.5L EcoBoost V6) , 4.5 qt capacity
Tire size 285/45R22 (common Black Label)

Known issues for this generation

Recall 22V-250 covers certain 2020-2021 Lincoln Navigator vehicles, along with other Ford trucks and SUVs: the windshield wiper arms may break. Dealers inspect and replace the wiper arms if needed.

Compare

Previous year 2020 Lincoln Navigator Next year 2022 Lincoln Navigator See every Lincoln Navigator model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Lincoln Navigator reliable?

Owners have filed 33 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Lincoln Navigator over 6 years — 4 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Navigator years here — over the median of the other years, which is 1. NHTSA has 12 recalls on file, including Automatic transmission, Pretensioner, and Linkages.

What are common problems with a 2021 Lincoln Navigator?

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (8 of 33), then Powertrain (6) and Fuel and propulsion system (4). Those filings include 2 that report a crash.

Is the 2021 Lincoln Navigator more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2020 Navigator has 32 complaints, 1 per year, and the 2022 has 21 complaints, 4 per year. The 2021 has more complaints per year than the 2020. The 2021 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2022.

Has the 2021 Lincoln Navigator been recalled?

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator has 12 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2021 Lincoln Navigator?

Owners have filed 33 complaints about the 2021 Lincoln Navigator with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2021 Lincoln Navigator get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2021 Lincoln Navigator is 17.7 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a Lincoln Navigator take?

U554 Navigators with the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 use 0W-20 full synthetic; capacity is about 4.5 quarts with filter.

What does recall 22V-250 cover on the Navigator?

Certain 2020-2021 Navigators (with other Ford trucks/SUVs): windshield wiper arms may break. Dealers inspect and replace them if needed.

What tire size is common on Black Label Navigators?

285/45R22 is a common Black Label fitment; confirm the door placard for your trim.