| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
| Aviator PHEV AWD Plug-in Hybrid | 3L 6-Cyl | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 54 MPGe (22 MPG) | 58 MPGe (25 MPG) | 56 MPGe (23 MPG) | 21 mi EV (460 mi total) | $2,650 / yr |
| Aviator RWD | 3L 6-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 18 MPG | 26 MPG | 21 MPG | — | $2,950 / yr |
| Aviator AWD | 3L 6-Cyl | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 17 MPG | 24 MPG | 20 MPG | — | $3,100 / yr |
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.
Electric Range & Charging: The 2021 Lincoln Aviator provides an official EPA-rated driving range of up to 21 miles on a single battery charge.
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
| SUV 4WD | | | | | 15.1% |
| PHEV SUV 4WD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
| SUV RWD | | | | | 14.7% |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Optional and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Standard in official NHTSA records for tested 2021 Lincoln Aviator models.
View complete 2021 Lincoln Aviator crash test & safety breakdown →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2021 Lincoln Aviator problems & component breakdown (31 categories) →
Affected Component: SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY
Defect Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2027 Aviator and 2020-2026 Explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, tipping, or sliding unexpectedly.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters explaining the safety risk were mailed August 19, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in January 2027. Lincoln Aviator owner notification letters were mailed August 21, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S52. This recall expands Recall 25V393. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 16, 2026.
Affected Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Defect 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.
Free Manufacturer 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.
Affected Component: SEAT BELTS
Defect Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2026 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The seat belt anchor bolts at the second-row outer seating positions may be improperly secured.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will inspect the second-row outer seat belt lower anchor bolts and replace or repair them as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 30, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C18. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 19, 2026.
View all 2021 Lincoln Aviator recalls & campaign history (28 campaigns) →
