2021 Lincoln Navigator problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (5) · Fuel System, Gasoline (4) · Engine (4)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Lincoln Navigator model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (12)
Power Train:automatic Transmission 2026-06-24 · campaign 26V402000 · 741,195 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: Park system damage may result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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
Seat Belts:pretensioner 2026-05-27 · campaign 26V344000 · 419,967 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: Seat belts that do not retract or extend can fail to restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: 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 w
Visibility:windshield Wiper/Washer:linkages 2026-03-31 · campaign 26V204000 · 422,613 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: Windshield wiper failure can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly 2025-10-24 · campaign 25V729000 · 174,853 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: A detached wind deflector can become a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump 2025-07-07 · campaign 25V455000 · 850,318 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Back Over Prevention:software 2025-06-27 · campaign 25V442000 · 200,237 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Equipment:other:labels 2024-11-08 · campaign 24V852000 · 27,678 vehicles
Defect: 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."
Risk: Without a label that shows the proper restraint usage guidelines, the occupants may have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera 2023-08-25 · campaign 23V598000 · 177,402 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Equipment:other:owners/Service/Other Manual 2023-06-09 · campaign 23V420000 · 691,133 vehicles
Defect: 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."
Risk: Without instructions, the head restraints may be improperly adjusted, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Engine 2022-05-17 · campaign 22V346000 · 66,221 vehicles ⚠ PARK OUTSIDE
Defect: 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.
Risk: A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Visibility:windshield Wiper/Washer:linkages 2022-04-14 · campaign 22V250000 · 652,996 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Air Bags:sensor:side Impact 2021-10-15 · campaign 21V805000 · 777 vehicles
Defect: 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."
Risk: An air bag that does not deploy properly during a crash increases the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (147)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-10-07 · SSM 55226 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
for 2020-2026 aviator/corsair and 2018-2026 navigator vehicles, if diagnostics in workshop manual (wsm) section 501-10a > front seats > diagnosis and testing lead to the replacement of the front seat cushion extension adjuster, a lower-level part is now available (14c720). it is not necessary to rep
Unknown Or Other 2026-08-22 · SSM 55100 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
for various ford and lincoln vehicles, if diagnostics lead to the replacement of the front seat cushion cover j-clips, lower-level service parts are now available. use service part w709919-s901 if the j-clip is completely detached from the seat cover and w715386-s424 if the clip is still partially a
Unknown Or Other 2026-07-24 · SSM 55037 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2018-2024 expedition and 2018-2027 navigator vehicles equipped with a rear seat entertainment system/lincoln play may experience various system concerns. rear seat entertainment systems are not on a controller area network (can) and are not supported by the ford diagnostic and repair system (fd
Unknown Or Other 2026-07-21 · SSM 55028 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2021-2024 ford and lincoln vehicles may exhibit an "updating sync" message on the vehicle center display screen after an over the air (ota) update. the message can be cleared from the center display screen and sync can be used normally, but it will re-appear at every subsequent ignition cycle.
Unknown Or Other 2026-07-09 · 26E04 · Emissions
new vehicle delivery hold - emissions recall 26e04 certain 2021-2025 model year f-150, maverick, mustang, ranger, expedition, bronco sport, explorer, bronco, navigator, and aviator vehicles powertrain control module software update
Power Train 2026-04-02 · SSM 54719 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
for 2021 2026 vehicles equipped with the 10r80 transmission, a new transmission clutch circuit leak test has been introduced in the ford diagnosis and repair system (fdrs). this test utilizes the pressure and vacuum transducer (pvt) when available. when referred to a specific clutch (a-f) test by
Showing the 6 most recent of 147 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-09-24 · Carry Handle, Shell, Base“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) was not clicked in and could be lifted up. when he removed the seat he noticed the clip on the inside of the shell, that connects to …”
2026-08-29 · Power Train“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 behave as though it has shifted into neutral even though the vehicle remains in drive. when i press the accelerator, the engine resp…”
2026-08-02 · Electrical System · 💥 crash“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. …”
2026-07-09 · Power Train“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 failures that have progressively worsened. this is our primary family vehicle and routinely transports our three young children. t…”
2026-07-02 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 70,300 mi“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 was contacted. the dealer confirmed that the part was not yet available. the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a …”
2026-07-01 · Fuel System, Gasoline“the contact owns a 2021 lincoln navigator. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 25v455000 (fuel system, gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. the local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasona…”
2026-06-30 · Fuel System, Gasoline“the contact owns a 2021 lincoln navigator. 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 dealer was not contacted. the contact stated that the recall was initiated for more than a year; however, the part to do the recall repair was …”
2026-03-13 · Exterior Lighting“the rear light bar develops leaks and can make the rear lighing go out. dealer was made aware and states it's no longer a covered item. …”
2026-02-10 · Vehicle Speed Control“while driving, the vehicle repeatedly hesitated during gear changes, lost power, and then abruptly jerked back into gear. this occurred intermittently for over a month without any warning messages, creating unpredictable and unsafe driving conditions. as the issue worsened, the vehicle began losing power more frequently. the most serious event occu…”
2026-01-12 · Electrical System“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 aftermarke…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.