2021 Lincoln Navigator: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2021 Lincoln Navigator: 12 recalls, 33 owner complaints and up to 18 mpg combined.
Recalls
12 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Airbags, Airbags Vehicle recall #21V805000 · 2021 · 777 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: An air bag that does not deploy properly during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the driver and passenger front door side impact sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 3, 2021.
Visibility (wipers, glass) Vehicle recall #22V250000 · 2022 · 652,996 vehicles
What's wrong: The windshield wiper arms May break, causing the windshield wipers to fail.
Why it matters: Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Engine Vehicle recall #22V346000 · 2022 · 66,221 vehicles
What's wrong: An engine compartment fire May occur while driving or parked, even with the ignition in the "off" position.
Why it matters: A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.
The 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…
Equipment Vehicle recall #23V420000 · 2023 · 691,133 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: Without instructions, the head restraints May be improperly adjusted, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The 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.
Backup camera Vehicle recall #23V598000 · 2023 · 177,402 vehicles
What's wrong: The rearview camera, or 360-degree view camera if equipped, May not display a rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse.
Why it matters: Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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…
Equipment Vehicle recall #24V852000 · 2024 · 27,678 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: 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.
The 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.
Backup camera Vehicle recall #25V442000 · 2025 · 200,237 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #25V455000 · 2025 · 850,318 vehicles
What's wrong: The low-pressure fuel pump May fail, which can result in an engine stall while driving.
Why it matters: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Visibility (wipers, glass) Vehicle recall #25V729000 · 2025 · 174,853 vehicles
What's wrong: The moonroof wind deflector clips May be inadequately attached to the moonroof frame, which can result in the wind deflector detaching from the vehicle.
Why it matters: A detached wind deflector can become a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the moonroof wind deflector as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 10, 2025.
Visibility (wipers, glass) Vehicle recall #26V204000 · 2026 · 422,613 vehicles
What's wrong: The windshield wiper arms May break, causing the wipers to fail.
Why it matters: Windshield wiper failure can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the wiper arms, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 5, 2026.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #26V344000 · 2026 · 419,967 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Seat belts that do not retract or extend can fail to restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
The 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.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #26V402000 · 2026 · 741,195 vehicles
What's wrong: The transmission park pawl May engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage.
Why it matters: Park system damage May result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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,…
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine (8): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Transmission & drivetrain (6): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (4), stalls / loses power (2).
- Other / unknown (4): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Fuel & propulsion (4): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (2).
The 2021 Lincoln Navigator has 33 owner complaints, ranking #12 of 31 Navigator model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 44). Complaints peaked in 2026 (10 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 19,700 miles. Neighboring years: 2020 (32 complaints, 13 recalls), 2022 (21 complaints, 14 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S10) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 22 | 18 | Regular |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S10) | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 16 | 20 | 17 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2021 Lincoln Navigator.
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FAQ
Does the 2021 Lincoln Navigator have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 12 vehicle recalls for the 2021 Lincoln Navigator. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2021 Lincoln Navigator problems?
Owners have filed 33 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine (8), transmission & drivetrain (6), other / unknown (4).
What gas mileage does the 2021 Lincoln Navigator get?
EPA ratings run up to 18 mpg combined (3.5 L, Automatic (S10)), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2021 Lincoln Navigator repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.