NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2021 Lincoln Aviator Safety Ratings
The 2021 Lincoln Aviator scores 74 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Average), with a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 28 recalls, and 34 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2021 Lincoln Aviator presents a mixed safety profile, with its defect record significantly impacting an otherwise solid showing in crash tests. While it achieves a NHTSA Safety Index of 74/100, landing it in the Average band, this overall score is markedly pulled down by an extraordinary 27 recall campaigns. These recalls effectively neutralize the defect record component of our index, despite strong individual crash-test results published by NHTSA.
The 2021 Lincoln Aviator holds a NHTSA Safety Index of 74/100 and an NHTSA overall crash-test rating of 5 out of 5 stars, based on federal NHTSA data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 118 SUVs from 2021 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2021 Lincoln Aviator ranks 100 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 74 / 100 (Average) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 5 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 5 / 5 / 4 stars |
| Rollover risk | 15.1% |
| Recalls on file | 28 |
| Owner complaints | 34 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 100 of 118 SUVs tested for 2021 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2021 Lincoln Aviator?
A Safety Index of 74 out of 100 places the 2021 Lincoln Aviator in the Average band, a two-point decline from the 2020 model year's 76. This modest reduction reflects strong crash protection undercut by a significant defect record. The crash protection score for the 2021 Aviator stands at 66 out of 70 points. This is consistent with its 5 out of 5-star overall rating from NHTSA, which includes 5-star results for both frontal and side impact tests. Avoidance technology contributed 7.5 out of 10 points; the vehicle includes standard lane departure warning and electronic stability control. However, the absence of standard forward collision warning for this model year prevented a higher score in this category. The most notable factor influencing the 2021 Aviator's Safety Index is its defect record score: 0 out of 20 points. This zero score is a direct result of 27 recall campaigns issued for this specific model year. These recalls address critical safety systems, including the automatic transmission, second-row seat belt anchors, the windshield wiper motor, backup camera imaging software, and the gasoline fuel pump. The extensive range of these recalls, affecting powertrain, occupant restraints, visibility, and fuel systems, explains the substantial impact on the overall Safety Index, overshadowing the vehicle's otherwise strong crash test performance.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2021 Lincoln Aviator perform in crash tests?
The 2021 Lincoln Aviator achieved a 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA. Its performance in both frontal and side crash tests was perfect, earning 5 out of 5 stars in each. The area for improvement lies in rollover resistance, where it received 4 out of 5 stars. NHTSA data indicates a 15 percent rollover risk for the Aviator, though it did complete the dynamic tip-test without tipping.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 15448
Index breakdown
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2021 Lincoln Aviator have any recalls?
Yes, the 2021 Lincoln Aviator carries 27 recall campaigns. Components involved include the automatic transmission, seat belt anchor bolts at the second row, windshield wiper motor, backup camera software, and the gasoline fuel pump delivery system. No park-outside or do-not-drive advisory is listed in the data provided, but shoppers should verify current remedy status by VIN directly with NHTSA.
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY26V451000
Risk: A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
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 notif
Reported 2026-07-14
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION26V402000
Risk: Park system damage may result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
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 th
Reported 2026-06-24
SEAT BELTS26V159000
Risk: A loose seat belt buckle may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
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.
Reported 2026-03-17
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR26V117000
Risk: Windshield wipers that fail to operate properly can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the front wiper motors as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed April 2, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in October 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S14. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs
Reported 2026-03-03
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE26V123000
Risk: An incorrectly displayed rearview image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 23, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C11. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 5, 2026.
Reported 2026-03-03
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP25V455000
Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
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.
Reported 2025-07-07
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE25V442000
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.
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.
Reported 2025-06-27
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY25V393000
Risk: A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the second-row seat switch, and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S67.
Reported 2025-06-13
STRUCTURE:BODY25V407000
Risk: Detached trim may cause a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will repair or replace C-pillar appliques and window division bars, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 29, 2025. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S66.
Reported 2025-06-13
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WARNING LIGHT/DEVICES25V338000
Risk: An audible warning chime that does not properly alert of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the audio control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 3, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C18.
Reported 2025-05-23
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY25V349000
Risk: Battery failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Battery failure can also increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will update the Battery Energy Control Module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 26, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S58.
Reported 2025-05-23
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE25V159000
Risk: Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the Image Processing Module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 25, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S27.
Reported 2025-03-14
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2021 Lincoln Aviator?
Owners have filed 34 unverified complaints with NHTSA, alleging 1 crash, 1 fire, and 2 injuries. The most frequently reported components are the Electrical System with 10 allegations, Engine with 6, Visibility and Wiper systems with 4, and Structure with 4. All are unverified consumer allegations, not established facts.
34 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2021 Lincoln Aviator?
Anyone considering a used 2021 Lincoln Aviator should run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup tool before purchase. With 27 recall campaigns on record covering systems from seat belts to fuel delivery, confirming which remedies have been completed at a dealership is the single most important safety step for this specific model year.
- The 2021 model year carries 27 NHTSA recall campaigns, including campaigns targeting second-row seat belt anchor bolts and backup camera software, making VIN-specific remedy verification essential for used-market shoppers.
- The Safety Index fell two points from the 2020 Aviator's 76/100 to 74/100 for 2021, driven entirely by a defect record score of 0 out of 20, not by any decline in crash-test performance.
- NHTSA crash testing awarded this specific model year 5 out of 5 stars overall, frontally, and in side impact, with rollover rated at 4 out of 5 stars and a 15 percent measured rollover risk.
- Forward collision warning is listed as optional rather than standard on the 2021 Aviator, meaning not every unit on the used market will have that avoidance technology equipped.
RANKINGSWhere the 2021 Lincoln Aviator places
The 2021 Lincoln Aviator qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2021 Lincoln Aviator safety questions
Was the 2021 Lincoln Aviator crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2021 Lincoln Aviator, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 74 out of 100, placing it in the Average band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.
What are the 2021 Lincoln Aviator crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2021 Lincoln Aviator earned 5 out of 5 stars for overall, 5 out of 5 stars for frontal, 5 out of 5 stars for side, and 4 out of 5 stars for rollover. Its measured rollover risk is 15.1%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2021 Lincoln Aviator have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 28 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2021 Lincoln Aviator. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2021 Lincoln Aviator?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 34 owner complaints are on file for the 2021 Lincoln Aviator. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash or a fire.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other Aviator years
Rivals in SUV (2021)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Tesla Model X 5-Seat | 98/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Tesla Model X 6-Seat | 98/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Tesla Model X 7-Seat | 98/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Nissan Murano | 96/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Audi Q5 Sportback | 95/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Mazda CX-3 | 95/100 | 5 of 5 | 1 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 15448), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Lincoln Aviator 2021.
- SCORE The NHTSA Safety Index (0-100) weights crash protection, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the defect record. Full formula on the methodology page. It ranks 100 of 118 in the SUV class for 2021.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.