NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2021 Lincoln Corsair Safety Ratings
The 2021 Lincoln Corsair scores 74 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Average), with a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 22 recalls, and 34 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2021 Lincoln Corsair's Safety Index of 74 out of 100 places it in the Average band. Its strong crash-test performance anchors this score, yet 22 recall campaigns fully diminish its defect record component. This recall volume prevents the Corsair from achieving a higher overall safety rating.
The 2021 Lincoln Corsair holds a NHTSA Safety Index of 74 out of 100 and an NHTSA overall crash-test rating of 5 out of 5 stars, sourced from NHTSA federal safety data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 118 SUVs from 2021 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2021 Lincoln Corsair ranks 101 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 | 17.4% |
| Recalls on file | 22 |
| Owner complaints | 34 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 101 of 118 SUVs tested for 2021 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2021 Lincoln Corsair?
The 2021 Lincoln Corsair represents a measurable step down from the 2020 model in MotorCaliber's Safety Index, falling four points from 78 to 74, while both years remain in the Average band. The entire gap is traceable to the defect record component, which scores 0 out of a possible 20 points for this model year, reflecting the weight of 22 recall campaigns. That figure is not trivial. The campaigns span windshield wiper motors, two distinct backup-camera software corrections, rearview camera connector water intrusion, and engine block heater equipment, pointing to a pattern of electrical and driver-assistance system issues rather than a single isolated defect. Crash protection, by contrast, is genuinely strong at 66 out of 70 points, backed by NHTSA's 5-star overall, frontal, and side ratings. Avoidance technology contributes 7.5 out of 10, helped by standard lane departure warning and electronic stability control, though forward collision warning remains optional on this year's build. The honest read: the 2021 Corsair's crash-test hardware is among the best in its segment, but the volume and variety of recall activity since launch is the defining safety story for this specific model year.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2021 Lincoln Corsair perform in crash tests?
The 2021 Lincoln Corsair achieved a 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, demonstrating strong performance in its primary crash-test categories. Both frontal and side impact assessments yielded perfect 5-star scores. The rollover resistance, however, presented a slight deviation, earning 4 out of 5 stars. This included a 17 percent rollover risk and a "No Tip" result in the dynamic test.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 15449
Index breakdown
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2021 Lincoln Corsair have any recalls?
Yes, 22 recall campaigns cover the 2021 Corsair. Named components include the windshield wiper motor, backup-camera software (two separate campaigns), rearview camera water intrusion at the connector, engine block heater wiring, and a broader imaging-system software fix. No park-outside or do-not-drive directive appears in the supplied campaign descriptions, but buyers should verify every campaign by VIN at NHTSA.
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
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER25V685000
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 3, 2025. Additional letters
Reported 2025-10-10
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA25V510000
Risk: A rearview camera that displays a blank or distorted image can reduce the drivers view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rearview camera harness and rearview camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 1, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S83.
Reported 2025-08-08
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
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
ENGINE25V345000
Risk: An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park and shut off the engine as quickly as possible if they hear unexpected engine noises, notice a reduction in vehicle power, or see smoke. Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 27, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S54.
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
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)25V133000
Risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the HPCM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 11, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S16.
Reported 2025-02-28
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA25V048000
Risk: Rearview camera failure can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 18, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S05.
Reported 2025-01-31
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY:MANAGEMENT SYSTEM/ENERGY CONTROL MODULE (BMS/BECM)24V954000
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: Owners are advised not to charge battery till the remedy has been completed. Dealers will perform a battery energy control module (BECM) software update, and replace the high voltage battery pack, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 30, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S79.
Reported 2024-12-20
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS24V852000
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.
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.
Reported 2024-11-08
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2021 Lincoln Corsair?
Owners have filed 34 unverified allegations with NHTSA for the 2021 Corsair. The most frequently alleged problem areas are Unknown or Other issues (13 reports), Back Over Prevention systems (9), Electrical System (6), Power Train (5), and Engine (5). These are unverified consumer allegations, not established defects.
34 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2021 Lincoln Corsair?
Any shopper considering a used 2021 Corsair should run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup tool before purchase. With 22 campaigns on record, confirming which remedies have been completed at the dealership level is the single most important safety step for this specific model year.
- The 2021 Corsair's Safety Index dropped four points versus the 2020 model, entirely because its defect record component scores 0 out of 20, driven by 22 recall campaigns specific to this model year.
- Two separate backup-camera and imaging-system software recalls, plus a rearview camera water-intrusion recall, mean the rear visibility system has been the subject of multiple federal safety actions on this exact model year.
- NHTSA awarded the 2021 Corsair 5 out of 5 stars in both frontal and side crash tests, making crash protection the strongest element of its safety profile at 66 out of 70 index points.
- Forward collision warning is listed as optional rather than standard on the 2021 Corsair, so used-market buyers should confirm whether the specific vehicle being considered was equipped with that feature at the time of original sale.
RANKINGSWhere the 2021 Lincoln Corsair places
The 2021 Lincoln Corsair qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2021 Lincoln Corsair safety questions
Was the 2021 Lincoln Corsair crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2021 Lincoln Corsair, 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 Corsair crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2021 Lincoln Corsair 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 17.4%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2021 Lincoln Corsair have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 22 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2021 Lincoln Corsair. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2021 Lincoln Corsair?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 34 owner complaints are on file for the 2021 Lincoln Corsair. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other Corsair 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 15449), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Lincoln Corsair 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 101 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.