RoadVitals

2021 Lincoln Aviator PHEV

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
4
Latest Jun 8, 2026
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
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InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
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Overview

Our database contains 4 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2021 Lincoln Aviator PHEV, most frequently naming the driver assistance, powertrain (other) and steering categories. 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 11 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Driver assistance120.0%
  • Powertrain (other)120.0%
  • Steering120.0%
  • Suspension120.0%
  • Tires & wheels120.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

No recalls in our database for this model year

That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

DP22005ClosedDefect Petition

Pedestrian alert sounds

Opened Jan 27, 2023
Closed Aug 7, 2023

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEMLed to recall 22V063000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

SteeringSuspension
Filed Jun 8, 2026

The contact owns a 2021 Lincoln Aviator PHEV. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed that there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with left and right lower control arm and right knuckle failures. The contact was informed that the left and right lower control arms and the right knuckle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with driver's side upper knuckle and left control arm failures. The mechanic related the failures to an unknown recall and referred the contact to the dealer for repair. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was determined that the lower control arms had failed due to the driver's side knuckle failure. The Lincoln manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the Ford manufacturer. The failure mileage was 117,353.

NHTSA ID
11742793
Incident
Jun 12, 2025
Mileage
117,353 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed May 10, 2023

Front passenger tire reporting normal pressure blew out the sidewalk while driving 50th on dry pavement. Rim shows no damage. Tires hardly worn.

NHTSA ID
11521409
Incident
May 9, 2023
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jan 23, 2022

Vehicle exhibits strong vibrations when certain speeds are reached. The driveshaft has been replaced three times and continues to vibrate.

NHTSA ID
11448520
Incident
Dec 27, 2021
Driver assistance
Filed Jan 16, 2022

The Rear View Camera (entire screen) constantly turns on and off when reversing the vehicle. It has been inspected several times with no resolve.

NHTSA ID
11447655
Incident
Jan 14, 2022

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

SSM 54275

ENGINE

Some 2021-2023 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 3.0L EcoBoost engine, 2021-2023 Aviator vehicles equipped with a 3.0L EcoBoost or 3.0L plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) engine, 2021-2023 Edge/Nautilus vehicles equipped with a 2.7L EcoBoost, 2021-2024 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 2.7L EcoBoost, and 2021-2024 Bronco and 2024 Ranger vehicles equipped with a 2.7L or 3.0L EcoBoost engine may exhibit a ticking/tapping or rattle type noise from the top front cover area of the engine. This noise may occur on initial start-up after a cold soak of 6 hours or more that may last for 2-5 seconds. This may be due to an internal component of the variable cam timing (VCT) unit. Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-00 > Diagnosis and Testing > Engine > Pinpoint Test F has been updated to include additional steps along with a video to identify the affected VCT unit that requires replacement.

TSB 24-2082

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This article supersedes TSB 24-2069 to update the vehicles affected. Some 2020-2023 Aviator 3.0L plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) vehicles may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) and/or powertrain malfunction (wrench) indicator with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P084B stored in the powertrain control module (PCM). This may be due to the software thresholds in the PCM.

TSB 24-2069

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Some 2020-2023 Explorer/Aviator 3.0L plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) vehicles may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) and/or powertrain malfunction (wrench) indicator with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P084B stored in the powertrain control module (PCM). This may be due to the software thresholds in the PCM. To correct this condition, perform the Service Procedure below to reprogram the PCM to the latest software level via the Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS). This TSB is superceded by TSB 24-2082

SSM 52244

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

Some 2021-2023 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 3.5L PowerBoost hybrid engine, 2020-2023 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 3.3L hybrid engine and 2020-2023 Aviator vehicles equipped with a 3.0L hybrid engine may exhibit a malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0A1E stored in the powertrain control module (PCM) and auto start/stop disabled. This may be due to a loose wiring connection to the belt integrated starter generator (BISG). The Workshop Manual (WSM) has recently been updated to provide new direction for DTC P0A1E. Refer to the WSM, Section 303-06 Starting System, Diagnosis and Testing, Starting System for applicable diagnosis.

SSM 52196

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Some 2020-2022 Aviator and 2021-2022 Corsair hybrid vehicles built on or before 01-Apr-2022 may exhibit charging concerns with the Lincoln dual-voltage charging cord (TurboCord). This style of charging cord can be indentified by one of the 220V prongs positioned sideways. If the vehicle charges properly using a 110/120V non-ground fault interrupter (GFI) outlet with the original 220V adapter removed, replace the adapter (part number VLC5Z-10B706-B) alone. This replacement adapter is available from accessories.lincoln.com > keyword search Turbo Cord, or through the local Ford Authorized Distributor (FAD). Discoloration of the 220V adapter or dual voltage charging cord could indicate a problem with the electrical outlet used; if so a licensed electrician should inspect. For further diagnostic assistance, contact Webasto Charging systems, Inc. directly at 888-219-6747 or at [email protected].

SSM 51650

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2020-2023 Explorer/Aviator/Police Interceptor Utility Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a charging system warning in the message center and/or illuminated battery lamp with DTC B11D9 present in the body control module (BCM). Refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 414-01, Pinpoint Test C for diagnosis and repair. If the 125 amp fuse on the 14300 wire harness at the auxiliary battery is open, do not replace a complete wire harness to obtain this fuse. The 125 amp fuse (service part number JU5Z-14526-A) is now available separately for service. If the 125 amp fuse is ok, check C1168 connector / SBF08 circuit located underbody behind the left front wheel for wiring or connector issues. For additional C1168 location images, view WSM 414-01 > Removal and Installation > Auxiliary Battery Cable. Repair as necessary per Wiring Diagram (WD) Cell 5 > Connector Repair Procedures.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Lincoln Aviator PHEV by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2023500
2022131150.3
2021Viewing401
2020100140.9

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.