2021 Lincoln Navigator
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2021 models.

- Class
- Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV 4WD, L 4dr SUV 4WD
- Engines
- 3.5L 6-cyl turbo
- Horsepower
- 310 hp
- Transmission
- 10-speed automatic
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
- Seats
- 7
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 18 combined · 16 city / 22 hwy
- Length
- 209.8–222 in
- Curb weight
- 5,856–6,056 lb
- NHTSA rating
- ★★★★★
- Recalls
- 12 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
- Seats up to 73 rows of seating.
- 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
- Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
Watch out for
- Modest powerUp to 310 hp, versus about 612 hp for similar 2021 models.
- Higher rollover riskNHTSA estimates a 20.8% chance of rollover in a single-vehicle crash.
- "Park outside" recallCheck that the recall repair was done before buying or driving.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 6 similar 2021 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2021 Lincoln Navigator is a standard SUV offered with a 3.5L 6-cyl turbo engine and rear-wheel drive and part-time 4-wheel drive.
It measures about 210 inches long and 80 inches wide on a 122-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 5,856 lb (4dr SUV 4WD).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 18 MPG combined (16 city / 22 highway), 8% worse than the 2021 standard SUV average of 19.6 MPG, for an estimated $3,700 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.
It has 12 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 33 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.
What changed for 2021
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2020 Navigator — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2020; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2020 Navigator →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: Jefferson County, Kentucky
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2021 Navigator configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV 4WD | 209.8 in | 79.9 in | 76.4 in | 122.4 in | 67.7 / 67.3 in | 5,856 lb | 50/50 |
| L 4dr SUV 4WD | 222 in | 79.9 in | 76.4 in | 131.5 in | 67.7 / 67.3 in | 6,056 lb | 50/50 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Navigator 2WD | 3.5L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S10) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 22 / 18 | -8% | $3,700 | 486 |
| Navigator L 2WD | 3.5L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S10) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 21 / 18 | -8% | $3,700 | 494 |
| Navigator 4WD | 3.5L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S10) | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 16 / 20 / 17 | -10% | $3,950 | 508 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2021 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Lincoln Navigator SUV 4WD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 5★ / 5★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 19.3% |
| 2021 Lincoln Navigator SUV 2WD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 5★ / 5★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 20.8% |
Similar 2021 standard SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Lincoln Navigator (this car) | 18 MPG | ★★★★★ | 12 |
| 2021 Lexus LX | 14 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2021 BMW X7 | 21 MPG | Not rated | 9 |
| 2021 Infiniti QX80 | 16 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2021 Lincoln Aviator | 23 MPG | ★★★★★ | 28 |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class | 23 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class | 21 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (12)
Power Train › Automatic Transmission · Jun 24, 2026
NHTSA campaign 26V402000 · 741,195 vehicles
- Problem
- 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 on NHTSA.gov on June 26, 2026.
Seat Belts › Pretensioner · May 27, 2026
NHTSA campaign 26V344000 · 419,967 vehicles
- Problem
- 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 will need the new repair completed.
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Linkages · Mar 31, 2026
NHTSA campaign 26V204000 · 422,613 vehicles
- Problem
- 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 · Oct 24, 2025
NHTSA campaign 25V729000 · 174,853 vehicles
- Problem
- 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 · Jul 7, 2025
NHTSA campaign 25V455000 · 850,318 vehicles
- Problem
- 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 · Jun 27, 2025
NHTSA campaign 25V442000 · 200,237 vehicles
- Problem
- 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 · Nov 8, 2024
NHTSA campaign 24V852000 · 27,678 vehicles
- Problem
- 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 · Aug 25, 2023
NHTSA campaign 23V598000 · 177,402 vehicles
- Problem
- 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 · Jun 9, 2023
NHTSA campaign 23V420000 · 691,133 vehicles
- Problem
- 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 · May 17, 2022 Park outside
NHTSA campaign 22V346000 · 66,221 vehicles
- Problem
- 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. Owners will receive a second letter once the remedy is available. Currently the remedy is available for vehicles equipped with heavy-duty radiator fan motors, and those letters were mailed July 21, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S36.
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Linkages · Apr 14, 2022
NHTSA campaign 22V250000 · 652,996 vehicles
- Problem
- 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 · Oct 15, 2021
NHTSA campaign 21V805000 · 777 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
Not every 2021 Lincoln Navigator is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2021 Lincoln Navigator buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 12 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Safety-critical recall. At least one recall carries a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" warning. Do not buy until the VIN shows it was repaired.
- Engine — 8 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Power Train — 6 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Fuel/Propulsion System — 4 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 19,700 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2021 Lincoln Navigator. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Navigator years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Navigator | 18 | – | Not rated | 1 | 0 |
| 2026 Navigator | 17 | 209.8 in | Not rated | 2 | 0 |
| 2025 Navigator | 17 | 209.8 in | ★★★★★ | 6 | 13 |
| 2024 Navigator | 18 | 209.8 in | Not rated | 7 | 16 |
| 2023 Navigator | 19 | 209.8 in | Not rated | 8 | 7 |
| 2022 Navigator | 19 | 209.8 in | Not rated | 14 | 21 |
| 2020 Navigator | 19 | 209.8 in | ★★★★★ | 13 | 32 |
| 2019 Navigator | 19 | 209.8 in | ★★★★★ | 10 | 85 |
| 2018 Navigator | 19 | 209.8 in | ★★★★★ | 12 | 52 |
| 2017 Navigator | 17 | 207.5 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 32 |
| 2016 Navigator | 18 | 207.5 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 25 |
| 2015 Navigator | 18 | 207.5 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 21 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Lincoln. How we calculate this →