2021 Lincoln Aviator Problems: 24 Known Issues

How to Fix

Check the VIN and arrange the free recall remedy with a Lincoln dealer. The dealer installs a tie strap to keep the harness away from the A/C compressor pulley and inspects the harness for contact damage, repairing or replacing it as necessary. Do not purchase a generic harness, belt, or compressor part for the campaign. If smoke, burning odor, or an electrical short is present, stop safely, shut the vehicle down away from structures when possible, and contact emergency or Lincoln service assistance as appropriate.

Owner tips & cautions

• WarningThis fire-risk campaign is free and VIN-specific; do not buy a harness or belt before the dealer performs the recall inspection.

How to Fix

Check the VIN for both 23S23 and 25S27. The 23S23 Aviator repair includes rear-camera replacement, strain-relief wiring, 360-camera alignment, and an IPMB update when directed by Ford's service tool. The 25S27 remedy updates the IPMB and validates the installed software part number before closing the campaign, free of charge. Do not buy a camera or module from this card. Until repaired, use mirrors and direct observation whenever the image is unavailable.

Owner tips & cautions

• WarningRecheck the VIN even if 23S23 shows a past repair; recall 25S27 covers specific vehicles whose intended software was not actually installed.

How to Fix

Check the VIN and schedule recall 24S35 if open. A Ford/Lincoln dealer installs the specified electromagnetic shielding on the APIM at no charge; the campaign is not an APIM replacement. Until completed, follow Ford's advice to refrain from cell-phone use while reversing and rely on mirrors and direct observation if the image is distorted.

Owner tips & cautions

• WarningUntil 24S35 is completed, do not use a mobile phone while reversing; keep it away from the console and use mirrors and direct observation if the display distorts.

How to Fix

Check the VIN and schedule recall 26S14 with a Lincoln dealer if it is open. The dealer inspects the front-wiper motor and replaces it as needed at no charge. You don't need to buy a wiper motor (LC5Z-17508-F); the recall inspection determines whether replacement is required. If the wipers stop during rain or snow, slow down, leave the roadway safely, and do not continue until visibility is adequate.

Owner tips & cautions

• WarningAn intermittent wiper can become fully inoperative. Use the free VIN-specific campaign rather than ordering a motor before dealer inspection.

How to Fix

Free recall fix under NHTSA 21V534000 - dealer inspects the harness and A/C compressor belt for damage, replaces them if needed, and installs a tie strap to secure the wire harness.

How to Fix

Identify and uninstall any non-Ford/Lincoln app that accesses the vehicle, then fully charge and test the 12-volt battery and monitor key-off draw and battery state of charge. If symptoms remain, follow normal Ford battery, battery-monitoring-sensor, charging-system, modem, and module network-sleep diagnostics. A Deep Sleep notification by itself is not a failed module; if state of charge does not change after charging or a BMS reset, continue the battery/BMS diagnostic path. Do not replace a latch, TCU, battery, or other module without a failed test. A battery maintainer can mask an unresolved drain but does not fix it.

Owner tips & cautions

• TipRemove unaffiliated vehicle-control apps before a key-off draw test so repeated modem requests do not mask the remaining diagnosis.
• WarningDo not replace a battery, latch, modem, or module from a dead-battery complaint alone; charge and test the battery and measure the key-off draw after the network has had time to sleep.

How to Fix

Confirm both the audio symptom and rear water evidence, then follow the Aviator inspection sequence in TSB 23-2181. Correct only the leak path found: reseat or replace the specified grommet/strut when required, seat seals and connectors, repair plugs or washer-hose routing, and verify the BLIS module and harness grommets. If right-side water is present, follow the bulletin's ACM replacement step and use the VIN-specific parts catalog application. Dry and inspect affected connectors and trim as directed. Coverage depends on the vehicle's applicable warranty or service plan.

Owner tips & cautions

• TipPhotograph the wet side and first water path before drying; TSB 23-2181 uses location-specific inspection and only conditionally replaces the ACM.
• WarningDo not order an audio module from loss of sound alone; confirm water evidence, repair the leak path, and use the VIN-specific catalog application if replacement is required.

How to Fix

The repair is free at any Lincoln dealer. The dealer inspects the seat belt buckle anchor bolts at every seating position, and on Aviators equipped with a second-row center seat also inspects that position's seat belt retractor anchor bolt and seat belt anchor bolt. If any of those anchor bolts are found loose, the affected seat components are replaced at no charge. Ford mailed owner notification letters on June 5, 2025; if you did not receive one or bought the Aviator used, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm whether recall 25V093000 is still open on your vehicle, then contact Ford/Lincoln customer service or your dealer to schedule the inspection.

How to Fix

1. Check the cruise mode first. If unexpected speed changes happen, look in Settings > Driver Assistance > Cruise Control to see whether Intelligent (speed-sign-based) cruise is selected. Lincoln says that mode changes the set speed on its own to match detected speed-limit signs, and that it can be set above or below the posted limit or turned off altogether. One 2021 owner whose set speed jumped to 85 and 105 mph switched from Intelligent to standard adaptive cruise. 2. Record each event. Note the date, time, speed, road, and any messages shown, such as "Pre-collision assist not available", "Antilock brake fault", or "Active cruise control not available". Take a photo of the dash if you can safely do so. These events are intermittent, and a record makes it easier for the dealer to match stored fault codes. 3. Ask the dealer about module software updates. In owner reports, software updates fixed some unexpected-braking cases but not others. We found no recall or service bulletin specifically for this behavior. Repeat cases with no fix have been escalated to Lincoln. You can also report the event to NHTSA. 4. Cost: Diagnosis and software updates are normally a dealer warranty matter. One 2023 owner was told to pay $149 for a navigation map update after Lincoln declined warranty coverage for a speed-limit cruise problem. Until it is resolved, use adaptive cruise cautiously and be ready to override with the brake or accelerator.

How to Fix

The remedy is a free rearview camera software update performed by a Lincoln dealer. Owner notification letters for 25S72 were mailed September 4, 2025. Rather than assuming previous camera work covered it, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and look specifically for 25V442000 — if it is listed as open, schedule the reprogram; there is no charge. Ford customer service: 1-866-436-7332.

How to Fix

Diagnose with FORScan to confirm air bag vs. compressor failure. OEM bags $700-$1,100 per corner installed. For the front, Ford SSM 51640 now supplies complete front air spring/strut assemblies (LC5Z-3C098-A/C non-hybrid, LC5Z-3C098-B/D hybrid) and recommends replacing the full assembly. Compressor (Wabco/Continental unit) ~$600-$900 installed. Replace compressor dryer at the same time as a bag (~$80) — extends compressor life. If a suspension fault message with DTCs B1041/U2100 appears after a repair, SSM 51621 says the module may be stuck in diagnostic service mode; clear it with FDRS Transport and Factory Mode Deactivation rather than replacing parts.

How to Fix

Use Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS) and select SUMA > Run All CM (Continuous Memory) DTCs. Do not run SUMA > OD and CM DTCs for this condition because the on-demand self-test can create the invalid codes. If that test was run, clear the condition with SUMA > Transport and Factory Mode Deactivation. If other DTCs or physical ride-height symptoms remain, follow Workshop Manual Section 204-05 normal diagnostics before selecting a part.

Owner tips & cautions

• WarningDo not replace a compressor, air spring, sensor, or solenoid from B1041/U2100 alone; SSM 51621 first corrects a diagnostic service-mode state.
• TipAsk whether an on-demand SUMA self-test was run immediately before the warning appeared and retain the complete FDRS fault report for any remaining diagnosis.

How to Fix

Road-test while documenting speed, steering load, road surface, braking, and acceleration effects. Inspect tires and wheels, brakes, axle/CV joints, and wheel-end play; use chassis ears or other NVH tools when needed to isolate the corner. Confirm the exact VIN, RWD/AWD configuration, axle position, side, sensor configuration, and current Ford supersession in the parts catalog before ordering a hub. Do not infer C0035 or C0040 without a scan.

Owner tips & cautions

• TipAsk the technician to document the isolated corner and the NVH evidence, then verify RWD/AWD and current VIN-specific hub supersession before ordering.
• WarningNoise that changes in a weave can suggest a wheel end but is not conclusive; tires, brakes, and driveline sources must be excluded.

How to Fix

If glass breaks, maintain control, avoid abrupt steering, move to a safe location, protect occupants from loose fragments, and arrange recovery if visibility or occupant safety is compromised. Preserve photos of both glass surfaces, edges, the opening, nearby paint, weather, speed, and road conditions before cleanup. Have a qualified glass/body specialist inspect for an impact origin and installation or frame evidence. Report an unexplained safety event to NHTSA and Lincoln. Coverage and repair scope must be determined case by case.

Owner tips & cautions

• TipPhotograph the break pattern, both glass surfaces, edges, roof opening, and surrounding paint before cleanup so an impact origin or installation evidence can be assessed.
• WarningDo not assume spontaneous breakage or impact from appearance alone; preserve evidence and obtain a qualified inspection before making a defect or coverage claim.

How to Fix

Document the entry location before drying or disassembly, then have the vehicle water-tested in controlled sections so the first wet point can be traced. Inspect panoramic-roof drains and connections, glass/seal fit, roof and body seams, and the rear liftgate/spare-tire paths as indicated by the evidence. Do not use compressed air blindly because excessive pressure can disconnect or damage a drain. Select cleaning, reconnection, adjustment, sealing, or component repair only after the leak path is confirmed.

Owner tips & cautions

• TipPhotograph the first wet point and the conditions that reproduce it before the interior is dried; leak-path evidence is more useful than the location where water finally drips.
• WarningDo not force high-pressure air through an unverified drain path; a disconnected or damaged hose can turn an intermittent leak into a larger one.

How to Fix

Record which inputs fail, door-lock state, build date, movement, latch behavior, warnings, and RGTM DTCs. For the SSM 50810 symptom, inspect connector C4332 for connection, terminal, and pin-fit problems. For a matching SSM 49914 or 49015 software condition, use the latest Ford diagnostic software to reprogram the RGTM. If the symptom does not match, continue Workshop Manual diagnosis of power, grounds, switches, latch, position sensing, struts, wiring, and obstruction detection before selecting a part.

Owner tips & cautions

• TipTest each input with the doors locked and unlocked and save the RGTM scan; input-specific behavior separates connector, software, and mechanical paths.
• WarningDo not buy a latch, strut, motor, or RGTM from a generic no-open symptom; Ford's SSMs first require a specific symptom/build/DTC match.

How to Fix

Have a Lincoln dealer check the VIN in OASIS for CSP 22P16. For an included vehicle, the dealer updates the PCM, ABS module, secondary on-board diagnostic modules, and battery energy control module to the latest levels at no charge within the program terms. If P1A0C or Stop Safely Now occurs after a different sequence, retain a full vehicle scan and diagnose that event independently rather than assuming 22P16. The program document states coverage through 8 years/100,000 miles from warranty start for affected VINs.

Owner tips & cautions

• TipPreserve the full scan and the exact remote-start, charging-cable, and drive sequence; P1A0C after the CSP-defined sequence is much more specific than Stop Safely Now by itself.
• WarningDo not treat every PHEV loss-of-power event as CSP 22P16; other high-voltage, charging, or powertrain faults need their own diagnosis.

How to Fix

Record vehicle speed, engine speed, gear, load, and whether the vibration is felt through the seat, floor, or steering. Have a qualified technician use Ford WSM Section 205-01 Pinpoint Tests G and H and appropriate NVH measurements to identify the vibration order and source before selecting a component. Also check the VIN for recall 20S65, but do not assume the recall or replace the rear driveshaft from vibration alone.

Owner tips & cautions

• TipRecord the exact speed, gear, load, and where the vibration is felt; those details help distinguish tire/wheel, shaft, and driveline-order sources.
• WarningDo not approve a rear driveshaft from a road-speed vibration alone; require the updated Ford WSM pinpoint-test result and check recall 20S65 separately by VIN.

How to Fix

Check the VIN in the NHTSA and Lincoln/Ford recall systems and follow the instructions for the campaign actually open. For 26V402, follow the current do-not-drive advisory and contact a Lincoln dealer for transport guidance; the planned free remedy is updated PCM software plus inspection and replacement of damaged park-system components as needed, but Ford expects the remedy to be available in April 2027 and will mail a second letter then. For 23S06, the dealer inspects for the loose bolt and replaces the transmission if the inspection fails. For 25S19, the dealer replaces the transmission main-control valve body. Do not buy transmission parts or combine a harsh-shift complaint with these recall remedies without VIN confirmation.

Owner tips & cautions

• WarningIf the VIN is included in recall 26V402, follow the current do-not-drive instruction and contact Lincoln for safe transport rather than driving to the dealer.
• TipAsk the dealer to identify the exact campaign number before service; the 2020-2021, 2023, and 2025 transmission recalls have different defects and remedies.

How to Fix

Have a Ford/Lincoln-capable technician confirm the transmission and build date, retrieve PCM/TCM faults, and follow TSB 22-2428 in order. The bulletin begins with available PCM/TCM programming and an adaptive-learning drive cycle, then uses the stored faults and clutch behavior to select an accelerated main-control break-in routine. If the condition remains, the procedure can require main-control overhaul and, only after the bulletin's later tests fail, condition-specific internal transmission repair. Parts and coverage must be selected by VIN and the actual failed step.

Owner tips & cautions

• TipRecord the exact shift or engagement event and ask for the PCM/TCM fault report plus the TSB decision-tree step that failed before approving internal transmission work.
• WarningDo not order a valve body or CDF part from harsh shifting alone; Ford's procedure can resolve the condition through programming, adaptive learning, or clutch cycling before parts are selected.

How to Fix

Check the VIN and have a Ford/Lincoln dealer complete recall 24S55. The free recall remedy is an engine-cycle inspection test; the dealer replaces the engine only when the procedure determines replacement is necessary. Vehicles that completed the inspection process may qualify for the no-cost, one-time long-block program under CSP 24N12 for 10 years or 150,000 miles from warranty start, subject to its terms. Do not buy a long block or internal-engine parts for this recall. If the engine loses power or develops a severe running problem, move out of traffic safely and contact Lincoln for service guidance.

Owner tips & cautions

• WarningThis is a free VIN-specific recall inspection. Do not order an engine or internal parts from a generic 24S55 listing.
• TipAsk the dealer to document completion of the 24S55 inspection because CSP 24N12 coverage depends on that inspection process and its program terms.

How to Fix

Have a Ford/Lincoln technician first confirm that the vehicle is a 2020-2021 Aviator hybrid matching TSB 21-2293 and that the symptom fits the bulletin. The TSB procedure is a coordinated flash: reprogram the PCM with the latest diagnostic-tool software, which also reprograms the ABS module. If pulsation remains or does not match the described condition, continue normal brake-system diagnosis rather than assuming warped rotors or replacing parts from this record.

Owner tips & cautions

• TipAsk the technician to document whether the symptom matches TSB 21-2293 before module programming and to continue normal brake diagnosis if it does not.
• WarningA software bulletin does not prove that all pedal pulsation is harmless; abnormal braking performance still requires prompt inspection.

How to Fix

Check the VIN and schedule the free Lincoln recall remedy if 25S66 is open. The dealer repairs or replaces the affected C-pillar appliques and rear-door window division bars. Do not use generic adhesive or buy replacement trim yourself; the campaign determines the approved preparation, repair, and replacement path. If trim is already loose, avoid manipulating it and ask the dealer for safe interim handling guidance.

Owner tips & cautions

• WarningDo not glue or order trim from a generic listing before VIN confirmation; the recall repair or replacement is performed free by the dealer.

How to Fix

Follow Ford Workshop Manual Section 415-00 Pinpoint Test E1. Use its 100 Hz speaker test sample and set fade/balance to the passenger-front speaker. If the rattle is isolated to the passenger-door switch bezel, remove the bezel per WSM 501-11, apply Rotunda flock tape 164-R4903 in the SSM's U-shaped placement over the underside of the bezel and switch, reassemble, and rerun Pinpoint Test E1. If the noise remains, continue the remaining Pinpoint Test E steps before selecting another component.

Owner tips & cautions

• TipUse the 100 Hz passenger-front speaker isolation test before removing trim; the SSM applies only when the noise is isolated to the switch bezel.