LincolnAviator2021Overview/lincoln/aviator/2021/base/

2021 Lincoln Aviator

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 Aviator.

Transmission Automatic (S10)

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator holds six quarts of 5W‑30 oil and is paired with an Automatic (S10) transmission. Its EPA fuel‑economy ratings are 17 mpg city, 24 mpg highway and 20 mpg combined. In reliability terms, the model records 37 total owner complaints, with the primary complaint category listed as “Unknown Or Other,” and it has been subject to 28 recalls. Historically, complaint volume peaked at 111 in 2003 but has declined to just five reports in 2024, suggesting an improving trend for the nameplate.

Model year202520242023202220212020200520042003

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30OEM · verified
Lug nut torque150 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy17/24/20 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI Only use AGM VRLA Battery vented to the outside of the vehicle. 94R; Auxiliary: Only use AGM VRLA Battery vented to the outside of the vehicle. Non BCI Group Size. · 800; Auxiliary: 100 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI Only use AGM VRLA Battery vented to the outside of the vehicle. 94R; Auxiliary: Only use AGM VRLA Battery vented to the outside of the vehicle. Non BCI Group Size. · 800; Auxiliary: 100 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size255/60R19 109HOEM · verified
Wheel / rim8 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S10)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length200 in
Overall width78.7 in
Overall height67.7 in
Wheelbase119.3 in
Curb weight4863 lb
Track (front / rear)66.5 / 66.5 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)51/49

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined17 / 24 / 20 mpg
DrivetrainPart-time 4-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Aviator of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.0–6.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.00 sec — 2020 Black Label Grand Touring PHEV
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2020Black Label Grand Touring PHEV 3.0L Twin-Turbo V6 + Elec 13.6-kWh5.00 sec13.60 sec494 hpAWD
2020Grand Touring PHEV 3.0L Twin-Turbo V6 + Elec 13.6-kWh5.40 sec13.80 sec494 hpAWD
2020Reserve 3.0L Twin-Turbo V65.40 sec14.00 sec400 hpRWD
2020Reserve 3.0L Twin-Turbo V65.40 sec14.10 sec400 hpAWD
2020Black Label 3.0L Twin-Turbo V66.00 sec14.60 sec400 hpAWD
2025Reserve II 3.0L Twin-Turbo V65.60 sec14.20 sec400 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 5W-30 engine oil, 75W-140 · Synthetic · 75W-85 in the differential, Dot 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 150 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity10R60
Brake FluidDot 4
Differential Gear Oil75W-140 · Synthetic · 75W-85
Engine CoolantMotorcraft Yellow Concentrated
Engine Oil5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt
Transfer Case FluidATF

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)8.083 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)8.083 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)8.833 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)35.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)8.083 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)8.833 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)35.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)8.083 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Differential Fill PlugFront: 18.0 ft-lbs
Differential drain PlugFront: 30.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts150 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug11.833 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug11.833 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug10R60: 52.0 ft-lbs, 10R80: 35.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap0.028-0.031 in
Spark Plug Torque133.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Oil TypeMotorcraft Pag or Poe R-1234yf
Oil Capacity5.9 oz
Standard BCI Cranking Performance800; Auxiliary: 100 cca
Optional BCI Cranking Performance850 cca

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum58.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum75.0 psi
RPMKOER: 58.0-75.0 rpm
Engine Oil Pressure16.0-24.7 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM1500 rpm

Brakes

Minimum Pad Thickness0.059 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.059 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
124.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Loosen 180°, Step 3: 24.0 ft. lbs., Step 4: 90°24 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1166.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Loosen 360°, Step 3: 26.0 ft. lbs, Step 4: 270°166 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
114.75 ft. lbs., Step 2: Loosen two complete rotations., Step 3: 37.0 ft. lbs., Step 4: 180°14.75 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
17.3 ft. lbs., Step 2: 7.37.3 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Lower Bolt 144 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
130.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Loosen 360°, Step 3: 26.0 ft. lbs., Step 4: 180°30 ft. lbs
Oil Pan to Block Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
17.14 lbs., Step 2: 45°7.14 lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant at 200,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 200,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 12,500 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Driveshaft U-Joint (inspect)
Every 20,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 25,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
At 100,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miDrive Belt (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 200,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Hybrid Inverter (drain, flush & refill coolant)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2021 model year represents a significant improvement in owner-reported complaints compared to the 2020 launch year, dropping from 98 to 38 complaints while maintaining a similar recall volume (28 versus 29). Positioned early in the generation's lifecycle, 2021 precedes a general downward trajectory where recalls fall to 21 in 2022 and continue declining through 2024, while complaints trend downward to 21 by 2023 and 5 by 2024 following a minor uptick the year after launch. The complaint distribution shows no single dominant failure mode, with "Unknown Or Other," "Back Over Prevention," and "Engine" each accounting for only three reports—the data does not specify root causes—and records indicate just one crash-related and one fire-related complaint. While recall exposure remains elevated at 28 campaigns, nearly matching the launch year, this volume aligns with the model's early-production position before the steep decline seen in subsequent years. Given the substantial reduction in owner complaints compared to 2020 and the absence of any concentrated defect pattern in the federal data, the 2021 Aviator presents a reasonable purchase candidate within this generation, provided buyers verify that all 28 recalls have been addressed.

28
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
253
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
37
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 37 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Unknown Or Other3
Back Over Prevention3
Engine3
Fuel System, Gasoline2
Electrical System,Exterior Lighting,Visibility/Wiper2
Structure2
Visibility1
Power Train1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 28 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V870000Suspension:RearReported 10/11/2021

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. Incorrect rear suspension module components may have been installed due to a labeling error. Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear suspension module, and replace any incorrect parts, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 3, 2021. Owners may…

20V788000EngineReported 17/12/2020

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The right hand motor mount fasteners may have been incorrectly tightened, and may loosen over time. Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove and replace the right hand motor mount fasteners, free of charge. The recall began February 3, 2021. Owners may contact Ford…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 253 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TSB 26-22872026-06-18Power TrainThis article supersedes 25-2302. Reason for update: update the labor time allowance for…
26N092026-06-11Visibility/WiperCustomer Satisfaction Program 26N09 Certain 2020 Model Year Escape, 2020-2021 Corsair…
SSM 549022026-06-05Power TrainFor 20202026 vehicles equipped with the 10R60 transmission, a new Transmission Clutch…
SSM 548272026-05-14Power TrainSome 2020-2026 Explorer/Police Interceptor Utility/Aviator vehicles may require…
SSM 547872026-04-29Fuel/Propulsion SystemSome 2020-2023 Aviator and 2025-2026 Explorer/Police Interceptor Utility hybrid vehicles…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Aviator. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2021 Aviator take?

6.0 qt of 5W-30, per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 Aviator have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 28 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Aviator get?

EPA figures are 17 city / 24 highway / 20 combined mpg.