LincolnNavigator2021Overview/lincoln/navigator/2021/base/

2021 Lincoln Navigator

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

Transmission Automatic (S10)

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator is a gasoline-powered entry in the model line, with routine engine service calling for 6.0 quarts of 5W-30 oil and power routed through an Automatic (S10) transmission; EPA fuel economy is rated at 16/22/18 mpg. Owner-reported data records 30 complaints for the year, with the fuel system, gasoline category drawing the most reports, alongside 12 recalls. Within the broader 1997-2027 Navigator complaint history, that 30-complaint total falls well below the 1998 peak of 209 yet remains above the 2023 low of 6. That placement makes the 2021 model a relatively low-complaint year by historical standards, but one where the fuel system reports and recall count still warrant focused attention.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182017

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30OEM · verified
EPA fuel economy16/22/18 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. 49 · 850 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. 49 · 850 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnPWMOEM · verified
Tire size285/45R22/XL 114HOEM · verified
Wheel / rim9.5 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S10)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length209.8 in
Overall width79.9 in
Overall height76.4 in
Wheelbase122.4 in
Curb weight5855 lb
Track (front / rear)67.7 / 67.3 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)50/50

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined16 / 22 / 18 mpg
DrivetrainRear-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 Navigator of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.2 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.20 sec — 2021 Black Label
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2021Black Label 3.5L Twin-Turbo V65.20 sec13.80 sec450 hp4x4
2020Black Label 3.5L Twin-Turbo V65.90 sec14.50 sec450 hp4x4
2020Black Label 3.5L Twin-Turbo V65.90 sec14.50 sec450 hp4x4
2022Black Label 3.5L Twin-Turbo V65.30 sec13.90 sec440 hp4x4
2022Black Label 3.5L Twin-Turbo V65.80 sec14.40 sec440 hp4x4
2022Black Label 3.5L Twin-Turbo V65.90 sec14.50 sec440 hp4x4
2018Reserve 3.5L Twin-Turbo V65.40 sec14.00 sec450 hp4x4
2018L Black Label 3.5L Twin-Turbo V65.50 sec14.20 sec450 hp4x4

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-85 · Synthetic in the differential, Dot 4 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 20.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity13.0 qt
Brake FluidDot 4
Differential Gear Oil75W-85 · Synthetic
Engine CoolantMotorcraft Yellow Concentrated
Engine Oil5W-30 · Synthetic
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt
Transfer Case FluidATF

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)6.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)6.0 ft-lbs
Cylinder Head InstructionsUse new bolts.
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)35.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)14.75 ft-lbs
Flex or Driveplate Bolts59.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pan to Block Bolts2.25 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug20.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Differential Fill Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Differential drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug11.08 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug11.08 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain PlugFill Plug: 35.0; Drain Plug: NA ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap0.030 in
Spark Plug Torque11.08 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity2.31 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeYN-35
Oil Capacity6.1 oz
Standard BCI Group NumberOnly use AGM VRLA Battery. 49
Standard BCI Cranking Performance850 cca

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum44.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum73.0 psi
Engine Oil PressureHigh Mode: 30.0 psi; Low Mode: 20.0 psi

Brakes

Minimum Pad Thickness0.118 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
117.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 32.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 90°17 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
137.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°, Step 3: 60°37 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
145°
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
114.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 18.014 ft. lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
17.14 ft. lbs., Step 2: 45°7.14 ft. 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 10,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect)
Every 20,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
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 Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Drive Belt (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 200,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

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

In the federal record, the 2021 Lincoln Navigator logged 30 complaints, 12 recalls, zero investigations and 142 TSBs. Complaints had risen from a low of 9 in 2011 to a peak of 69 in 2019 before falling to 28 in 2020 and 30 in 2021, placing 2021 on the descending limb of that trend. Recalls showed a gradual increase from single‑digit totals in the early 2010s to a high of 14 in 2022, with the 2021 figure of 12 recalls sitting just below that peak and well above the near‑zero recall years of 2004‑2011. Investigations have been absent for 2021 and for most years since 2016, indicating no open NHTSA probes for that model year. Given the moderate complaint count, elevated but declining recall activity, and lack of investigations, the 2021 Navigator represents a comparatively safer choice within the generation’s upward‑then‑downward complaint arc, though buyers should still verify recall completion.

12
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
142
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
30
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 30 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Fuel System, Gasoline4
Unknown Or Other4
Engine4
Power Train,Fuel/Propulsion System2
Power Train2
Back Over Prevention2
Visibility/Wiper2
Exterior Lighting1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 12 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V805000Air Bags:Sensor:Side ImpactReported 15/10/2021

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… Remedy: 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…

22V250000Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:LinkagesReported 14/04/2022

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… Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 142 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SSM 547192026-04-02Power TrainFor 20212026 vehicles equipped with the 10R80 transmission, a new Transmission Clutch…
SSM 545892026-02-17Electrical SystemSome 2019-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC3 may experience various…
TSB 26-20012026-02-06Unknown Or OtherSome of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit a broken floor…
SSM 545552026-02-06Electrical SystemSome 2020-2022-Corsair, 2021-2023 Nautilus, 2020-2024 Navigator/Aviator, and 2021-2024…
25L022025-12-02Unknown Or OtherSpecial Field Action 25L02 Certain 2017-2024 Model Year California Emissions-Certified…

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 Navigator. 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 Navigator take?

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

Does the 2021 Navigator have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 12 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Navigator get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 22 highway / 18 combined mpg.