Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD

2021 Lincoln CorsairRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 22 safety recalls and 34 owner complaints for the 2021 Lincoln Corsair. Most complaints involve back over prevention (9) and electrical system (6). The EPA rates it 24–33 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
24–33mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
22campaigns
Latest Mar 2026
Owner complaints
34
Top: back over prevention
Fuel cost / yr
$1,950est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

22 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Visibility: windshield wiper

Remedy pending

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer, Escape, Lincoln Aviator, and Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The windshield wiper motor may fail and prevent the windshield wipers from operating properly.

VisibilityReported Mar 3, 2026NHTSA 26V117000

Back over prevention: software

Free remedy

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2020-2024 Lincoln Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The image on the center display may flip or invert, resulting in an incorrectly displayed rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Back over preventionReported Mar 3, 2026NHTSA 26V123000

Equipment: engine block heater

Remedy pending

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.

EquipmentReported Oct 10, 2025NHTSA 25V685000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

34 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2021 – Jun 2026
  1. Back over prevention9
  2. Electrical system6
  3. Power train5
  4. Engine5
  5. Exterior lighting2
  6. Structure2
  7. Visibility2
  8. Wheels1
  9. Service brakes1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Corsair model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
202061
202134
202235
202314
202422
20257
20260
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
2
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Back over prevention

9 reports
“The contact owns a 2021 Lincoln Corsair. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V048000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the failure occurred after the recall repair. The contact stated that while reversing, the rear view camera failed to alert her when there was a pedestrian or vehicle. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer on three separate occasions. The dealer replaced the rear view camera, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 40,216.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 11, 2026Back over preventionODI 11736965

Electrical system

6 reports
“One day, the bright headlamps stopped working. The light on the dashboard indicating that they are on still works but the lights themselves, do not turn on. Yes, it is available for inspection. There was and has been no warning. It has not been looked at by a dealer or anyone else.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 2, 2026Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 11741560

Power train

5 reports
“While driving on the highway my vehicle experienced a sudden severe loss of power that led you a metallic rattling noise under the front of the vehicle and smoke coming out the exhaust pipes. Took it to a Ford dealership for diagnosis and repair however, it recommendations were long engine block replacement due to coolant intrusion from a cylinder wall cracking due to a manufacturer defect that is a widely known and has a large class action lawsuit. Well, I’m being told I have to pay $11,000 out-of-pocket because my vin is not included in the active recalls of the vehicles of the same making and model as mine. The issues with my vehicle is not caused from wear and tear is a manufacturer defect and should be included to be repaired being that this vehicle is less than five years old under 100,000 miles and I’ve only had the vehicle since November 2024.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 21, 2026Power train, EngineODI 11745510
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl plug-in hybrid · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo · 2.3L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Automatic (S8)
Drive
Part-time 4-Wheel Drive · Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
EV range
430 mi (EPA)

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Corsair AWD PHEV
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
343233$1,950117
Corsair FWD
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
222925$2,550361
Corsair AWD
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
212924$2,700369
Corsair AWD
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
212824$2,700373
  • Corsair AWD PHEV
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    34 city · 32 hwy · $1,950/yr
    33
    mpg comb.
  • Corsair FWD
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    22 city · 29 hwy · $2,550/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Corsair AWD
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    21 city · 29 hwy · $2,700/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Corsair AWD
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo
    21 city · 28 hwy · $2,700/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Lincoln Corsair SUV AWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
17.4%
Overall
5 / 5
Lincoln Corsair SUV FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
16.9%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 2026Vehicle 15449Vehicle 15413
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2021 Corsair questions

How many recalls does the 2021 Lincoln Corsair have?

22 safety recalls as of Oct 27, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2021 Lincoln Corsair problems?

Owners filed 34 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are back over prevention (9), electrical system (6), power train (5). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2021 Lincoln Corsair get?

The EPA rates the 2021 Lincoln Corsair at 24–33 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

How safe is the 2021 Lincoln Corsair?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2021 Lincoln Corsair 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026