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Why do Lincoln airbag recalls keep hitting Aviator and Navigator?
Ford's five Lincoln airbag recalls cluster around side airbags and the seats or doors they mount in. The Aviator appears twice in consecutive years: 2020 models, recalled with the Ford Explorer, may have side airbag and seat back module attachments that were not properly tightened, and 2021 models may have side airbag attachment weld studs that detach during deployment. The Navigator appears twice as well — 2021 models with front-door side impact pressure sensor modules damaged during supplier assembly, and 2025 models whose passenger airbag can deploy with excessive force. The 2019 Nautilus without Adaptive Front Steering rounds out the group: its plastic driver airbag cover may detach when the bag deploys.
Warning signs to watch for
- Ford's notices describe no warning light or driving symptom — none of these defects announces itself before a crash
- On 2020 Explorer and Aviator front seats, fasteners that were never properly tightened could show up as a loose-feeling seat back
- Nothing changes in how the vehicle drives; each notice confirms owners are not told to stop driving
- The faulty parts are hidden — door impact sensors, weld studs, seat back fasteners and the airbag cover itself
Is it safe to keep driving?
Ford does not tell owners to stop driving or to park outside in any of these five recalls, and the vehicles drive normally. The danger is confined to a crash: a driver airbag cover that becomes a projectile, side airbags that tear loose from the seat back or deploy improperly, side airbags that may not deploy properly because the door sensors were damaged, or a passenger airbag that fires with excessive force. Each notice asks owners to schedule the free repair promptly rather than to change their driving.
What the free repair involves
Nautilus owners get a new driver airbag module. On 2020 Explorer and Aviator, dealers remove front seat back panels and verify the fasteners are properly tightened. The 2021 Aviator and Explorer get new side airbag assemblies, the 2021 Navigator gets new front door side impact sensors, and the 2025 Navigator gets a new passenger airbag. All free; no software update.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| high | 5 |
Models affected most
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-06-27 | Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator Passenger Airbag Too Forceful | high |
| 2021-10-15 | Ford and Lincoln trucks and SUVs may have faulty side airbag sensors | high |
| 2021-08-23 | Ford Explorer, Lincoln Aviator side airbags may fail | high |
| 2020-08-21 | Ford Explorer, Lincoln Aviator side airbag bolts may be loose | high |
| 2018-11-14 | Lincoln Nautilus driver airbag cover may fly off | high |
Common questions
Why do Ford Explorer and Expedition keep appearing in these Lincoln recalls?
Ford recalls the Aviator with the Explorer and the Navigator with the Expedition, because the affected parts are shared. If a notice names both, your Lincoln is covered on the same terms and receives the same free repair.
Does the 2021 Navigator sensor recall affect the front airbags?
No. It covers front-door side impact pressure sensor modules damaged during supplier assembly, which can stop the side impact airbags deploying properly in a side crash. Dealers replace the driver and passenger front door side impact sensors free of charge.
Is an airbag that deploys too hard really dangerous?
Ford says the 2025 Navigator and Expedition passenger airbag may have been manufactured incorrectly and can deploy with excessive force in a crash, meaning the airbag itself could injure the person it is meant to protect. Replacement is free.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.