2021 Lincoln Aviator Backup Camera Display Recall (21V223)
Ford Motor Company · 34,952 vehicles · Reported March 30, 2021
Ford Motor Company is recalling 34,952 2021 Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The image processing module may be unable to provide video feed to the display, which could result in a loss of the backup camera image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility." A backup camera that displays a blank or distorted image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 21V223 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 21V223000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | 21C09 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | March 30, 2021 |
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Vehicles | 2021 Lincoln Aviator |
| Units affected | 34,952 |
| Component | Back Over Prevention > Display Function |
| Safety risk | A backup camera that displays a blank or distorted image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2021 Lincoln Aviator in recall 21V223?
The image processing module may be unable to provide video feed to the display, which could result in a loss of the backup camera image.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The image processing module may be unable to provide video feed to the display, which could result in a loss of the backup camera image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Is it safe to drive a 2021 Aviator with recall 21V223?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: A backup camera that displays a blank or distorted image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: A backup camera that displays a blank or distorted image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your Aviator shows warning lights or behaves differently in a way that involves the display function, have it checked before driving further.
Which vehicles are included in recall 21V223?
Recall 21V223 covers 34,952 vehicles: 2021 Lincoln Aviator.
NHTSA lists 34,952 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Lincoln | Aviator |
What is the fix for the Aviator backup camera display recall?
Yes. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the image processing module software with the latest level, free of charge.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the image processing module software with the latest level, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 21, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C09.
When was recall 21V223 announced?
Ford Motor Company reported recall 21V223 to NHTSA on March 30, 2021. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as May 21, 2021.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| March 30, 2021 | Ford Motor Company filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 21V223000. |
| May 21, 2021 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 67 months ago. If your Aviator was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my Aviator is part of recall 21V223?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 21V223 is open on your Aviator, it will be listed there.
Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup. It shows any open safety recall on your vehicle, including 21V223000. Your VIN is on the registration card, the insurance card, and the driver side of the dashboard where it meets the windshield. Recent recalls can take a few days to appear in the lookup.
What should Aviator owners do about recall 21V223?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 21V223000 applies to your Aviator.
- Call a Lincoln dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
- Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
- Write down when symptoms involving the display function happen: date, mileage, speed, weather and what you felt or heard. Photos and short videos help.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.
What are Aviator owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 39 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 2 of them about the rearview camera.
Too few NHTSA complaints about the rearview camera have been filed since recall 21V223 was reported (2) to say whether the fix is holding.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 39 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 2 of them involve the rearview camera. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2021 Lincoln Aviator: 39 complaints in total, 2 about the rearview camera
Here is what some owners told NHTSA, in their own words (excerpts, unverified):
The contact owns a 2021 Lincoln Aviator. The contact stated that on several occasions while reversing, the rear camera flickered and failed to display an image on the screen. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the rear-view camera needed to be replaced.
2021 Lincoln Aviator owner, PA, NHTSA complaint 11550183, filed October 16, 2023
The contact owns a 2021 Lincoln Aviator. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V342000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue.
2021 Lincoln Aviator owner, AZ, NHTSA complaint 11567279, filed January 23, 2024
Can recall 21V223 make my Aviator a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
Recall 21V223000 does not automatically make your Aviator a lemon. California's Song-Beverly Act asks two questions: does a warranty defect substantially impair the vehicle's use, value or safety, and did the manufacturer fail to fix it in a reasonable number of tries (Civ. Code 1793.2(d))?
Rearview camera faults are frequently fixed with a software update, but owners report the screen going black again weeks later. If that happens with your 2021 Lincoln Aviator, each return visit should be documented.
The recall repair is available at dealers. If it works, great. If the same symptom comes back, the recall visit is one repair attempt and the next visit is another.
Civil Code 1793.22(b) sets out a presumption that applies in the first 18 months or 18,000 miles: two or more repair attempts for a defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury, four or more attempts for the same defect, or more than 30 total days out of service for repairs. Written notice to the manufacturer is required in some cases. Owners outside that window can still have a claim.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your Aviator been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Lincoln Aviator recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 21V223
Is the 21V223000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
When will owners be notified?
According to NHTSA, owner notification letters were or are scheduled to be mailed May 21, 2021.
How do I know if my Aviator is part of recall 21V223000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Is it legal to drive with a blank backup camera?
Federal safety rules require new vehicles to have a working rearview image, which is why camera failures are recalled. Have it repaired, and use mirrors and extra care until then.
Does a recall mean my car is a lemon?
Not on its own. A lemon law claim depends on whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps the vehicle out of service. A recall repair that fails, or repeat visits for the same problem, can support a claim.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 21V223000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Lincoln. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.