Ford Navigator Problems by Year
NHTSA has 23 owner complaints and 3 safety recalls on file for the Ford Navigator, across 6 model years (1998–2003). The 2003 model year has the most complaints (5). The most reported problem area overall is vehicle speed control.
Ford Navigator years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
No Navigator model year stands out with more than twice the complaints of a typical year.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2003 Navigator: 5 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2001 Navigator: 5 complaints, 1 recall
- 1998 Navigator: 5 complaints, 1 recall
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2002 Navigator: 1 complaint, 0 recalls
- 1999 Navigator: 3 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2000 Navigator: 4 complaints, 2 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Ford Navigator problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 | 3 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Suspension | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Tires | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Trailer Hitches | 1 | 1 | 1 |
All Ford Navigator model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 Navigator | 5 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 2002 Navigator | 1 | 0 | — | Electrical System | |
| 2001 Navigator | 5 | 1 | — | Vehicle Speed Control | |
| 2000 Navigator | 4 | 2 | — | Electrical System | |
| 1999 Navigator | 3 | 0 | — | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 1998 Navigator | 5 | 1 | — | Structure |
More from Ford: all Ford models · Ford VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Navigator years should you stay away from?
No year stands out at twice the typical count; the most complaints are for 2003 (5), 2001 (5), 1998 (5). Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Ford Navigator?
Vehicle Speed Control, with 5 complaints across 3 model years.
How many recalls does the Ford Navigator have?
3 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.