Lincoln Navigator Problems by Year
NHTSA has 1,356 owner complaints and 68 safety recalls on file for the Lincoln Navigator, across 31 model years (1997–2027). The 1998 model year has the most complaints (192). The most reported problem area overall is electrical system.
Lincoln Navigator years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Navigator year: 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2019. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 1998 Navigator: 192 complaints, 5 recalls
- 1999 Navigator: 132 complaints, 5 recalls
- 2003 Navigator: 127 complaints, 0 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2023 Navigator: 7 complaints, 8 recalls
- 2011 Navigator: 9 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2009 Navigator: 10 complaints, 1 recall
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 Lincoln Navigator problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System problems | 199 | 28 | 5 |
| Power Train problems | 178 | 25 | 13 |
| Suspension problems | 161 | 17 | 8 |
| Tires problems | 159 | 15 | 6 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 97 | 13 | 1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 95 | 23 | 12 |
| Engine | 88 | 26 | 4 |
| Structure | 83 | 20 | 5 |
| Air Bags | 79 | 17 | 32 |
| Steering | 69 | 17 | 7 |
| Visibility | 65 | 17 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 59 | 16 | 8 |
| Seat Belts | 46 | 15 | 3 |
| Service Brakes | 46 | 21 | 8 |
| Wheels | 42 | 13 | 4 |
| Exterior Lighting | 33 | 16 | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 29 | 11 | 0 |
| Seats | 29 | 16 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 27 | 11 | 2 |
| Back Over Prevention | 24 | 9 | 3 |
| Visibility/wiper | 23 | 17 | 1 |
| Equipment | 17 | 9 | 0 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 14 | 7 | 2 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 9 | 8 | 2 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 8 | 5 | 1 |
| Lane Departure | 7 | 5 | 2 |
| Fuel System, Other | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Parking Brake | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Air | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| Traction Control System | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Trailer Hitches | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Carry Handle, Shell, Base | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Firerelated | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Electric | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Lincoln Navigator model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Navigator | 0 | 1 | — | — | |
| 2026 Navigator | 0 | 2 | 5★ | — | |
| 2025 Navigator | 13 | 6 | 5★ | Electrical System | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2024 Navigator | 16 | 7 | — | Suspension | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2023 Navigator | 7 | 8 | — | Electrical System | |
| 2022 Navigator | 21 | 14 | — | Electrical System | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2021 Navigator | 33 | 12 | 5★ | Engine | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2020 Navigator | 32 | 13 | 5★ | Power Train | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2019 Navigator | 84 | 10 | 5★ | Power Train | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2018 Navigator | 52 | 12 | 5★ | Power Train | More complaints than other years |
| 2017 Navigator | 32 | 5 | 5★ | Back Over Prevention | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2016 Navigator | 25 | 4 | 5★ | Visibility | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2015 Navigator | 21 | 4 | 5★ | Electrical System | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2014 Navigator | 17 | 0 | 4★ | Power Train | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2013 Navigator | 14 | 0 | 4★ | Power Train | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2012 Navigator | 12 | 3 | 4★ | Power Train | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2011 Navigator | 9 | 0 | — | Electrical System | |
| 2010 Navigator | 16 | 0 | — | Electrical System | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2009 Navigator | 10 | 1 | — | Electrical System | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2008 Navigator | 30 | 2 | — | Electrical System | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2007 Navigator | 45 | 2 | — | Fuel/propulsion System | More complaints than other years |
| 2006 Navigator | 60 | 3 | — | Suspension | More complaints than other years |
| 2005 Navigator | 48 | 0 | — | Suspension | More complaints than other years |
| 2004 Navigator | 86 | 0 | — | Suspension | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2003 Navigator | 127 | 0 | — | Suspension | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2002 Navigator | 32 | 1 | — | Air Bags | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2001 Navigator | 81 | 3 | — | Tires | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2000 Navigator | 109 | 4 | — | Tires | Far more complaints than other years |
| 1999 Navigator | 132 | 5 | — | Tires | Far more complaints than other years |
| 1998 Navigator | 192 | 5 | — | Tires | Far more complaints than other years |
| 1997 Navigator | 0 | 2 | — | — |
More from Lincoln: all Lincoln models · Lincoln VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Lincoln Navigator years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 1998 (192), 1999 (132), 2000 (109), 2001 (81), 2003 (127), 2004 (86), 2019 (84) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Navigator year. 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 Lincoln Navigator?
Electrical System, with 199 complaints across 28 model years.
How many recalls does the Lincoln Navigator have?
68 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.