2016 Lincoln Navigator Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Apr 1, 2026 · 25 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Navigator years
Fewer complaints than other years 17th of 31 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
5 out of 5 stars

Owners have filed 25 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Lincoln Navigator. That ranks 17th out of 31 Navigator model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is visibility (7 complaints, 28%), typically at around 100,000 miles. Complaints mention 1 fire. There are 4 safety recalls covering this model year.

Lincoln Navigator
2025 Lincoln Navigator photographed in Montréal , Québec , Canada at the 2025 Montréal International Auto Show .. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Bull-Doser, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2016 Lincoln Navigator problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Visibility7 · ~100,000 mi
Back Over Prevention5 · ~110,000 mi
Service Brakes4 · ~66,626 mi
Electrical System3 · ~100,000 mi
Unknown or Other3 · ~60,500 mi
Power Train2 · ~69,000 mi
Service Brakes, Hydraulic2 · ~91,000 mi
Air Bags1 · ~450 mi
Engine1
Forward Collision Avoidance1
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Visibility728%100,000——
Back Over Prevention520%110,000——
Service Brakes416%66,626——
Electrical System312%100,000——
Unknown or Other312%60,500——
Power Train28%69,000——
Service Brakes, Hydraulic28%91,000——
Air Bags14%450——
Engine14%———
Forward Collision Avoidance14%———
Seat Belts14%450——
Tires14%———
Visibility/wiper14%13,000——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2025, with 7 complaints
2016: 2201622019: 3201932022: 4202242023: 5202352024: 1202412025: 7202572026: 320263

n = 25 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2016 Lincoln Navigator recalls (4)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Back over prevention: sensing system: cameraSep 3, 2025 · NHTSA campaign 25V572000 · 1,456,417 vehicles

Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Lincoln MKC, Mustang, F-350 SD, F-250 SD, F-450 SD, 2015-2017 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, 2015-2018 Edge, Transit Connect, 2016-2019 F-550 SD, Transit, 2017-2019 Econoline, and 2019 Ranger vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.

Risk: A rearview camera that displays an inverted, distorted, or blank image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 13, 2026. Ford owners will receive letters in phases, beginning January 2026 and June 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S89. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 25V270. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning September 8, 2025.

Visibility:rearview mirrors/devices:exteriorFeb 14, 2025 · NHTSA campaign 25V091000 · 35,328 vehicles

Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The LED logo lights on the exterior mirrors may short circuit.

Risk: An electrical short circuit in the exterior mirror increases the risk of fire.

Fix: Dealers will disconnect the LED light wires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 27, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S08.

Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac system:fan/motor; electrical system:wiring:interior/under dashAug 26, 2022 · NHTSA campaign 22V648000 · 198,482 vehicles

Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The front blower motor located behind the glove box may fail.

Risk: Front blower motor failure can increase the risk of a vehicle interior fire.

Fix: Dealers will replace the front blower motor assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 4, 2023. Remedy parts are expected to become available in the second quarter of 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S56.

Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder; service brakes, hydraulic:power assistMar 11, 2022 · NHTSA campaign 22V150000 · 195,864 vehicles

Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and 2016-2018 F-150 vehicles equipped with 3.5L Ecoboost engines. The brake master cylinder may allow brake fluid to leak from the front wheel circuit into the brake booster.

Risk: A loss of brake fluid may result in a change in brake pedal travel, increased pedal effort and reduced front brake function, requiring greater effort and distance to stop the vehicle. These conditions can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder. If the master cylinder is leaking, the brake booster will also be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. An interim owner notification letter notifying customers of the safety defect were mailed on April 29, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed April 29, 2022. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 20V-332. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S11.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and turned off, there was white smoke coming from the passenger’s side exterior door mirror, accompanied by a burning plastic odor. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer for inspection, where it was…

Visibility · received Apr 1, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11728593

The power running boards do not go up and down, and are locked in the down position. During the winter snow and ice collects on the running board while driving and makes it incredibly slippery to step on for the driver and passengers. There is a setting to change the position of the running board…

Electrical System · received Jan 21, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11712327

The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln Navigator. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V091000 (VISIBILITY) and 25V572000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION). The contact stated that the rearview camera displayed a black screen image while the vehicle was in reverse(R). The contact stated…

Back Over Prevention · received Jan 20, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11712247

The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln Navigator. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V572000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The…

Back Over Prevention · received Dec 1, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11702209

There was a recall on the brake system before and that they fixed it and the same thing that it was a recall before is doing the same thing again with my brake system

Service Brakes · received Sep 4, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11684959

Other Lincoln Navigator years

← 2015 Navigator · 2017 Navigator →

See all Lincoln Navigator problems by year, every Lincoln model, or the Lincoln VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Lincoln Navigator?

Owners most often report visibility, back over prevention, service brakes problems. The top one, visibility, accounts for 7 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2016 Lincoln Navigator?

Yes, 4 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2016 Lincoln Navigator a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Navigator model years, the 2016 has fewer complaints than most years, and NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.