Lincoln Navigator Problems by Year

We compared every Lincoln Navigator model year from 1997–2026 using 1,357 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 68 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2019, 2018, 2024, 2021 and 2020, which drew far more complaints than other Navigator years at the same age. The best years are 2011, 2013 and 2012.

30model years
1,357complaints
68recalls
2019, 2018worst years
2011, 2013best years

Complaints by model year

’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’261921321098132127864860453010169121417212532528532332171613
Owner complaints per model year, Lincoln Navigator. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
20260typical2—Few
2025132.2×6BrakeAverage
2024162.1×7SuspensionCaution
20237−24%8ElectricalAverage
2022211.5×14ElectricalCaution
2021331.8×12EngineCaution
2020321.8×13TransmissionCaution
2019853.8×10Seat BeltAvoid
2018522.2×12TransmissionAvoid
2017321.2×5BrakeAverage
201625−32%4Window & WiperAverage
201521−46%4ElectricalGood
201417−49%—TransmissionGood
201314−69%—TransmissionGood
201212−59%3TransmissionGood
20119−69%—ElectricalGood
201016−56%—BrakeGood
200910−63%1EngineGood
200830−15%2BrakeAverage
2007451.4×2BrakeAverage
2006601.6×3EngineCaution
2005481.5×—SuspensionCaution
2004862.3×—SuspensionAvoid
20031274.2×—SuspensionAvoid
200232typical1EngineAverage
2001812.6×3Wheel & TireAvoid
20001093.7×4Wheel & TireAvoid
19991324.1×5Wheel & TireAvoid
19981926.3×5Wheel & TireAvoid
19970−93%2—Good

* Complaints compared with the median Navigator year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Lincoln Navigator problems

Latest Lincoln Navigator recalls

Power train › Automatic transmission

NHTSA recall 26V-402 · Jun 24, 2026 · 741,195 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Navigator, Expedition, 2020-2021 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2021 F-150 vehicles. The transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage.

Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, and inspect and replace any damaged transmission components as necessary, free of charge.

Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel

NHTSA recall 26V-372 · Jun 9, 2026 · 2,349 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Ford Mustang, Lincoln Nautilus, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 19V076. At vehicle start-up, the Instrument Panel Cluster Assembly (IPC) may not function, showing a blank display.

Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the Instrument Panel Cluster Assembly (IPC) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 13, 2026. Owners may contact customer service at 1-866-436-7332.

Seat belts › Pretensioner

NHTSA recall 26V-344 · May 27, 2026 · 419,967 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The seat belt pretensioner in the driver and/or front passenger seat may inadvertently lock the seat belt, which will not allow the belt to retract or extend.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt retractors as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed June 8, 2026.

Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Linkages

NHTSA recall 26V-204 · Mar 31, 2026 · 422,613 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, and 2022-2023 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, and F-600 SD vehicles. The windshield wiper arms may break, causing the wipers to fail.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the wiper arms, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 5, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.

Electrical system › ADAS

NHTSA recall 26V-165 · Mar 18, 2026 · 254,640 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2025 Lincoln Navigator, 2024-2025 Lincoln Nautilus, 2025 Lincoln Aviator and Explorer vehicles. The Image Processing Module A (IPMA) may experience multiple unexpected resets, resulting in loss of the rearview camera image and advanced driver assistance (ADAS) features,…

Remedy: The Image Processing Module A software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. This is a Phased campaign.

All 68 Lincoln Navigator recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Lincoln Navigator should you avoid?

2019, 2018, 2024, 2021, 2020 and 2022 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Navigator years at the same age, led by seat belts problems in the 2019.

What is the best year for the Lincoln Navigator?

2011 has the fewest complaints compared with other Navigator years at the same age, followed by 2013 and 2012. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Lincoln Navigator problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the wheels & tires (199), electrical system (199) and engine & cooling (185). Wheel & Tire complaints peak in the 1998 model year.

How many recalls has the Lincoln Navigator had?

68 recalls across 1997–2026. The model year with the most is 2022. See all Lincoln Navigator recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.