Most common 1998 Lincoln Navigator problems
Share of the 192 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Lincoln Navigator complaints by model year
Best Navigator years: 2011, 2013, 2012. Years to avoid: 2019, 2018, 2024, 2021, 2020. Compare all years →
1998 Lincoln Navigator recalls (5)
Vehicle speed control
On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles equipped with speed control, the speed control deactivation switch May overheat, smoke, or burn.
Remedy: By letter dated September 12, 2005, owners were instructed to return their vehicles to their dealers to have the speed control deactivation switch disconnected.
Trailer hitches
Vehicle description: multi-purpose vehicles. The trailer hitch assembly to the frame attaching bolts could lose the clamp load.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the trailer hitch mounting bolts and nut plates.
Wheels › Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
Vehicle description: multi-purpose vehicles and light duty pickup trucks. The lug nuts on these vehicles May not create sufficient clamp load allowing wheel movement in relation to the hub/rotor mounting surface.
Remedy: Owners of these vehicles will be receiving two notifications. The first notification, which began in May 1998, will provide an interim repair procedure until parts become available.
Exterior lighting › Headlights
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The text and/or graphics for the vehicle headlamp aiming instructions provided in the owner guides are not sufficiently clear. This does not meet the requirements of FMVSS no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Remedy: Owner guides containing revised aiming instructions will be mailed to owners of these vehicles.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (PRNDL)
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and multi-purpose passenger vehicles. If the automatic transmission shift cable assembly was not fully attached to the steering column bracket, the shift cable assembly can come out of the bracket.
Remedy: Dealers will make the proper attachment of the transmission shift control cable to the steering column bracket and add a tie strap to that connection.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 4 possible defects involving the 1998 Lincoln Navigator:
Factory installed towing hitch separatio
This investigation was opened on September 27, 1999 based on five consumer reports alleging that some of the eight hitch mounting bolts either became loose or came completely out of its retaining plate.one of the complaints indicated that while towig a trailer the hitch actually separated from the frame on the passenger's side of the vehicle when the four mounting bolts on that side came completely out.
Tie rod end failures
There is no summary currently available
Engine compartment fires
Ea05-005 is closed with Ford?s actions in recalls 05v-017, 05v-388, and 06v-286, recalling approximately 6.7 million vehicles equipped with texas instruments speed control deactivation switches (scds).the brake systems in these recalled vehicles generate a vacuum that can potentially cause the scds to fail and, in certain switch installation orientations, catch fire.Ford is also including the entire population of…
Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
On September 6, 2005, odi received a petition requesting that the agency investigate allegations of engine spark plug ejection in certain model year 1997 through 2004 Ford vehicles with triton v-8 and v-10 engines.odi received a total of 474 non-duplicative complaints on the subject vehicles where the complainant, or the dealer repairing the vehicle, reported that a spark plug detached from the cylinder and/or…
What 1998 Lincoln Navigator owners say
Wheels & tires all 62 →
I was driving about 40 MPH on a rode a drove everyday something broke on my 98 Lincoln Navigator . The guys who flipped it back over said the suspension broke I scraped a guardrail then straight across the road head on with a tree I flipped up on my headlights spun like that then rolled 50 more feet down the road it knocked me out on impact but a friend was in front of me and seen the whole thing I had a severe concussion and broke my back n four places none of the airbags deployed I would not recommend this type of vehicle for anyone there are so many complaints about the suspension and air shocks not working my sons almost lost their mom bc the suspension broke it was a very well maintained vehicle one owner be fore me who took very good care of it I only drove it for 5 months about 20 miles aday to work in back it was not lack of maintenance or anything like that
Wheels are not safe and very dangerous and randomly breaking off all screws while driving and ruined the frame and drive shaft transmission suspension etc... Highway 10 west and vehicle became unstoppable as brakes also new but failed without 4th wheel this occurred 1st on morning after st patricks day 2016 and the tires were good and wheels were bolted with lugnut impact drill and mechanic said thers a recall and the original owner was unaware but Lincoln claims they tried to fix before in 1999 but anaheim was fraudulently claiming repairs that were never completed because the owner always only went to the dealer where purchased new and the warranty was in effect 69,863 miles .
Suspension all 25 →
I was driving about 40 MPH on a rode a drove everyday something broke on my 98 Lincoln Navigator . The guys who flipped it back over said the suspension broke I scraped a guardrail then straight across the road head on with a tree I flipped up on my headlights spun like that then rolled 50 more feet down the road it knocked me out on impact but a friend was in front of me and seen the whole thing I had a severe concussion and broke my back n four places none of the airbags deployed I would not recommend this type of vehicle for anyone there are so many complaints about the suspension and air shocks not working my sons almost lost their mom bc the suspension broke it was a very well maintained vehicle one owner be fore me who took very good care of it I only drove it for 5 months about 20 miles aday to work in back it was not lack of maintenance or anything like that
Wheels are not safe and very dangerous and randomly breaking off all screws while driving and ruined the frame and drive shaft transmission suspension etc... Highway 10 west and vehicle became unstoppable as brakes also new but failed without 4th wheel this occurred 1st on morning after st patricks day 2016 and the tires were good and wheels were bolted with lugnut impact drill and mechanic said thers a recall and the original owner was unaware but Lincoln claims they tried to fix before in 1999 but anaheim was fraudulently claiming repairs that were never completed because the owner always only went to the dealer where purchased new and the warranty was in effect 69,863 miles .
Steering all 22 →
Fax fm archie bice (pa) re defective tie rod on his wife's 1998 Lincoln Navigator. While driving over a speed bump the front of the vehicle jumped sideways in a violent manner. The consumer drove over another speedbump and the same thing happened. The consumer's husband checked the vehicle when she got home and noticed that the tie rod broke off at the end (the ball separated from the socket). The consumer contacted the manufacturer and was told that this failure was not a common problem therefore no they would not provide any assistance.
While driving, the left tie rod separated, which almost caused an accident. While driving, the right tie rod separated. (all parts were replaced by the dealer) the consumer was able to stop the vehicle without causing an accident because both failures occurred at a low speed. When the tie rod broke, along with the inner binding, the reaction was extremely violent and difficult to control. The left inner and outer tie rod end were replaced. The sway bar link had broken. (the right tie rod end and sway bar link was replaced)
1998 Lincoln Navigator engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.4L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 12 / 16 / 13 |
| 5.4L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 11 / 15 / 12 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Lincoln Navigator a good car?
Based on 192 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1998 Navigator rates avoid: 6.3× as many complaints as a typical year of the Navigator at the same age. It is one of the Navigator years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 Lincoln Navigator?
The wheels & tires — 62 complaints, 32% of all complaints for this model year, most often about tread/belt. Next are the suspension (25) and steering (22).
How many recalls does the 1998 Lincoln Navigator have?
There are 5 recalls for the 1998 Lincoln Navigator, the most recent from September 7, 2005 (vehicle speed control). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Lincoln Navigator?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2011, 2013 and 2012. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2019, 2018, 2024, 2021 and 2020. See the full Lincoln Navigator years comparison.
At what mileage do 1998 Lincoln Navigator problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 98,000 miles; 8% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.