Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Lincoln Navigator owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 .
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Lincoln Navigator. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the rear of the vehicle independently swayed from side to side without warning. In addition, the contact mentioned that the brake pedal was depressed, but failed to respond and the rear of the vehicle began to scrape across the ground. The contact mentioned that the vehicle stopped independently. After inspecting the vehicle, the contact discovered that the lug nuts on the rear passenger side wheel fractured and caused the wheel to disengage from the vehicle. The entire rear of the vehicle was fractured. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the frame, the drive shaft, the trans axle, the transfer case, the rear axle, the bearing, and the rear lug nuts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. …
We five were driving to pendleton, oregon for a new years celebration we were all straight and sober. The car suddenly swung to the left driver corrected to the right. Happened again, harder. Rainy and cold and dark out. Driver corrected but the car swung to the left as though possessed, hurling us into a nightmare 4 full rolls. Driver sustained hole in her crown(head)plus hand and arm pain. Passenger sustained shoulder pain. Passenger behind person sustained back injuries. Passenger behind driver in seatbelt o.k. Except for bruising from seat belt. 5th person in back had compression in chest, knee wrenched, and horrible leg cramping for 2 weeks. Thank god we lived to tell the story. I can be reached at [phone] I am connie(owner) staying at my daughters until she heals up. My husband is 70 years old and was behind driver-bruised only.
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)
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that upon entering the vehicle she noticed that it was low to the ground. The vehicle was towed to a local repair facility, and a technician concluded that the suspension sensors failed. No repairs were made. The failure and current mileages were 170,000. Updated 12/7/09 updated 12/08/09.
Tires slipping on rims, highway vibration vehicle since first purchased. Dealer verfied slipping tires and relaced tires and wheels which did not solve the problem. While driving on damp pavement at 60mph front end lost control capability, resulting in car hitting guardrail on a staight way .( dot number: )
The air compressor continues to fail, this causes the back of the vehicle to drop way down. If this happens while the vehicle is traveling on the freeway I am afraid that the vehicle can flip over with myself and my baby.
Hi my name is [redacted] I have this viehicle sinse 4-11-01 sinse this day I have take this vehicle like 15 times to the mechanic and is been the same problem the hold time rear suspension problem's when I bouht this viehicle like a month later I tooked back to the dealer for rear suspension problem's they fixed but like in month later the truck was down again for the same problem and they fixed again and kept going with the same problem in till now my problem is I don't have any warranty this truck any more and I already payed $250.00 one time to fixs the same problem now the truck is down again of the same problem and now the dealer wont's me to pay$350.00 to fix the same problem rear suspension problem's thank you. Parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 U.S.c. 552(b)(6).
I purchased my Lincoln Navigator in 1998. The problem I have is that the airbags filled up while driving and cause the vehicle to to swerve. The suspension stays in the up position. I have had this problem corrected once and it cost me $500.00 dollars. When the airbags fill with air the truck is raised in the rear to a very unsafe driving height that shifts most of the weight of the truck onto the front wheels. The first time I encountered this problem was at 55000 miles and now at 96500 the problem has occured again. I'm sure the dealer will not repair my $50,000.00 vehicle without charge, but I'm still headed for the dealership next week to get the problem corrected because it is to unsafe to drive in the condition it is in now. Dt
Suspension complaints in other Navigator years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 1998 Lincoln Navigator?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the suspension of the 1998 Lincoln Navigator, 13% of the model year's 192 complaints. The component named most often is front (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Lincoln Navigator suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension recall for the 1998 Lincoln Navigator, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1998 Lincoln Navigator suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 69,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 8 injuries and 15 deaths to suspension problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.