Most common 1999 Lincoln Navigator problems
Share of the 132 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 →
1999 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: sport utility vehicles equipped with four-wheel-drive (4x4), 17" chrome steel wheels. The clamp load can be lost on the wheel lugs due to insufficient wheel contact area with the hub. In some cases, the contact area can deform, resulting in a loss of lug nut torque.
Remedy: Dealers will re-torque the wheel lugs to proper specifications and also install a label that specifies that the wheel lugs be torqued to 110 lb-ft any time the wheel is removed.
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. The fuel line assemblies May have been damaged by the supplier during manufacturing, allowing leakage.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect these vehicles and, if necessary, replace the front and rear fuel line assemblies.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Pedals and linkages
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. These vehicles May have a missing or partially installed retainer clip that holds the master cylinder push rod to the brake pedal arm.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect these vehicles to see if the retainer clip was installed, and repair, if necessary.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 3 possible defects involving the 1999 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.
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 1999 Lincoln Navigator owners say
Wheels & tires all 39 →
While driving ....... Without warning the air suspension line exploded and the vehicle became unmanageable ... Causing me to go off the road and strike various stationary objects ......
I have a 1999 Lincoln Navigator 2wd with general ameritrac tr tires. Tire size p245/75/16 and the tires have maybe 50% wear on them. I have had both rear tires blow out on the freeway at two different times. I know that I didn't hit anything. Also in both tire failures I first noticed tire vibration, then noise, then the tire blew out. When I first noticed the vibration I was traveling on the freeway at approximately 65 to 70 MPH and when the tire finally blew out I was traveling about 55 MPH. I have four general ameritrac tr tires in my possession except for the first tire that blew out a couple of months ago. The tires are no longer on my vehicle since I feel they are very unsafe.
Engine & cooling all 24 →
Tl contact owns a 1999 Lincoln Navigator. After driving and parking the vehicle, it exploded. The contact noticed black smoke and a fireball, and then the windows blew out. The police officer stated that the origin of the failure could never be determined because everything was burned to the ground, including the transmission and engine. It was noticed, however, that the fire seemed to have started from the front end. Before she exited the vehicle, the contact did not notice any warning lights or signs of overheating prior to the malfunction. A police report was filed. She consulted the manufacturer and was advised to call back. The current and failure mileages were approximately 140,000.
Tl contact owns a 1999 Lincoln Navigator. While proceeding to enter the vehicle, the contact noticed flames coming from the passenger side of the hood. She was unable to extinguish the fire and called the fire department. The fire department extinguished the flames and filed a report. There were no failures prior to this incident. The contact called her insurance company to file a claim and was informed that an insurance adjuster would inspect the vehicle. The cause of the failure was undetermined. The contact is in the process of notifying the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 190,000.
Electrical system
Rear taillights would not work and headlights would not go off at times door ajar would come on and all doors were closed at times heated seats would work and sometimes not took to shop and had wiring diagnostics done and found out needed new headlight switch put in it shorted out burning wires under dash garage had to order new headlight switch put it in and it did not work ordered 3rd one and same situation still did not work am being told by Ford and garage that there is a backorder on part because of known problems with the headlight switch control that is being made and will be at least a month tell parts are available. …
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that the roof leaked water onto the driver side window post and then traveled to the dashboard area. The water caused electrical issues. In addition, the front driver side exterior power door lock could only be accessed manually. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000. The VIN was unavailable.
1999 Lincoln Navigator engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.4L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 11 / 16 / 13 |
| 5.4L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 11 / 15 / 13 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Lincoln Navigator a good car?
Based on 132 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1999 Navigator rates avoid: 4.1× 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 1999 Lincoln Navigator?
The wheels & tires — 39 complaints, 30% of all complaints for this model year, most often about tread/belt. Next are the engine & cooling (24) and electrical system (12).
How many recalls does the 1999 Lincoln Navigator have?
There are 5 recalls for the 1999 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 1999 Lincoln Navigator problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 85,000 miles; 10% 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.