Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Lincoln Navigator owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
I have a complaint about the tires on my Navigator, they are continental contitrac at's the size is p255-75r17 and the dot number off the tire for production time is 129. On Sunday April 13 I was traveling down I-4 from tampa to winter haven florida at approximately 70 MPH when the truck started shaking violently. I pulled to the side of the road and the right rear tire had separated and a large piece of the tire had come off. I put on the spare and drove home, continental told me to go to tire kingdom which would not help me. I just ask that we have safe tires on our vehicles and this tire company seems to do everything but take the blame for the problem.
Tl contact owns a 1999 Lincoln Navigator. The vehicles rear left wheel fell off in June of 2008. A tire mechanic stated that the stud broke. The wheel was repaired; however, on October 5, 2009 when he attempted to drive out of a parking lot he heard a noise, and noticed that the vehicle was leaning to the right. When he inspected the vehicle he observed that the right left wheel and the rotor fell off. The manufacturer stated that his VIN was not included in recall 98V095000 wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts; therefore, they were unable to assist with the repair. The failure and current mileage were 230,000. Updated 11/06/09 updated 11/09/09
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Lincoln Navigator equipped with national a/s commando tires, size: 245/75/16 (n/a). The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the rear passenger's side tire separated from the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The tire was not replaced. The failure mileage of the tire and the vehicle was 6,500. The VIN was not available.
Tl contact owns a 1999 Lincoln Navigator. The vehicle has four cooper futura adventurer h/t tires. The contact stated that two caps on two of the tires have become detached. The manufacturer is giving him the run around concerning replacing the tires. NHTSA campaign id number 02t003000 (tires:sidewall) was referenced. The tire size was unknown. The failure mileage was 78,000.
Spare tire on 1999 Lincoln Navigator fell off, landing in roadway. Spare and wheel weigh approx. 80 lbs. No injury or damage to other vehicles occured as this transpired on a residential street at low speed. Concern regarding failure at highway speed or in congested area. No prior warning of failure.
The right rear tire on the consumer's 1999 Navigator lost it's tread cap and as a result the driver lost control of the vehicle. The right rear tire was flat with no outward signs of impact or sidewall damage. As a result of the tire(continental contitrac a/t tire 205/75sr 17 radial tire).
We had a tire-tread separtation incident on our Lincoln Navigator with the original continental tires. . I reported to company, but I do not know if they reported it to you. Call me with any additional questions. (dot number: ad70449247 tiresize: p245/75r16)
(1) nothing before it happened. (2) I was driving to work at 10:50 pm and as I made a right hand turn into the parking lots at about 5-10 MPH, I heard a clank and bump bump. I turned and saw nothing and slowly moved forward where I saw a tire in the road behind me. I turned around and went back and saw it was a good tire and rim about the size I had on my car. I looked under my car and to my suprise my spare was gone. I picked up the tire and metal bracket that held it. I could not find anything else. The next day in daylight I looked under my car and found that the cable that holds the spare tire was broken at the point where it came out of the bracket. (3) I took the car to my local dealer and he didn't look at the car but said he had never heard of this happening before. …
Related recalls
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.
Wheel & Tire complaints in other Navigator years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 1999 Lincoln Navigator?
NHTSA has 39 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 1999 Lincoln Navigator, 30% of the model year's 132 complaints. The component named most often is tread/belt (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Lincoln Navigator wheel & tire problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 99V-099 (lugs/nuts/bolts/studs, Apr 29, 1999). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1999 Lincoln Navigator wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 6 injuries to wheels & tires 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.