Most common 2004 Lincoln Navigator problems
Share of the 86 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 →
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2004 Lincoln Navigator:
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 2004 Lincoln Navigator owners say
Suspension all 24 →
My 2004 Lincoln Navigator dropped down on the drivers side front. I took it to a mecanic and he said it was the height sensor in the meanwhile while they ordered the part and a week later it got to the shop I drove it and of course with all the bumping around the front passenger side dropped now the Lincoln really bounces I took it to the shop to get the sensor installed went back to pick it they tell me that wasnt the problem now my pump dont work and my front end is really low. Now im stuck with no suspension and something more than likely is going to happen either a blown tire because of the rubbing on the tire wall or a car accident. This is my daily driver back and forth to work I also am afraid to take my three children anywhere because of this. Im and employee of GM someone needs to do a recall this is a safety issue to the driver and other drivers as well.
Car only has 120,000 and started to bounce, and lower during driving. Got diagnosed, with detached air linkage which were the front, paid $430, 2 months after the moter stopped completely, replaced motor, nearly$600, installed and didn't work, relay was the other problem, changed relay, worked for a week, and stopped comletely! Bought another one, tried to install it but is not working, another $100 down the drain! My only option is coil spring converstion, to stop with all the electrical problems! Lincoln should take more consideration in suspension, to make the car safe and driveable!
Air bags
I have a 2004 Lincoln Navigator and when it gets too cold the airbags have busted on me and the compressor. I have owned this vehicle for 2 years and 2 years in a row each winter my suspension has failed. My wheels are riding right under my tire wall and it is going to cause me to have an accident or cause further damage. At $1000 to fix these they should last longer than 1 year. Please look into this and recall our vehicles, the air suspension is supposed to provide a smoother ride not a rough winter.
While driving north on ar hwy 9 a few miles south of malvern, arkansas with my wife in the front passenger seat and my son in the second row directly behind me, a loud bang occurred. In the next moments I realized the side curtain air bags deployed on both sides of the vehicle, a smell like fireworks became immediately apparent, and the driver's side sun visor was destroyed and hanging down directly in front of me at an angle. I was able to maintain control of the vehicle and stay in my lane of the two-lane highway and slowed down. After shortly realizing what happened, I looked for a place to pull over, did so, and took my pocket knife and cut away the side curtain airbags to be able to see out of the side windows and continue our trip north. …
Electrical system
2004 Ford Navigator caught on fire while parked in the carport. Prior to the fire the consumer read and article about fire occurring in Lincoln Navigator due to faulty cruise control switch. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the consumer he had nothing to worry about. Two week later the consumer's home and vehicle were destroy by a fire which started in the vehicle.
The 2004 Lincoln navigtor that we purchased has suffered numerous battery failures leading to various electrical problems. At first, the vehicle would not start at all. After numerous attempts to repair and over a week with the dealer, an improperly dealer installed dvd player was the cause. However, immediately after that problem was "fixed" the navigation system failed. Specifically, the screen would "grey" out not allowing any input into the system. After 10-13 minutes, the options would appear for a few sections and then "grey" out again.
2004 Lincoln Navigator engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.4L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 11 / 16 / 13 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2004 Lincoln Navigator a good car?
Based on 86 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2004 Navigator rates avoid: 2.3× 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 2004 Lincoln Navigator?
The suspension — 24 complaints, 28% of all complaints for this model year, most often about front. Next are the air bags (13) and electrical system (11).
How many recalls does the 2004 Lincoln Navigator have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2004 Lincoln Navigator. You can still confirm with your VIN using our 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 2004 Lincoln Navigator problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 67,000 miles; 37% 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.