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 2004 Lincoln Navigator owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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!
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that the rear air suspension had failed causing the rear end to bounce up and down and while driving a clanking noise was present coming from the front driver side wheel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the front suspension arm was needed to be replaced and the rear suspension air bags needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The local dealer was not notified. The failure mileage was 150,000.
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.
We have a 2004 Lincoln Navigator ( the second we have owned) the air suspension has never worked as well as the first Navigator. The ride was very good for the first 50 thousand miles then when it was cold it would take a while for the air suspension to warm up and begin to work. In alabama it does not get that cold that many days but it was very uncomfortable on those days. Finally the suspension just stopped working and the ride was terrible. Took to the dealership and paid $98.00 for diagnosis. Indeed the air suspension was leaking. Could not give us a firm price since they would not know for sure if any damage was done inside the system. The range was from $1,200.00 to over $4,000.00. If I wanted to gamble like that I will go to the casino. After talking with several mechanics their recommendation was to install a regular suspension which cost us $850.00 including installation. …
Tl contact owns a 2004 Lincoln Navigator. After the vehicle was purchased, it began to fail. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer for repairs. One month later, the suspension failed. While driving at an unknown speed, the trac indicator illuminated and the contact lost control of the vehicle. She pulled over and had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The vehicle was repaired for free. Afterwards, the low beam headlights failed and the contact replaced them with two bulb mechanisms. The low beams continued to fail and the mechanic could not find any failures. The dealer stated that the wiring was not faulty, but they discovered that the ballets in the low beams were blown out. The parts were ordered and replaced by a mechanic. The bulbs blew out again within a month. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and they kept it overnight to repair it again. …
I own a 2004 Lincoln Navigator. I have had problems with the air bag suspension system since I have owned my vehicle. What happens is when it gets cold the system fails to operate causing the vehicle to drop down on the tires. Ripping them from under the vehicle, it destroys the tires and could very easily cause an accident. I have had to replace the tires many times due to this issue. This winter alone it has been in the shop at lease 6 or 7 times. This system is no longer in use on the new navigators. Ford has issued no recalls and will not assist me in getting this issue resolved. They said unless they are forced to deal with this by the NHTSA , I can no longer afford to spent thousands of dollars to resolve this issue which is clearly a mfg problem. Everyone I know who owns a Navigator with this system have gotten rid of them. Mine is paid for and I can't afford another vehicle.
Jan 2012 air suspension light came on after being in below 30 degrees on a trip. Car was bouncing and could not control it properly. Replaced air shock on rear. Nov 2013 - same temps and same light and control problem. After the car reached a warmer temp.(south for 3 hours) it no longer bounced and was back to normal. Service shop could not find a problem. Dec 2013 another trip up north and same thing.and same service find. Nothing. Jan 2014 in a warmer temp. Light came on and bounce came back. Service shop said it looks like the compressor is going bad. This problem seems to me is a safety problem and should be recalled and repaired by Ford (Lincoln). It is dangerous and certainly makes the car uncontrollable.
Tl* the contact owns 2004 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that the front suspension failed and caused the front end to rest on the tires. The vehicle was taken to the mechanic for inspection, who advised the contact that the front suspension sensor failed. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer for repair, who replaced the front suspension sensor however, the failure recurred while the contact was driving 55 MPH. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who advised that the air compressor needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 90,100 and the approximate failure mileage was 91,000.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Lincoln Navigator. The air suspension on the front of the vehicle was not lifting up properly in order for the vehicle to drive without any incident. On cold days the suspension does not allow the front end to lift up; yet, the vehicle had to be warm or the temperature outside had to be warm. The vehicle was not taken to the dealership for inspection which was taken to three other service stations who performed a diagnostic test on the vehicle. The manufacturer was called and stated that there were no recalls or warranties stating that she had to pay for the repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 132,500.
Suspension complaints in other Navigator years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2004 Lincoln Navigator?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the suspension of the 2004 Lincoln Navigator, 28% of the model year's 86 complaints. The component named most often is front (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Lincoln Navigator suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension recall for the 2004 Lincoln Navigator. 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 2004 Lincoln Navigator suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles, and 12% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury 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.