Acceleration complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 15% | — |
| 2024 | 1 | 6% | — |
| 2022 | 1 | 5% | — |
| 2021 | 1 | 3% | — |
| 2020 | 1 | 3% | — |
| 2019 | 3 | 4% | 35,000 miles |
| 2017 | 1 | 3% | — |
| 2014 | 2 | 12% | 106,000 miles |
| 2013 | 2 | 14% | 102,000 miles |
| 2012 | 1 | 8% | 103,000 miles |
| 2011 | 1 | 11% | 0 miles |
| 2010 | 1 | 6% | 64,000 miles |
| 2008 | 1 | 3% | 141,000 miles |
| 2007 | 5 | 11% | 110,000 miles |
| 2006 | 4 | 7% | 57,000 miles |
| 2005 | 5 | 10% | 57,000 miles |
| 2004 | 3 | 3% | 80,000 miles |
| 2003 | 7 | 6% | 76,000 miles |
| 2002 | 7 | 22% | 115,000 miles |
| 2001 | 12 | 15% | 83,000 miles |
| 2000 | 9 | 8% | 75,000 miles |
| 1999 | 7 | 5% | 142,000 miles |
| 1998 | 18 | 9% | 98,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2019 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH and depressing on the accelerator pedal, the RPM rose to 6,500 however, the vehicle began to decelerate. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to park on the side of the road and was able to continue to drive to his destination. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the vehicle was included in the unknown NHTSA Campaign Number however, the vehicle had not been repaired. The contact stated he had experience the failure on three different occasion. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.
I purchased this car used. The local lot did not disclose this well-documented history with the Navigator's transmission. I had recall work done a few months ago at an authorized Ford dealership. No warning. The vehicle stalls and pauses during acceleration (the engine does not die). This transmission issue is both dangerous and alarming, as I am unable to complete a pass. The car coasts in neutral (with traffic approaching/oncoming) during attempts to pass other vehicles.
Takata recall. At a slow speed, with the foot on the brake, vehicle accelerates. Speed is generally under 10 MPH and has happened during turning...either left or right. Specifically: it happened once turning left into a parking spot; it happened making a slow right hand turn on a street; it happened again during a left hand turn into a parking garage. We took it to a shop and the mechanic drove it. It happened to him as well, but I don't have the specifics for the one incident, but he also experienced the brakes not engaging normally to the point where he had to push extremely hard on the brake to stop the vehicle. The vehicle is still with the mechanic. I'm not sure if he's finding the exact cause of the problem. The master cylinder has been replace so far, but 3 of the 5 or 6 incidents occurred afterwards. …
Tl contact owns a 2007 Lincoln Navigator. While the vehicle was parked, the contact heard a popping noise followed by a loud explosion. He noticed that the vehicle was on fire. He then heard more popping sounds and noticed that the vehicle was completely engulfed in flames. The fire destroyed the vehicle and melted the sidings of the house and shed. The vehicle has not been inspected to determine the cause of the fire. The current and failure mileages were 1,500. The consumer stated before the fire remembers the cruise control was acting erratic and the heat in the vehicle was not working at the time. The consumer provided pictures of the vehicle engulfed in flames from the defect. Updated 08/20/07
Fuel gauge says zero miles to empty and will not take any gas more than a few gallons before kicking pump off. Gauge shows it's over heating but if you turn ignition off and turn right back on it resets and is fine. Codes come back saying nothing about fuel or cooling, but only something about speed control in the hub. Sounds like an electrical issue but no where to be found.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Lincoln Navigator. While driving approximately 65 MPH the "engine fail safe mode" warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. He applied pressure on the accelerator pedal, and received low vehicle power. He pulled to the side of the road and restarted the engine to resume normal vehicle operation. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for inspection. The failure was contributed to the engine throttle switch. The vehicle has not been repaired for the malfunction. The failure mileage was 57,000. The current mileage was 61,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Has happened a few times recently twice in one week.driving and my truck shuts off,steering locks up and no power.the warning indicator tells me. "check throttle computer system,I shut off truck and after a couple times it starts back up...
Tl contact owns a 2005 Lincoln Navigator. He stated that the cruise control was engaged at 45 MPH and the vehicle suddenly accelerated to 65 MPH when the brake was tapped to slow the vehicle down repeated attempts were made to slow the vehicle down. The dealer confirmed that the accelerator mat entrapment caused the failure. He also stated that his vehicle is equipped with a pedal adjustment for taller drivers. The dealer replaced the floor mat hooks and made sure that it was not close to the accelerator pedal. The failure and the current mileage was 56,717. Updated 01/15/10. The dealer found the all season mat stuck under the gas and brake. They removed the carpet mat and installed an all weather mat hook. Updated 01/19/10.
Related recalls (2)
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.
Vehicle speed control › Cruise control
On certain sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks, the speed control deactivation switch May overheat, smoke, or burn.
Remedy: As an interim repair, owners will be instructed to return their vehicles to their dealers to have the speed control deactivation switch disconnected.
NHTSA investigations
Speed control deactivation switch fire
In its letter dated January 27, 2005 to odi, Ford indicated that it would conduct a safety recall (NHTSA recall # 05v-017) to remedy an overheating speed control deactivation switch in approximately 738,490 subject vehicles.the vehicles affected by the recall are certain 2000 model year (my) Ford f150, Ford expedition and Lincoln navigator equipped with speed control and certain 2001 model year f150 supercrew…
Frequently asked questions
Which Lincoln Navigator years have acceleration problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1998 (18), 2001 (12), 2000 (9), 1999 (7) and 2002 (7) model years. Acceleration complaints make up 9% of all complaints for the 1998.
Is there a recall for Lincoln Navigator acceleration problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 05V-388 (vehicle speed control, Sep 7, 2005); 05V-017 (cruise control, Jan 27, 2005). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Lincoln Navigator acceleration problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 87,000 miles; 24% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the cruise control (15 mentions), followed by the accelerator pedal (11).
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.