Airbag complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 8% | — |
| 2019 | 4 | 5% | 5,000 miles |
| 2017 | 3 | 9% | 140,000 miles |
| 2016 | 1 | 4% | 0 miles |
| 2015 | 1 | 5% | — |
| 2013 | 1 | 7% | 20,000 miles |
| 2008 | 1 | 3% | 101,000 miles |
| 2007 | 1 | 2% | 52,000 miles |
| 2006 | 6 | 10% | 124,000 miles |
| 2005 | 6 | 13% | 80,000 miles |
| 2004 | 13 | 15% | 89,000 miles |
| 2003 | 14 | 11% | 120,000 miles |
| 2002 | 7 | 22% | 90,000 miles |
| 2001 | 4 | 5% | 28,000 miles |
| 2000 | 9 | 8% | 110,000 miles |
| 1999 | 2 | 2% | — |
| 1998 | 6 | 3% | 140,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2019 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that while shifting the transmission from Reverse (R) to Drive (D), the driver's seat belt suddenly jolted her back into the seat, causing neck and shoulder pain. The Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) message was displayed. A loud, gunshot-like sound was heard, and an odor similar to a deployed air bag was noticed following the incident. The contact was informed by an unknown dealer that the parts were backordered for NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V344000 (Seat Belts). The contact then notified the manufacturer by telephone regarding the incident. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
COMPONENT FAILURE: The driver-side front seat belt retractor & pyrotechnic pretensioner assembly spontaneously & violently deployed while the vehicle was in motion. Immediately following the explosion, the vehicle's dashboard SRS/Airbag warning light illuminated & remains locked on. The component is currently intact & remains inside the vehicle; it is fully available for physical inspection upon request. SAFETY RISK: The component fired with a gunshot-like sound inside the enclosed cabin, forcefully locking & pinning the [redacted] driver against the seat. This sudden explosion & physical restraint severely startled the young driver, nearly causing a loss of vehicle control. …
The contact owned a 2017 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that while traveling at 40 MPH, the vehicle struck the front passenger side of another vehicle that made an illegal U-turn at a higher rate of speed. The vehicle spun out and came to a stop after crashing into a bus occupied by children. No air bags deployed, and the contact believed the air bags should have deployed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. Two individuals were injured. The contact was driving and sustained injuries to the head, neck, shoulders, knees, legs, chest, right elbow, right arm, and internal bruising from the seat belt. The other person sustained unknown injuries. Medical attention was required for the injuries sustained. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 Ford Navigator. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle was cut off by an 18-wheeler, which forced the contact's vehicle into the left lane, causing the vehicle to crash into the rear of the vehicle in front on the freeway, which in turn set off a chain reaction. The air bags did not deploy, however, the computer indicated that the air bag deployed. The contact sustained a spinal cord and hand injury that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was damaged but was not towed. The dealer and the manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 80. The VIN was not provided.
Tl* the contact owned a 2006 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that while at a completed stop, another vehicle crashed into the rear end of the vehicle. As a result, the contact crashed into the vehicle that was ahead. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained minor injuries to the back and legs that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 189,000. The VIN was not available. Updated 04/07/16 updated 05/14/18
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Lincoln Navigator. While driving approximately 35 MPH and attempting to change lanes, the left lane suddenly stopped and the contact rear ended the preceding vehicle. The passenger air bag deployed, but the driver side air bag did not deploy. There were no injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the ann collision repair center who repaired the front end, radiator support, and the hood of the vehicle. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 177,000.
While traveling 50 MPH in the Lincoln, another driver attempted to make an illegal left turn in front of the Navigator resulting in immediate severe collision. The front impact destroyed the front end of the Lincoln, and also caused it to spin 180 degress resulting in a second collision with the at fault driver. The driver airbag did not deploy and resulted in severe injury to the driver.
I turned my ignition to start my car and the driver airbag deployed from the steering wheel hitting me in the head causing me to lose consciousness briefly from the impact. The airbag popped in my ear after hitting my head and started smoking. The smoking coming from the now deflated airbag did not stop for about 10 minutes. There was no reason for the airbag to deploy. I am very afraid of why this happened and since it happened for no reason I am fortunate this didn't happen while driving. I am 7 months pregnant, so due to this happening my doctor had me go to the hospital to have the baby monitored to make sure everything was OK. I use this car to drive my 4 year old and 2 year old and I am concerned for my whole family's safety. Ford needs to take action on this case of airbag deploying for no reason.
Related recalls (2)
Air bags › Frontal
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Navigator and Expedition vehicles. The passenger side air bag may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can cause the air bag to deploy with excessive force during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the passenger side air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 8, 2025. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S51.
Air bags › Sensor › Side impact
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022 Super Duty F-250, F-350, 2021 F-150, Expedition, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The front-door side impact pressure sensor modules may have been damaged during supplier assembly, which can cause the side impact air bags to not deploy properly in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver and passenger front door side impact sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 3, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Frequently asked questions
Which Lincoln Navigator years have airbag problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2003 (14), 2004 (13), 2000 (9), 2002 (7) and 1998 (6) model years. Airbag complaints make up 11% of all complaints for the 2003.
Is there a recall for Lincoln Navigator airbag problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 25V-439 (frontal, Jun 27, 2025); 21V-805 (side impact, Oct 15, 2021). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Lincoln Navigator airbag problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 93,000 miles; 30% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the frontal (17 mentions), followed by the side/window (6).
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.