Body complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 8% | — |
| 2023 | 1 | 14% | — |
| 2022 | 1 | 5% | — |
| 2019 | 2 | 2% | 45,000 miles |
| 2018 | 1 | 2% | 10,000 miles |
| 2017 | 2 | 6% | — |
| 2014 | 1 | 6% | 134,000 miles |
| 2013 | 2 | 14% | 20,000 miles |
| 2010 | 2 | 13% | 78,000 miles |
| 2008 | 4 | 13% | 122,000 miles |
| 2007 | 6 | 13% | 70,000 miles |
| 2006 | 3 | 5% | 100,000 miles |
| 2005 | 7 | 15% | 72,000 miles |
| 2004 | 10 | 12% | 51,000 miles |
| 2003 | 18 | 14% | 40,000 miles |
| 2002 | 2 | 6% | 90,000 miles |
| 2001 | 2 | 2% | 2,000 miles |
| 2000 | 6 | 6% | 90,000 miles |
| 1999 | 4 | 3% | 86,000 miles |
| 1998 | 8 | 4% | 98,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
After turning the steering wheel the steering wheel will not return to center, it must be brought back manually. Second, the rocker panels front and back are rusted out completely and I worry about integrity and safety of the frame.
Motors in side step boards stop working. Button to control trunk don't work. Back rear gate keeps closing has hit the kids and myself many times trying to get things out of back. Casing around door handle broke off. This is an expensive vehicle and this should not be happening! I see other navigators with the running boards out! These items should be recalled.
My car was parked in my driveway. I opened the back hatch to allow my children to load their violins in the back before taking them to school. The hatch suddenly came down quickly on its own, slamming down. It hit my son's arm just as he pulled away from the car. It could have caused him great bodily harm. Every time I push the remote to open the hatch it opens completely then slams back down.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that the driver and passenger side chrome door handles started to peel away, exposing razor sharp shards of chrome. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was advised that the door handles needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but they offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000. The current mileage was approximately 70,500. The VIN was unavailable.
Tl contact owns a 2006 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that a passenger stepped on the bracket to enter the vehicle and it fractured. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the front passenger's side bracket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 145,000.
Suspension is making noises, and the running board is rusty and bolts came out or broke off, and there is a crack in it, had I not been holding on when I got out of car I would have falling. I had it check and the other side is rusty also and about to come off.
Ltr from senator hutchison on behalf of constituent, re problems with her 2005 Lincoln Navigator. The consumer stated there was a noise coming from the engine. The front end vibrated constantly. The consumer was informed the track bar and cad mount bushings needed to be replaced to correct the vibrating. The sunroof leaked, the cd changer scratched the cd's, the drivers seat was repaired 3 times, the tire pressure sensor didn't work, the remote start did not work, the transmission was slipping, the rear windows were grinding, the drivers side door would not open, the mirror would not adjust and the wipers were replaced. The consumer stated after two years of being told there was nothing wrong with the vehicle, it finally broke down and the dealer had to perform major engine work. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated both running boards on the left and right side of the vehicle were covered with rust and corroded. The running boards retract in and out in order to climb into the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who removed the running boards but did not repair the vehicle due to the repair cost which was over $2000. The manufacturer was contacted and stated the reason for the rust and corrosion was due to the contact living in a salt state and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 72,000. The consumer stated it looked as if the metal used was a mild steel plate on 1/8 inch thick and the running boards have rusted away completely. The metal used to make the running boards was not sufficiently strong for normal use nor had it been protected from corrosion. Updated 09/27/11 updated 9/19/11 updated 2/23/12
Frequently asked questions
Which Lincoln Navigator years have body problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2003 (18), 2004 (10), 1998 (8), 2005 (7) and 2000 (6) model years. Body complaints make up 14% of all complaints for the 2003.
Is there a recall for Lincoln Navigator body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for any Lincoln Navigator model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Lincoln Navigator body problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles; 35% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the body (34 mentions), followed by the body › door (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.