Lincoln Navigator Engine Problems

Owners have filed 185 complaints about engine & cooling problems with the Lincoln Navigator — 14% of all Navigator complaints. The worst model years are 1999 (24), 2006 (22) and 1998 (19). Problems typically start around 92,000 miles. 4 related recalls have been issued.

185complaints
1999worst year
92ktypical miles
4related recalls
5crashes
27fires

Engine complaints by model year

’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’261924889141010224132122411121238311
Engine complaints per model year, Lincoln Navigator.
YearComplaintsShare of year's complaintsTypical mileage
202416%—
2023114%—
2022314%—
2021824%—
202039%—
20191214%31,000 miles
20181223%86,000 miles
201713%—
201614%—
2015419%59,000 miles
2014212%54,000 miles
2013214%—
2011111%89,000 miles
2010213%76,000 miles
2009330%91,000 miles
200813%—
200749%110,000 miles
20062237%68,000 miles
20051021%57,000 miles
20041012%72,000 miles
20031411%99,000 miles
2002928%102,000 miles
2001810%111,000 miles
200087%145,000 miles
19992418%100,000 miles
19981910%135,000 miles

Which parts fail

  • Engine
    31
  • Engine › Gasoline
    12
  • Exhaust system
    4
  • Cooling system
    2
  • Exhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor
    2
  • Cooling system › Radiator assembly
    1
  • Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
    1

Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    98%
  • 25k–50k
    1312%
  • 50k–75k
    2018%
  • 75k–100k
    2321%
  • 100k–150k
    3329%
  • 150k+
    1413%

What owners report

At about 2:30am after hearing some popping noises I went to the vehicle and saw that the engine under the bonnet was on fire. The fire was seeping out from the sides of the bonnet. The vehicle had been parked since 9:20pm the previous night. I called emergency services including the fire department and the police. It spread very quickly in the Garage where the car was parked and burnt out the garage and the Tesla Plaid parked in the same garage. Firefighters put out the fire with total disintegrated remains. It was just luck that I was awake to catch this at this stage otherwise it would have spread to the house. My 3 children and wife were sleeping. The fire started in the engine of the parked Lincoln Navigator. Visual confirmation of the event is evident.

2022 Navigator · Nov 2025 · fire

Car accelerated very fast while in reverse and brake would not work. After reversing into other cars the car Finally stopped. When the car was turned back on it would not going to gear because the break was not being registered as being pressed

2022 Navigator · Sep 2022 · crash

The contact owns a 2021 Lincoln Navigator. The contact received notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V346000 (Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was contacted after receiving the recall notification and the contact was informed that parts were not available because the cause of the defect was not yet determined. The contact was then notified that the recall had been divided into two separate recalls requiring two different repairs to fix the vehicle. The contact scheduled an appointment with the dealer for a routine maintenance check; while at the dealer, she was informed that there was still no resolution to the recall. Once the contact picked up her vehicle, she was informed that the recall was serviced. …

2021 Navigator · May 2022

The contact owns a 2021 Lincoln Navigator. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 22V250000 (Visibility) and 22V346000 (Engine) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The local dealer was contacted and it was confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the driver's side windshield wiper experienced the failure listed in 22V250000 (Visibility). The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

2021 Navigator · Mar 2022

Catastrophic engine failure on 2020 Lincoln Navigator at 93,000 miles. Oil contamination in cylinder 6 caused complete compression loss due to piston ring failure. The engine suffers from failed cam phases and excessive carbon build up which are known failure points of this engine. Ford Technical Service Bulletins 20-2423 and 23-2143 document this as a known manufacturing defect for vehicles in my build timeframe, proving Ford was aware of this problem before production. This is premature engine failure requiring complete engine replacement on a 5-year-old vehicle. The failure pattern matches ongoing class-action lawsuits against Ford for EcoBoost engine defects. Safety concern: Catastrophic engine failure without warning while driving creates risk of sudden loss of power and potential accidents. …

2020 Navigator · Aug 2025

Regularly maintained 2020 Lincoln Navigator at 78,000 miles experienced engine failure with no warning. No check engine light until we experienced power issues and engine shuttering. We took the vehicle directly to the mechanic within an hour of check engine light. They changed the oil and said to go to the dealer. Dealer assessed the vehicle as follows: Bottom end failure of the short block which caused a knocking noise. Confirmed metal debris in the engine oil. Seals failed and leakage occurred. Recommend complete engine replacement. This is the same issue occurring in newer models. Recalls and class action lawsuits filed due to this exact issue. This is premature engine failure requiring complete engine replacement on a 5-year-old vehicle. Major safety concern since the engine can seize up at any time. …

2020 Navigator · Feb 2026

The contact owns a 2019 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the front and the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the sound. The vehicle was not repaired however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the phaser needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, within several months of the repair, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer to attempt to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 29,736.

2019 Navigator · 30,000 miles · Nov 2019

The contact owns a 2019 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle made an abnormal rattling sound. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the cam phasers had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the VIN was not included in Ford Campaign Number: 21N03. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.

2019 Navigator · 83,000 miles · Mar 2025

Related recalls (4)

Engine

NHTSA recall 25V-628 · Sep 19, 2025 · 4,632 vehiclesPark outside

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. A short circuit within the battery junction box can cause an engine fire while driving or parked.

Remedy: Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures and other vehicles, until the remedy is performed.

Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Oil/lubrication

NHTSA recall 25V-198 · Mar 28, 2025 · 4,356 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 F-150, Expedition, and 2024 Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI engines. The engine may have a misaligned engine cup plug, which can result in a rapid oil leak.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the engine cup plug alignment, and replace the plug if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.

Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Oil/lubrication

NHTSA recall 24V-851 · Dec 20, 2024 · 2,490 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 F-150, 2024 Expedition and 2024 Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with a 3.5L GTDI engine. The engines may have a misaligned engine cup plug, which can result in a rapid oil leak.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the engine cup plug alignment, and replace the plug if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 23, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.

Engine

NHTSA recall 22V-346 · May 17, 2022 · 66,221 vehiclesPark outside

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. An engine compartment fire may occur while driving or parked, even with the ignition in the "Off" position.

Remedy: Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures and other vehicles, until the remedy is performed.

NHTSA investigations

Spark plug ejection from cylinder head

NHTSA investigation DP05005 · opened Sep 22, 2005 · closed Jan 4, 2006

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…

Frequently asked questions

Which Lincoln Navigator years have engine problems?

By NHTSA complaints, the 1999 (24), 2006 (22), 1998 (19), 2003 (14) and 2018 (12) model years. Engine complaints make up 18% of all complaints for the 1999.

Is there a recall for Lincoln Navigator engine problems?

Yes — 4 recalls, including 25V-628 (engine, Sep 19, 2025); 25V-198 (oil/lubrication, Mar 28, 2025); 24V-851 (oil/lubrication, Dec 20, 2024). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.

At what mileage do Lincoln Navigator engine problems start?

Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 92,000 miles; 20% happened before 50,000 miles.

What part fails most often?

Owners most often name the engine (31 mentions), followed by the engine › gasoline (12).

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.