Steering complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 15% | — |
| 2022 | 1 | 5% | — |
| 2021 | 3 | 9% | 19,000 miles |
| 2019 | 3 | 4% | — |
| 2018 | 5 | 10% | 70,000 miles |
| 2017 | 1 | 3% | 162,000 miles |
| 2015 | 1 | 5% | — |
| 2008 | 2 | 7% | 122,000 miles |
| 2007 | 1 | 2% | 0 miles |
| 2006 | 3 | 5% | 68,000 miles |
| 2004 | 5 | 6% | 67,000 miles |
| 2003 | 3 | 2% | 45,000 miles |
| 2002 | 3 | 9% | 70,000 miles |
| 2001 | 1 | 1% | 59,000 miles |
| 2000 | 7 | 6% | 45,000 miles |
| 1999 | 6 | 5% | 89,000 miles |
| 1998 | 22 | 11% | 92,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2021 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the power steering suddenly malfunctioned causing the steering wheel to become very difficult the turn in either direction. Additionally, the instrument panel display became distorted and unreadable, the brake light remained illuminated, and the vehicle would not properly accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, but the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 19,000.
Car purchased in Feb 2022. November 9, 2023 after a couple of previous complaints about the car riding rough, this time , after telling them the car jumps and throws into the next lane, it was diagnosed as having passenger rear leaking strut, front pinion seal leak, front driveshaft c/v joint torn and leaking grease. These were repaired under warranty. Dec 2024: had noise and had vibration felt through floorboard - diagnosed with problem in front differential and found carrier bearing failure and damage to case from bearing failure/spun. The axle housing assembly was replaced. April 2025: transmission shifting hard and clunk noise as well as riding rough again. These transmission assembly will be repaired for known problems on original 10 speeds but they don't fix until customer complains, the rear differential pinion seal is leaking and the front struts are leaking. …
Yesterday while driving on I-65 my car all of a sudden seemed to by hydroplaning even thought no water on the water and steering was super unstable and not able to control the vehicle. I had to pull off the side and drive with flashers all the way while driving at a slow speed. The interior lights also kept coming on by themselves.
2019 Lincoln Navigator Dealership delivery 9.14.22 Husband & Daughter drove around the neighborhood. Check engine light comes on suv is overheating. Husband immediately pulls into our driveway fluid is leaking out all over. Plus smoking. This was maybe two hours after it was in our possession. 9.15.22 Ford of Dalton has it towed to their dealership. 9.15.22 Suv was back in our possession. 9.21. Heard a ticking sound from the front of the suv. 9.26.22 Dropped off Suv at Ford of Hixson. 10.1.22 picked up a rental. 10.7.22 picked up suv 12.7.22 Contacted Ford Of Dalton. Hearing the same noise, plus a new clunking sound and movement below my feet on the driver side.They replaced axle, barrings. No warning other than the sound. 12.12. 22 Suv in Ford of Dalton possession. 1.12.23 Suv back in our possession. 1.13.23 hearing a sound when turning left. …
The contact owns a 2018 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, there was a clunking noise coming from the steering column while turning the steering wheel in either direction. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the steering rack was faulty and needed to be replaced. The steering rack was replaced the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.
Vehicle: 2018 Lincoln Navigator VIN: [redacted] Component: Steering Mileage: 103899 Complaint Narrative: I recently purchased a 2018 Lincoln Navigator and took delivery on December 10, 2025. Within days of delivery, I observed a metallic contact noise originating from beneath the steering column. The noise occurs consistently when the vehicle is turned off, within one to three seconds after ignition off, and intermittently while driving during steering input, particularly while making turns. The sound is best described as metal on metal contact, not an electronic relay or normal operational noise. The condition appears load dependent and reproducible. The steering response remains functional at this time, and no warning indicators are present. …
Tl contact owns a 2006 Lincoln Navigator. On July 17, 2009, while driving approximately 23 MPH, the contact felt the steering pull to the right. She attempted to keep it centered and then heard a loud noise. The front passenger side of the vehicle instantly collapsed and she crashed into a parked vehicle. The contact stated that the wheel was broken in the center and the tire was detached. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and the insurance company will conduct an investigation. The contact injured her right knee. The current and failure mileages were 80,000.
Tl contact owns a 2006 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled and crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealership for a diagnostic test but the dealer could find no problems. Another dealer informed the contact that the power steering, transmission and engine needed to be repaired as the steering also malfunctioned. The failure mileage was approximately 12,000. The current mileage was approximately 42,000.
NHTSA investigations
Tie rod end failures
There is no summary currently available
Frequently asked questions
Which Lincoln Navigator years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1998 (22), 2000 (7), 1999 (6), 2004 (5) and 2018 (5) model years. Steering complaints make up 11% of all complaints for the 1998.
Is there a recall for Lincoln Navigator steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering 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 steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 74,000 miles; 38% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the linkages › tie rod assembly (21 mentions), followed by the linkages (7).
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.