Lincoln Navigator Wheel & Tire Problems

Owners have filed 199 complaints about wheels & tires problems with the Lincoln Navigator — 15% of all Navigator complaints. The worst model years are 1998 (62), 2000 (43) and 1999 (39). Problems typically start around 54,000 miles. 4 related recalls have been issued.

199complaints
1998worst year
54ktypical miles
4related recalls
10crashes
0fires

Wheel & Tire complaints by model year

’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’2662394324152352211111213
Wheel & Tire complaints per model year, Lincoln Navigator.
YearComplaintsShare of year's complaintsTypical mileage
2024319%—
202013%—
201922%—
201812%—
201713%—
201614%—
201218%—
2009110%24,000 miles
200827%137,000 miles
200724%—
200658%14,000 miles
200536%2,000 miles
200422%1,000 miles
200354%12,000 miles
200213%—
20012430%59,000 miles
20004339%45,000 miles
19993930%78,000 miles
19986232%69,000 miles

Which parts fail

  • Tread/belt
    64
  • Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
    18
  • Sidewall
    16
  • Temporary/emergency spare tire
    6
  • Pressure monitoring and regulating systems
    6
  • Bead
    1
  • Rim
    1

Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    1831%
  • 25k–50k
    1220%
  • 50k–75k
    915%
  • 75k–100k
    814%
  • 100k–150k
    1017%
  • 150k+
    23%

What owners report

From the initial test drive, I have felt an unusual vibration felt in both the steering wheel and seat while driving the vehicle. This vibration becomes more pronounced at higher speeds, especially after 70+ MPH, but still noticeable at lower speeds at 45+ MPH. Tires were initially blamed as the underlying cause, and the original tires were completely replaced within the first month of ownership, but the problems continued. Subsequently, at the 2nd month of ownership, the new set of tires were completely replaced again (this is now the 3rd set of tires), and the problem still persists. Dealership tells me that Lincoln engineers are aware of this situation, and that other owners of the 2024 Lincoln Navigators and 2024 Ford Expeditions have complained about this same concerns. …

2024 Navigator · Mar 2025

I bought new 2024 Lincoln Navigator in March 2025. From day 1, the vehicle rattles and vibrates above 40mph. The vibrations are high pitched and lead to whole car shimmering. I had all four tires and wheels replaced by the dealership. The vibrations are significantly intense when compared to normal road feedback. The vibrations lead to excessive fatigue and tiredness over long distances travel. Lincoln has issued service bulletin and no fix has been found so far.

2024 Navigator · Mar 2025

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.

2006 Navigator · 80,000 miles · Jul 2009 · crash · 1 injury

I am having continuous problems with my 2006 Lincoln Navigator. For a vehicle of this quality, I never dream of so many problem. I had my suspension system fix last year at the dealer. 1 year has pass now it is gone out again. I had my catalyst converter fix at the dealer about 2 years ago. 1 year later they are gone out again. Now I am riding around with a bouncing Navigator and a sluggist running Navigator with plenty of fumes. I just don't have the funds for continuous repairs for the same service. Do the mechanics know what they are doing? I am really frustrated with this vehicle and the service I have received. Bouncing around in a 40,000 + vehicle is embarrassing. Please help. I have to bum a ride at time. I have to travel , a lot and rent a car. This is getting old and expensive. …

2006 Navigator · Pressure monitoring and regulating systems · 132,000 miles · Jan 2011

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. …

2005 Navigator · Pressure monitoring and regulating systems · 2,000 miles · Aug 2005

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Lincoln Navigator equipped with Michelin cross terrain tires, line size 255/70/r18. The contact stated that the front driver and rear passenger side tires continuously flatten. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to diagnosed the failure and stated that the tires had been discontinue. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the tires were not included on any recalls. The tires were not replaced. The dot number was not available. The failure and current mileage was 111,000.

2005 Navigator · May 2012

Dt: while making a right turn off on an exit, the vehicle went out of control, the front driver's tire rolled off, then the tie rod snapped and the consumer was trapped. The consumer hit a guard rail. No other vehicles or people were involved. The consumer stated that tire or tie rod was so hot that as it rolled into the grass it caught on fire. Tire was retrieved. Problems with rear differential prior to the accident. The vehicle was regularly serviced. The consumer was slightly injured in the accident. Police report filed.

2003 Navigator · 35,000 miles · Apr 2004 · crash

I purchased my vehicle brand new in January of 2003. I have had numerous problems with the vehicle since day 1.the entire computer had to be changed. The truck stalled on me at highway speed. It took over 2 1/2 weeks to get my vehicle back.here is a list of the other problems I have had. The rear vent motors have been changed . I had my windows stuck open with half of my electical system out for over four days due to the problem. The side view mirror motor had to be changed. The power running boards have never worked properly and the dealer can't find the problem. All four wheels had to be changed due to peeling. A new alternator had to be installed which left my vehicle dead without warning. The cd changer had to be replaced. The entire navigation system had to be replaced. The coil had to be changed three times. Which once again died at highway speed on me. …

2003 Navigator · 0 miles · Jan 2003

Related recalls (4)

Tires › Pressure monitoring and regulating systems

NHTSA recall 08V-166 · Apr 11, 2008 · 158 vehicles

Ford is recalling 158 my 2008 expedition and Lincoln navigator vehicles equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) and the limo builders package for failing to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no.

Remedy: Dealers will reconfigure the TPMS thresholds to the appropriate pressures. The recall began on April 23, 2008. Owners May contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.

Tires › Tread/belt

NHTSA recall 05V-310 · Jul 6, 2005 · 10,061 vehicles

On certain sport utility vehicles, the front and rear tires on the driver's side of affected vehicles May have been damaged at the center tread during production.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect all four tires (to ensure inspection of the left hand side tires that May have been rotated to the other side of the vehicle) for tire tread damage and, if necessary, replace the damaged tire.

Wheels › Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs

NHTSA recall 99V-099 · Apr 29, 1999 · 53,784 vehicles

Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles equipped with four-wheel-drive (4x4), 17" chrome steel wheels. The clamp load can be lost on the wheel lugs due to insufficient wheel contact area with the hub. In some cases, the contact area can deform, resulting in a loss of lug nut torque.

Remedy: Dealers will re-torque the wheel lugs to proper specifications and also install a label that specifies that the wheel lugs be torqued to 110 lb-ft any time the wheel is removed.

Wheels › Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs

NHTSA recall 98V-095 · May 13, 1998 · 1,520,000 vehicles

Vehicle description: multi-purpose vehicles and light duty pickup trucks. The lug nuts on these vehicles May not create sufficient clamp load allowing wheel movement in relation to the hub/rotor mounting surface.

Remedy: Owners of these vehicles will be receiving two notifications. The first notification, which began in May 1998, will provide an interim repair procedure until parts become available.

NHTSA investigations

Tire valve cracking

NHTSA investigation PE08060 · opened Oct 14, 2008 · closed Apr 9, 2009

On October 14, 2008, odi opened pe08-060 to investigate allegations of cracked and leaking snap-in tire valves in model year (my) 2007 vehicles manufactured by Ford motor company.the valves were supplied to Ford by topseal auto-parts, a subsidiary of the shanghai baolong automotive corporation in china.valves made by topseal for aftermarket sale were the subject of two recent safety recalls by tech international…

Frequently asked questions

Which Lincoln Navigator years have wheel & tire problems?

By NHTSA complaints, the 1998 (62), 2000 (43), 1999 (39), 2001 (24) and 2003 (5) model years. Wheel & Tire complaints make up 32% of all complaints for the 1998.

Is there a recall for Lincoln Navigator wheel & tire problems?

Yes — 4 recalls, including 08V-166 (pressure monitoring and regulating systems, Apr 11, 2008); 05V-310 (tread/belt, Jul 6, 2005); 99V-099 (lugs/nuts/bolts/studs, Apr 29, 1999). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.

At what mileage do Lincoln Navigator wheel & tire problems start?

Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 54,000 miles; 51% happened before 50,000 miles.

What part fails most often?

Owners most often name the tread/belt (64 mentions), followed by the lugs/nuts/bolts/studs (18).

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.