MotorDeets

Lincoln Navigator problems, recalls & best years

The deets on every Navigator from 1997 to 2027: 1,356 owner complaints and 129 recalls across 31 model years.

The model years with the most owner complaints are 1998 (192), 1999 (132), 2003 (127). Best fuel economy: 19 mpg combined (2023).

Lincoln Navigator
Photo: Bull-Doser · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons. Representative photo of this generation; trim may differ.

Problem areas across all years

Electrical199
Transmission & drivetrain178
Suspension161
Tires159
Engine & cooling97
Speed control / throttle95
Engine88
Body & structure83

Year by year

YearRecallsComplaintsBest mpg
199720–
1998519213
1999513213
2000410913
200138112
200213213
2003012713
200408613
200504813
200636013
200724514
200823014
200911016
201001616
20110916
201231216
201301416
201401716
201542118
201642518
201753217
2018125219
2019108419
2020133219
2021123318
2022142119
20238719
202471618
202561317
20262017
20271018

Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.

Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the Lincoln Navigator.

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Mitchell 1 DIY Online access, factory-level data

Pro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.

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ALLDATAdiy Online access, factory OEM info

OEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.

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Haynes Print book or AllAccess online

Step-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.

Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/mo
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FAQ

What is the worst year for the Lincoln Navigator?

The model years with the most owner complaints are 1998 (192), 1999 (132), 2003 (127).

How many recalls has the Lincoln Navigator had?

Across 1997–2027, NHTSA lists 129 vehicle recall campaigns by model year (a campaign that covers several years counts once per year).