Lincoln Navigator reliability and problems by year
Owners have filed 404 complaints about the Lincoln Navigator with NHTSA since 2010, most often about transmission and drivetrain and electrical system. Lincoln has filed 5 warranty extensions and 6 service campaigns for it, and there are 50 safety recalls on file.
From NHTSA's public data files, downloaded 2026-10-10.
How reliable is the Lincoln Navigator? What NHTSA's records show
We don't give the Navigator a reliability score. NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. Here is what's on file for model years 2010 on.
- Owner complaints
- 404
- Filed with NHTSA, all model years
- Warranty extensions
- 5
- Filed by Lincoln
- Service campaigns
- 6
- Filed by Lincoln
- Safety recalls
- 50
- Each covers part of the model
Every model year compared
Complaints rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so a newer or rarer year will show fewer. Compare years of the Navigator with each other.
| Year | Complaints | Most named | Recalls | Warranty / campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 |
| 2026 | 0 | — | 2 | 0 |
| 2025 | 13 | Electrical system (23%) | 6 | 0 |
| 2024 | 16 | Suspension (31%) | 7 | 2 |
| 2023 | 7 | Electrical system (57%) | 8 | 1 |
| 2022 | 21 | Electrical system (43%) | 14 | 1 |
| 2021 | 33 | Engine (24%) | 12 | 0 |
| 2020 | 32 | Transmission and drivetrain (56%) | 13 | 3 |
| 2019 | 84 | Seat belts (29%) | 10 | 4 |
| 2018 | 52 | Transmission and drivetrain (38%) | 12 | 4 |
| 2017 | 32 | Brakes (16%) | 5 | 1 |
| 2016 | 25 | Visibility (28%) | 4 | 1 |
| 2015 | 21 | Electrical system (33%) | 4 | 1 |
| 2014 | 17 | Transmission and drivetrain (41%) | 0 | 0 |
| 2013 | 14 | Transmission and drivetrain (43%) | 0 | 2 |
| 2012 | 12 | Transmission and drivetrain (42%) | 3 | 3 |
| 2011 | 9 | Electrical system (22%) | 0 | 0 |
| 2010 | 16 | Brakes (25%) | 0 | 0 |
Look up one model year, or a VIN
See the complaints, recalls and warranty extensions for a single Navigator model year, with the typical mileage when owners reported each problem.
Acknowledged by Lincoln
Warranty extensions and service campaigns Lincoln filed with NHTSA for the Navigator, in its own words. A warranty extension means Lincoln pays for the repair beyond the normal warranty.
- Warranty extensionSep 2021· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2018–2020
Certain 2017-2020 Model Year F-150, 2018-2020 Expedition, and 2018-2020 Navigator Vehicles Equipped with a 3.⢠Submitting Claims with Customer Loyalty Program for Balance Remaining: Added instruction on how to claim the customer paid portion of the FSA using CLP Funds.
- Warranty extensionAug 2021· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2012
This program extends the warranty coverage of the automatic transmission molded leadframe to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle, whichever occurs first. This is a one-time repair program.
- Warranty extensionAug 2021· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2012–2013
This program extends the warranty coverage of the automatic transmission molded leadframe to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle, whichever occurs first. This is a one-time repair program.
- Warranty extensionJul 2021· Engine and cooling· model years 2018–2020
In some of the affected vehicles, an undesirable noise may develop from the cam phasers in the 3.5L GTDI engine.
- Warranty extensionJul 2021· Engine and cooling· model years 2018–2020
In some of the affected vehicles, an undesirable noise may develop from the cam phasers in the 3.5L GTDI engine.
- Service campaignApr 2026· Electrical system· model years 2015–2017
Customer Satisfaction Program 25N15 - Supplement #1 Certain 2015-2019 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Inspection For One-Time Replacement
- Service campaignMar 2026· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2022–2024
Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit at least one of the following conditions: * Harsh 3-4, 4-5 upshifts * Harsh 5-3, 4-3 downshifts * Harsh reverse engagements These symptoms may be worse when cold.
- Service campaignOct 2024· Other or unspecified· model years 2024
In some of the affected vehicles, it is possible the required software required for the Pro Trailer Backup Assist (PTBA) feature was not installed in the vehicle during assembly.
- Service campaignApr 2021· Equipment and accessories· model years 2018
Certain 2018 Model Year Expedition and Navigator Vehicles Equipped With R-1234yf Refrigerant Special R-1234yf Refrigerant Service Information Vehicles not previously repaired with certain build dates, and that remain in program 18N01, can now request loaner equipment for…
- Service campaignJun 2019· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2012–2013
Customer Satisfaction Program 19N01: Certain 2011 - 2013 Model Year F-150 and 2012- 2013 Model Year Expedition/Navigator Vehicles Equipped With A 6R80 Transmission - Transmission Molded Leadframe Extended Coverage
- Service campaignJun 2019· Engine and cooling· model years 2019
Customer Satisfaction Program 19B15: Certain 2019 Model Year F150, Expedition, Navigator and Transit Vehicles Equipped with a 3.5L EcoBoost Engine - Cam Cover Torque
What owners report most
The parts of the car owners named in their complaints, across every Navigator model year. Unverified, and not a failure rate.
- Transmission and drivetrain101 (25%)
- Electrical system72 (18%)
- Engine48 (12%)
- Other or unspecified47 (12%)
- Seat belts30 (7%)
- Brakes25 (6%)
- Backup camera and rear sensors15 (4%)
- Visibility14 (3%)
Safety recalls
50 recalls cover at least one Navigator model year. Each covers a range of VINs, not every car. Check one car at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
The transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage.
At vehicle start-up, the Instrument Panel Cluster Assembly (IPC) may not function, showing a blank display.
The seat belt pretensioner in the driver and/or front passenger seat may inadvertently lock the seat belt, which will not allow the belt to retract or extend.
The windshield wiper arms may break, causing the wipers to fail.
The Image Processing Module A (IPMA) may experience multiple unexpected resets, resulting in loss of the rearview camera image and advanced driver assistance (ADAS) features, including pre-collision assist, lane-keeping…
The obstacle detection software for the driver seat may malfunction at low speeds, resulting in the seat reversing unexpectedly while driving.
When towing a trailer, the integrated trailer module (ITRM) may lose communication with the vehicle, possibly causing a loss of brake and turn signal lights, or a loss of brake function.
The rear lightbar may have cracks in the outer lens or weld track that allow moisture to accumulate, which can result in inoperative or flickering reverse lights.
The Electronic Brake Booster (EBB) module may malfunction while driving or when the driver is utilizing an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) feature, resulting in a loss of power brake assist.
The moonroof wind deflector clips may be inadequately attached to the moonroof frame, which can result in the wind deflector detaching from the vehicle.
A short circuit within the battery junction box can cause an engine fire while driving or parked.
The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
The Electronic Brake Booster (EBB) module may malfunction while driving or when the driver is utilizing an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) feature, resulting in a loss of power brake assist.
The low-pressure fuel pump may fail, which can result in an engine stall while driving.
A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
And 35 more recalls on NHTSA.
NHTSA investigations
Defect investigations NHTSA opened. Many close without a recall.
- RQ24015Recall query· opened Nov 2024, closed Jul 2025· Seat belts· model years 2018
Seat Belt Retractor Pretensioner Inadvertent Deployment
Led to recall 25V197.
- PE23021Preliminary evaluation· opened Nov 2023, closed Jul 2024· Seat belts· model years 2019
Seat Belt Pretensioner Inadvertent Deployment
Led to recall 24V099.
- RQ17010Recall query· opened Dec 2017, closed Oct 2019· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2011–2013
Unexpected Transmission Downshift
Led to recall 19V075000.
NHTSA's own page for the 2027 Lincoln Navigator has the complaint text and every document.
Common questions
Is the Lincoln Navigator reliable?
We don't score reliability: NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. What's on file for model years 2010 on: 404 owner complaints, 5 warranty extensions and 6 service campaigns Lincoln filed, and 50 safety recalls. The model years with the most complaints are 2019 (84), 2018 (52), 2021 (33). Whether a known problem was fixed on one car is what its service records show.
What are the most common problems with the Lincoln Navigator?
Across every model year since 2010, owners' complaints to NHTSA most often name transmission and drivetrain (25%), electrical system (18%), engine (12%). Lincoln has filed 5 warranty extensions covering the Navigator, listed on this page.
Which Navigator model years have the most complaints?
2019 (84), 2018 (52), 2021 (33). Complaint counts rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so compare years of the Navigator with each other rather than with other models.
Has Lincoln extended the warranty on the Navigator?
Yes: transmission and drivetrain (model years 2018–2020); transmission and drivetrain (model years 2012); transmission and drivetrain (model years 2012–2013), and 2 more. A dealer does a covered repair for free within the extended time or mileage.
How do I check recalls on a Navigator?
Enter the car's 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. That answers for one vehicle; the 50 recalls listed here are for the model, and each covers only part of it.