Lincoln Navigator recall history and complaint patterns
Comprehensive recall and complaint data for the Lincoln Navigator, sourced from official National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) records.
Last updated: (NHTSA data snapshot)
At a Glance
Stats focus on model years from 1960 onwards. Earlier years appear in the detailed table below where data exists.
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Get plain-language explanations of recalls and complaints for the Lincoln Navigator. Powered by AI, backed by NHTSA data.
Key Takeaways
A quick scan of where recalls and complaints concentrate for the Lincoln Navigator, based on aggregated NHTSA counts and campaign metadata.
- Coverage spans model years 1997–2025 with 105 recall campaigns and 1683 complaints in NHTSA data.
- Years with the most recall activity: 2020 (11), 2022 (10), and 2018 (10).
- Years with the most complaint volume: 1998 (240), 2003 (178), and 1999 (155).
- Top recall themes: Visibility and lighting, Other, and Seats and restraints.
- Most reported complaint areas (across all years): Electrical system, Suspension, Power train.
- Complaints are not proof of a defect, but repeated themes can be useful signals when researching a used vehicle.
- Always check your specific VIN for open recalls (open recalls are VIN-specific and can change over time).
Recall Themes
Instead of listing long campaign narratives, this groups recall campaigns into a few recurring areas. Each theme links back to official notices as evidence.
Visibility and lighting
12 campaigns · Years: 1998, 2000–2001, 2006, 2012, 2015–2018, 2020–2022, 2025These campaigns relate to lighting, glass, or visibility components (lamps, wipers, and related systems).
Other
11 campaigns · Years: 1997–2002, 2015–2024These campaigns do not fit a single dominant theme, or the component taxonomy is broad.
Seats and restraints
8 campaigns · Years: 2001, 2006–2008, 2012, 2018–2020These campaigns relate to seats, belts, airbags restraint integration, or child restraint anchoring components.
Brakes
7 campaigns · Years: 1999, 2009, 2016–2018, 2022–2025These campaigns relate to braking system components that can affect stopping performance or warning behavior.
Powertrain
5 campaigns · Years: 1998, 2006, 2012, 2018, 2023These campaigns relate to drivetrain or transmission components that can affect shifting, power delivery, or control.
Electrical
4 campaigns · Years: 2019–2020, 2022These campaigns relate to wiring or electrical components that can cause warning lights, loss of function, or fire risk in some cases.
Engine and cooling
4 campaigns · Years: 2020–2021, 2024These campaigns relate to engine or cooling components where failures can lead to stalling or overheating risk.
Fuel and emissions
4 campaigns · Years: 1999, 2007, 2018, 2021–2022These campaigns relate to fuel delivery or emissions components where leaks or failures can raise safety risk.
Most Reported Issues
Across all model years, the most frequently reported areas for the Lincoln Navigator in NHTSA complaint data are Electrical system, Suspension, Power train.
Jump to Model Year
Year-by-Year Overview
Each row shows how often this model appears in NHTSA recalls and consumer complaints for a given model year. These are counts of campaigns and complaints, not risk predictions.
| Model Year | Recalls | Complaints | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 6 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Forward collision avoidance: warnings, Service brakes, hydraulic. |
| 2024 | 5 | 20 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Suspension, Wheels, Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking. |
| 2023 | 5 | 7 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Back over prevention, Engine. |
| 2022 | 10 | 20 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control. |
| 2021 | 9 | 28 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine, Power train, Steering. |
| 2020 | 11 | 26 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train, Electrical system, Engine. |
| 2019 | 7 | 76 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Seat belts, Power train, Engine. |
| 2018 | 10 | 58 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train, Engine, Electrical system. |
| 2017 | 5 | 40 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Service brakes, Service brakes, hydraulic. |
| 2016 | 4 | 27 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, Visibility, Power train. |
| 2015 | 4 | 29 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Power train, Engine. |
| 2014 | 0 | 25 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Power train, Electrical system, Exterior lighting. |
| 2013 | 0 | 16 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Power train, Electrical system, Structure:body. |
| 2012 | 3 | 15 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train, Suspension, Seat belts. |
| 2011 | 0 | 9 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Power train, Vehicle speed control. |
| 2010 | 0 | 22 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, Electrical system, Engine. |
| 2009 | 1 | 10 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system, Tires. |
| 2008 | 2 | 39 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Service brakes, Structure:body. |
| 2007 | 2 | 56 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Fuel/propulsion system, Structure:body, Electrical system. |
| 2006 | 3 | 90 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Suspension, Engine, Engine and engine cooling. |
| 2005 | 0 | 71 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Suspension, Air bags, Engine. |
| 2004 | 0 | 119 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Suspension, Electrical system, Air bags. |
| 2003 | 0 | 178 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Suspension, Electrical system, Air bags. |
| 2002 | 1 | 48 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Vehicle speed control, Electrical system, Engine and engine cooling. |
| 2001 | 3 | 116 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Tires, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control. |
| 2000 | 4 | 137 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Tires, Tires:tread/belt, Electrical system. |
| 1999 | 5 | 155 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Tires:tread/belt, Tires, Electrical system. |
| 1998 | 5 | 240 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Tires, Tires:tread/belt, Steering:linkages:tie rod assembly. |
| 1997 | 2 | 0 | Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary. |
What to Do Next
- Check open recalls by VIN on the official NHTSA site (open recalls are VIN-specific).
- If buying used, ask for proof of recall remedy completion (dealer paperwork helps).
- If symptoms match common complaint themes, consider a mechanic inspection before purchase or long trips.
Recall Evidence by Year
A compact evidence view of recall campaigns that include this model. The default text is an original summary line, with official notice text available on demand.
Most common areas involved: Visibility , Equipment and Back over prevention
Other Lincoln Models
Explore recall and complaint data for other Lincoln models.
⚠️ Important Safety Information
Recall Explained provides independent analysis of official NHTSA data. This site does not replace the official NHTSA VIN lookup and should not be treated as legal or safety advice for your specific vehicle.
For any safety concerns: Always check your VIN on the official NHTSA site and contact an authorized dealer.