Lincoln Navigator Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Lincoln Navigator model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2011 drew the fewest (9) and the 2019 the most (81).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 7 | 8 | Electrical system | — | 17–19 |
| 2011 Among the fewest complaints |
9 | 0 | Electrical system | — | 13–16 |
| 2009 Among the fewest complaints |
10 | 1 | Electrical system | — | 16 |
| 2012 Among the fewest complaints |
12 | 3 | Power train | 4★ | 15–16 |
| 2025 Still collecting reports |
12 | 6 | Electrical system | 5★ | 17 |
| 2013 | 14 | 0 | Power train | 4★ | 15–16 |
| 2010 | 16 | 0 | Electrical system | — | 16 |
| 2024 Still collecting reports |
16 | 7 | Suspension | — | 18 |
| 2014 | 17 | 0 | Power train | 4★ | 15–16 |
| 2015 | 21 | 4 | Electrical system | 5★ | 16–18 |
| 2022 | 21 | 14 | Electrical system | — | 18–19 |
| 2016 | 25 | 4 | Visibility | 5★ | 16–18 |
| 2008 | 30 | 2 | Service brakes | — | 14 |
| 2017 | 31 | 5 | Service brakes | 5★ | 16–17 |
| 2020 | 32 | 13 | Power train | 5★ | 18–19 |
| 2021 | 33 | 12 | Engine | 5★ | 17–18 |
| 2007 | 45 | 2 | Service brakes | — | 14 |
| 2018 Among the most complaints |
52 | 12 | Power train | 5★ | 18–19 |
| 2006 Among the most complaints |
60 | 3 | Suspension | — | 13 |
| 2019 Among the most complaints |
81 | 10 | Seat belts | 5★ | 18–19 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Lincoln Navigator years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2019 Lincoln Navigator: 81 complaints
Most-reported: Seat belts 23 (28%); Power train 22 (27%); Electrical system 11 (14%).
Reports mention 3 crashes, 1 fire, 11 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 70,000 miles. 10 recall campaigns listed.
2006 Lincoln Navigator: 60 complaints
Most-reported: Suspension 16 (27%); Engine and engine cooling 13 (22%); Engine 9 (15%).
Reports mention 5 crashes, 3 fires, 6 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 74,000 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
2018 Lincoln Navigator: 52 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 20 (38%); Engine 12 (23%); Electrical system 8 (15%).
Reports mention 3 fires, 1 injury. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 64,000 miles. 12 recall campaigns listed.
The Lincoln Navigator years with the fewest complaints
2011 Lincoln Navigator: 9 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 2 (22%); Power train 2 (22%); Service brakes 2 (22%).
Reports mention 1 crash. 0 recall campaigns listed.
2009 Lincoln Navigator: 10 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 3 (30%); Engine and engine cooling 2 (20%); Engine 1 (10%).
Reports mention 2 injuries. 1 recall campaign listed.
2012 Lincoln Navigator: 12 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 5 (42%); Suspension 2 (17%); Electrical system 1 (8%).
3 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Lincoln Navigator owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 16 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2022 | 21 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 2021 | 33 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2020 | 32 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2019 | 81 | 3 | 1 | 11 | 0 | 70,000 |
| 2018 | 52 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 64,000 |
| 2017 | 31 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 87,000 |
| 2016 | 25 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 84,000 |
| 2015 | 21 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 2014 | 17 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 90,000 |
| 2013 | 14 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2012 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2011 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2010 | 16 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 78,000 |
| 2009 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2008 | 30 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 60,000 |
| 2007 | 45 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 70,000 |
| 2006 | 60 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 74,000 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Lincoln Navigator recalls
- SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (1998–2002 model years; 4,500,000 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2005; 05V388000)
- Trailer Lighting and Brakes May Not Function/FMVSS 108 (2022–2027 model years; 4,381,878 vehicles across all models; filed Feb 2026; 26V104000)
- FORD/LUG NUTS (1997–1998 model years; 1,520,000 vehicles across all models; filed May 1998; 98V095000)
- Blank or Distorted Rearview Camera Image (2015–2017 model years; 1,456,417 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2025; 25V572000)
- FORD/TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLES (2001 model year; 1,400,000 vehicles across all models; filed Jul 2001; 01V227001)
All 68 Lincoln Navigator recall campaigns · Lincoln Navigator problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Lincoln Navigator years FAQ
Which Lincoln Navigator year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2011 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (9). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Lincoln Navigator years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2019, 2006 and 2018 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the power train. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Lincoln Navigator problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the power train (111 of 544 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Lincoln Navigator have?
NHTSA lists 68 recall campaigns covering the Lincoln Navigator. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Lincoln Navigator recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.