Lincoln Navigator Reliability

1,734 NHTSA complaints (1998–2025). Complaint rate: 75.7 per 1,000 vehicles.

Severity Score
226.6
Complaints
1,734
Crash Rate
7.4%
Fire Rate
6.7%
Injuries
159
Fatalities
18

Which Years to Buy & Avoid

Years auto-clustered by complaint volume relative to this model's median.

Bottom line: Avoid the 1998–2001 Lincoln Navigator (57 crash-related complaints). The 2022–2023 models had significantly fewer reported issues. Most common issue across all years: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Avoid These Years

1998–2001
~162/yr complaints · 57 crashes
2003–2006
~115/yr complaints · 28 crashes
2019
~81/yr complaints · 4 crashes

Average

2002
~48/yr complaints
2007–2008
~48/yr complaints
2015–2018
~43/yr complaints
2020–2021
~31/yr complaints

Better Years

2022–2023
~17/yr complaints
2009–2014
~16/yr complaints

Too New

2024–2025
39 complaints so far

Need 3+ years on the road for reliable complaint data.

Looking at a specific Lincoln Navigator?

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Even within the “good” years, individual cars can have hidden accidents, title issues, or odometer rollbacks. Check the actual VIN before you buy — full history report for $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).

Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA complaint count per model year

Lincoln Navigator — Complaints by Model YearPeak: 1998 (240)
06913820727619982000200220042006200820102012201420162018202020222024

Common Lincoln Navigator Problems

Most reported component complaints to NHTSA

ComponentComplaintsCrash %
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1651.2%
SUSPENSION1075.6%
POWER TRAIN997.1%
ENGINE854.7%
TIRES772.6%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER692.9%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL6714.9%
TIRES:TREAD/BELT644.7%
AIR BAGS5335.8%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING470.0%

Year-by-Year Breakdown

NHTSA complaint count per model year — click any year for full problems & recalls breakdown.

See also: Lincoln Navigatoraccident & safety statistics from our vehicle history database.

Buying a Lincoln Navigator?

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Lincoln Navigator Years to Avoid (1998–2025) — Reliability, Problems & Best Years to Buy | VinItel