1998 Lincoln Navigator Problems
Severe Issues
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 1998 Lincoln Navigator.
Complaints
240
Crashes
21
Fires
24
Injuries
36
Fatalities
15
Recalls
0
Worst 1998 Lincoln Navigator Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#123 complaints
Tire Defects
Avg mileage:84,088 mi
Crash-related:1
#222 complaints
Tires:Tread/Belt
Avg mileage:36,750 mi
Crash-related:1
#312 complaints
Electrical Faults
Avg mileage:125,501 mi
Fires:3
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1998 Lincoln Navigator.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tire Defects | 23 | 1 | — | 84,088 mi | |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 22 | 1 | — | 36,750 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 12 | — | 3 | 125,501 mi | |
| Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly | 12 | — | — | 82,196 mi | |
| Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs | 10 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 8 | — | 2 | 123,833 mi | |
| Suspension:Front | 8 | 1 | — | — | |
| Tires:Sidewall | 8 | — | — | 77,000 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 8 | 1 | 3 | 85,294 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 7 | 3 | — | 127,073 mi | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control | 7 | — | 5 | 92,200 mi | |
| Steering:Linkages | 6 | — | — | 66,872 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 5 | 1 | — | 119,683 mi | |
| Suspension:Rear | 5 | — | — | 124,233 mi | |
| Wheel Issues | 5 | 2 | — | 115,823 mi | |
| Airbags | 4 | 4 | — | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 4 | — | 3 | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Rear:Springs:Air Suspension System | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 3 | — | 2 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 3 | — | 1 | — | |
| Automatic Transmission | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl) | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 2 | 2 | — | — |
Tire Defects
23
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
84,088
Tires:Tread/Belt
22
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
36,750
Electrical Faults
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
3
Avg Miles
125,501
Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
82,196
Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
123,833
Suspension:Front
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tires:Sidewall
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
77,000
Unintended Acceleration
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
3
Avg Miles
85,294
Suspension Failures
7
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
127,073
Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
5
Avg Miles
92,200
Steering:Linkages
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
66,872
Transmission / Drivetrain
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
119,683
Suspension:Rear
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
124,233
Wheel Issues
5
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
115,823
Airbags
4
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine & Cooling
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
3
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Rear:Springs:Air Suspension System
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine Problems
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Automatic Transmission
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl)
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering Defects
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal
2
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1998 Lincoln Navigator. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Lincoln Navigator Years
1998 Lincoln Navigator — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1998 Lincoln Navigator reliable?
Verdict: Severe Issues. The 1998 Lincoln Navigator has 240 NHTSA complaints, 21 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Tire Defects with 23 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1998 Lincoln Navigator?
Top reported problems: Tire Defects (23 complaints, avg 84,088 mi); Tires:Tread/Belt (22 complaints, avg 36,750 mi); Electrical Faults (12 complaints, avg 125,501 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1998 Lincoln Navigator?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 87,959 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1998 Lincoln Navigator?
NHTSA complaints for the 1998 Lincoln Navigator include 21 crash-related reports, 24 fire reports, 36 injuries, and 15 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1998 Lincoln Navigator have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1998 Lincoln Navigator as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1998 Lincoln Navigator?
Proceed with extreme caution. The 1998 Lincoln Navigator shows significantly more complaints than average for its class. If you're buying one, a pre-purchase inspection and a VIN history check are essential — skip them and you're gambling.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Lincoln Navigator reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1998 Lincoln Navigator
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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