Car Defect Radar
Get the report
Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated October 26, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.
Confirm 7 recalls before you buy.

Ask the seller for proof the repair was completed, or run the free VIN check. Recall repairs are done at no cost by a dealer.

Recalls

7 total · 7 to confirm

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

Safety recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 26V165000 · Mar 2026

Loss of the rearview camera image and certain driver assistance features, can reduce the driver’s ability to detect hazards, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy
The Image Processing Module A software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. This is a Phased campaign. Phase 1 will include 2025 Aviator, 2025 Explorer, 2025 Nautilus notified owners on 4/13/2026. Phase 2 will include 2025 Navigator will notify owners on or about 4/20/2026. Phase 3 will include 2022-2024 Navigator will notify owners on or about 6/8/2026. Phase 4 will include 2024 Nautilus will notify owners on or about 6/22/2026. Owner notification letters were mailed April 13, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S21. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning March 25, 2026.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Electrical system recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 26V104000 · Feb 2026

Trailer lights or brakes that do not function can reduce the driver’s ability to control the trailer and decrease the trailers visibility to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy
The integrated trailer module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 25, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C10. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning March 17, 2026.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Brakes recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 25V314000 · May 2025

A loss of brake function increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy
Dealers will inspect the front brake line and replace the brake line or air cleaner outlet pipe, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 29, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S47.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Safety recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 25V315000 · May 2025

A frozen or missing rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy
The accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air update, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on June 26, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is available on each phase. Owner notification letters were sent on October 8, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S49.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Engine recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 25V198000 · Mar 2025

A rapid oil leak can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, an oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy
Dealers will inspect the engine cup plug alignment, and replace the plug if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S30.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Engine recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 24V851000 · Dec 2024

A rapid oil leak can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, an oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy
Dealers will inspect the engine cup plug alignment, and replace the plug if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 23, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S70.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Safety recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 24V852000 · Nov 2024

Without a label that shows the proper restraint usage guidelines, the occupants may have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy
Ford will mail owners the warning labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 19, 2024. Owners may call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C39.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Owner complaints by system

16 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Minor
2

Most reports here involve software faults.

software faults 1transmission slipping 1
A recent report: The contact owns a 2024 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH on several occasions, the transmission independently shifted into neutral(N). The contact stated…
Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2024 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH on several occasions, the transmission independently shifted into neutral(N). The contact stated that during each failure, the drive(D) button was pressed without depressing the brake pedal first. The contact stated that an undisclosed message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on three occasions; however, the dealers were unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 1,700.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11716687 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Minor
2

Most reports here involve electrical shorts.

electrical shorts 1
A recent report: When driving with automatic brights, occasionally when it automatically switches to dim, the dim lights will shine only about 10 feet in front of the car. When it does this, it shines so bright…
Read full complaint

When driving with automatic brights, occasionally when it automatically switches to dim, the dim lights will shine only about 10 feet in front of the car. When it does this, it shines so bright directly in front of the car, the brights won't come back on. It is also a very harsh demarcation so that it is completely dark beyond 10 feet and to the sides. You can shut the car off and back on and it corrects it. This happened on my way to work in the dark right before I hit standing water in the road under a narrow bridge. It nearly caused me to have an accident. The dealership fixed this issue once and recorded that they replaced some melted wiring and connectors. It is happening again and has been reported to the dealership and to Lincoln Customer Service.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11658892 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Worth reading
3

Most reports here involve unintended acceleration. Of these, 2 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.

unintended acceleration 1sudden stalling 1rollaway 1
A recent report: On August 31, 2026, at approximately 11:07 a.m., the vehicle had been parked and was stationary with the engine running. After remaining stationary for a short period of time, the vehicle suddenly…
Read full complaint

On August 31, 2026, at approximately 11:07 a.m., the vehicle had been parked and was stationary with the engine running. After remaining stationary for a short period of time, the vehicle suddenly and unexpectedly moved backward rapidly on its own. I did not intentionally command the vehicle to move backward and I did not press the accelerator. While the vehicle was moving backward, I pressed the brake pedal twice in an attempt to stop the vehicle. The brake pedal felt soft, as though there was little or no braking resistance, and the vehicle did not respond to my braking attempts. Immediately afterward, the vehicle unexpectedly moved forward and struck a vehicle in front of it. That vehicle was then pushed into another vehicle. The cause of this incident is currently unknown. I am concerned about a possible braking-system failure, unintended vehicle movement, powertrain/transmission control malfunction, electrical/electronic control malfunction, or other vehicle-control defect. The vehicle is available for inspection. I have requested that the dealer preserve all electronic and diagnostic data before any repair, reset, software update, or reprogramming is performed.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11762942 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Worth reading
6

Most reports here involve software faults. Of these, 1 mention a crash.

software faults 1
A recent report: The vehicle vibrates, specially over 50MPH. Problem reported 3 times to Lincoln. Lincoln claims they know there is an issue with 2024 navigators drivability, but cannot offer a solution at this time.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11683719 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Minor
1

Most reports here involve other issues.

other issues 1
A recent report: Drivers side rear quarter panel glass shattered out of no where. Was at a dead stop in 90 degree traffic in florida, heard a loud bang, and window broke. You can see the window flexed out from the…
Read full complaint

Drivers side rear quarter panel glass shattered out of no where. Was at a dead stop in 90 degree traffic in florida, heard a loud bang, and window broke. You can see the window flexed out from the break. I think this was a faulty window due breaking out of no where with no impacts.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11643306 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Other systems

Worth reading
2

Most reports here involve software faults. Of these, 1 mention a crash.

software faults 2
A recent report: Placing the vehicle in reverse we backed into a concrete piller and none of the safet sensors allerted us to the object.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11744788 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 16 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2024 and 2026, roughly 9 a year, which is about the same as the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.

How does it compare with other years? The 2024 has 16 complaints on file, fewer than the 2022 (21) and more than the 2025 (11). Of the 14 model years of the Lincoln Navigator we cover, the 2019 has the most (78). Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.