111 of the
1,794 complaints filed about the Lincoln Navigator
are about the braking system —
6% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1998.
I am submitting this complaint regarding a safety-related braking system issue with my 2013 Lincoln Navigator (VIN: [XXX]), which has fewer than 90,000 miles. The vehicle's brake control module, which is associated with critical safety functions including the anti-lock braking system (ABS) and traction/stability control system, required replacement. After a nationwide backorder and obtaining the replacement part through Gullo Ford in Conroe, Texas, an independent repair facility attempted replacement of the module on three separate occasions. The facility was unable to successfully program the replacement module and ultimately advised me to take the vehicle to an authorized Ford dealership. The vehicle was delivered to Gullo Ford on July 6, 2026, and remained there until July 20, 2026. Gullo Ford replaced the module for a fourth time but was also unable to successfully program the replacement module. The Gullo Ford repair invoice specifically states that they were "unable to complete programming due to Ford software issues with IDS" and that "Ford is aware of the issue and is working on a fix." I subsequently contacted Ford Motor Company and opened Customer Care Case [XXX]. At this time, I have not been provided with a repair solution or a definitive timeframe for when Ford will be able to correct the software/programming problem. The affected module is associated with the vehicle's anti-lock braking and traction/stability control safety systems. An authorized Ford dealership has been unable to restore these systems to proper operation because Ford's own diagnostic/programming software reportedly cannot complete the required programming. The vehicle was dropped off again on 8/10/2026 to Gullo Ford as it is unsafe to drive and no resolution has been provided. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11756151 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On [XXX] during sunny, dry weather conditions I was travelling north bound on [XXX] at 25 mph, 4 to 5 car lengths behind the next driver. Driver ahead stopped for a crosswalk, I immediately braked and the anti-lock brake system erroneously engaged which did not allow the navigator to appropriately stop which caused a collision. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11746145 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Was operating the vehicle around a slight bend at about 45mph. The brakes and steering then stopped working and was non responsive. The vehicle was sliding off the road toward a parked dump truck. After about 2 or 3 seconds the steering and brakes started working again and I regained control of the vehicle. I then fishtailed across 2 lanes of traffic and managed to keep the vehicle straight. Immediately after a warning popped on the dash stating "Drive control fault service required." Upon calling roadside and bringing the vehicle to the service center the following was identified. The Vehicle Dynamics Control Module (VDM) failed. This caused the vehicle to detect a rollover, which means the vehicle took control of the steering and brakes according to the service manager and would not allow the driver to intervene. This module was replaced. A cause for the module failure could not be found. The module was not allowed to be inspected and was sent to Lincoln corporate. The service tech was not allowed to open the module and identify the reason for failure. The risk for this part failing means that steering and braking are non operational. In my situation this was potentially a lethal accident with myself and family in the car. To slide off the road and hit a parked dump truck surely could have been life ending for myself and others. Vehicle diagnosed for DTC C1112:92 in the VDM The problem was not able to be reproduced. A cause of the problem has not been identified and is not known. The service center sounded concerned that they could not find the reason for failure and could not confirm it wont happen again. The vehicle was only inspected by the service center. There were no prior symptoms or warning lights or messages prior to the module failure.
NHTSA complaint #11742754 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
No collision warning; completely break failed. Vehicle had some fuel leakage which was fixed on May-21-2026 and break was failed on May-22-2026 which caused due to this repair. It was a major accident and my car got total due to this. I need full refund of my car; same amount when I bought this car.
NHTSA complaint #11739952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The vehicle has a severe brake fluid leak. There is a recall for the issue. I called the local Lincoln dealership Ford Mill Lincoln SC and they said there was nothing they could do. I explained to them that there was a safety recall. They refused to fix the vehicle under the recall. The car is very unsafe to drive and the manufacturer is not offering any assistance to fix the defect.
NHTSA complaint #11724124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
This vehicle has been returned to service 5 times. It is currently in service for the same 4 issues that it was taken to service for the very first time on 12/10/2025. This includes inappropriate braking on the interstate, driver window malfunction, the key intermittently stops working, and the connectivity does not regularly work. In addition to these 4 issues, the main screen in the car stopped working and the rear Vox screen has stopped working. Based on state law, Lincoln should have bought the car back, as I have had it for just over 2 months. As of February 2nd, 2026 the car has been returned to service 5 times and has been back to the dealership for service for 37 days and still counting since the original pick up date of 11/21/2025. The dealership has not honored their commitments with black label service. I was upsold on the vehicle for this service. On multiple occasions I have not been provided the delivery that is included. I was told by the assistant manager that this service would include a Lincoln Navigator brought to my location. The GM informed myself and my husband that they do not have to honor that. They offered a car that did not legally fit my 4 children in the backseat. Eventually, after many phone calls, they offered a much smaller Aviator. The service manager stated they they attempted 3 different eyeballs. When questioned on dates that they provided to Lincoln, he became very defensive and hung up on me. My husband and I attempted to meet with him in person at the dealership. After being told that he would meet with us and then waiting 3 hours, we had to leave. The GM did not provide assistance with this, as he stated he was in a meeting. The GM and assistant manager have both stated that we have no legal recourse, as I signed an arbitration agreement.
NHTSA complaint #11715174 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2024 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle abruptly stopped in the middle of the roadway. During the failure, the message "Check Brake System" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to duplicate or identify the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V488000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 23,000.
NHTSA complaint #11711484 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The brake booster vacuum hose attached to the intake manifold fitting swelled over time and was close to detaching from the intake manifold fitting. This condition could allow the hose to detach from the fitting during an engine backfire, resulting in loss of power brake assist and increased brake pedal effort. As a result, stopping distance may increase and potentially result in a crash.
NHTSA complaint #11706694 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
There was a recall on the brake system before and that they fixed it and the same thing that it was a recall before is doing the same thing again with my brake system
NHTSA complaint #11684959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2025 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that while driving in the driveway at approximately 2 - 3 MPH, several brake warning lights were illuminated, and the vehicle failed to respond immediately while depressing the brake pedal, which required the contact to exert an excessive amount of pressure on the brake pedal. The messages "Auto-Hold Disabled", "Brake Function Failure" were displayed, and unknown warning lights were temporarily illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by the dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and a case was filed. The manufacturer confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 2,000.
NHTSA complaint #11678988 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that while inspecting the vehicle, it was discovered that there was an unknown fluid leaking from the rear of the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V236000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 58,000.
NHTSA complaint #11678745 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brake lines started leaking and spewing fluid everywhere leaving me with out brakes on the highway. I just put new rotors, and brake pads on and they suddenly start grinding again yet have full pads on them.
NHTSA complaint #11662872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The brake booster on a 2017 Lincoln Navigator does not work properly, causing increased force to brake, a brake pedal that does all the way to the floor, and increased distance to come to a full stop. A recall was issued (22V-150/22S11) on the master cylinder and brake booster. The master cylinder was replaced in November 2022 (prior to my ownership) but not the brake booster. The brakes have been an issue since I purchased the car in January 2023. I tried several times to get the dealership to assist me but was never able to get the help that I needed. I recently took the car in to have the brakes addressed and now have to pay out of pocket to have the brake booster fixed. I was told that the warranty for a recall is only good for 12 months which I was never informed of at the time of the vehicle purchase.
NHTSA complaint #11567623 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
upon arriving home after a vacation, the NAV experienced complete brake fluid loss and no braking as a result. I investigated the brake lines and one of the lines had been secured to the frame with a clip - this clip was not secure and the brake like was chaffed against the air cleaner housing
NHTSA complaint #11545274 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the contact depressed the brake pedal due to traffic ahead; however, the brake pedal went to the floorboard. The contact stated he was forced to swerve into the next lane to avoid a crash. The contact stated that the "Check Brakes" warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and advised the contact that the brake master cylinder was leaking and needed to be replaced. The contact was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V150000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and informed to take the vehicle to a local dealer. The contact drove the vehicle to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the brake master cylinder needed to be replaced; however, the contact was informed that the VIN was not included. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.
NHTSA complaint #11541972 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My brake system failed while driving. I had just left a parking lot when the braking system warning light came on. Coinciding with this the brake pedal pressure got much lighter with each press. Since I was within a mile of home I drove there and by the time I got home the pedal was going to the floor. I checked under the hood and there was no fluid in the brake reservoir. I did not see any leaks. I refilled the reservoir and let it sit overnight. The next day the fluid was gone again from the reservoir, no leaks around the vehicle. I had it towed to Lincoln dealership for repair and they said the reservoir leaked into the the brake booster. I had researched on NHTSA that this was a known problem for Ford/Lincoln and there was a recall, but my vehicle's VIN# was not included in the recall. The dealership replaced the master cylinder and the brake booster.
NHTSA complaint #11540510 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was driving and didn't notice this truck ahead of me as I switched lanes. Although fault is questionable since the truck we traveling extremely slow on the highway, my vehicle had plenty of time to stop with the Pre-Collision System. That system is intended to avoid front end collisions and apply emergency breaks if required. IT DIDN'T. I have video of the system failure from my Dash Cam.
NHTSA complaint #11527872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln Navigator. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 22V150000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and 22V648000 (Visibility, Electrical System); however, the parts to do the recall repair were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
NHTSA complaint #11515592 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2014 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH and reversing into a parking space, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard and failed to stop the vehicle as needed. The contact stated the vehicle was stopped by the curb. The contact stated that the low brake fluid warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that she purchased brake fluid and had filled the reservoir however, the brake pedal failed to return to the normal position. The brake functionality did not return. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the power brake booster and brake master cylinder needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V150000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
NHTSA complaint #11492570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.