200 of the 1,794 complaints filed about the Lincoln Navigator are about the electrical system — 11% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2003.
200
Complaints
11%
Share of all complaints
4
Crashes
36
Fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My screen intermittently goes black, I have had it repaired/ updated once prior and it still does this..as a result I backed into a mailbox. It was very dark and I couldn’t see out of my windows.
NHTSA complaint #11754317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Placing the vehicle in reverse we backed into a concrete piller and none of the safet sensors allerted us to the object.
NHTSA complaint #11744788 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Around mid XXX got into my vehicle I started it up my navigation screen was black and no music would play did not know why it was not working anymore so when I got home I reached out to Ford by email was texting back and forth they had me perform some steps said would bring the system back up that did not work so he wanted me to take it to dealer I did not because they want to charge around $200.00 to look at your vehicle I called Ford by phone as well as Lincoln inquired about recalls on 4-13-26 they also tried to troubleshoot the problem still nothing I spoke with Sandra, Tylor I even asked to speak with upper management about my issue Tylor said he would submit request but went on to say he do not think they would call me back and I also spoke with Dan from Lincoln Apps department they all directed me to the dealer no one offered to waive the for them to look at my vehicle to see what’s wrong and why the system just stopped working like that so have never had a vehicle where the radio just stopped working never happened and my navigation screen is black screen my husband did go and talk with a Ford dealer last week about my vehicle he did not have the vehicle with him put the person did say it what he was stating it seems that it may be a modular it it would run over $2,000 to fix it I’m not sure if my vehicle is involved in this recall 26C27 or 26V372 I feel I should not have to pay for the dealer to inspect my vehicle to see if it’s something wrong on their end thanks for the help in this matter [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11743645 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2023 Lincoln Navigator. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V165000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the remedy was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
NHTSA complaint #11735789 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2019 Lincoln Navigator. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 81,183. The contact was informed by the warranty company, and based on a Carfax Report, the mileage was 97,000.
NHTSA complaint #11733564 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2003 Lincoln Navigator. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 160,000. The contact reset the mileage, and the display showed 247,000. The contact had not contacted any other agencies. The VIN was not available.
NHTSA complaint #11732915 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2022 Lincoln Navigator. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V455000 (Fuel System Gasoline) and 26V165000 (Back Over Prevention, Electrical System); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure.
NHTSA complaint #11729362 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Unknown. When vehicle is running there is a strong smell of burnt wires coming from the front passenger side of the vehicle. It gets worse after running for awhile. Smell is stronger when the air is on. Reading other recalls it sounds similar to recalls on similar vehicles blower motors.
NHTSA complaint #11725007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The vehicle has experienced repeated mechanical failures involving the engine, cooling system, drivetrain, and electronic systems. Documented failures include the navigation/APIM module, transmission jerking and drivability issues, transmission valve body concerns, cam phaser failure, driveshaft repair, front wheel bearing/IWE failure, coolant leaks from heater core hoses, and engine vibration requiring extensive diagnostic work including a short block engine repair. The vehicle has also experienced multiple overheating incidents despite prior repairs. Overheating occurred in May 2025, December 2025, and February 2026. During these events the engine temperature rose abnormally and coolant had to be added to the reservoir. Drivetrain problems including transmission jerking, vibration, and driveshaft repair also created drivability concerns while operating the vehicle at highway speeds. These issues have been inspected and confirmed by an authorized Lincoln dealership service department. Numerous repairs and diagnostics have been performed including APIM replacement, cam phaser repair, heater hose replacement, wheel bearing/IWE replacement, driveshaft repair, and engine diagnostic work approved through warranty processes. Symptoms prior to failures included overheating, vibration, excessive fan noise, whining while driving, and transmission jerking. The vehicle and components are available for inspection upon request. The repeated overheating events combined with drivetrain and engine failures raise concern that this vehicle may have an underlying safety-related defect that could result in sudden loss of power or engine failure while operating in traffic.
NHTSA complaint #11722940 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
On May 26, 2024, I entered into a lease agreement for a Lincoln Navigator vehicle manufactured and warranted by Lincoln Motor Company. This vehicle subsequently developed multiple serious and dangerous safety defects, including uncontrolled and spontaneous seat inflation, failure of seat pump systems, infotainment system failure including loss of backup camera and safety display systems, unexpected closure of side mirrors while driving, and continued seat movement and mechanical activation after the vehicle was powered off. These defects presented a direct and substantial risk to occupant safety. On multiple occasions, uncontrolled seat inflation physically restrained and trapped an occupant, including a minor child, by causing the seat structure to expand while the seatbelt locking mechanism engaged, restricting the occupant’s ability to exit the seat. These events occurred while the vehicle was in operation, including while traveling on a public freeway, creating an immediate and dangerous safety hazard. Lincoln Motor Company and Galpin Ford were repeatedly notified of these safety defects. On January 6, 2025, the vehicle was delivered to Galpin Lincoln, an authorized Lincoln Motor Company repair facility, for emergency repair due to these ongoing and escalating safety failures. Lincoln Motor Company retained possession of the vehicle for approximately eighty-three (83) days. During this time, Lincoln Motor Company admitted in writing that critical seat systems and associated pump mechanisms were not functioning as designed. Lincoln Motor Company further admitted that no repair remedy existed for certain infotainment and software-related system failures due to lack of available corrective software or engineering solution. Despite these admissions & despite exceeding statutory repair period thresholds, Lincoln Motor Company failed to repair myriad safety hazards on our Navigator leaving us with an inoperable vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11720221 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I started the car and the electronic dashboard was blank, giving me no information on my speed, gas etc. Luckily, the heads up display was working. This blank dashboard on startup has occurred about 6 times since I bought the car on 12th January, 2026. I took it to West Point Lincoln, Sugar Land on 2nd February, 2026 but they said they couldn't fix it because the dashboard was working whilst at their workshop because it didn't act up, and the system gave no error codes on the diagnostic machine
NHTSA complaint #11717722 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The power running boards do not go up and down, and are locked in the down position. During the winter snow and ice collects on the running board while driving and makes it incredibly slippery to step on for the driver and passengers. There is a setting to change the position of the running board but it does not move the running board. It has been inoperable for the past 6-8 months now.
NHTSA complaint #11712327 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I am reporting a serious safety concern involving a 2021 Lincoln Navigator with factory equipment only. After snowfall, during factory remote start, the vehicle produced a hot/burning smell, and I observed visible melting and bubbling of multiple driver-side and passenger side exterior pillars. The vehicle has a factory sunroof and no aftermarket electronics or modifications. The melting appears on the exterior, indicating heat originating from inside the pillar cavities. Due to concern for electrical overheating and fire risk, I discontinued using my remote start. A Lincoln dealership dismissed the concern and incorrectly stated that there is no electrical wiring in the pillars. Lincoln Customer Care has verbally refused assistance solely due to lack of extended warranty and has declined escalation, despite the reported fire risk. I am concerned this involves water intrusion from the sunroof drainage system contacting powered body or airbag wiring, creating a risk of electrical fire. I am requesting NHTSA review this as a potential safety defect involving electrical overheating and fire risk.
NHTSA complaint #11710457 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
At about 2:30am after hearing some popping noises I went to the vehicle and saw that the engine under the bonnet was on fire. The fire was seeping out from the sides of the bonnet. The vehicle had been parked since 9:20pm the previous night. I called emergency services including the fire department and the police. It spread very quickly in the Garage where the car was parked and burnt out the garage and the Tesla Plaid parked in the same garage. Firefighters put out the fire with total disintegrated remains. It was just luck that I was awake to catch this at this stage otherwise it would have spread to the house. My 3 children and wife were sleeping. The fire started in the engine of the parked Lincoln Navigator. Visual confirmation of the event is evident.
NHTSA complaint #11701625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2025 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that while driving between 20-70MPH, no precaution assist warning message illuminated. The vehicle will slow independently. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; however the diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact mentions that the failure has occurred on several different occasions. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and they informed her that they do not know why this was happening to her vehicle or alerting the driver. The approximate failure mileage was 38,000.
NHTSA complaint #11693861 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The moonroof drain hoses are not secured and is known problem with other Navigator and Expedition owners. I became aware while troubleshooting why the liftgate would not open. The procedure to access the Rear Gate Trunk Module (RGTM) requires the removal of the 3rd row seats, C & D pillars and several cabin panels. After the removal of these items I noticed the insulation under the carpet and behind the panels were drenched. The Reserve trim on my Navigator has very dense carpet and a backing that does not let the moisture evaporate over time. Rather, it retains water almost indefinitely. Upon removing these items and the front row kick panels, I discovered the water was 3” deep. Because of this leak, the water submerges numerous wiring harnesses throughout the cabin that affects nearly all computer modules. It is also the root cause of my liftgate not opening issue. Per the 2018 Lincoln Navigator/Ford Expedition Electrical manual, there is a splice of the VBATT Always Hot wire under the front drivers kick panels. Despite the factory shrink wrap, water penetrated this splice and corroded the copper wire resulting in an open circuit. I repaired the wiring and solved the liftgate issue. I also went thru the painstaking process of remediating the water damage. Of bigger concern, is the amount of corrosion on other wiring connectors and splices that is unknown at this time. I believe this defect is a safety hazard of unknown proportion given the various modules dependent on the submerged wiring. There is also a health concern of mold growing due to the carpet backing not permitting moisture to evaporate. On the cosmetic side, there visual water stains on all four sides of the headliner. When I reconnected the right rear failed drain hose, I secured it with a tie wrap. I believe Ford should take ownership if this defect and use tie wraps to secure all 4 drain hoses at no charge to mitigate the damage and health impact.
NHTSA complaint #11691109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The back up camera will randomly black out. The steering wheel motor is broke and the steering wheel does not adjust. Needed a new air conditioner motor, timing chain, had a transmission leak, wheel axel leak. This is a safety hazard and caused a huge financial strain.
NHTSA complaint #11690091 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
the vehicle's antitheft system automatically triggers. There are two different events here: 1. Anti theft system triggers when the engine is off. When I attempt to start the car, the engine will not activate. By going through a series of locking and unlocking attempts (via key fob, via door locks, via keyless entry) I can eventually get the engine started. This event happens every other day. 2. Anti theft system triggers when the engine is on, while driving on the road. This results in the engine shutting off, and both the steering wheel and brake pedal locking up. I took the vehicle to a Lincoln dealer (Dave Sinclair Lincoln St. Louis) and after running diagnostics they suspect the root cause is due to an Apple Air tag that is attached to the key ring of the key I'm using, and the PATS sensor module mounted to the bottom of the lock cylinder could be triggering/sensing a security event as a result. I do not think a reasonable resolution to prevent future issues is to not have an air tag (or similar device) in the vehicle. The anti theft system triggering when the engine off is an inconvenience. However, the anti theft system triggering while the car is in motion is a major safety hazard.
NHTSA complaint #11685109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The collision warning doesn't warn sometimes. Nothing goes off when Im approaching and or have slammed on my breaks to avoid a collision. Sometimes it goes off at a great distance when it doesn't make sense to go off. I just bought the car used and have noticed this a lot. Also sometimes lane departure corrects and sometimes it doesn't. Something is off.
NHTSA complaint #11684616 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.