75 of the
1,794 complaints filed about the Lincoln Navigator
are about the other systems —
4% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2019.
The other weekend, we were unloading the back of the Lincoln when all of a sudden the liftgate came down on us. Fortunately, we were able to back away in time... Later that weekend, my son was unloading the back and it came down and hit him in the head to the point it made him cry (and he is a tough kid at 13)... I have brought up this concern with Lincoln at least 3 or 4 times, and they said it has been fixed, but clearly there is still a safety concern here. The last fix was a new harness they had to install. I have had so many issues with this vehicle, I feel like they dont want to fix it anymore... This has happened at least a dozen times or more where we are unloading the back, just standing behind the bumper and the automatic liftgate activates and comes down.
NHTSA complaint #11749952 — 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.
On Tuesday, May 5 2026 upon entering the vehicle, my wife closed the drivers door at which time the rear windshield exploded. The vehicle is scheduled for an appointment on Monday, May 11, 2026 at Porterville Ford for inspection. Approximately 50% of the glass came out, both inside and outside the vehicle. If my children were there, they would have been covered in broken tiny pieces of glass. This vehicle has just over 6,000 miles since new and has never had any damage to the glass. I have researched online and there are many other instances where this has happened, often siting incorrect or too tight of installations where the pressure from closing a door shatters the tempered glass.
NHTSA complaint #11736550 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The transmissions down shifts extremely hard, causing an abrupt wheel speed reduction. It starts doing this after you have driven the vehicle about 15 minutes....before that it operates correctly but once you hit 15 minutes of drive time, it is neck jolting! Driver and Passenger Mirrors have a mind of their own. They will be in position, you start backing out of a spot and they start moving until they get so out of place they start popping. This is dangerous due to possibility of running over someone or possibly hitting another vehicle. You have to put the vehicle in park, reset the mirrors, then start backing out again.
NHTSA complaint #11736388 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The vehicle is a 2019 Lincoln Navigator. The component that failed is the transmission. The vehicle experienced a sudden transmission failure resulting in loss of normal drivability. The issue is currently available for inspection at the repair facility upon request. This failure created a safety concern due to loss of power, hesitation, and unreliable shifting, which can increase the risk of collision, particularly in traffic or during acceleration. The problem has been confirmed by the dealership and independent repair facilities. Multiple repair professionals indicated that this failure is consistent with a known issue addressed by a Ford Technical Service Bulletin (TSB), suggesting this is not an isolated incident. The vehicle has been inspected by the repair facility. The manufacturer has not directly inspected the vehicle to my knowledge. There were no significant prior warning indicators that would suggest imminent failure. Any symptoms prior to failure were minimal or not clearly indicative of a major transmission issue. Based on information from repair facilities, this appears to be a known defect pattern rather than normal wear or maintenance-related failure. The use of a TSB instead of a recall raises concerns that a broader safety-related defect may not be adequately addressed. This failure occurred after proper maintenance and outside any initial waiting period for warranty coverage. The issue appears systemic and warrants further investigation.
NHTSA complaint #11734261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Driving vehicle at 73mph on I-75 in GA Northbound. Front panel of moon/sun-roof exploded/shattered with no indication of impact causing the failure. Loud bang followed by safety glass falling into cabin. Vehicle had lincoln-approved/dealer roof-rails.
NHTSA complaint #11726140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While in an airport cell phone waiting lot, an extremely loud explosion happened. I screamed and looked back at my toddler and infant also in the vehicle with me. Thankfully, nobody was harmed. There were no warning lights or sounds before or after the event. I could hear some wind above. I exited the vehicle and checked it - the front panel of the panoramic sunroof had exploded. There was in incredibly large defect in the center with upward bowing and tenting throughout the remaining glass. Pieces of all sizes, tiny to large, were gathered on the closed shade below. I contacted the dealership as the vehicle was still under a bumper to bumper warranty. I took the vehicle to the dealership, and the service department submitted a claim to the warranty department. This was denied as “no point of impact” was identified. Lincoln forums report multiple similar incidences of spontaneously exploding sunroofs. This is incredibly dangerous as it would be a huge hazard if occurred while driving and, if the shade had been opened, it would have seriously injured my children or me.
NHTSA complaint #11723386 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
The foot rails outside the vehicle either don't go up or don't go down. Also, there are several times that the foot rail goes down, and as I step on it, it closes with my foot still on it. Causing me to fall or get my foot stuck between the rail and the car. Fortunately, I didn't get hurt the 4 times that it happened. There is no consistency as to when it happens or any type of warning. The vehicle is scheduled to go in for additional service, but I wanted to file this complaint as it's an extremely dangerous hazard for occupants. Started around the end of June.
NHTSA complaint #11680394 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Back-up camera quit working about 3 months ago, 2025. There is a recall for the 2018 cameras but this is a 2017. Please include the 2017 year in the recall list. This issue poses a safety hazard when backing. Driver can not see what is behind the vehicle or if it is in a dangerous position. Since this is a SUV sized car the side mirrors are not adequate to safely see what is behind the car when backing. We have had a few close calls but no injuries yet.
NHTSA complaint #11671843 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Recall number 25S08 for side mirror lighting, the disconnect remedy is unacceptable. These side lights provide safety measures for exiting and entering the vehicle. As older adults seeing the fold out step in the dark is necessary. If these lights are disconnected due to the recommended remedy from Ford then there is a fall hazard for owners who don't see well at night. The steps could be missed resulting in a fall. WE request the lights be replaced or repaired NOT disconnected. Recall documents mailed from FORD/Lincoln to my address March and June 2025
NHTSA complaint #11671838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
They recalled other models for back up camera navigation issues. My vehicle was having same issue and I paid for repair and update on this issue and mine isn’t part of this recall but should be
NHTSA complaint #11671037 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
the rearview camera does not always come on when the vehicle is put in reverse. It appears to be the same issue as the newer Lincoln navigators and other fords for which a recall was just issued. The recall number for Ford is 25S49. The recall needs to include the 2017 navigator as well. You can not see behind the vehicle when the camera malfunctions The vehicle has not been to the dealer for the issue yet when the camera does not work there is a error message
NHTSA complaint #11663863 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2015 Lincoln Navigator. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V091000 (Visibility). The contact became aware that the remedy the manufacturer has for the recall repair was to cut the LED wire and disable it permanently. The contact does not agree with the remedy and wants the recall part repaired.
NHTSA complaint #11656776 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The vehicle is hard shifting creating a forceful lunge which is followed by characteristics of the vehicle being in neutral (starts to slow down and revs when I try to continue on the road). I have been told the transmission on these vehicles (10 shift transmission) is part of a class action lawsuit. Ford Customer Service told me to contact NHTSA. It is very unsafe because when the car lunges and hard shifts, it slows my vehicle without my control which could cause an accident around me.
NHTSA complaint #11640430 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE DRIVER SIDE SECOND ROW WINDOW IS NOW GOING DOWN ALL BY ITSELF AND HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN 5 DAYS. I CANT ROLL IT UP UNTIL I TURN OFF THE CAR AND TURN IT BACK ON.
NHTSA complaint #11608537 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Panoramic sunroof exploded without anything striking it. Sound like a gun shot. No vehicles in front of us to have thrown any objects at it to strike it.
NHTSA complaint #11592737 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.