27 of the
1,794 complaints filed about the Lincoln Navigator
are about the seats —
2% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2004.
Seat will randomly fold while sitting in them Third time this has happened while people have been in them Happened approx 3 more times with people not in the seats ( back seats) captain chairs
NHTSA complaint #11743768 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
Second row passenger side captains chair seat latch that secures it to the floor is defective. Metal teeth somehow are worn off prevent the seat from latching to the floor. Huge safety issue for this as it’s mostly kids sitting in the back that may not even notice or say anything. Makes me nervous how many people in navigator and expeditions are riding around with defective seats. Called the dealership to get a replacement part and was told it would need a new seat frame. $3400 for a seat frame is beyond outrageous. I can find used seats, still not cheap, but my concern is this will be the same issue.
NHTSA complaint #11712337 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TODAY WHILE DRIVING WITH HEATED SEATS I FELT A BURN ON MY SEAT AND HAD TO PULL OVER. THE SEAT HAS SOME BURN MARKS. AS A FORMER FIRE INVESTIGATOR THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND FIRE IS IMMINENT. WONT LET ME UPLOAD PHOTO. SEAT STARTED TO GET TO THE POINT UF BURNING BUT STOPPED WHEN I TURNED IT AND CAR OFF
NHTSA complaint #11634278 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I purchased this vehicle 6 months ago and have had nothing but electrical issues since. The front Lincoln emblem and the rear driverside brake lights do not work. Also, the heated driver seat stopped working. I have read the lighting issue is common.
NHTSA complaint #11574535 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2020 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the passenger’s side seat would move forward and backward without warning. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer but was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and suggested that the vehicle be taken to an authorized dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 500.
NHTSA complaint #11442183 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THERE IS NO WEIGHT SENSOR IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THERE IS NO NOTIFICATION THAT THE SEAT BELT IS NOT FASTENED. THE AIR BAG DOES NOT WORK UNLESS THE SEAT BELT IS FASTENED. MY GRANDCHILDREN'S WEIGHT IS NOT REGISTERED AND THEREFORE THE AIR BAG WILL DEPLOY IF THEY ARE IN THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT AND SEAT BELTED IN. I WAS TOLD BY LINCOLN NAVIGATOR DIVISION AT FORD MOTOR COMPANY THAT THIS IS THE WAY THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED AND REMARKED THAT I FELT THIS CONDITION OF 1L. NO NOTIFICATION THAT THE SEAT BELT IS NOT FASTENED, 2. THAT IF THE SEAT BELT IS NOT FASTENED, THE AIRBAG DOES NOT WORK, 3. THAT IF MY GRANDSON IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WITH SEAT BELT FASTENED, THE AIR BAG WILL DEPLOY CAUSING HIM INJURY OR DEATH. THEY DID NOT SEEM TO CARE AND TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT. NOTHING HAS HAPPENED YET BUT THIS VEHICLE AND ITS DESIGN IS UNSAFE IN MY OPINION. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY CANNOT FIX THE ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #11253030 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY FRONT DRIVER SEAT WON'T GO BACK OR FORWARD. AND MY RUNNING BOARD IS NOT WORKING ANY MORE. ON THE DRIVER SIDE WON'T COME OUT ANY MORE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE STUCK OUT AND WON'T GO BACK IN. I TOOK IT TO MY MANICA AND HE SAID IT'S A RECALL ON THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #11222770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ON 12-3-17 GRANT COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT OFFICERS RESPONDED TO A CALL IN SWAYZEE, IN REFERENCE AN UNRESPONSIVE TODDLER. A 20 MONTH OLD WHO HAD FALLEN ASLEEP IN THE THIRD ROW OF A 2004 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE PARENTS HAD GONE TO SWEETSER TO HELP A RELATIVE MOVE. UPON ARRIVING AT SWEETSER, THE MOTHER TOLD THE FATHER SHE WAS TAKING "THE BABY" OUT TO CHANGE HER DIAPER. THE FATHER TOOK THAT TO MEAN THEIR 20 MONTH OLD; HOWEVER THE MOTHER MEANT THE 8 MONTH OLD THAT SHE WAS BABYSITTING. THE FATHER DID NOT KNOW HIS 20 MONTH OLD HAD FALLEN ASLEEP IN THE THIRD ROW SEAT. HE LOADED ITEMS IN A TRAILER AND HAD THREE OTHER ITEMS TO FIT. HE PUSHED THE BUTTONS LOCATED IN THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE TO FOLD DOWN THE AUTOMATIC THIRD ROW SEATS. THE SEATS FOLDED COMPLETELY DOWN AND HE LOADED THE ITEMS IN THE VEHICLE. THEY DROVE TO SWAYZEE WHERE THEY REALIZED THEIR 20 MONTH OLD WAS NOT AROUND. THE MOTHER REMEMBERED HER BEING IN THE THIRD ROW SEAT. THE FATHER REMOVED THE ITEMS AND RAISED THE SEATS WHERE HE LOCATED THE 20 MONTH OLD UNRESPONSIVE. AUTOPSY SHOWED SHE DIED OF SUFFOCATION DUE TO COMPRESSION ON THE CHEST. REENACTMENTS WERE VIDEOTAPED AND PHOTOGRAPHED USING A CPR DOLL 2 INCHES SHORTER THAN THE 20 MONTH OLD, THE SEATS FOLDED DOWN FLAT ALL THREE TIMES THESE WERE CONDUCTED. OUR CONCERN WITH THE VEHICLE IS THE FACT THERE WAS NO SENSORS THAT KEPT THE SEATS FROM COMPLETELY FOLDING WITH THE CHILD ON THE SEAT.
NHTSA complaint #11055241 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
HEATED/COOL SEAT MODULE BURNING, IGNITION COIL, 4X4 (4-WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM) , WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR LINKAGE TRANSMISSION , ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON , HEATED HEAT STOPPED WORKING , CHANGED ENTIRE 4X4 SYSTEM AND IT STILL GOES INTO 4 WHEEL DRIVE BY ITSELF
NHTSA complaint #10886246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT FAILED TO ADJUST AND COULD NOT BE MOVED FORWARD. THE METAL BAR FOR THE DRIVER'S SEAT FRACTURED AND THE SEAT BECAME LOCKED IN PLACE, WHICH WAS ABNORMALLY FAR FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE STEERING WHEEL OR THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE METAL BAR ADJUSTER FOR THE DRIVER'S SEAT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,000.
NHTSA complaint #10486580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DRIVER POWER SEAT, PEDAL ADJUSTMENT AND MIRROR/FOLDING MIRRORS NOT WORKING DUE TO FAULTY WIRING. WIRING HARNESS MELTS DOWN TO FUSE BOX. UNABLE TO REPAIR WIRING BUT TO REPLACE COMPLETE WIRING SYSTEM TO FUSE BOX .
NHTSA complaint #10340473 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEN THE DRIVER EXITS THE VEHICLE, THE LOWER SEAT CUSHION IS SOFT ENOUGH TO BE COMPRESSED AGAINST THE HARD PLASTIC EDGING THAT SUPPORTS THE SEAT LOCATION CONTROLS. DUE TO REPEATED COMPRESSION AGAINST THE PLASTIC EDGING, THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT DEVELOPS A HORIZONTAL CRACK/CUT IN THE LEATHER CUSHION ALONG THE SIDE.
NHTSA complaint #10277531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LTR FROM SENATOR HUTCHISON ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT, RE PROBLEMS WITH HER 2005 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE FRONT END VIBRATED CONSTANTLY. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE TRACK BAR AND CAD MOUNT BUSHINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TO CORRECT THE VIBRATING. THE SUNROOF LEAKED, THE CD CHANGER SCRATCHED THE CD'S, THE DRIVERS SEAT WAS REPAIRED 3 TIMES, THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR DIDN'T WORK, THE REMOTE START DID NOT WORK, THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING, THE REAR WINDOWS WERE GRINDING, THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN, THE MIRROR WOULD NOT ADJUST AND THE WIPERS WERE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER TWO YEARS OF BEING TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE, IT FINALLY BROKE DOWN AND THE DEALER HAD TO PERFORM MAJOR ENGINE WORK. AFTER THE ENGINE WORK WAS COMPLETED THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO MAKE NOISE AND THERE WAS ALSO HESITATION PROBLEMS. *JB UPDATED 03/01/10.
NHTSA complaint #10256728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DEALER REFUSES TO FIX THE HEATED SEATS IN A 1999 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE MECHANIC STATED THEY WERE DAMAGED DUE TO ABUSE. *KB ***NAR*** SINCE THE CONSUMER HAS OWNED THE VEHICLE THE DRIVER'S HEATED SEAT HAS BEEN REPAIRED 10 TIMES AND IS BROKEN AGAIN. THE CONSUMER SENT A CERTIFIED LETTER TO THE MANUFACTURER BUT HAS RECEIVED NO REPLY.
NHTSA complaint #10173281 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DT: THE CONTACT HAD DIFFICULTY WITH THE POWER SEATS MEMORY SETTING/POWER-FOLDING HEATED EXTERIOR MIRRORS, AND THE POWER-DEPLOYABLE RUNNING BOARDS. THEY WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE POWER SEATS WITH MEMORY SETTING HAD A MEMORY FUNCTION THAT SHOULD REMAIN SET AT THE DRIVER'S PREFERENCE. HOWEVER, IT SOMETIMES READJUSTED WITHOUT WARNING. THE POWER-FOLDING HEATED EXTERIOR MIRRORS WILL NOT IDENTIFY PROGRAMMED POSITIONS. THE POWER-DEPLOYABLE RUNNING BOARDS WILL NOT AUTOMATICALLY DEPLOY WHEN THE DOORS WERE OPENED. THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEMS. AFTERWARDS, THE AFOREMENTIONED CONTINUED TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY. NO FURTHER REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE.
NHTSA complaint #10144436 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.