FaultScore

Lincoln Navigator suspension problems

163 of the 1,794 complaints filed about the Lincoln Navigator are about the suspension — 9% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2003.

163

Complaints

9%

Share of all complaints

8

Crashes

1

Fires

Suspension complaints by model year

1998 Navigator 26 16.0%

Median failure at 69,145 miles

1999 Navigator 12 7.4%

Median failure at 84,581 miles

Median failure at 54,000 miles

Median failure at 86,125 miles

2003 Navigator 39 23.9%

Median failure at 76,000 miles

2004 Navigator 25 15.3%

Median failure at 75,000 miles

2005 Navigator 12 7.4%

Median failure at 65,000 miles

2006 Navigator 16 9.8%

Median failure at 86,500 miles

Median failure at 56,018 miles

Median failure at 9,500 miles

What owners said

2019 Lincoln Navigator Smyrna, TN

SUSPENSION

Well, the problem is with the transmission. The transmission will lurch, and it also will go into neutral while you are driving down the road, the other thing with the suspension I had repaired. But it said the drive modes were disabled and kept on throwing. Check engine lights. Not to mention, I had to have the cam. Phasers fixed last year, that was another $5000 repair.

NHTSA complaint #11707775 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2024 Lincoln Navigator Jupiter, FL

SUSPENSION

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.

NHTSA complaint #11683719 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2024 Lincoln Navigator Springfield, IL

SUSPENSION

Tires keep losing balance. From my initial test drive of this new 2024 Lincoln Navigator L, I have noticed a rough ride and vibrations, especially at highway speeds. Initially, 1 tire was identified as not being able to be road force balanced within spec as the cause of the vibration and that tire was replaced. Within a short period of time, the rough ride and vibration issues reoccurred, and the dealership stated that two additional tires were determined as no longer being able to be road force balanced within spec and needed to be replaced. It was then suggested that all 4 OEM Pirelli tires be replaced with a full new set of Michelin tires. Shortly thereafter, the rough ride and vibration issues cropped again and it was determined that all four Michelin tires would no longer road force balance within spec and they were replaced with an all new set of four Michelin tires. Those tires have now been road forced balanced twice more, with tires needing to be rebalanced. Even though the dealership service departments have tried, no underlying suspension issues have been identified as causing all these tires to need rebalancing. I have even taken my vehicle to an independent tire shop to assess if tires are out of balance, and they verified that they were and performed a road force balance on them, however within a matter of weeks the tires needed to be rebalanced again. In total, in the 4 months that I have had this vehicle, it has been at the dealership service department for more than 25% of the time with no determination as to what the underlying cause of why tires need to be rebalanced so frequently, or fail to the point that they no long rebalance and need to be replaced.

NHTSA complaint #11673345 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2024 Lincoln Navigator Springfield, IL

SUSPENSION

From the initial test drive, I have felt an unusual vibration felt in both the steering wheel and seat while driving the vehicle. This vibration becomes more pronounced at higher speeds, especially after 70+ MPH, but still noticeable at lower speeds at 45+ MPH. Tires were initially blamed as the underlying cause, and the original tires were completely replaced within the first month of ownership, but the problems continued. Subsequently, at the 2nd month of ownership, the new set of tires were completely replaced again (this is now the 3rd set of tires), and the problem still persists. Dealership tells me that Lincoln engineers are aware of this situation, and that other owners of the 2024 Lincoln Navigators and 2024 Ford Expeditions have complained about this same concerns. Besides the vibration, the ride quality of the vehicle is terrible, and appears to me that the adaptive suspension is not performing as expected. I had a 2022 Lincoln Navigator which did not have any of these issues, and I know how this vehicle should ride and feel, and I know that this particular vehicle is not handling and riding as designed. Vehicle has less than 3000 miles on it and is on its third set of tires, and the underlying issue has not been identified.

NHTSA complaint #11664534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2024 Lincoln Navigator Clovis, CA

SUSPENSION

I bought new 2024 Lincoln Navigator in March 2025. From day 1, the vehicle rattles and vibrates above 40mph. The vibrations are high pitched and lead to whole car shimmering. I had all four tires and wheels replaced by the dealership. The vibrations are significantly intense when compared to normal road feedback. The vibrations lead to excessive fatigue and tiredness over long distances travel. Lincoln has issued service bulletin and no fix has been found so far.

NHTSA complaint #11660574 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 Lincoln Navigator Traverse City, MI

SUSPENSION

Car purchased in Feb 2022. November 9, 2023 after a couple of previous complaints about the car riding rough, this time , after telling them the car jumps and throws into the next lane, it was diagnosed as having passenger rear leaking strut, front pinion seal leak, front driveshaft c/v joint torn and leaking grease. These were repaired under warranty. Dec 2024: had noise and had vibration felt through floorboard - diagnosed with problem in front differential and found carrier bearing failure and damage to case from bearing failure/spun. The axle housing assembly was replaced. April 2025: transmission shifting hard and clunk noise as well as riding rough again. These transmission assembly will be repaired for known problems on original 10 speeds but they don’t fix until customer complains, the rear differential pinion seal is leaking and the front struts are leaking. Something is very wrong with the suspension, drive train and transmission in this vehicle.

NHTSA complaint #11657789 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2024 Lincoln Navigator Florence, SC

SUSPENSION

The vehicle has a vibration at interstate speeds 70-85 mph. The dealership has rebalanced the tires that came on the car, installed new tires and road forced balanced, replaced transfer case, rear drive shaft, but different size tires on car, and done another road force balance on the 2nd set of new tires that were put on car. FSE told dealership to give the car back to us and there was noting else they will do even though vibration still remains. Dealership put in it's service notes that the condition still remains, but was told to give customer back the vehicle. We have put less than 700 miles on the car and dealership has put close to 1100 or so miles on it test driving after repairs each time. This vibration could cause bearings, gears, and drive train failure that could result in potential death at highway speeds. Upon investigating this problem I found this to be a issue with the 2024 Lincoln Navigator throughout the US. I have requested Lincoln buy the vehicle back and was told they would not. My case number with the Lincoln customer service is [XXX] . Teresa 888-214-2155 ext.77992 is the representative. I would ask the NHTSA to investigate this problem for us consumers out here. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11655157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 Lincoln Navigator Signal Mountain, TN

SUSPENSION

2019 Lincoln Navigator Dealership delivery 9.14.22 Husband & Daughter drove around the neighborhood. Check engine light comes on suv is overheating. Husband immediately pulls into our driveway fluid is leaking out all over. Plus smoking. This was maybe two hours after it was in our possession. 9.15.22 Ford of Dalton has it towed to their dealership. 9.15.22 Suv was back in our possession. 9.21. Heard a ticking sound from the front of the suv. 9.26.22 Dropped off Suv at Ford of Hixson. 10.1.22 picked up a rental. 10.7.22 picked up suv 12.7.22 Contacted Ford Of Dalton. Hearing the same noise, plus a new clunking sound and movement below my feet on the driver side.They replaced axle, barrings. No warning other than the sound. 12.12. 22 Suv in Ford of Dalton possession. 1.12.23 Suv back in our possession. 1.13.23 hearing a sound when turning left. No warning 1.13.23 drove off a mountain where we live to take my daughter to her basketball game. Approximately 7:10 p.m my daughter and I heard a loud sound. The suv pulled us left into oncoming traffic! My suv steering wheel lost control started smoking and smelt like burning rubber!! This was the most terrifying experience in my life!! We are so lucky to be alive! If this happened anywhere else the outcome could have been very different. Luckily we were just leaving her basketball game and we’re on a side street.This suv was supposed to be our primary vehicle. It is extremely unreliable and unsafe to drive. After last nights horrible experience there is no way we will take this vehicle back. It’s very unsafe to drive. ** no warnings!

NHTSA complaint #11502626 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Lincoln Navigator Nutley, NJ

SUSPENSION

REAR END NOISES

NHTSA complaint #11490481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Lincoln Navigator Pittsburgh, PA

SUSPENSION

Major rust problems that effect the safety of driving the vehicle. Vehicle will not pass PA State Inspection. Hood latch rusted. possibility of hood opening. Rust holes in rocker panels. FRAME cross supports. No enough space to explain. Please see attached PDF.

NHTSA complaint #11457972 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 Lincoln Navigator Henderson, NV

SUSPENSION

THIS VEHICLE WAS MIS-BUILT WITHOUT ITS TOWING SUSPENSION SYSTEM INSTALLED. THE VIN AND OTHER MANUFACTURER (MFG) -PRODUCED DOCUMENTS STATE THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS A SELF-LEVELLING SYSTEM WHICH INFLATES SUSPENSION AIR BAGS UPON CONNECTING A TRAILER. HOWEVER, THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE (PER THE DEALERSHIP) IS MISSING ANY TYPE OF SELF-LEVELLING SUSPENSION SYSTEM. THIS MIS-BUILD MEANS THAT - WHEN A TRAILER IS CONNECTED - THE HEADLIGHTS POINT UPWARDS INSTEAD OF FRONT AND/OR SLIGHTLY DOWN TO SHOW THE ROAD CONDITIONS, WHICH MAKES THAT ALONE A SAFETY HAZARD. UPWARD LIGHTS MAY ALSO IMPACT ONCOMING TRAFFIC BY BLINDING OTHER DRIVERS. MY HUSBAND INFORMS ME THERE ARE OTHER SAFETY CONCERNS THAT GO ALONG WITH THIS, BUT I DO NOT UNDERSTAND ALL THE PHYSICS OF HOW TOWED VEHICLES OPERATE SO I CANNOT EXPLAIN FURTHER HOW MY SAFETY, AND POSSIBLY OTHERS, ARE RISKED WHEN TOWING A LOAD WITH THIS VEHICLE OR OTHERS MIS-BUILT LIKE IT. THE DEALERSHIP PURCHASED MY VEHICLE BACK FROM ME AND IT REMAINS ON THEIR LOT TODAY INSTEAD OF BEING SOLD AT AUCTION AS STATED. I FOUND THAT ANOTHER VEHICLE (2 YEARS NEWER, BUT SAME MFG) WAS MIS-BUILT WITHOUT ITS TOWING SUSPENSION SYSTEM. I REPORTED BOTH ISSUES TO THE DEALERSHIPS. IN THE CASE OF THE POTENTIAL REPLACEMENT VEHICLE, I SIMPLY DID NOT BUY IT. I REPORTED BOTH INSTANCES DIRECTLY TO THE MFG AND WAS TOLD THAT WAS AN ISSUE FOR WHICH THE DEALERSHIPS WERE RESPONSIBLE. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS MFG HAS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH A PARTICULAR BUILD OF VEHICLE AND IS IGNORING POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUES. I AM CONCERNED THAT THEIR DEALERSHIPS ARE ALSO IGNORING THE PROBLEM INSTEAD OF FIXING IT. I WOULD LIKE SOMEONE WITH MORE KNOWLEDGE THAN ME TO INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER AND, IF NECESSARY, GET THE PROBLEMS RESOLVED TO INCLUDE FURTHER REMUNERATION TO ME AS APPLICABLE. I HAVE DOCUMENTS, BUT AM NOT SURE WHAT'S RELEVANT TO UPLOAD. THANK YOU.

NHTSA complaint #11361740 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Lincoln Navigator at 25,000 miles Riverside, CA

SUSPENSION

AIR BAGS SHOCKS.

NHTSA complaint #11330257 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Lincoln Navigator at 150,000 miles Lincoln, CA

SUSPENSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR AIR SUSPENSION HAD FAILED CAUSING THE REAR END TO BOUNCE UP AND DOWN AND WHILE DRIVING A CLANKING NOISE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION ARM WAS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE REAR SUSPENSION AIR BAGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA complaint #11306797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Lincoln Navigator Jackson, MS

SUSPENSION

I LET MY DRIVER GLASS UP IN DOWN MY GLASS HAVE CRACKED BADLY SOMETHING GONE ON

NHTSA complaint #11267821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Lincoln Navigator Bluffton, SC

SUSPENSION

AIR SUSPENSION WILL NOT PUMP UP, RIPPED OFF OIL FILTER CAR BOTTOMS OUT AND VEHICLES LOSE CONTROL

NHTSA complaint #11255720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 Lincoln Navigator at 9,500 miles Flushing, NY

SUSPENSION

THE CAR WAS BROUGHT IN FOR A ROUTINE SERVICE WHICH CONSISTED OF A OIL CHANGE AND TIRE ROTATION. AFTER REMOVAL OF TIRES IT WAS EVIDENT THAT THE REAL AXLES NUTS WERE ONLY HAND TIGHT AND NOT TORQUED AS THE NYLOK LOCKING INSERT DID NOT DEFORM ELASTICALLY OVER THE THREADS. I THINK IF THEY DONT HAVE A SIGNED OFF MANUFACTURING PLAN, TRAVELER OR OPERATION SHEET CLEARLY INDICATING THAT THIS IS AN ISOLATED CASE THEY SHOULD BE RECALLING 24 HOURS WORTH OF PRODUCTION BEFORE AND AFTER THIS VIN WENT THROUGH THIS ASSEMBLY PROCEDURE. IF THIS IS NOT ACCOMPLISHED HOW CAN THEY DETERMINE ROOT CAUSE AND CORRECTIVE ACTION TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT CONSUMERS LIVES ARE AT RISK ON A LARGE SCALE. THIS TRUCK HAS HAD MANY MORE PROBLEMS BUT THIS ONE CLEARLY DESERVES TO BE HIGHLIGHTED AND RESOLVED IMMEDIATELY!

NHTSA complaint #11196204 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Lincoln Navigator at 45,000 miles Chandler, AZ

SUSPENSION

THE SUSPENSION ON THIS SUV IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS I HAVE REPLACED THE SUSPENSION AIRBAGS OH RINGS COMPRESSORS MULTIPLE TIMES AND EACH TIME IT TURNS COLD AND I LIVE IN ARIZONA THE CAR DROPS AND ON ABLE TO DRIVE IT DUE TO EXTREME VIOLENT SHAKING TO WEAR THE CAR SEEMS LIKE IT'S GOING TO ROLL OVER SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE WITH THE SUSPENSION ON THIS VEHICLE LINCOLN NEEDS TO OWN UP TO THIS MISTAKE

NHTSA complaint #11157159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Lincoln Navigator at 1,000,000 miles Murrieta, CA

SUSPENSION

A NOTIFICATION APPEARED ON THE SCREEN TO CHECK SUSPENSION WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT LEAST 65 MILES PER HOUR.

NHTSA complaint #11073775 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Lincoln Navigator at 50 miles Mclean, VA

SUSPENSION

TAKATA INFLATORS DO NOT WORK IN COLD WEATHER. BELOW A CERTAIN TEMPERATURE THE CAR BEGINS TO BOUNCE UNCONTROLLABLY. MAKES FOR A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN DRIVING AND THIS BEGINS TO OCURR.

NHTSA complaint #11072786 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Lincoln Navigator at 90,000 miles Jonesboro, GA

SUSPENSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR SUSPENSIONS MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR SUSPENSIONS WERE LOWERED TO THE POINT WHERE THE CONTACT COULD NOT STEER THE VEHICLE OR MAKE SHARP TURNS. ALLEN VISUAL FORD IN MONROE, GEORGIA WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REPLACED THE AIR SUSPENSIONS, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.

NHTSA complaint #11047502 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Lincoln Navigator problems