1998-2025 model years · NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports · Updated September 2026
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According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 1998-2025 Lincoln Navigator has 18 documented known issues, with 10 rated critical. The most serious are 5.4L 3V Triton Two-Piece Spark Plug Breaks on Removal ($200-$1,200 repair), Navigator Rear Air Suspension Bag/Compressor Failure ($700-$2,400 repair), Navigator 3.5L EcoBoost Timing Chain Stretch ($1,800-$6,000 repair), Brake Master Cylinder Internal Leak (Recall 25S37) ($0-$850 repair), 10R80 10-Speed Harsh/Erratic Shifting & Torque Converter Shudder ($600-$8,700 repair), Air Ride Suspension Compressor Burnout from Air Bag Leaks ($400-$2,200 repair), 10R80 10-Speed Transmission Harsh/Erratic Shifting & Shudder ($300-$4,000 repair), 3.5L EcoBoost Cam Phaser Rattle (CSP 21N03) ($2,800-$5,500 repair), Backup Camera Blanks Out or Lingers on the Display — Recall 25S72 (NHTSA 25V442) and 3.5L EcoBoost Cam Phaser Rattle / Timing Failure ($2,800-$4,000 repair). Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $100 to $8,700. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 F-150, 2024 Expedition and 2024 Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with a 3.5L GTDI engine. The engines may have a misaligned engine cup plug, which can result in a rapid oil leak.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, 2020-2024 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2018-2024 F-150, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirement Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 F-150, Expedition, and 2024 Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI engines. The engine may have a misaligned engine cup plug, which can result in a rapid oil leak.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Navigator and Expedition vehicles. The front brake lines may contact the engine air cleaner outlet pipe and become damaged, possibly resulting in a brake fluid leak and reduced brake function.
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Bronco, F-150, 2021-2024 Edge, 2022-2025 Escape, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, F-600, 2022-2024 Expedition, 2022-2025 Transit, 2021-2023 Mach-E, 2024 Ranger, Mustang, 2021-2023 Lincoln Nautilus, 2022-2024 Navigator, and 2023-2024 Corsair vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera image to delay, freeze, or not display when the vehicle is in reverse.
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According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 1998-2025 Lincoln Navigator has 18 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: 5.4L 3V Triton Two-Piece Spark Plug Breaks on Removal, Navigator Rear Air Suspension Bag/Compressor Failure, Navigator 3.5L EcoBoost Timing Chain Stretch. Of these, 10 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
The 1998-2025 Lincoln Navigator has 18 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 10 issues are rated critical: 5.4L 3V Triton Two-Piece Spark Plug Breaks on Removal and Navigator Rear Air Suspension Bag/Compressor Failure and Navigator 3.5L EcoBoost Timing Chain Stretch and Brake Master Cylinder Internal Leak (Recall 25S37) and 10R80 10-Speed Harsh/Erratic Shifting & Torque Converter Shudder and Air Ride Suspension Compressor Burnout from Air Bag Leaks and 10R80 10-Speed Transmission Harsh/Erratic Shifting & Shudder and 3.5L EcoBoost Cam Phaser Rattle (CSP 21N03) and Backup Camera Blanks Out or Lingers on the Display — Recall 25S72 (NHTSA 25V442) and 3.5L EcoBoost Cam Phaser Rattle / Timing Failure. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
Repair costs for known Lincoln Navigator issues range from $0 to $8,700, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, 5.4L 3V Triton Two-Piece Spark Plug Breaks on Removal, typically costs $200-$1,200 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
Reliability varies across model years of the Lincoln Navigator. Based on documented issues, problems are most commonly reported in earlier model years. Au7o recommends checking the specific known issues for your target year before purchasing, and having a pre-purchase inspection performed by a qualified mechanic. Our known issues database covers the 1998-2025 Lincoln Navigator with 18 documented issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports.
Factory Motorcraft PZT-2FE two-piece platinum plugs in the 5.4L 3V Triton seize in the head from carbon buildup around the ground-electrode shield. Attempting normal removal cracks the plug, leaving the lower shell stuck in the cylinder head and requiring specialized extractor ki… Repairs typically run $200-$1,200. Severity: high.
2003-2017 Navigators with the optional/standard rear air suspension (and the 2003+ Expedition with the same system) develop air-bag leaks at the bag-to-piston seal as the bag rubber ages and cracks. Symptoms: rear of vehicle sagging overnight, compressor running constantly, error… Repairs typically run $700-$2,400. Severity: high.
The 3.5L EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 in 2015+ Navigator (and shared F-150, Expedition, Edge ST) suffers timing chain stretch typically between 80,000-150,000 miles. Symptoms include a rattling noise on cold start, particularly on the passenger-side bank, plus P0016/P0017/P0018/P0019 c… Repairs typically run $1,800-$6,000. Severity: high.
Consider clarifying: the failing seal is at the rear of the master cylinder (where it mates to the booster), allowing fluid from the front brake circuit to migrate past the seal into the vacuum booster body. Recall 25S37 / NHTSA 25V236 covers replacement at no cost. Repairs typically run $0-$850. Severity: high.
The 10R80 transmission paired with the 3.5L EcoBoost suffers axial movement of the CDF clutch drum sleeve, causing internal hydraulic leaks. Owners report harsh 1-2 and 2-3 engagements, clunking on coast-down, shudder at 20-32 mph cruise, and unexpected hard downshifts. Subject o… Repairs typically run $600-$8,700. Severity: high.
The air suspension's rubber air springs develop pinhole leaks at the upper crimp ring after 8-12 years. 4WD models use a 4-corner system; 2WD models use rear-only. The OEM Continental/AMK compressor (mounted with integrated dryer) runs continuously trying to maintain ride height,… Repairs typically run $400-$2,200. Severity: high.
The 10-speed 10R80 automatic in 2018+ Navigators is widely reported to shift harshly, clunk, jerk, hesitate, or shudder between gears. Causes include a sticking torque converter clutch (TCC) regulator valve causing TCC shudder, valve body issues, CDF drum/bushing failure, and con… Repairs typically run $300-$4,000. Severity: high.
Internal locking pins in the 3.5L EcoBoost variable cam timing phasers wear out, producing a loud rattle/clack at cold startup and a knocking idle once warm. Ford issued Customer Satisfaction Program 21N03 (and PCM reflash 21B10) replacing all four VCT units, but coverage expired… Repairs typically run $2,800-$5,500. Severity: high.
The 2020 and 2021 Lincoln Navigator is included in Ford's rearview camera software recall 25S72, filed with NHTSA as campaign 25V442000. A software error in the Navigator's rearview camera system can produce either of two faults: the camera image comes up blank when the driver se… Severity: high.
Fourth-generation Navigators with the twin-turbo 3.5L EcoBoost V6 commonly develop a loud rattle or diesel-like clacking from the front of the engine, most noticeable for 2-5 seconds on cold startup. The internal locking pin inside the variable camshaft timing (VCT) phasers fails… Repairs typically run $2,800-$4,000. Severity: high.
The SYNC 3 (2018-2020) and SYNC 4 (2021+) head unit in the 4th-generation Navigator freezes, reboots mid-drive, displays a black screen with spinning loader, loses touch response, drops Bluetooth pairing, or fails to show the backup camera. Issue is typically an APIM (Accessory P… Repairs typically run $0-$2,500. Severity: medium.
The 5.4L 3-valve Triton V8 in 2005-2008 Navigator (and shared F-150/Expedition) uses a two-piece spark plug (Motorcraft SP-515/SP-546) that frequently snaps off in the cylinder head during removal. The lower portion stays welded into the head by carbon, leaving the upper electrod… Repairs typically run $400-$1,500. Severity: medium.
Ford is recalling 2022-2025 Lincoln Navigator SUVs under NHTSA campaign 26V165000 because the Image Processing Module A (IPMA) may reset unexpectedly, and repeatedly. When it does, the Navigator loses its rearview camera image along with advanced driver assistance features that d… Severity: medium.
The Dorman-supplied power running board motors and pivot/swivel brackets on 2007-2014 (3rd-gen) and 2015-2017 (3rd-gen refresh) Navigators corrode and seize from road salt and water exposure, especially in northern states. Boards stop deploying, hang in mid-position, or cycle rep… Repairs typically run $250-$1,400. Severity: medium.
Fourth-gen Navigator owners frequently report the hands-free power liftgate opening or cycling by itself, sometimes while parked or triggered by opening a driver door or even nearby beeping sounds. The root cause is typically a faulty liftgate release switch, hands-free kick sens… Repairs typically run $200-$900. Severity: medium.
Second- and third-generation Navigators with the 5.4L 3-valve Triton V8 use a unique two-piece spark plug whose long electrode shell extends below the threads. Carbon deposits cake into the gap over high mileage, gripping the plug so tightly that the shell breaks off during remov… Repairs typically run $300-$1,500. Severity: medium.
Second- and third-generation Navigators commonly suffer failed HVAC blend door actuators. The small electric motor that positions the temperature/mode doors strips its internal gears, producing a repetitive clicking or 'whir-click' noise from behind the dash or rear panel and cau… Repairs typically run $100-$400. Severity: low.
Navigators equipped with deployable (power) running boards commonly have boards that stick in the deployed or retracted position, deploy on only one side, or retract and then immediately redeploy. Failures stem from corroded/seized motors (original Dorman-type units on 2007-2014… Repairs typically run $300-$1,500. Severity: low.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.
