Lincoln Navigator Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy
Every Lincoln Navigator model year (1998–2026) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.
Lincoln Navigator Years to Avoid
4 recalls · 123 complaints
20 reported injuries
15 reported deaths
Top issue: TIRES:TREAD/BELT
Problem score: 250
2 recalls · 82 complaints
8 reported injuries
Top issue: TIRES
Problem score: 104
4 recalls · 74 complaints
2 reported injuries
Top issue: TIRES
Problem score: 90
Best Lincoln Navigator Years to Buy
0 recalls · 6 complaints
Main area: POWER TRAIN
Problem score: 6
2 recalls · 0 complaints
Main area: No significant complaints
Problem score: 6
0 recalls · 10 complaints
Main area: POWER TRAIN
Problem score: 10
Found the right year? Verify that specific Navigator with a free VIN report.
Lincoln Navigator — Year-by-Year Problem Report
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Problem Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 6 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 4 | 8 | — | — | 20 | Excellent |
| 2024 | 4 | 14 | — | — | 26 | Good |
| 2023 | 5 | 5 | 1 | — | 22 | Excellent |
| 2022 | 5 | 21 | 7 | — | 50 | Good |
| 2021 | 5 | 18 | — | — | 33 | Good |
| 2020 | 7 | 20 | 1 | — | 43 | Good |
| 2019 | 3 | 57 | 12 | — | 90 | Caution |
| 2018 | 3 | 31 | 1 | — | 42 | Good |
| 2017 | 4 | 19 | 2 | — | 35 | Good |
| 2016 | 4 | 19 | — | — | 31 | Good |
| 2015 | 3 | 16 | 3 | — | 31 | Good |
| 2014 | 0 | 10 | — | — | 10 | Excellent |
| 2013 | 0 | 6 | 4 | — | 14 | Excellent |
| 2012 | 0 | 10 | — | — | 10 | Excellent |
| 2011 | 0 | 6 | — | — | 6 | Excellent |
| 2010 | 0 | 15 | 4 | — | 23 | Excellent |
| 2009 | 1 | 6 | 1 | — | 11 | Excellent |
| 2008 | 0 | 19 | 2 | — | 23 | Excellent |
| 2007 | 0 | 28 | 1 | — | 30 | Good |
| 2006 | 0 | 43 | 2 | — | 47 | Good |
| 2005 | 0 | 43 | 1 | — | 45 | Good |
| 2004 | 0 | 67 | — | — | 67 | Good |
| 2003 | 0 | 70 | 9 | — | 88 | Caution |
| 2002 | 2 | 26 | 1 | — | 34 | Good |
| 2001 | 4 | 60 | 3 | — | 78 | Good |
| 2000 | 4 | 74 | 2 | — | 90 | Caution |
| 1999 | 2 | 82 | 8 | — | 104 | Caution |
| 1998 | 4 | 123 | 20 | 15 | 250 | Avoid |
All 29 model years shown. Deaths and injuries from NHTSA complaint filings. Higher problem scores indicate more reported safety issues.
Lincoln Navigator Shopping Guide by Era
2018–Present
Best: 2026Recent Navigator models benefit from updated safety systems and revised engineering. The 2026 stands out with just 6 problem points. Always request a pre-purchase inspection and VIN history report.
2013–2017
Best: 2014Mid-decade Navigator units are entering high-mileage territory. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and verify recall completion status. The 2014 shows the lowest problem count for this era.
Pre-2013
Proceed with CautionOlder Navigator models have more accumulated wear and a larger recall history. These are higher-risk purchases without documented maintenance records and a clean VIN history report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year Navigator should I avoid?+
Avoid the 1998 Lincoln Navigator if possible. It has 4 recalls, 123 owner complaints, and 15 reported deaths. The overall problem score is 250 — the highest in our dataset.
What is the best year Navigator to buy?+
The 2011 Lincoln Navigator is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 6. It has only 0 recalls and 6 complaints on record with NHTSA.
Which Navigator has the fewest problems?+
The 2011, 2026, 2012 model years have the fewest documented problems. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.
More Lincoln Navigator Research
Check a Specific Lincoln Navigator VIN
Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.
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