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
2 recalls · 123 complaints
20 reported injuries
15 reported deaths
Top issue: TIRES:TREAD/BELT
Problem score: 244
4 recalls · 82 complaints
8 reported injuries
Top issue: TIRES
Problem score: 110
6 recalls · 74 complaints
2 reported injuries
Top issue: TIRES
Problem score: 96
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 | 6 | 4 | — | — | 22 | Excellent |
| 2024 | 6 | 11 | — | — | 29 | Good |
| 2023 | 6 | 2 | — | — | 20 | Excellent |
| 2022 | 11 | 14 | 3 | — | 53 | Good |
| 2021 | 9 | 13 | — | — | 40 | Good |
| 2020 | 10 | 17 | — | — | 47 | Good |
| 2019 | 6 | 37 | 8 | — | 71 | Good |
| 2018 | 7 | 26 | — | — | 47 | Good |
| 2017 | 4 | 16 | — | — | 28 | Good |
| 2016 | 3 | 18 | — | — | 27 | Good |
| 2015 | 2 | 16 | 3 | — | 28 | Good |
| 2014 | 0 | 10 | — | — | 10 | Excellent |
| 2013 | 0 | 5 | 4 | — | 13 | Excellent |
| 2012 | 1 | 10 | — | — | 13 | Excellent |
| 2011 | 0 | 6 | — | — | 6 | Excellent |
| 2010 | 0 | 15 | 4 | — | 23 | Excellent |
| 2009 | 1 | 6 | 1 | — | 11 | Excellent |
| 2008 | 2 | 19 | 2 | — | 29 | Good |
| 2007 | 2 | 28 | 1 | — | 36 | Good |
| 2006 | 2 | 43 | 2 | — | 53 | Good |
| 2005 | 0 | 43 | 1 | — | 45 | Good |
| 2004 | 0 | 67 | — | — | 67 | Good |
| 2003 | 1 | 69 | 9 | — | 90 | Caution |
| 2002 | 3 | 26 | 1 | — | 37 | Good |
| 2001 | 5 | 60 | 3 | — | 81 | Good |
| 2000 | 6 | 74 | 2 | — | 96 | Caution |
| 1999 | 4 | 82 | 8 | — | 110 | Caution |
| 1998 | 2 | 123 | 20 | 15 | 244 | 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 2 recalls, 123 owner complaints, and 15 reported deaths. The overall problem score is 244 — 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, 2014 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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