Lincoln Navigator Engine Problems by Year
By CarWhere Research · Updated
Some, but not unusually many. 56 of the 423 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008–2025 Lincoln Navigator (13.2%) name the engine, near the 19.4% median share across the 152 models we track. We have no published sales figures for this model, so there is no per-1,000 rate. The worst years are 2019 and 2018.
Engine complaints
56
Filed with NHTSA, 2008–2025 models
Per 1,000 sold
No sales data
Not computed without a published sales figure
Share of all complaints
13.2%
of 423 complaints for this model
Engine recalls
4
NHTSA campaigns, all years
Lincoln Navigator engine complaints by model year
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA whose component list includes Engine and Engine Cooling. Worst years are highlighted.
| Model year | Engine complaints | Share of all complaints | Crash / fire / injury | Engine recalls | Engine TSBs* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 1 | 3.3% | 0 | — | 17 |
| 2009 | 3 | 30% | 2 | — | 20 |
| 2010 | 2 | 12.5% | 0 | — | 24 |
| 2011 | 1 | 11.1% | 0 | — | 23 |
| 2012 | 0 | 0% | 0 | — | 27 |
| 2013 | 2 | 15.4% | 0 | — | 28 |
| 2014 | 2 | 11.8% | 1 | — | 25 |
| 2015 | 4 | 19% | 2 | — | 32 |
| 2016 | 1 | 4% | 0 | — | 33 |
| 2017 | 1 | 3.3% | 0 | — | 25 |
| 2018WORST | 11 | 22% | 1 | — | 35 |
| 2019WORST | 12 | 17.6% | 0 | — | 33 |
| 2020 | 3 | 9.4% | 0 | 25V628000 | 27 |
| 2021 | 8 | 25% | 0 | 22V346000 | 11 |
| 2022 | 3 | 14.3% | 2 | — | 0 |
| 2023 | 1 | 14.3% | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2024 | 1 | 6.3% | 1 | 25V19800024V851000 | 6 |
| 2025 | 0 | 0% | 0 | — | 0 |
- Older model years have had more time on the road to collect complaints, so compare neighboring years, not 2010 against 2024.
- Crash / fire / injury = complaints where the owner reported a crash, a fire or an injury.
- *Technical service bulletins in the year's leading TSB categories that name the engine.
Common Lincoln Navigator engine problems owners describe
We searched the narratives of all 56 engine complaints for symptom keywords. One complaint can mention several, so the shares don't add up to 100%.
Lincoln Navigator years to avoid for the engine
2019 Lincoln Navigator
12 engine complaints (17.6% of the year's 68). Most often described: knocking, ticking or rattling.
2018 Lincoln Navigator
11 engine complaints (22% of the year's 50). Most often described: knocking, ticking or rattling.
Worst years are those with at least 10 engine complaints and at least 1.5 times the model's median year. For every year's overall verdict, including other systems, see the Lincoln Navigator years to avoid.
Lincoln Navigator engine recalls
NHTSA recall campaigns filed under Engine for any Lincoln Navigator model year. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check a specific car by VIN on NHTSA's site.
- 25V628000 · 2025-09-19 · 2020 models
A short circuit within the battery junction box can cause an engine fire while driving or parked.
- 25V198000 · 2025-03-28 · 2024 models
The engine may have a misaligned engine cup plug, which can result in a rapid oil leak.
- 24V851000 · 2024-12-20 · 2024 models
The engines may have a misaligned engine cup plug, which can result in a rapid oil leak.
- 22V346000 · 2022-05-17 · 2021 models
An engine compartment fire may occur while driving or parked, even with the ignition in the "Off" position.
Related research
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2019 Lincoln Navigator have engine problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 12 engine complaints with NHTSA for the 2019 Lincoln Navigator, 17.6% of all 68 complaints for that year. The most common description is "knocking, ticking or rattling" (6 complaints).
Does the 2018 Lincoln Navigator have engine problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 11 engine complaints with NHTSA for the 2018 Lincoln Navigator, 22% of all 50 complaints for that year. The most common description is "knocking, ticking or rattling" (6 complaints). 1 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Which Lincoln Navigator years have the most engine complaints?
2019 (12), 2018 (11) and 2021 (8), by owner complaints filed with NHTSA that name the engine. Raw counts favor older and higher-selling years, so treat them as a signal, not a rate.
What are the most common Lincoln Navigator engine problems?
In the 56 engine complaints, owners most often describe knocking, ticking or rattling (26.8%), loss of power or limp mode (17.9%) and engine failure, seizure or replacement (17.9%). One complaint can mention several symptoms.
Is this a engine failure rate?
No. These are complaints owners chose to file with NHTSA. Many failures are never reported, and one complaint is not a confirmed defect. Without sales figures, a high count can simply mean a high-selling model.
How we count
Counts are unique owner complaints (by NHTSA ODI number) filed with NHTSA for each Lincoln Navigator model year, from NHTSA's public complaints data fetched July 2026 to November 2026. A complaint counts as a engine complaint when NHTSA's component list for it includes Engine and Engine Cooling.
Per 1,000 sold divides complaints by published U.S. calendar-year sales for that year. A year needs at least 5,000 sales to get a rate, and a model needs at least 3 such years for its overall rate. The comparison median covers every model with at least 50 engine complaints that clears those floors.
These are complaint rates, not failure rates. Owners report some problems more than others, and a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Sources
- NHTSA complaints by vehicle (owner complaints API) — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Report a vehicle safety problem — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration