Which has more recalls, the Ford Expedition or the Lincoln Navigator?

The Ford Expedition has more recalls (84) compared to the Lincoln Navigator (68). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.

Which has fewer owner complaints, the Ford Expedition or the Lincoln Navigator?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Lincoln Navigator has a lower complaint rate at 6.2 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 27.5 for the Ford Expedition. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Which is cheaper to maintain, the Ford Expedition or the Lincoln Navigator?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Ford Expedition is cheaper to maintain at $861/year versus $1089/year for the Lincoln Navigator.

Is the Ford Expedition or Lincoln Navigator safer?

Both the Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.

Last updated: 2026-07-26

Ford Expedition vs Lincoln Navigator: Reliability Compared

Ford Expedition

Good

More Reliable

Lincoln Navigator

Good

Choosing between the Ford Expedition and the Lincoln Navigator? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two full-size suvs.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Lincoln Navigator currently leads with an average score of 62/100 compared to 61/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator Generations Compare?

As of July 2026, both the Lincoln Navigator and Ford Expedition are in their fifth generations, introduced in 2025. Being early in their generation cycles, buyers might encounter typical first-year issues that can affect reliability, as manufacturers often address these in subsequent model years. The Navigator's previous fourth generation ran from 2018 to 2024, with a significant refresh in 2022, suggesting that the platform had become quite mature and well-sorted by its end. Similarly, the Expedition's fourth generation spanned the same period, benefiting from a stable design by its conclusion. Both models have a history of substantial updates, which can enhance reliability over time.

Verdict

The Lincoln Navigator is more reliable than the Ford Expedition, scoring 62/100 vs 61/100.

The Lincoln Navigator and Ford Expedition both show comparable reliability scores, with the Navigator slightly ahead at 62/100 compared to the Expedition's 61/100. However, the Navigator has a lower owner complaint rate of 6.2 per 10,000 sold versus the Expedition's 27.5, indicating a more favorable owner experience. Despite this, the Expedition benefits from lower estimated annual repair costs at $861 compared to the Navigator's $1089. While the Navigator edges out in reliability and owner satisfaction, the Expedition offers a more economical maintenance profile, making them closely matched contenders in the full-size SUV segment.

Key Differences

1Ford Expedition costs $228 less per year to repair
2Lincoln Navigator has 21.3 fewer complaints per 10k sold
3Lincoln Navigator has 16 fewer total recalls

Category Scoreboard

3Ford Expedition

—

3Lincoln Navigator

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair RiskSafety Rating

Ford Expedition vs Lincoln Navigator: Which Is More Reliable?

Ford Expedition vs Lincoln Navigator at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Ford Expedition	Lincoln Navigator
Reliability Score	61/100	62/100
Years Tracked	9	9
Total Recalls	84	68
Complaints per 10k Sold	27.5	6.2
Annual Repair Cost	$861/yr	$1089/yr
Repair Frequency	0.2/yr	0.4/yr
Major Repair Risk	15%	18%
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	3 (2 tied)	4 (2 tied)

What Are the Common Problems With the Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator?

The Lincoln Navigator and Ford Expedition exhibit distinct problem profiles, with the Expedition having a significantly higher number of total complaints. The Ford Expedition's most prevalent issue lies in the power train, with 679 complaints, including 5 crash-linked incidents, which is notably higher than the Navigator's 45 complaints. Additionally, the Expedition reports more issues related to the engine and service brakes, with the latter involving 7 crash-linked complaints, highlighting a potential safety concern. Conversely, the Lincoln Navigator shows fewer overall complaints, but the electrical system remains a significant area of concern with 28 complaints, including 2 linked to crashes.

Ford Expedition vs Lincoln Navigator common problem areas comparison
Component	Ford Expedition	Lincoln Navigator
POWER TRAIN	11.2Above Avg	1.4Low
ENGINE	2.7Low	0.6Very Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	2.3Low	0.5Very Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	1.9Low	0.9Very Low
SEAT BELTS	1.2Low	0.4Very Low
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	1Very Low	—None
STRUCTURE	0.7Very Low	—None
SUSPENSION	0.4Very Low	0.2Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.6Very Low	—None
AIR BAGS	0.5Very Low	0.1Very Low
STEERING	0.3Very Low	0.3Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.5Very Low	—None
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	0.4Very Low	—None
VISIBILITY	0.3Very Low	0.1Very Low
BACK OVER PREVENTION	—None	0.2Very Low
SEATS	0.1Very Low	—None
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	0.1Very Low	—None
FUEL SYSTEM	0.1Very Low	—None
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	0.1Very Low	—None
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	0.1Very Low

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Ford Expedition or Lincoln Navigator?

For cost-conscious buyers, the Ford Expedition presents a more economical choice in terms of maintenance and repair costs. With an annual repair cost of $861, it saves owners $228 per year compared to the Lincoln Navigator, amounting to a $1,140 difference over five years. Additionally, the Expedition has a lower repair frequency of 0.2 visits per year versus the Navigator's 0.4, suggesting fewer disruptions. The major repair risk is also lower for the Expedition at 15%, compared to the Navigator's 18%. These factors collectively make the Ford Expedition a more appealing option for those looking to minimize ownership costs.

How Does Ford Expedition vs Lincoln Navigator Reliability Compare by Year?

Ford Expedition vs Lincoln Navigator year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Ford Expedition	Lincoln Navigator	Edge
2026	71/1001R / 6C	71/1002R / 0C	Tie
2025	71/1005R / 27C	64/1006R / 7C	Ford Expedition
2024	68/1007R / 68C	64/1007R / 14C	Ford Expedition
2023	67/1008R / 62C	63/1008R / 5C	Ford Expedition
2022	61/10012R / 106C	61/10013R / 16C	Tie
2021	57/10012R / 214C	60/10010R / 26C	Lincoln Navigator
2020	52/10016R / 370C	60/10011R / 24C	Lincoln Navigator
2019	53/10011R / 455C	59/1004R / 58C	Lincoln Navigator
2018	52/10012R / 358C	59/1007R / 45C	Lincoln Navigator

Best years to cross-shop: The 2026 Ford Expedition scored 71/100 and the 2026 Lincoln Navigator scored 71/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Ford Expedition vs the Lincoln Navigator?

If you prioritize low running costs and less frequent repairs, the Ford Expedition might be your better choice. With a lower estimated annual repair cost of $861 and a repair frequency of 0.2 times per year, it offers a more budget-friendly ownership experience. Additionally, the Expedition carries a slightly lower major repair risk at 15%, making it a safer bet for those concerned about significant repair expenses. On the other hand, if you value reliability and want to minimize owner complaints, consider the Lincoln Navigator. It boasts a slightly higher reliability score of 62/100 and fewer owner complaints per 10,000 sold at 6.2 compared to the Expedition's 27.5. While it has a higher repair cost of $1089 and more frequent repairs, its overall reliability and fewer recalls could mean a more dependable ride in the long run.

Ford Expedition vs Lincoln Navigator: Common Questions

Is the Ford Expedition more reliable than the Lincoln Navigator?: Based on our data, the Lincoln Navigator is more reliable with an average score of 62/100 compared to 61/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Ford Expedition or the Lincoln Navigator?: The Ford Expedition has more recalls (84) compared to the Lincoln Navigator (68). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
Which has fewer owner complaints, the Ford Expedition or the Lincoln Navigator?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Lincoln Navigator has a lower complaint rate at 6.2 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 27.5 for the Ford Expedition. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Ford Expedition or the Lincoln Navigator?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Ford Expedition is cheaper to maintain at $861/year versus $1089/year for the Lincoln Navigator.
Is the Ford Expedition or Lincoln Navigator safer?: Both the Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.

More Ford Expedition comparisons

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More Lincoln Navigator comparisons

Lincoln Navigator vs Cadillac Escalade reliability Lincoln Navigator vs Toyota Sequoia reliability Lincoln Navigator vs GMC Yukon reliability Lincoln Navigator vs Nissan Armada reliability Lincoln Navigator reliability by year Lincoln Navigator years to avoid

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How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.

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