Last updated: 2026-10-10
2023 Lincoln Navigator Reliability Report
The 2023 Lincoln Navigator has good reliability, but owners report screen and backup camera glitches, and it trails other 2023 SUVs.
Recalls
8
Complaints
5
Complaint Rate
2.8per 10,000 sold
Est. Repair Cost
$1089
Annual Fuel Cost
$3,150–$3,500
Detailed Score Breakdown
Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume
Independent repair cost ratings
Recall count weighted by severity
Breadth of reported problem categories
The Verdict
Fewer owner complaints than 2022 or 2024, mostly screen and backup camera glitches, with 8 federal recalls on record.
Top Issues to Watch
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (3)
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING (1)
Generation & Refresh (US)
2023 is 1 year after the 2022 refresh refresh.
- Year 6 in the Fourth generation (2018) (2018–2024).
- Well-established in its generation — most early issues should be resolved.
- 4th generation Navigator (US).
What this means for buyers
Post-refresh years tend to be among the most refined — updates have been applied and early kinks worked out.
2018: Fourth generation (2018) Launch
Generation start — new platform.
2022: Mid-Cycle Refresh
Updated features and styling tweaks.
2022: Mid-Cycle Refresh
Updated features and styling tweaks.
2023: This Model Year
2023 is 1 year after the 2022 refresh refresh.
Should You Buy the 2023 Lincoln Navigator?
Reliability is good, though this year sits below average among 2023 SUVs and in the middle of the Navigator's nine scored years. Owners filed only 5 complaints, against 16 for 2022 and 14 for 2024. Estimated yearly repair cost for the model is $1089, a little under the $1127 class figure.
Electrical trouble accounts for three complaints. The center screen and backup camera load slowly, freeze, or never come on. One owner lost the electronic systems at highway speed with no warning lights. Others report a vehicle that sometimes will not start and running boards that open and close on their own. Problems showed up on a nearly new vehicle and again past 43,200 miles. Federal records show 8 recalls, including back over prevention, service brakes, and power train.
Ask for proof that every recall was completed. Test the screen and camera cold, several times. The 2022 and 2024 years rate about the same, so price and recall history can decide.
Compared to the 2024 Lincoln Navigator, which scored 1 points higher. See also the 2022 Lincoln Navigator for an earlier comparison.
Pros
- +Acceptable reliability score
- +$38 cheaper to maintain than avg luxury fullsize SUVs
- +Below-average complaint rate for SUV
Cons
- −Above-average recall count
- −ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: Center screen and backup camera are slow to load at startup, freeze, or never... (3 complaints)
Compare 2023 Lincoln Navigator With
2023 Cadillac Escalade
Reliability: 56/100
2023 Nissan Armada
Reliability: 75/100
2023 GMC Yukon
Reliability: 61/100
2023 Chevrolet Suburban
Reliability: 65/100
Common Problem Categories
Safety
LOW RISK- 8 manufacturer recalls issued
Other
MODERATE- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (3)
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING (1)
Recall Overview
8
recalls on record
The 2023 Lincoln Navigator has 8 recalls on record, which is above average. A high count can flag multiple component concerns, though it also shows the manufacturer is actively addressing known issues.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
2.8
per 10,000 soldSegment avg: 11.3
Safety Incidents
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.
2023 Lincoln Navigator Recall Details
8 recalls have been issued for the 2023 Lincoln Navigator. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.
VISIBILITY
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, and 2022-2023 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, and F-600 SD vehicles. The windshield wiper arms may break, causing the wipers to fail.
Consequence
Windshield wiper failure can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the wiper arms, as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, are expected to be mailed April 13, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S24.Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 1, 2026.
BACK OVER PREVENTION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2025 Lincoln Navigator, 2024-2025 Lincoln Nautilus, 2025 Lincoln Aviator and Explorer vehicles. The Image Processing Module A (IPMA) may experience multiple unexpected resets, resulting in loss of the rearview camera image and advanced driver assistance (ADAS) features, including pre-collision assist, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring.
Consequence
Loss of the rearview camera image and certain driver assistance features, can reduce the driver’s ability to detect hazards, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
The Image Processing Module A software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 30, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S21. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning March 25, 2026.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 F-150, 2022-2026 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, Maverick, 2024-2026 Ranger, 2023-2026 F-600 SD, 2022-2027 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, and 2026 E-Transit vehicles. When towing a trailer, the integrated trailer module (ITRM) may lose communication with the vehicle, possibly causing a loss of brake and turn signal lights, or a loss of brake function. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence
Trailer lights or brakes that do not function can reduce the driver’s ability to control the trailer and decrease the trailers visibility to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
The integrated trailer module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 25, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C10. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning March 17, 2026.
Buying a used 2023 Lincoln Navigator? Check its history first
Electrical system problems lead owner complaints about the 2023 Lincoln Navigator, and 8 recalls were issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
2023 Lincoln Navigator NHTSA Safety Ratings
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)
Gas Powertrain
Rollover risk: 21.2%
Safety Technologies
Lincoln NavigatorRepair Costs & Maintenance
Maintenance Rating
2.5Maintenance rating: 2.5 out of 5Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.
Est. Annual Maintenance
$1089
vs $1127 avg for luxury fullsize SUVs
vs $652 avg for all vehicles
Repair Frequency
0.4
unscheduled repair visits per year
Severe Repair Probability
18%
chance of a major repair
Annual Cost Comparison
Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.
MPG & Annual Running Costs
Gas
17–19 MPG
Running cost: $4,250–$4,600/yr
Fuel + repair
15–17 city / 21–23 hwy MPG
Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2023 EPA label cycle.
Gas trims
| Trim | Drive | Trans. | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Navigator 2WD 3.5L 6-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,150 |
| Navigator 2WD 3.5L 6-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 16 | 23 | 19 | $3,150 |
| Navigator 4WD 3.5L 6-cyl | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,300 |
| Navigator 4WD 3.5L 6-cyl | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 15 | 21 | 17 | $3,500 |
Used Buying Checklist
Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2023 Lincoln Navigator.
Start the vehicle several times over the test drive and confirm it cranks and starts every time.
After each start, time how long the center screen and backup camera take to come on.
Shift into reverse several times and confirm the camera image appears, stays live, and does not freeze.
Open and close each door and watch for running boards moving on their own.
Drive at highway speed and confirm the screen and camera keep working the whole time.
Ask for service records showing any infotainment, camera, no-start, or running board repairs.
2023 Lincoln Navigator Common Problems by Component
5 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
3 complaintsThe center screen and backup camera are slow to load at startup, freeze, or never come on. One report describes the electronic systems going dead at highway speed with no warning lights. Other complaints describe a vehicle that sometimes will not start and power running boards that open and close by themselves. Only 3 complaints are on file, and no mileage pattern shows up: one problem began on a nearly new vehicle, and another came past 43,200 miles. A dead camera takes away a key aid for backing up safely.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1 complaintWhen the car starts the head lights run through a series of motion checks, they go left, right down and then back up. We run into an issue every few weeks where the headlights stay in the down position. This happened with our car and a loaner we received from the dealership. I do have video of the issue. That shows the lights stuck down, when you restart the car the lights run the motion checks and come back up as they should. When the lights stay in the down position they only illuminate about 30' in front of the car.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1 complaint2023 Lincoln Navigator power running boards defaulting to off, even when turned to auto will automatically switch to off. The dealership has no idea what the problem is. Risher Lincoln Hot Springs Arkansas We have had the car less than 2 months
Best & Worst Lincoln Navigator Years
Best Lincoln Navigator Years to Buy
Based on reliability index score2024
2023
(Current Model)
2022
Lincoln Navigator Years to Avoid
No Lincoln Navigator years are statistical outliers in our data.
Scores stay between 59 and 71 across 9 scored model years.
Lincoln Navigator Reliability Score Trend
Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 59/100 | Mixed |
| 2019 | 59/100 | Mixed |
| 2020 | 60/100 | Good |
| 2021 | 60/100 | Good |
| 2022 | 61/100 | Good |
| 2023 | 63/100 | Good |
| 2024 | 64/100 | Good |
| 2025 | 64/100 | Good |
| 2026 | 71/100 | Good |
Lincoln Navigator Reliability Compared to Other Years
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2023 Lincoln Navigator reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Lincoln Navigator?
Does the 2023 Lincoln Navigator have backup camera problems?
How many recalls does the 2023 Lincoln Navigator have?
Is the 2023 Lincoln Navigator better than the 2022 or 2024?
Don’t buy a 2023 Lincoln Navigator without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.
How we score the 2023 Lincoln Navigator
Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2023 Lincoln Navigator does best on how many systems draw complaints (74/100) and worst on repair costs (50/100). Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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