Last updated: 2026-10-10

Lincoln Navigator

Lincoln Navigator Years to Avoid

9 scored model years (2018–2026) · model average 62/100

No Navigator year is a clear one to avoid. Reliability is fairly even across the years, and what changes is the complaint load. The 2018 and 2019 models draw the most owner complaints, led by transmission trouble. Buy the 2024.

Verdict

Avoid
No outlier years
Buy
2024 64/100
Model average
62/100
See best year ↓See all years ranked ↓

What Are Common Lincoln Navigator Problems?

POWER TRAIN

45 complaints

Most reported in 2019, 2018, 2020

2019: The 10-speed automatic slips, hesitates, and sticks in the wrong gear, then slams into gear late.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

28 complaints

Most reported in 2022, 2019, 2018

2022: The center screen goes black or reboots, sometimes while driving, and takes down audio, massage seats, and the power running boards with it.

ENGINE

20 complaints

Most reported in 2019, 2018, 2021

2019: Cold starts bring a loud rattle, ticking, and shaking.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

17 complaints

Most reported in 2019, 2018, 2021

2019: Power windows lower on their own, sometimes several times in a few days.

SEAT BELTS

12 complaints

Most reported in 2019, 2018

2019: Seat belt pretensioners fire without a crash.

STEERING

10 complaints

Most reported in 2018, 2021, 2019

2018: Clunking or metal-on-metal noises come from under the steering column when the wheel is turned, and in one case right after shutoff.

Best Lincoln Navigator Year to Buy Instead

64
GoodReliability score: 64 out of 100, rated Good

2024 Lincoln Navigator

The 2024 has far fewer owner complaints for the number sold than 2018 and 2019. Its main complaint is a highway vibration, not the transmission trouble that leads 2018 through 2020. It has also been on the road long enough to judge. Test drive it at highway speed.

Score: 64/100 (Good)7 recalls14 complaints
View full 2024reliability report →
VIN History Report

Found a Safe Year? Check the Specific Car

Even the 2024 Lincoln Navigator has 7 recalls on file. A VIN check confirms the recall work on the exact car and shows its accident, title, and service history.

No VIN? Just hit “Check VIN” to look one up.

  • Accidents
  • Open Recalls
  • Title History
  • Odometer Rollback

All Lincoln Navigator Years by Generation

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Lincoln Navigator years should I avoid?
None is well below the model's own average. The 2018 and 2019 models are the weakest, with the most owner complaints for the number sold. If you want the safest pick, choose 2024 over those two.
Which Lincoln Navigator years have transmission problems?
Power train complaints, mostly transmission faults, are heaviest in 2018 and 2019 at 14 each, and 2020 follows with 13. They drop sharply in later years, with 2021 at 4 and 2024 at 1. Reports include slamming shifts and sudden power loss on the highway.
Is the 2024 Lincoln Navigator a safe buy despite its vibration complaints?
It is still the best pick, but test drive it carefully. Five suspension complaints describe a steering wheel and seat vibration at highway speeds that tire and balance work did not cure. None of those reports mentions a crash or loss of control.
Are the 2025 and 2026 Lincoln Navigators better than 2024?
Do not assume so. The 2026 shows no owner complaints, but it is too new to prove anything, since complaints build up over time. The 2025 also has a short record. The 2024 has a longer track record to judge.
Which Lincoln Navigator years have fire reports?
Fire reports appear in three model years. The 2018 has three, the 2020 has two, and the 2022 has one. One report traced a fire to a failed cooling hose connector and overheating. Another involved a heated seat that left burn marks.

How we score every Lincoln Navigator model year

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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