Lincoln Navigator 2007–2017
3rd generation · U326 (standard wheelbase); U418 (Navigator L)
NHTSA data through 13 August 2026307 complaints, 188 with mileageMethod
- Reports with mileage
- 188
- Median of reported failures
- 70,000 mi
- Most-reported system
- Electrical system (13.7%)
- Recalls
- 9
Before-you-buy checklist ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 29,784 and 103,000 miles.
Figure 1 · Lincoln Navigator 2007–2017 · 188 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
Complaints per 20,000-mile bin, 0 to 200,000 miles, equal bins on a linear scale. Tallest bar = 37 complaints.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 2 complaints (1.1%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 1,500
- 25%
- 29,784
- Median
- 70,250
- 75%
- 103,000
- 90%
- 134,103
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–20,000 | 37 | 19.7% |
| 20,000–40,000 | 20 | 10.6% |
| 40,000–60,000 | 17 | 9.0% |
| 60,000–80,000 | 37 | 19.7% |
| 80,000–100,000 | 20 | 10.6% |
| 100,000–120,000 | 27 | 14.4% |
| 120,000–140,000 | 14 | 7.4% |
| 140,000–160,000 | 11 | 5.9% |
| 160,000–180,000 | 2 | 1.1% |
| 180,000–200,000 | 1 | 0.5% |
| 200,000+ | 2 | 1.1% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain. Complaint counts reflect what owners reported and are not a measure of failure rate per vehicle sold.
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 307 complaints with NHTSA about the 2007–2017 Lincoln Navigator, and 188 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 29,784 and 103,000 miles. The median is 70,250 miles.
The most-reported areas are the electrical system (13.7% of complaints, typically around 80,000 miles), the transmission and driveline (11.1% of complaints, typically around 72,000 miles), the brakes (9.1% of complaints, typically around 70,000 miles).
9 recall campaigns cover this generation.
If you arrived asking “is it reliable?” — this page answers the version of that question the data can support: which problems owners reported, and at what mileage.
How many miles does a 2007–2017 Lincoln Navigator last?
Half of the failure reports on the 2007–2017 Lincoln Navigator were filed by 70,000 miles and 90% by 134,000 miles — figures drawn from 188 NHTSA complaints that record an odometer reading, so they time reported failures, not the cars whose owners never filed one.
2 reports (1.1%) came in past 200,000 miles — each one proof a Navigator reached that mileage, not that it died there.
Before you buy a 2007–2017 Navigator: the 3-minute check
Generated from 188 mileage-tagged complaints, 9 recall campaigns, 3 documented problem areas. Print this page — the checklist survives print.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 9 campaigns cover this generation; an open recall is a free repair you can make the seller's problem.
- Check spark plugs (5.4l 3-valve) on 2007–2008 cars. Two-piece spark plugs seize and break off in the aluminum heads on removal; Ford returned to one-piece plugs around the 2008-2009 build change, so the problem is concentrated in the earlier years of this generation.
- Check variable cam timing / timing chain (5.4l 3-valve) on 2007–2014 cars. Cam phaser rattle, phaser lock-up and timing chain tensioner/guide wear on the 3-valve 5.4L, producing cold-start rattle and, if ignored, chain jump.
- Check air suspension on 2007–2017 cars. Load-leveling air suspension continues to leak at the air springs and to overwork the compressor across this generation.
- Complaint reports are not spread evenly across model years here — see the by-model-year table below before you settle on a year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car. Aggregate data describes the population; the example in front of you has its own history.
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 30,000 and 103,000 miles, with a median of 70,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the electrical system and the transmission and driveline are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The transmission and driveline in particular shows a median failure mileage of 72,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
What fails, and when
Figure 2 · Lincoln Navigator 2007–2017
When each system fails
Bar spans the middle half of reports; the notch inside each bar is the median. Miles at failure on a proportional scale — equal distances are equal ratios, not equal miles.
- Brakes28 reports70,00058,000–90,000Brakes: 28 reports, median 70,000 miles, middle half 58,000 to 90,000 miles.
- Problems owners could not categorise27 reports72,00054,000–113,000Problems owners could not categorise: 27 reports, median 72,000 miles, middle half 54,000 to 113,000 miles.
- Transmission and driveline34 reports72,00032,000–102,000Transmission and driveline: 34 reports, median 72,000 miles, middle half 32,000 to 102,000 miles.
- Engine18 reports76,00059,000–90,000Engine: 18 reports, median 76,000 miles, middle half 59,000 to 90,000 miles.
- Body structure17 reports78,00027,000–122,000Body structure: 17 reports, median 78,000 miles, middle half 27,000 to 122,000 miles.
- Electrical system42 reports80,00057,000–102,000Electrical system: 42 reports, median 80,000 miles, middle half 57,000 to 102,000 miles.
- Visibility equipment19 reports86,00013,000–122,000Visibility equipment: 19 reports, median 86,000 miles, middle half 13,000 to 122,000 miles.
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it in “Where your car sits”
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first. The first 12,000 miles are shaded: that is the boundary this site uses between a manufacturing defect and ordinary wear, not a property of the world.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 42 | 13.7% | 80,000 | 57,000–102,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 34 | 11.1% | 72,000 | 32,000–102,000 |
| Brakes | 28 | 9.1% | 70,000 | 58,000–90,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 27 | 8.8% | 72,000 | 54,000–113,000 |
| Visibility equipment | 19 | 6.2% | 86,000 | 13,000–122,000 |
| Engine | 18 | 5.9% | 76,000 | 59,000–90,000 |
| Body structure | 17 | 5.5% | 78,000 | 27,000–122,000 |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 16 | 5.2% | 40,000 | 10,000–72,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 13 | 4.2% | 102,000 | 54,000–110,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 11 | 3.6% | — | — |
Where your car sits
Failure reports by the odometer reading they were filed at. Pick the anchor nearest your car — or type the exact mileage: your marker lands on this curve and on the timing chart above.
Figure 3 · Lincoln Navigator 2007–2017 · 188 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Share of mileage-tagged reports filed at or below each odometer reading. Steps rise only at bin edges, by exact counted shares.
- 60,000 mi — 39% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 84% of reports below
- Median — the staircase crosses the 50% line here
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it below
The staircase tops out at 99%: the remaining 1.1% of reports (2) came above 200,000 miles.
Nothing is smoothed or interpolated. Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
At 60,000 miles
39% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
In the reporting window
- Electrical system — middle half 57,000–102,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline — middle half 32,000–102,000 mi
- Brakes — middle half 58,000–90,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — middle half 54,000–113,000 mi
- Visibility equipment — middle half 13,000–122,000 mi
- Engine — middle half 59,000–90,000 mi
- Body structure — middle half 27,000–122,000 mi
At 90,000 miles
65% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Brakes — median 70,000 mi
In the reporting window
- Electrical system — middle half 57,000–102,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline — middle half 32,000–102,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — middle half 54,000–113,000 mi
- Visibility equipment — middle half 13,000–122,000 mi
- Engine — middle half 59,000–90,000 mi
- Body structure — middle half 27,000–122,000 mi
At 120,000 miles
84% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Electrical system — median 80,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline — median 72,000 mi
- Brakes — median 70,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — median 72,000 mi
- Engine — median 76,000 mi
In the reporting window
- Visibility equipment — middle half 13,000–122,000 mi
- Body structure — middle half 27,000–122,000 mi
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 70,250 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The electrical system accounts for 13.7% of complaints (42 reports, 23 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 80,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 57,000 and 102,000 miles.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 11.1% of complaints (34 reports, 23 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 72,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 32,000 and 102,000 miles.
The brakes account for 9.1% of complaints (28 reports, 14 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 70,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 58,000 and 90,000 miles.
Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 8.8% of complaints (27 reports, 12 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 72,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 54,000 and 113,000 miles.
Visibility equipment accounts for 6.2% of complaints (19 reports, 12 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 86,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 13,000 and 122,000 miles.
The engine accounts for 5.9% of complaints (18 reports, 10 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 76,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 59,000 and 90,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2007 model year drew the most — 56 complaints — while 2013 drew the fewest at 20. The median year sits at 32.
The first year of the generation, 2007, sits above the median. That is a common pattern — early production of a redesigned vehicle tends to surface problems that later years do not repeat — and it is worth weighing when choosing between years.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 9 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around the reversing camera and sensors (2), the hydraulic brake circuit (2), visibility equipment (2). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
What owners reported alongside the failure itself, out of 307 complaints against this generation:
- Crashes
- 24 (7.8%)
- Fires
- 12
- Injury reports
- 17
- Fatality reports
- 0
These flags are self-reported by complainants and unverified by NHTSA; one report can carry several flags, so the counts overlap and do not sum to a total. They are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. No chart is drawn here on purpose: overlapping counts spanning very different magnitudes cannot be honestly encoded as lengths.
Documented problems
Spark Plugs (5.4l 3-Valve) 2007–2008
Two-piece spark plugs seize and break off in the aluminum heads on removal; Ford returned to one-piece plugs around the 2008-2009 build change, so the problem is concentrated in the earlier years of this generation.
Variable Cam Timing / Timing Chain (5.4l 3-Valve) 2007–2014
Cam phaser rattle, phaser lock-up and timing chain tensioner/guide wear on the 3-valve 5.4L, producing cold-start rattle and, if ignored, chain jump.
Air Suspension 2007–2017
Load-leveling air suspension continues to leak at the air springs and to overwork the compressor across this generation.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 56 | 49 |
| 2008 | 40 | 30 |
| 2009 | 10 | 8 |
| 2010 | 22 | 13 |
| 2011 | 10 | 7 |
| 2012 | 15 | 9 |
| 2013 | 20 | 11 |
| 2014 | 25 | 18 |
| 2015 | 31 | 14 |
| 2016 | 33 | 18 |
| 2017 | 45 | 11 |
Recalls (9) — is your car included?
Jan 2026 · 2015–2017 · Back Over PreventionA rearview camera that displays an inverted, distorted, or blank image can reduce the driverâ s view behind…
The defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Lincoln MKC, Mustang, F-350 SD, F-250 SD, F-450 SD, 2015-2017 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, 2015-2018 Edge, Transit Connect, 2016-2019 F-550 SD, Transit, 2017-2019 Econoline, and 2019 Ranger vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
What can happen. A rearview camera that displays an inverted, distorted, or blank image can reduce the driverâ s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 13, 2026. Ford owners will receive letters in phases, beginning January 2026 and June 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S89. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 25V270. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning September 8, 2025.
Oct 2025 · 2015 · Back Over PreventionA blank or distorted rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle…
The defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015 F-250, F-350, F-450, Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and MKC vehicles. The rearview camera printed circuit board terminal header connector may be loose or damaged, which can result in a blank or distorted image.
What can happen. A blank or distorted rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 16, 2025. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S42. This recall expands previous recall number 22V-082.
Sep 2025 · 2017 · Service Brakes, HydraulicA brake fluid leak can cause reduced brake function and extend the distance required to stop, increasing the…
The defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2018 F-150, Expedition, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The brake master cylinder may allow brake fluid to leak from the front wheel circuit into the brake booster.
What can happen. A brake fluid leak can cause reduced brake function and extend the distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder. If the master cylinder is leaking, the brake booster will also be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 25, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S37. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 22V-150.
Mar 2025 · 2015–2017 · VisibilityAn electrical short circuit in the exterior mirror increases the risk of fire.
The defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The LED logo lights on the exterior mirrors may short circuit.
What can happen. An electrical short circuit in the exterior mirror increases the risk of fire.
The free fix. Dealers will disconnect the LED light wires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 27, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S08.
Aug 2023 · 2015–2017 · VisibilityFront blower motor failure can increase the risk of a vehicle interior fire.
The defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The front blower motor located behind the glove box may fail.
What can happen. Front blower motor failure can increase the risk of a vehicle interior fire.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the front blower motor assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 4, 2023. Remedy parts are expected to become available in the second quarter of 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S56.
Apr 2022 · 2016–2017 · Service Brakes, HydraulicA loss of brake fluid may result in a change in brake pedal travel, increased pedal effort and reduced front…
The defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and 2016-2018 F-150 vehicles equipped with 3.5L Ecoboost engines. The brake master cylinder may allow brake fluid to leak from the front wheel circuit into the brake booster.
What can happen. A loss of brake fluid may result in a change in brake pedal travel, increased pedal effort and reduced front brake function, requiring greater effort and distance to stop the vehicle. These conditions can increase the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder. If the master cylinder is leaking, the brake booster will also be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. An interim owner notification letter notifying customers of the safety defect were mailed on April 29, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed April 29, 2022. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 20V-332. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S11.
Sep 2016 · 2012 · Power TrainAn unexpected downshift into first gear can cause the vehicle to slow down suddenly without warning and the…
The defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford F-150 trucks, 2012 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and Ford Mustang vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with an automatic transmission that may unexpectedly downshift to first gear, regardless of vehicle speed.
What can happen. An unexpected downshift into first gear can cause the vehicle to slow down suddenly without warning and the rear tires may slide or lock, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module with updated software, free of charge. The recall began on September 19, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S19.
Jun 2012 · 2012 · Exterior LightingIf this condition exists, the transmission may not go into reverse or when the driver pushes the shift lever…
The defect. Ford is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford F-150, 2012 expedition and Lincoln Navigator, and 2012-2013 mustang vehicles, for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard nos. 102, "Transmission shift lever sequence, starter interlock, and transmission braking effect" and 108 â“lamps, reflective devices and associated equipment.” these vehicles may have a transmission range sensor (trs) that was calibrated out of specification for reverse gear.
What can happen. If this condition exists, the transmission may not go into reverse or when the driver pushes the shift lever in the reverse â“râ” position and the vehicleâ’s transmission does go in reverse, the â“râ” may not illuminate on the dashboard of the F-150, expedition, or Navigator models and/or the backup lamp on the rear of the F-150, expedition, Navigator, or mustang vehicles may not illuminate. These conditions increase the risk of a crash or a pedestrian being struck due to the vehicleâ’s not signaling it is in reverse.
The free fix. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the trs as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began on june 11, 2012. Owners may contact Ford motor company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332.
Feb 2012 · 2012 · SeatsIn the event of a crash, the seat head restraint may not provide the required strength, increasing the risk…
The defect. Ford is recalling certain model year 2012 expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles, manufactured from november 19, 2011, through december 2, 2011, for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 202, "Head restraints." These vehicles may have inadequate welds on the head restraint support brackets for the second row, right-hand seat.
What can happen. In the event of a crash, the seat head restraint may not provide the required strength, increasing the risk of injury.
The free fix. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the head restraints as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began on february 21, 2012. Owners may contact Ford motor company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332.
What owners reported
the contact owns a 2007 Lincoln Navigator. While driving the vehicle at night, the contact is blinded by the glare from oncoming vehicles and cannot change lanes. The contact believes that because the dashboard is black, the lights from the dashboard are affecting her visibility. She stated that when the sun shines on…
2007 · 100 miles · Visibility equipment
On 07/26/07, while driving our brand-new Navigator, (purchased new on 07/06/07) all dash lights flickered and brake pedal would not engage. A cracking noise coming from the brake pedal sounded, and the light showing a car with squiggly lines flashed. After several attempts to engage the brakes, we were finally able to…
2007 · 1,000 miles · Electronic brake control
the contact owns a 2007 Lincoln Navigator. While the vehicle was parked, the contact heard a popping noise followed by a loud explosion. He noticed that the vehicle was on fire. He then heard more popping sounds and noticed that the vehicle was completely engulfed in flames. The fire destroyed the vehicle and melted…
2007 · 1,500 miles · Engine and its cooling system
Built from 188 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-18 · open data · reproduce this page