Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full
Data refreshed
Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
30
Latest Dec 23, 2025
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
1
Reports on file since Nov 13, 2007
What this page shows
Our database holds 30 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2008 Lincoln Navigator. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaints, most recent first
Showing 1–25 of 30 · page 1 of 2
Brakes
Filed Dec 23, 2025
The brake booster vacuum hose attached to the intake manifold fitting swelled over time and was close to detaching from the intake manifold fitting. This condition could allow the hose to detach from the fitting during an engine backfire, resulting in loss of power brake assist and increased brake pedal effort. As a result, stopping distance may increase and potentially result in a crash.
NHTSA ID
11706694
Incident
Dec 22, 2025
Body & structureElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jun 11, 2025
Unknown, got towed, stolen
NHTSA ID
11666210
Incident
Mar 6, 2025
Electrical
Filed Mar 12, 2022
Turning signals don't work. I bought this used 2008 Lincoln Navigator with the written text on my phone that said the used car lot took the vehicle to their mechanic and he said he had fixed the problem. I called him (the mechanic) upset and said the used car lot said he fixed the problem. He said he didn't say that; the signals could not be fixed without certain parts (computer parts) that are not available from anywhere. The parts are not being made and the re-conditioned parts are not available from re-conditioned businesses. I did sign an "as is" bill of sale with the understanding they would fix the signals. I have saved those text on my cells phone. They initially took responsibility of the defected signals by asking the mechanic to replace the signal arm. That didn't fix the problem. If they did this to me, they would do it to others. Now I have an unsafe vehicle that I should not drive. I also took this vehicle to a Lincoln dealership who confirmed what their mechanic stated.
NHTSA ID
11456440
Incident
Jan 13, 2022
Other / unspecified
Filed Mar 16, 2020
FACTORY CHROME PAINTED WHEELS PEELING CAUSED TIRE BLOWOUT ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CHROME SEPARATES FROM THE ALUMINUM WHEEL AND THE TIRE STARTS TO LOSE AIR OR IN MY CASE BLOW OUT. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY RISK AND THERE'S NOT ANYTHING I'M ABLE TO DO. THIS IS HAPPENING WITH MANY OTHER LINCOLN VEHICLES THAT HAVE CHROME PAINTED WHEELS FROM 2007 TO 2014. LINCOLN HAS NO ANSWERS FOR ME AND SUGGEST I ORDER FACTORY WHEELS. NEW FACTORY WHEELS WILL JUST START PEELING AGAIN.
NHTSA ID
11318186
Incident
Mar 14, 2020
Mileage
137,000 mi
ElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Jun 26, 2019
MY FRONT DRIVER SEAT WON'T GO BACK OR FORWARD. AND MY RUNNING BOARD IS NOT WORKING ANY MORE. ON THE DRIVER SIDE WON'T COME OUT ANY MORE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE STUCK OUT AND WON'T GO BACK IN. I TOOK IT TO MY MANICA AND HE SAID IT'S A RECALL ON THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
NHTSA ID
11222770
Incident
May 2, 2019
Mileage
158,188 mi
Driver assistance
Filed May 7, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD BECOME STUCK. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL MORE THAN ONCE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000.
NHTSA ID
11206093
Incident
May 1, 2019
Mileage
141,000 mi
Body & structureSteering
Filed Jan 11, 2019
AFTER TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL THE STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT RETURN TO CENTER, IT MUST BE BROUGHT BACK MANUALLY. SECOND, THE ROCKER PANELS FRONT AND BACK ARE RUSTED OUT COMPLETELY AND I WORRY ABOUT INTEGRITY AND SAFETY OF THE FRAME.
NHTSA ID
11166569
Incident
Aug 1, 2018
Mileage
122,000 mi
Filed Apr 4, 2017
A WRENCH APPEARS ON MY DASH BOARD, AND THE CAR STARTS TO SLOW DOWN IN TRAFFIC.
NHTSA ID
10970583
Incident
Jun 1, 2016
Mileage
170,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 21, 2016
THE BRAKES DO NOT ALWAYS FUNCTION. PEDAL GOES DOWN TO FLOOR. BROUGHT TO LINCOLNS ATTENTION LAST APRIL, JUNE AND JULY. WE HAVE NOTES AND LETTERS WITH HEATHER CARLYLE FROM LINCOLN MOTOR COMPANY
NHTSA ID
10917886
Incident
Apr 26, 2016
Mileage
37,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 12, 2016
THE SUV GOT A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND WRENCH SYMBOL(POWER TRAIN) AND BEGAN TO JERK AFTER STOPS AT RED LIGHTS OR STOP SIGNS WHILE HEADING TO THE EXPRESSWAY. IT LOST POWER COMPLETELY,WHILE IN MOTION AND NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT ON THE BELT PKWY. I HAD THE GAS PEDAL FULLY PRESSED DOWN AND COULDN'T ACCELERATE SUDDENLY. I HAD TO DRIVE WITH ON FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE OTHER ON THE GAS TO KEEP CONTROL OF THE SUV AND WAS AFRAID IF BE REAR ENDED OR WORST AT HIGH SPEED. I GOT OFF AT THE NEAREST EXIT ON THE WAY HOME AND SHUT IT OFF. I LET IT REST A FEW MINUTES AND CUT BACK ON AND IT DROVE LIKE NORMAL WITH LOW RPM'S AND A CONSTANT SHUTTERING OR PINGING FEELING AND SOUND. I BROUGHT THE SUV TO JAMAICA NY LINCOLN/FORD SERVICE CENTER WHO TOOK THE SUV FOR CLOSE TO 1 MONTH AND GAVE IT BACK STATING "IT NEEDS A THROTTLE BODY". NOTHING ELSE IS WRONG WITH IT. IT'S NOT A TRANSMISSION ISSUE, OR ELECTRONICAL ISSUE ITS THE ENGINE. THEY ALSO SAID ALOT OF FORD VEHICLES HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUES AND IT WAS A FAULTY THROTTLE BODY. I'VE CHANGED THIS SUV'S ENGINE, TRANNY, CONVERTERS, SPARK PLUGS, COILS, ETC ETC ETC. THE SERVICE RECORDS FROM PURCHASE DATE, YEAR TO DATE ARE SO LONG IT'S STUNNING! EVERY 90 DAYS IT HAS HAD TO BE SERVICED FOR SOME REASON OR ANOTHER. I FOUND MY SELF OUT OF IT FOR 1 MONTH EVERY QUARTER OF A YEAR. THAT'S RIDICULOUS!!! LINCOLN/FORD HASN'T DONE MUCH TO HELP ME AND I'VE PURCHASED SEVERAL VEHICLES FROM THE SAME DEALERSHIP. SMH. I'VE WENT TO PRIVATE MECHANICS WHO BELIEVE IT'S THE TRANNY AGAIN, AND SOME LEAN YEARS THE THROTTLE BODY UNIT. NOBODY CAN EVEN GIVE ME AN EXACT ANSWER AS TO WHAT IT IS AND A SOLUTION TO MY SUV NIGHTMARE! I'VE ALREADY WASTED $500.00. ANYWAY YOU CAN ASSIST ME OR HELP ME WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANKS FOR LISTENING.
NHTSA ID
10915602
Incident
Aug 28, 2016
Mileage
124,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Sep 22, 2016
VEHICLE HAD COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE 5 TIMES DURING NORMAL OPERATIONS. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BY FORD DEALERSHIP AND RECOMMENDED BRAKE REPAIRS AND/OR UNABLE TO REPRODUCE. UPON LAST TIME, TECHNICIAN FOUND A FORD SERVICE BULLETIN THAT COVERED OTHER SIMILAR MODELS AND YEARS HAVING EXACT SAME PROBLEM. THEY REPLACED THE TRACTION CONTROL MODULE, BUT STATED THAT IT WAS A VOLUNTARY REPLACEMENT. LOSING BRAKES ON A 6,000 POUND CAR GOING 30MPH IS A RECIPE FOR SERIOUS DEATH OR INJURY. THIS COMPONENT SHOULD BE RECALLED. THE CAR HAS FULL PAPERWORK FROM PREVIOUS BRAKE REPAIRS, PREVIOUS REQUEST FOR BRAKE REPAIRS AND THE CURRENT REPLACEMENT OF THE TRACTION CONTROL MODULE BLACK BOX. THERE ARE OTHER CAR OWNERS ONLINE THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE INCLUDING SEVERAL THAT WON LEMON LAW LAWSUITS. LINCOLN REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE FAULTY COMPONENT AND STATES THAT THE REPLACEMENT WAS CUSTOMER REQUESTED AND VOLUNTARY WITH NO CONCERN THAT THEIR VEHICLE LOSES BRAKES. DISCUSSIONS WITH THE LINCOLN "CONCIERGE" CUSTOMER SERVICE ARE RECORDED. FAILURES HAPPENED WHEN CAR WAS TRAVELING 30MPH AND BRAKING ON A DOWNHILL SLOPE. TECHNICIAN SUGGESTED THAT DURING SUCH A BRAKE FAILURE TO TURN OFF THE TRACTION CONTROL WHICH IS AN UNREASONABLE REQUEST. THE COMPANY DOES NOT SEEM TO BE TAKING THE LOSS OF BRAKES THAT COULD RESULT IN DEATH OR INJURY SERIOUSLY.
NHTSA ID
10908828
Incident
Sep 1, 2016
Mileage
60,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 23, 2016
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED TO SLOW THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, A LOUD GRINDING NOISE AND PEDAL SHUDDER WAS FELT. BRAKE POWER DIMINISHED, AND THE ANTI-SKID LIGHT ILLUMINATED. ONCE OFF THE PEDAL, THE CAR COASTED FOR A FEW SECONDS. THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED, AND THE SYSTEM WENT BACK TO NORMAL. FORD IS UNABLE TO FIND AN ISSUE WITH THE SYSTEM OR DUPLICATE THE EVENT. ABS WAS NOT ENGAGED IN THIS SITUATION. GRADUAL BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO SLOW THE VEHICLE, NOT COME TO ABRUPT STOP. HOWEVER, THE CAR WAS UNABLE TO SLOW DUE TO THE MALFUNCTION.
NHTSA ID
10876223
Incident
Jun 1, 2016
Mileage
128,000 mi
BrakesOther / unspecified
Filed Feb 22, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED AT LOW SPEEDS THE VEHICLE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD AND FAILED TO RESPOND. IN ADDITION, THE TRACTION CONTROL AND THE MAINTENANCE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER A FEW MINUTES, THE BRAKE PEDAL FUNCTIONED NORMALLY AND AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, IT OPERATED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.
NHTSA ID
10837550
Incident
Jan 11, 2016
Mileage
60,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 29, 2016
BROKEN SPARK PLUGS
NHTSA ID
10822972
Incident
Jan 28, 2016
Airbags
Filed May 13, 2015
Crash reported2 injuries reported
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. WHILE DRIVING AT 37 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER IN THE OTHER VEHICLE SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.
NHTSA ID
10716234
Incident
May 1, 2015
Mileage
101,000 mi
Steering
Filed Dec 9, 2014
STEERING WHEEL - FELT LOOSE UNATTACHED PARTS RATTLING AGAINST EACH OTHER IN STEERING ASSEMBLY WHEN CROSSING RAILROAD TRACKS OR UNEVEN PAVEMENT. *TR
NHTSA ID
10663173
Incident
Mar 28, 2012
Mileage
46,850 mi
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Oct 1, 2014
RUNNING BOARD MOTOR FAILURE BILATERALLY, JUST LIKE 2004 MODEL. REAR WINDOW LEAKS FROM TOP MOULDING., JUST LIKE 2004 MODEL. REAR LIFT DOOR RUST RIGHT UNDER THE WINDOW, JUST LIKE 2004 MODEL. *TR
NHTSA ID
10640652
Incident
Jun 7, 2013
Mileage
100,000 mi
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Mar 18, 2014
MOTORS IN SIDE STEP BOARDS STOP WORKING. BUTTON TO CONTROL TRUNK DON'T WORK. BACK REAR GATE KEEPS CLOSING HAS HIT THE KIDS AND MYSELF MANY TIMES TRYING TO GET THINGS OUT OF BACK. CASING AROUND DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE VEHICLE AND THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING! I SEE OTHER NAVIGATORS WITH THE RUNNING BOARDS OUT! THESE ITEMS SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR
NHTSA ID
10573051
Incident
Oct 16, 2012
Electrical
Filed Jun 7, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE PANEL LIGHTING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE IT WAS STATED THE FUSE BOX IN THE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *TR
NHTSA ID
10515631
Incident
Jun 7, 2012
Electrical
Filed Dec 1, 2012
SIDE STEP BOARDS DON'T WORK. WINDOWS STOP WORKING DUE TO THE DESIGN OF VEHICLE AND WATER GETTING IN. POWER HEATING AND COOLING SEATS DON'T WORK. BACK REAR GATE KEEPS CLOSING HAS HIT THE KIDS AND MYSELF MANY TIMES TRYING TO GET ITEMS OUT OF BACK. CASING AROUND DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE VEHICLE THESE COMPLAINT ARE MADE BY NUMEROUS PEOPLE OWNING THIS VEHICLE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR
NHTSA ID
10486669
Incident
Mar 10, 2012
Mileage
60,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 2, 2012
MY BRAKES WILL FAIL WITHOUT ANY WARNING. I WILL BE DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY BRAKES WON'T WORK. THE ANTI-SKID LIGHT WILL GO ON ALONG WITH GRINDING NOISES. IT FEELS LIKE I AM PRESSING A STAKE DOWN THROUGH ROCKS AS I PRESS DOWN ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. DURING THIS TIME, I HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE BRAKES AND I PANIC THAT THE CAR WILL NOT STOP. AFTER A FEW SECONDS, THE BRAKES WORK ONCE AGAIN. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES FOR THIS ISSUE AND THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO FIX IT. THE SITUATION KEEPS HAPPENING. THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE WAS IN JANUARY, 2012. I AM VERY SCARED TO DRIVE THIS CAR. I HAVE BEEN VERY FORTUNATE THAT ANOTHER CAR HASN'T BEEN CLOSE BY WHEN MY BRAKES HAVE FAILED. *KB
NHTSA ID
10446213
Incident
Dec 7, 2009
Mileage
29,784 mi
Visibility
Filed Aug 26, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT 2008 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR MALFUNCTIONED MAKING BOTH WINDOWS INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER REPLACED BOTH REGULATORS. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE WINDOW REGULATORS AND THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED HIM THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE WINDOW REGULATOR IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,208.
NHTSA ID
10421649
Incident
Aug 26, 2011
Mileage
65,208 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 16, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM WOULD CONTINUOUSLY PROVIDE ERRONEOUS DIRECTIONS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. THE CONTACT DECLINED, STATING THAT HE DID NOT BELIEVE THAT THE UPDATE WOULD CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
NHTSA ID
10407147
Incident
Jun 5, 2011
Mileage
20,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Jan 31, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LINCLON NAVIGATOR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND JERKED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE CALIBRATION WAS REPROGRAMMED AND UPDATES WERE MADE TO THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FIVE TIMES WHERE THE SAME REPAIRS WERE MADE EACH TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,300.
NHTSA ID
10379732
Incident
Jan 9, 2011
Mileage
78,300 mi
Filed Jul 15, 2009
Fire reported
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES WHILE PARKED IN THE GARAGE. BOTH THE VEHICLE AND THE GARAGE WERE DESTROYED. THE FIRE INVESTIGATOR COULD NOT DETERMINE WHY THE FIRE OCCURRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 22,000.
NHTSA ID
10276882
Incident
Jun 17, 2009
Mileage
22,000 mi
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
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