2008 Lincoln Navigator Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2008 Lincoln Navigator, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Brakes822.2%
- Electrical822.2%
- Body & structure411.1%
- Visibility38.3%
- Steering25.6%
- Other / unspecified25.6%
- Driver assistance25.6%
- Exterior lighting12.8%
- Engine12.8%
- Interior & seats12.8%
- Airbags12.8%
- Powertrain (other)12.8%
- Tires & wheels12.8%
- Transmission12.8%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
Unknown, got towed, stolen
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.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
Unknown, got towed, stolen
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
STEERING WHEEL - FELT LOOSE UNATTACHED PARTS RATTLING AGAINST EACH OTHER IN STEERING ASSEMBLY WHEN CROSSING RAILROAD TRACKS OR UNEVEN PAVEMENT. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
Unknown, got towed, stolen
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
BROKEN SPARK PLUGS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. A DAY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE CONTACT SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. SHE RETURNED TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DETAILED AND INFORMED THEM THAT SHE COULD SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SMELL ORIGINATED FROM THE UNDERCOATING. TWO DAYS LATER, HER HUSBAND DROVE THE VEHICLE AND THE COUPLE RETURNED TO THE DEALER. UPON ARRIVING AT THE DEALER, THERE WAS BLACK SMOKE RISING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSAXLE LEAKED FLUID DUE TO THE SEAL UNIT. AT THAT TIME, THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND STATED THAT HE WAS NOT PURCHASING THE VEHICLE AND WANTED HIS OLD VEHICLE BACK. THE DEALER REFUSED. THE DISTRICT OFFICE STATED THAT THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO GET THE OLD VEHICLE BACK WITHIN 48 HOURS. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN UNABLE TO REACH ANYONE SINCE THAT TIME. CURRENTLY, SHE DOES NOT HAVE HER OLD VEHICLE, RETURNED THE VEHICLE THAT WAS PURCHASED, AND HAS NOT RECEIVED A REFUND FOR THE $3,400 DOWN PAYMENT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 48.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS WIFE HAD A FLAT TIRE ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. HE NOTICED THAT THERE WERE TWO DIFFERENT TIRE SIZES ON THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT TIRES WERE LARGER THAN THE REAR TIRES. HE BELIEVED THAT THE DIFFERENCE IN THE TIRE SIZES COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT, THE CONTACT COULD NOT LOCATE THE TIRE SIZES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 7,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,000. THE TIRE HAD A NAIL IN IT. ALSO THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR WAS INOPERATIVE. UPDATED 07/08/08
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .