RoadVitals

2016 Lincoln Navigator

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
25
Latest Apr 1, 2026
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
4
Latest Sep 3, 2025
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
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.
1

Overview

Our database contains 25 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2016 Lincoln Navigator, most frequently naming the visibility, brakes and driver assistance categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 119 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Visibility725.9%
  • Brakes622.2%
  • Driver assistance518.5%
  • Electrical311.1%
  • Powertrain (other)27.4%
  • Engine13.7%
  • Airbags13.7%
  • Seat belts13.7%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

4 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

Sep 3, 2025
1,456,417 units potentially affected
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.
The risk: A rearview camera that displays an inverted, distorted, or blank image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: 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.
Ford Motor CompanyManufacturer number 25S89View on NHTSA.gov

VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR

Feb 14, 2025
35,328 units potentially affected
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.
The risk: An electrical short circuit in the exterior mirror increases the risk of fire.
The remedy: 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.
Ford Motor CompanyManufacturer number 25S08View on NHTSA.gov

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH; VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR

Aug 26, 2022
198,482 units potentially affected
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.
The risk: Front blower motor failure can increase the risk of a vehicle interior fire.
The remedy: 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.
Ford Motor CompanyManufacturer number 22S56View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Visibility
Filed Apr 1, 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and turned off, there was white smoke coming from the passenger’s side exterior door mirror, accompanied by a burning plastic odor. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer for inspection, where it was diagnosed with a corrosion failure. The dealer indicated that the issue was not associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V091000 (Visibility). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.

NHTSA ID
11728593
Incident
Mar 30, 2026
Mileage
95,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 21, 2026

The power running boards do not go up and down, and are locked in the down position. During the winter snow and ice collects on the running board while driving and makes it incredibly slippery to step on for the driver and passengers. There is a setting to change the position of the running board but it does not move the running board. It has been inoperable for the past 6-8 months now.

NHTSA ID
11712327
Incident
May 1, 2025
Driver assistanceVisibility
Filed Jan 20, 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln Navigator. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V091000 (VISIBILITY) and 25V572000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION). The contact stated that the rearview camera displayed a black screen image while the vehicle was in reverse(R). The contact stated that the failure obstructed the driver's visibility, which prevented the driver from safely operating the vehicle. The message "Rearview Camera Unavailable" was displayed. The contact stated that when the temperature outside was over eighty degrees Fahrenheit, the failure occurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer refused to complete the repairs and informed the contact that, since there was no code displayed, the recall repairs were not needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

NHTSA ID
11712247
Incident
Jan 20, 2026
Mileage
110,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Dec 1, 2025

The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln Navigator. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V572000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA ID
11702209
Incident
Sep 1, 2025
Brakes
Filed Sep 4, 2025

There was a recall on the brake system before and that they fixed it and the same thing that it was a recall before is doing the same thing again with my brake system

NHTSA ID
11684959
Incident
Aug 29, 2025
Driver assistance
Filed Aug 6, 2025

The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated while reversing, the back over prevention camera failed to function as intended. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was persistent. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with APIM failure. The contact was informed that further tests were needed to diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not under recall. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

NHTSA ID
11678760
Incident
Sep 18, 2024
Mileage
150,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jul 7, 2025

The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that the rearview camera image was distorted. The contact stated that message “Camera Unavailable” was displayed. The contact stated that the failure had become more frequent. The local dealer was contacted and referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.

NHTSA ID
11671691
Incident
Apr 1, 2025
Mileage
84,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Apr 10, 2025

The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln Navigator. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V091000 (VISIBILITY); however, the parts to do the recall repair were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure; however, the contact stated she paid extra for the upgrade and was not satisfied with the remedy. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID
11653922
Incident
Apr 10, 2025

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

25N15 S1

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Customer Satisfaction Program 25N15 - Supplement #1 Certain 2015-2019 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Inspection For One-Time Replacement

SSM 54601

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; STRUCTURE:BODY

Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. Unlike the integrated wired keypad, the accessory wireless keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the vehicle using a diagnostic scan tool or from the label printed on the body control module (BCM). The Factory Keyless Entry Code application within the diagnostic scan tool will not provide an applicable master code for the accessory wireless keypad. If the wallet card for an accessory keypad is not available, the "Wireless RF Keypad Diagnosis Guide" can be referenced and provides direction on how to retrieve the master code. This guide is located under the Workshop Manual tab > Accessories > Installation > Wireless RF Keypad Diagnosis Guide > PPT C > Step C2.<br /><br /> Note: The only available keypad for some vehicles from the assembly plant is the accessory wireless keyless entry keypad. The integrated wired keypad cannot be installed on vehicles not equipped from the factory with a wired keyless entry k

25N15

VISIBILITY/WIPER

Certain 2015-2019 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Inspection For One-Time Replacemen

25N15

VISIBILITY/WIPER

Certain 2015-2019 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Inspection For One-Time Replacement

TSB 25-2570

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This article supersedes TSB 24-2165 to update the TSB Service Procedure. Some vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit various SYNC performance related concerns including but not limited to:  Display operation concerns  Navigation inoperative  Voice recognition concerns  Phone connection issues  Dropped phone connections  Applink related performance  Travel Link not present or showing incorrect traffic  Slow system response NOTE: Ford has found some of the APIMs replaced and returned for inspection contained an outdated software level and the APIM did not require replacement. The customer concern may have been resolved by updating the APIM with latest level of software. The SYNC 3 universal thumb drive will be able to update the APIM software without the use of a scan tool and does not require the process to be monitored. Ford will be monitoring APIM replacements to confirm TSB directed software updates have been performed.

SSM 54366

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; POWER TRAIN

Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. Pinpoint test HK in the Powertrain Control and Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) or in Section 303-14 of the Workshop Manual (WSM) has been updated to address this concern.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Lincoln Navigator by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2027010
2026020
2025116051.9
2024157061.9
2023680
20222014065.8
20213112060.8
20202913066.1
20197210170.1
20185012166.9
2017305061.8
2016Viewing254056.7
2015214059.6
2014170043.3
2013140157.8
2012123144.1
2011901
2010160044.3
2009101044.3
2008302155.4
2007452048.5
2006603051.5
2005480038.0
2004860142.5
20031271149.6
2002324264.5
2001816465.6
20001097263.9
19991327363.3
19981926465.6
1997023
1996000
1995000
1994000
1993000
1992000
1991000

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.