RoadVitals

2016 Lincoln Navigator Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
9
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

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2016 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

  • Visibility725.9%
  • Brakes622.2%
  • Driver assistance518.5%
  • Electrical311.1%
  • Powertrain (other)27.4%
  • Engine13.7%
  • Airbags13.7%
  • Seat belts13.7%
  • Tires & wheels13.7%

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

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Apr 1, 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 · filed Jan 20, 2026

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Sep 4, 2025

My brake system failed while driving. I had just left a parking lot when the braking system warning light came on. Coinciding with this the brake pedal pressure got much lighter with each press. Since I was within a mile of home I drove there and by the time I got home the pedal was going to the floor. I checked under the hood and there was no fluid in the brake reservoir. I did not see any leaks. I refilled the reservoir and let it sit overnight. The next day the fluid was gone again from the reservoir, no leaks around the vehicle. I had it towed to Lincoln dealership for repair and they said the reservoir leaked into the the brake booster. I had researched on NHTSA that this was a known problem for Ford/Lincoln and there was a recall, but my vehicle's VIN# was not included in the recall. The dealership replaced the master cylinder and the brake booster.

NHTSA ID 11540510 · filed Aug 24, 2023

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.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jan 20, 2026

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 · filed Dec 1, 2025

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jan 21, 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated while driving at 10 MPH, there was smoke coming from the A/C vents and from the defroster. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road and parked the vehicle. The contact stated that the smoke persisted; however, there was no flame. The vehicle was later towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V648000 (Visibility, Electrical System). Additionally, the contact stated that the failure had caused collateral damages to the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not provide any assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ID 11553028 · filed Nov 1, 2023

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

While going approximately 55 mph, the speedometer dropped out to zero. After a moment, the transmission dropped into first gear (it felt like) and the rear tires made loud screeching noises as if they locked up for about one second. The speedometer remained at zero and the whole thing happened again in a few seconds. I was barely able to maintain directional control and if this condition would have persisted for longer, directional control would probably have been impossible to maintain. This happened on an interstate in a middle lane with a lot of traffic and within a construction zone with no good option for maneuvering. Upon further research, I found that this has been a common problem with the Ford 6R80 transmission (which is in this vehicle) and that at least one recall has been sent out, but for a different model vehicle (the Ford F-150, I believe). I cannot believe that the same known defect in a transmission which just happens to be in a different model vehicle is a acceptable situation for safety in any case. I called the Lincoln factory hotline and they could not help me in any way. I was told to go to a dealer. I went to a dealer and they couldn't help me, either. All for a known issue with that transmission. The dealer told me to have it fixed at my own cost, even though they knew of this problem. I have since had it fixed, but I have two questions: 1. How can a manufacturer be allowed to leave a known safety hazard to persist and 2. How can the NHTSA ignore this problem?

NHTSA ID 11546447 · filed Sep 25, 2023

The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that while driving at highway speeds, the transmission inadvertently down shifted and nearly caused the contact to lose control of the vehicle. Additionally, the speedometer gauges went to zero and the service wrench warning light was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission molded lead frame was faulty and needed to be replaced. The contact was concerned that the transmission control module was faulty and needed to be serviced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 69,000.

NHTSA ID 11510006 · filed Mar 3, 2023

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

UNDER HARD ACCELERATION, THE CAR SPUTTERS AND CHUGS HARD AND SUFFICIENT PASSING SPEED MAY NOT BE MET. ON 2 OCCASIONS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED AND ON 1 OCCASION IT REMAINED SOLID FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. BOTH TIMES THE LIGHTS CLEARED OUT EVENTUALLY. LOCAL FORD DEALER SAID THEY CLAIM IT IS CONDENSATION IN THE 3.5L ECOBOOST TURBO HOUSING. OFF THE RECORD SOME RECOMMEND DRILLING A WEEPING HOLE TO DRAIN LIQUID. LOOKING FOR A BETTER SOLUTION.

NHTSA ID 11499028 · filed Dec 27, 2022

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

PASSENGER SEAT BELT DOES NOT CHIME WHEN NOT CONNECTED. NO AIR BAG INDICATOR FOR PASSENGER SIDE. I QUESTIONED FORD MOTORS AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS NONE FOR PASSENGER SIDE. THIS UPDATE HAS NOT BEEN DONE IN THE NAVIGATOR YET. IS THIS POSSIBLE ?????? COULD SOMEONE ACTUALLY SIT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND NOT BE REMINDED TO FASTEN THERE SEAT BELT?????. I TESTED THIS FROM 0 TO 30 MILES AN HOUR. SINCERELY, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID 10845919 · filed Mar 10, 2016

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

PASSENGER SEAT BELT DOES NOT CHIME WHEN NOT CONNECTED. NO AIR BAG INDICATOR FOR PASSENGER SIDE. I QUESTIONED FORD MOTORS AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS NONE FOR PASSENGER SIDE. THIS UPDATE HAS NOT BEEN DONE IN THE NAVIGATOR YET. IS THIS POSSIBLE ?????? COULD SOMEONE ACTUALLY SIT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND NOT BE REMINDED TO FASTEN THERE SEAT BELT?????. I TESTED THIS FROM 0 TO 30 MILES AN HOUR. SINCERELY, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID 10845919 · filed Mar 10, 2016

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

P285/45R22 tires have defect on bubbles. No damage to tires but bubbles appear. Tires are only 6,000 miles driven.

NHTSA ID 11546266 · filed Sep 24, 2023

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

Data on this page last refreshed .