The Lemon Index
200020021st generation
About average · most complaints: tires
Better years to buy
38 owner complaints, first 3 years 12 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2001 BMW X5 1422001 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE 992001 Acura MDX 84
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 13 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 09E012000 (lights), 06E064000 (lights) and 06E056000 (fuel system, gasoline) done? It has 6 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Lincoln sent dealers 126 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Owner notification informing owners that their transmission could be damaged internally and,…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Lincoln's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 38 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 21K to 48K miles (34K to 77K km) on the car (13 of all 38 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Problems with fuel pump, windshield wipers, driver's seat, brakes, air conditioner, gear shift, air bag, cd player, window motors, driver's handle door, sunroof.
2001 Lincoln Navigator owner · NHTSA complaint 10026416
More owner reports
When driver side power window is activated it causes a short and the radio cuts out. Dealer stated there was no remedy for the problem. Nlm
NHTSA complaint 8008042
Consumer replaced the tires on the vehicle, however the claim for reimbursement was denied, the manufacturer stated the tires were not purchased with in the time frame as stated.
NHTSA complaint 10004578
Problems Lincoln told dealers about
Lincoln sent dealers 126 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Owner notification informing owners that their transmission could be damaged internally and,…
- Some vehicles equipped with 4r100 transmission, having a transmission build date between…
- Axle tube seal leakage and an axle bearing that is loose in the axle housing
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 6
- Lights · recall issued 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- Lights · recall issued 2006
CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2006
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.
Show all 6 recalls
- Speed control · recall issued 2005
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
- Visibility · recall issued 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND LIGHT AND MEDIUM DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS.
- Seat belts · recall issued 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND MINIVANS.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Lincoln Navigator recall, all years · All Lincoln recalls
Government investigations
- ClosedSpark plug ejection from cylinder head2005–2006
- ClosedFront seat belt buckle assembly2005
- ClosedEngine compartment fires2005–2006
- ClosedFront seat belt buckle assembly2004–2005
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side — · rollover ★★☆☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $6,250 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 5.4L 8-cyl.
Every Lincoln Navigator year. 2001 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score.
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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2001 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/lincoln-navigator/?y=2001" title="Lincoln Navigator reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="307" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/lincoln-navigator/2001/">Lemon Index</a> (2001 Lincoln Navigator reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2001 Lincoln Navigator reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew a bit more than the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 113; 100 is average, lower is better). The Lincoln Navigator year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2004.
What are the most common 2001 Lincoln Navigator problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are tires (29%), electrical (16%) and transmission & drivetrain (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2001 Lincoln Navigator have?
6 safety recalls (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2001 Lincoln Navigator get?
12 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2001 Lincoln Navigator have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 13% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2001 Lincoln Navigator cost in fuel a year?
About $6,250 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2001 Lincoln Navigator have?
5.4L 8-cyl.
What Lincoln Navigator year is better than the 2001?
Nearby, the 2004 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (somewhat fewer complaints than the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works