The Lemon Index
2001
20031st generation
Not enough data. Only 10 complaints in its first 3 years: too few to score.
Better years to buy
10 owner complaints, first 3 years 12–13 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2002 Cadillac Escalade 632002 BMW X5 642002 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE 50
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 09E012000 (lights), 06E064000 (lights) and 06E056000 (fuel system, gasoline) done? It has 4 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Lincoln sent dealers 87 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Vibration at idle and/or engine droaning noise on acceleration from a stop”?
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 10 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 →
In owners' words
While driving 30 mph was involved in left side collision.wit vehicle rolled over, and airbags failed to deploy, resulting in minor injuries. Vehicle was totaled.
2002 Lincoln Navigator owner · NHTSA complaint 8009843
Problems Lincoln told dealers about
Lincoln sent dealers 87 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Vibration at idle and/or engine droaning noise on acceleration from a stop
- Vacuum or air leaks in the intake manifold and / or engine system causing
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 4
- 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 4 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.
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
- ClosedEngine compartment fires2005–2006
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 $5,800–$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. 2002 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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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/lincoln-navigator/?y=2002" 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/2002/">Lemon Index</a> (2002 Lincoln Navigator reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2002 Lincoln Navigator reliable?
There isn't enough data to score it: owners filed only 10 complaints in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2002 Lincoln Navigator problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (30%), airbags (20%) and speed control (20%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2002 Lincoln Navigator have?
4 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 2002 Lincoln Navigator get?
12 to 13 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2002 Lincoln Navigator have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2002 Lincoln Navigator cost in fuel a year?
About $5,800 to $6,250 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2002 Lincoln Navigator have?
5.4L 8-cyl.
What Lincoln Navigator year is better than the 2002?
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