The Lemon Index
200720093rd generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 14,836 in the U.S. in 2008 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 9 complaints in its first 3 years.
Better years to buy
9 owner complaints, first 3 years 14 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
Engines & versions
When problems show up
Only 9 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 08V166000 (tires) and 08V058000 (latches/locks/linkages) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Do the wipers, washers, defrost and mirrors all work?
- Lincoln sent dealers 28 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Oil separation from the internal lube found in the unitized cartridge seal”?
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 9 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 3K to 22K miles (5K to 35K km) on the car (9 of all 9 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.
Problems Lincoln told dealers about
Lincoln sent dealers 28 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Oil separation from the internal lube found in the unitized cartridge seal
- There is a noise coming from the front hub integrated wheel end (iwe) areas and when shifted…
- When performing any transmission fluid changes or topoffs involving MERCON SP, MERCON LV has…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 2
- Tires · recall issued 2008
FORD IS RECALLING 158 MY 2008 EXPEDITION AND LINCOLN NAVIGATOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) AND THE LIMO BUILDERS PACKAGE FOR FAILING TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEH…
- Latches/locks/linkages · recall issued 2008
FORD IS RECALLING 123,632 MY 2007-2008 EXPEDITION AND LINCOLN NAVIGATOR VEHICLES.
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
- ClosedTire valve cracking2008–2009
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 $4,300 (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. 2008 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=2008" 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/2008/">Lemon Index</a> (2008 Lincoln Navigator reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2008 Lincoln Navigator reliable?
We can't score it: only 14,836 were sold in the U.S. in 2008 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 9 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2008 Lincoln Navigator problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (22%), tires (22%) and visibility (22%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Lincoln Navigator have?
2 safety recalls (latest: tires). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Lincoln Navigator get?
14 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2008 Lincoln Navigator have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 22% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2008 Lincoln Navigator cost in fuel a year?
About $4,300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Lincoln Navigator have?
5.4L 8-cyl.
What Lincoln Navigator year is better than the 2008?
No year within 3 model years of it drew fewer complaints. Across every year, 2004 drew the fewest (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