The Lemon Index
200820103rd generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 8,057 in the U.S. in 2009 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 4 complaints in its first 3 years.
Better years to buy
4 owner complaints, first 3 years 16 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
Engines & versions
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 recall 09V232000 (lights) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Lincoln sent dealers 28 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Lincoln/ford: when driving from idle up to 1200 rpm, there may be an intermittent rattle noise”?
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 4 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 →
Problems Lincoln told dealers about
Lincoln sent dealers 28 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Lincoln/ford: when driving from idle up to 1200 rpm, there may be an intermittent rattle noise
- Various vehicles equipped with a 4.6L, 5.4L, 6.8L modular 3 valve engine built on or before…
- Some 2009-2017 Expedition/Navigator, 2009-2014 F-150/Mustang, 2008-2009 Sable, 2008-2019…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 1
- Lights · recall issued 2009
FORD IS RECALLING 1,357 MY 2009 EXPEDITION AND NAVIGATOR VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE BRAKE STOP LAMP S…
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
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,750 (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. 2009 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=2009" 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/2009/">Lemon Index</a> (2009 Lincoln Navigator reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2009 Lincoln Navigator reliable?
We can't score it: only 8,057 were sold in the U.S. in 2009 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 4 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2009 Lincoln Navigator problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (50%), tires (25%) and electrical (25%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Lincoln Navigator have?
1 safety recall (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Lincoln Navigator get?
16 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2009 Lincoln Navigator have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2009 Lincoln Navigator cost in fuel a year?
About $3,750 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Lincoln Navigator have?
5.4L 8-cyl.
What Lincoln Navigator year is better than the 2009?
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