The Lemon Index
201520173rd generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 10,421 in the U.S. in 2016 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 5 complaints in its first 3 years.
Better years to buy
5 owner complaints, first 3 years 16–18 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2016 Cadillac Escalade 1042016 Lincoln MKX 1932016 Volvo XC90 134
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 5 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 25V572000 (back over prevention), 25V091000 (visibility) and 22V648000 (visibility) done? It has 4 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Do all the seat belts latch and retract?
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Lincoln sent dealers 119 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Some 2016-2018 F-150 and 2016-2017 Expedition/Navigator vehicles may require pressure bleeding…”?
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 5 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 13K to 60K miles (21K to 97K km) on the car (5 of all 5 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 119 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Some 2016-2018 F-150 and 2016-2017 Expedition/Navigator vehicles may require pressure bleeding…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 4
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2025
The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
- Visibility · recall issued 2025
The LED logo lights on the exterior mirrors may short circuit.
- Visibility · recall issued 2022
The front blower motor located behind the glove box may fail.
Show all 4 recalls
- Brakes · recall issued 2022 3.5L engines only
The brake master cylinder may allow brake fluid to leak from the front wheel circuit into the brake booster.
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 test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Navigator Extended SUV 4x4 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Lincoln Navigator SUV 4x2 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Lincoln Navigator SUV 4x4 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Lincoln Navigator Extended SUV 4x2 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,350–$3,750 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl.
Every Lincoln Navigator year. 2016 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.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2016 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/lincoln-navigator/?y=2016" 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/2016/">Lemon Index</a> (2016 Lincoln Navigator reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2016 Lincoln Navigator reliable?
We can't score it: only 10,421 were sold in the U.S. in 2016 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 5 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2016 Lincoln Navigator problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (40%), seat belts (20%) and airbags (20%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2016 Lincoln Navigator have?
4 safety recalls (latest: back over prevention). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Lincoln Navigator get?
16 to 18 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2016 Lincoln Navigator safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
Does the 2016 Lincoln Navigator have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2016 Lincoln Navigator cost in fuel a year?
About $3,350 to $3,750 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2016 Lincoln Navigator have?
3.5L 6-cyl.
What Lincoln Navigator year is better than the 2016?
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