The Lemon Index
2016
20183rd generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 10,523 in the U.S. in 2017 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 3 complaints in its first 3 years.
Better years to buy
3 owner complaints, first 3 years 16–17 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2017 Cadillac Escalade 822017 Audi Q7 692017 Lincoln MKX 57
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 25V572000 (back over prevention), 25V236000 (brakes) and 25V091000 (visibility) done? It has 5 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Do all the headlights, taillights and turn signals work?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Lincoln sent dealers 111 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Some 2009-2017 Expedition/Navigator, 2009-2014 F-150/Mustang, 2008-2009 Sable, 2008-2019…”?
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 3 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 111 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Some 2009-2017 Expedition/Navigator, 2009-2014 F-150/Mustang, 2008-2009 Sable, 2008-2019…
- Some 2013-2023 Ford or Lincoln vehicles with modems activated through FordPass or LincolnWay…
- No communication
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 5
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2025
The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
- Brakes · recall issued 2025
The brake master cylinder may allow brake fluid to leak from the front wheel circuit into the brake booster.
- Visibility · recall issued 2025
The LED logo lights on the exterior mirrors may short circuit.
Show all 5 recalls
- Visibility · recall issued 2022
The front blower motor located behind the glove box may fail.
- 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 Extended SUV 4x2 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Lincoln Navigator SUV 4x4 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Lincoln Navigator SUV 4x2 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,550–$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. 2017 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 2017 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/lincoln-navigator/?y=2017" 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/2017/">Lemon Index</a> (2017 Lincoln Navigator reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2017 Lincoln Navigator reliable?
We can't score it: only 10,523 were sold in the U.S. in 2017 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 3 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2017 Lincoln Navigator problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (67%), lights (33%) and electrical (33%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2017 Lincoln Navigator have?
5 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 2017 Lincoln Navigator get?
16 to 17 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2017 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 2017 Lincoln Navigator have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2017 Lincoln Navigator cost in fuel a year?
About $3,550 to $3,750 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2017 Lincoln Navigator have?
3.5L 6-cyl.
What Lincoln Navigator year is better than the 2017?
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