The Lemon Index
201820204th generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 18,656 in the U.S. in 2019 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 11 complaints in its first 3 years.
Better years to buy
11 owner complaints, first 3 years 18–19 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2019 Cadillac Escalade 192019 Audi Q7 642019 Volvo XC90 19
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2019 Lincoln Navigator
- Seat belt8 complaints
Specific parts named in the 86 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2019 Lincoln Navigator (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Only 7 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 26V402000 (transmission & drivetrain), 26V372000 (electrical) and 26V344000 (seat belts) done? It has 10 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the seat belts latch and retract?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Lincoln sent dealers 153 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Some 2017-2019 F-150, 2018-2019 Expedition/Navigator/Mustang, 2019 Ranger vehicles equipped…”?
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 11 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 2K to 35K miles (3K to 56K km) on the car (7 of all 11 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.
In owners' words
Restraints indicator lamp warning light on every time passenger gets in and buckled up. While in motion it will turn on! Dealer couldn't figure it out.
2019 Lincoln Navigator owner · NHTSA complaint 11278737
More owner reports
Vehicle dies while in Drive. Message shows "AUTO STARTSTOP SHIFT TO P, THEN RESTART ENGINE". Dealer advised low battery voltage causing it, but vehicle starts without issue when shifting to P. Battery is only 2.5 years old.
NHTSA complaint 11483353
Problems Lincoln told dealers about
Lincoln sent dealers 153 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Some 2017-2019 F-150, 2018-2019 Expedition/Navigator/Mustang, 2019 Ranger vehicles equipped…
- Stuck in park and or no start condition
- Some 2017-2019 F-150 and 2018-2019 Expedition/Navigator vehicles equipped with a 3.5L EcoBoost…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 10
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2026 New: most likely still open
The transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage.
- Electrical · recall issued 2026 New: most likely still open
At vehicle start-up, the Instrument Panel Cluster Assembly (IPC) may not function, showing a blank display.
- Seat belts · recall issued 2026 New: most likely still open
The seat belt pretensioner in the driver and/or front passenger seat may inadvertently lock the seat belt, which will not allow the belt to retract or extend.
Show all 10 recalls
- Seat belts · recall issued 2025
The seat belt pretensioner in the driver and/or front passenger seat may inadvertently lock the seat belt, which will not allow the belt to retract or extend.
- Equipment · recall issued 2024
The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard.
- Seat belts · recall issued 2024
The seat belt pretensioner in the driver and/or front passenger seat may inadvertently deploy and lock the seat belt, which will not allow the belt to retract or extend.
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2023
The rearview camera, or 360-degree view camera if equipped, may not display a rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse.
- Equipment · recall issued 2023
The owner's manual does not include instructions for adjusting or removing certain head restraints.
- Suspension · recall issued 2019
The rear suspension toe link fasteners may not have been properly tightened to the frame, possibly allowing separation from the frame.
- Electrical · recall issued 2019
At vehicle start-up, the Instrument Panel Cluster Assembly (IPC) may not function, showing a blank display.
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
- ClosedSeat belt pretensioner inadvertent deployment2023–2024
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Navigator SUV 4x4 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Lincoln Navigator SUV 4x2 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Lincoln Navigator EL Extended SUV 4x4 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Lincoln Navigator EL Extended SUV 4x2 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,150–$3,350 (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. 2019 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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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2019 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/lincoln-navigator/?y=2019" 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/2019/">Lemon Index</a> (2019 Lincoln Navigator reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2019 Lincoln Navigator reliable?
We can't score it: only 18,656 were sold in the U.S. in 2019 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 11 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2019 Lincoln Navigator problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are seat belts (27%), engine (27%) and airbags (18%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2019 Lincoln Navigator have?
10 safety recalls (latest: transmission & drivetrain). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2019 Lincoln Navigator get?
18 to 19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2019 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 2019 Lincoln Navigator have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 18% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2019 Lincoln Navigator cost in fuel a year?
About $3,150 to $3,350 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2019 Lincoln Navigator have?
3.5L 6-cyl.
What Lincoln Navigator year is better than the 2019?
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