The Lemon Index
201920214th generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 15,252 in the U.S. in 2020 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 7 complaints in its first 3 years.
Better years to buy
7 owner complaints, first 3 years 18–19 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2020 Cadillac Escalade 322020 Audi Q72020 Volvo XC90 27
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 26V402000 (transmission & drivetrain), 26V344000 (seat belts) and 25V628000 (engine) done? It has 13 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Do the seats adjust, heat and lock in place properly?
- Do the wipers, washers, defrost and mirrors all work?
- Lincoln sent dealers 194 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Some 2015-2019 F-150, 2015-2020 Explorer, 2017-2019 F-Super Duty, 2017-2020 Continental,…”?
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 7 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 194 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Some 2015-2019 F-150, 2015-2020 Explorer, 2017-2019 F-Super Duty, 2017-2020 Continental,…
- Some 2017-2020 F-150 2018-2020 Expedition/Navigator vehicles built on or before 31-Oct-2019…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 13
- 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.
- 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.
- Engine · recall issued 2025
A short circuit within the battery junction box can cause an engine fire while driving or parked.
Show all 13 recalls
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2025
A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
- 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.
- Electrical · recall issued 2025
The Pre-Collision Assist features, such as forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking, are not functional due to a software error.
- 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.
- Visibility · recall issued 2022
The windshield wiper arms may break, causing the windshield wipers to fail.
- Seats · recall issued 2020
The attachment bracket for the driver's side second-row seat headrest may not have been sufficiently welded to the seat frame.
- Electrical · recall issued 2020
Vehicles built with the optional radar-plus-camera Pre-Collision Assist system are not affected.
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 SUV 4WD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Lincoln Navigator SUV 2WD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Lincoln Navigator EL SUV 4WD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Lincoln Navigator EL SUV 2WD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
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. 2020 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 2020 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/lincoln-navigator/?y=2020" 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/2020/">Lemon Index</a> (2020 Lincoln Navigator reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2020 Lincoln Navigator reliable?
We can't score it: only 15,252 were sold in the U.S. in 2020 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 7 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2020 Lincoln Navigator problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (29%), seats (14%) and wipers & visibility (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2020 Lincoln Navigator have?
13 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 2020 Lincoln Navigator get?
18 to 19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2020 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 2020 Lincoln Navigator have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2020 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 2020 Lincoln Navigator have?
3.5L 6-cyl.
What Lincoln Navigator year is better than the 2020?
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