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Lincoln · NHTSA safety record

2019 Lincoln Navigator

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 81 safety complaints about the 2019 Lincoln Navigator with the US government. Of those, 3 describe a crash, 1 mentions a fire, 11 people were injured and no death is recorded. 10 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the seat belts, named in 23 complaints, 28% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 62,000 miles, the median across the 20 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers August 2019 to September 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

81 complaints on file

81

Complaints

3

Describe a crash

1

Mention fire

11

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
SEAT BELTS 23 · 28%
POWER TRAIN 22 · 27%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 11 · 14%
ENGINE 11 · 14%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 10 · 12%
AIR BAGS 3 · 4%
BACK OVER PREVENTION 3 · 4%
SEATS 3 · 4%
STEERING 3 · 4%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 3 · 4%
STRUCTURE 2 · 2%
SUSPENSION 2 · 2%
0 12 23

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 81.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2026 at 25.

28 21 14 7
19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2019 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2019 Lincoln NAVIGATOR, and it is a separate question from what owners report going wrong later.

Test SUV 4x2 SUV 4x4
Overall
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover 20.8% 19.3%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard

A rating belongs to a tested body style and drivetrain, not to the model as a whole, which is why more than one is listed. A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.

Recall campaigns

10 on file

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

26V402000 · June 24, 2026

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Navigator, Expedition, 2020-2021 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2021 F-150 vehicles. The transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage.
The risk
Park system damage may result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, and inspect and replace any damaged transmission components as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 10, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in April 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S48. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on June 26, 2026.

Ford Motor Company · up to 741,195 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

26V372000 · June 9, 2026

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Ford Mustang, Lincoln Nautilus, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 19V076. At vehicle start-up, the Instrument Panel Cluster Assembly (IPC) may not function, showing a blank display. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Controls and Displays."
The risk
A blank instrument cluster that fails to display critical safety information, such as vehicle speed or safety system warnings, increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will reprogram the Instrument Panel Cluster Assembly (IPC) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 13, 2026. Owners may contact customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C27. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6, 2026.

Ford Motor Company · up to 2,349 vehicles across all model years covered

SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER

26V344000 · May 27, 2026

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. 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.
The risk
Seat belts that do not retract or extend can fail to restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt retractors as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed June 8, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in August 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S34. This recall replaces and expands previous NHTSA recalls 24V099 and 25V197. Vehicles previously inspected or repaired under the prior recalls will need the new repair completed.

Ford Motor Company · up to 419,967 vehicles across all model years covered

SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER

25V197000 · May 23, 2025

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. 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.
The risk
Seat belts that do not retract or extend can fail to restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the seat belt retractors as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 22, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S31. Some vehicles in this recall that were previously inspected under recall 24V-099 and did not have parts replaced will need to have this new recall remedy completed.

Ford Motor Company · up to 112,951 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

24V852000 · November 8, 2024

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, 2020-2024 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2018-2024 F-150, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirement Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
The risk
Without a label that shows the proper restraint usage guidelines, the occupants may have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The remedy
Ford will mail owners the warning labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 19, 2024. Owners may call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C39.

Ford Motor Company · up to 27,678 vehicles across all model years covered

SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER

24V099000 · February 9, 2024

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. 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.
The risk
Seat belts that do not retract or extend may fail to restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the seat belt retractors, as necessary. Additionally, dealers will install an HVAC drain tube elbow if it is missing. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 8, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S06.

Ford Motor Company · up to 77,574 vehicles across all model years covered

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

23V598000 · August 25, 2023

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Lincoln Aviator, 2018-2021 Lincoln Navigator, 2022-2023 Ford Transit, and 2021 Ford Bronco vehicles. The rearview camera, or 360-degree view camera if equipped, may not display a rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse.
The risk
Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the rearview camera, and update the software and wiring as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 20, 2023 to Lincoln owners. Ford vehicle owners notification letters were mailed March 4, 2024. Ford remedy parts are anticipated 2nd Quarter 2024. Ford's number for this recall is 23S48.

Ford Motor Company · up to 177,402 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

23V420000 · June 9, 2023

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with third-row seating; and 2019-2023 F-Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 SuperCab vehicles. The owner's manual does not include instructions for adjusting or removing certain head restraints. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 202, "Head Restraints."
The risk
Without instructions, the head restraints may be improperly adjusted, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The remedy
Ford will mail the Owner's Manual addendums that describe how to adjust and remove the head restraints for the center seating positions, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 21, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C20.

Ford Motor Company · up to 691,133 vehicles across all model years covered

SUSPENSION:REAR

19V773000 · October 28, 2019

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The rear suspension toe link fasteners may not have been properly tightened to the frame, possibly allowing separation from the frame.
The risk
A disconnected toe link can cause a sudden change to vehicle handling, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Ford has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the rear toe link fasteners, check and adjust the rear toe alignment, and inspect the rear tires for abnormal tire wear, replacing them if necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began November 14, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S36.

Ford Motor Company · up to 18 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

19V076000 · February 11, 2019

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Ford Mustang, Lincoln Nautilus, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. At vehicle start-up, the Instrument Panel Cluster Assembly (IPC) may not function, showing a blank display. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Controls and Displays."
The risk
A blank instrument cluster will not show important information like vehicle speed, fuel or temperature level, or safety system warnings. Driving with an inoperative cluster can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Ford has notified owners, and dealers will reprogram the Instrument Panel Cluster Assembly (IPC), free of charge. The recall began March 8, 2019. Owners may contact customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19C03.

Ford Motor Company · up to 4,212 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations

1 on file

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Seat Belt Pretensioner Inadvertent Deployment

PE23021

Closed preliminary evaluation · opened November 22, 2023 · closed July 29, 2024 · led to recall 24V099

the seat belts

On November 22, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-021 to investigate instances of seat belt pretensioner inadvertent deployment in model year (MY) 2019 Ford Expedition vehicles manufactured by Ford Motor Company. Some complaints allege hearing a loud, explosion-like sound immediately followed by the seatbelt tightening around the occupant’s torso area. The complaints do not allege a crash occurred that may have resulted in the deployment of the pretensioner system. The investigation revealed certain seatbelt pretensioners may develop corroded squib pins where the bridge wire (heating element of pyro-technic device) is welded. Extended corrosion and a partial separation of the weld may cause a high resistance or an open circuit condition to occur, potentially resulting in pretensioner inadvertent deployment. Inadvertent pretensioner deployment will result in the seatbelt being locked in position, no longer able to extend or retract as designed, which may result in injury in the event of a crash. 11 minor injuries were reported due this failure. Most injuries were bruising to the torso area caused by the rapid tightening of the seatbelt during an inadvertent deployment. On February 9, 2024, Ford filed recall 24V099 for certain MY 2018-2020 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles with production dates between October 1, 2018, and June 30, 2019. The recall remedy provides the replacement of both front seatbelt retractors if found to have a production date code within the suspect production date range. In view of the recall action being taken by Ford, ODI is closing this Preliminary Evaluation. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS

3 injured · crash · towed · 5,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE IN FRONT STOPPED SUDDENLY AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE SEATBELT PR TENSIONER FAILED TO OPERATE AS INTENDED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISING TO HER CHEST FROM THE SEAT BELT. THE 2 CHILDREN RECEIVED SMALL BRUISING TO THE FACE AND LEFT SHOULDER FROM THE SEAT BELT. THE OTHER VEHICLE INJURIES WERE UNKNOWN. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS CONTACTED. THE OCCUPANT OF THE OTHER VEHICLE RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION AT THE SCENE OF THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO APPLE FORD (8800 STANFORD BLVD, COLUMBIA, MD 21045 (410)

NHTSA complaint 11300155, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SEAT BELTS

1 injured · 46,519 miles

The contact owns a 2019 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated while the vehicle was stopped, the front passenger’s side seat belt pretensioner exploded. The passenger suffered minor injuries to the chest area but did not seek medical attention. The dealer was contacted and stated that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 46,519.

NHTSA complaint 11541165. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SEAT BELTS

1 injured

Seatbelt pretensioner exploded while driving at 5mph with no collision (exploded for no reason). Caused immediate retraction of seatbelt which caused chest trauma and knocked the wind out of me. Loud explosion in confined space caused ringing ears. Given that I had no idea there were explosives in my vehicle, my military training led me to believe I had been shot. I stopped the vehicle, got out and began accessing myself for a gunshot entry wound. I did have the pretensioner warning light for some time, but had not had it repaired yet because there were no appointments available at my local dealer. I had previously contacted Lincoln customer service to tell them that I could not get an

NHTSA complaint 11606928, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SEAT BELTS

1 injured

I was driving the car at approximately 10 miles/hr (slowly accelerating after stopping at a traffic light), when I heard a loud bang / explosion. This was accompanied by a feeling like I had been struck in the chest. However, there was no collision to the car. I then realized that my seatbelt was tightly cinched and locked around my body, and it had caused the blow to my chest. I was able to pull off the road and stop the car, and I worked my way out of the seatbelt with difficulty by unclasping it. There was a smell of gunpowder in the air, but I confirmed that no collision or accident to my car had occurred. The skin on my chest and left neck were badly bruised by the seatbelt

NHTSA complaint 11682077, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SEAT BELTS
My vehicle was moving slowly in a pickup line for my child. Randomly, the seat belt retractor went off and pulled me back into the seat. Initially, I thought it was a gunshot. Smoke was all in the car. My neck/shoulder has some bruising and cuts from the seat belt. There was a seatbelt light on the dash. It has been there for some time, but the recall's hasn't been issued and it's not realistic to not have a car until FoMoCo issues the fix.

NHTSA complaint 11766237. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SEAT BELTS

1 injured

On XXX, around 7:00–8:00 PM, I was driving a 2019 Lincoln Navigator normally when the driver's seat-belt pretensioner suddenly deployed without any crash, collision, or impact. The seat belt tightened forcefully against my chest, causing an injury, and I noticed a strong chemical/fume smell immediately afterward. A [XXX] infant was in the rear seat at the time. I was evaluated by a doctor the following day and diagnosed with a contusion of the unspecified front wall of the thorax. X-rays were performed, and I am currently awaiting the results to determine whether there is any additional injury. I was prescribed pain medication. The vehicle has not yet been inspected or repaired, and the

NHTSA complaint 11765894, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
The dealership said the Cam Phasers were bad, and I saw that there was a NHTSA report on it. The manufacturer paid a percentage of the cost to fix, but not the entire thing. This is a vehicle that an elderly woman purchased before her husband passed and now runs her grand kids around in. Although the problem was fixed it was bothersome to not have this known issue addressed and risk stranding the occupants. NO warning lights no messages, just a rattling noise at start up. The vehicle had 59000 miles on it.

NHTSA complaint 11762156. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SEATS

1 injured · 110,157 miles

The contact owns a 2019 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH with his wife inside the vehicle, seated in the front passenger seat, there was an explosion like a gunshot coming from the front passenger seat. The restraint warning light illuminated after the explosion. There was a sulfur odor inside the vehicle after the explosion. The contact's wife sustained injuries to the left hip and lower spine, and was treated at the ER, where a CT scan, X-rays, and bloodwork were taken, pending a checkup of the spinal and nerve symptoms. The failure mileage was approximately 110,157.

NHTSA complaint 11761624. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SEAT BELTS

towed · 85,000 miles

The contact owns a 2019 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle, the front driver’s side seat belt pretensioner inadvertently deployed and released smoke. The vehicle was towed to the residence and could not be repaired by a mobile technician. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer, where it was determined that the seat belt needed to be replaced. The contact later received notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V344000 (Seat Belts); however, the dealer informed the contact that the seat belt would be replaced out-of-pocket because the remedy was not yet available. The contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The failure mileage was approximately

NHTSA complaint 11761712, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SEAT BELTS

1 injured

COMPONENT FAILURE: The driver-side front seat belt retractor & pyrotechnic pretensioner assembly spontaneously & violently deployed while the vehicle was in motion. Immediately following the explosion, the vehicle's dashboard SRS/Airbag warning light illuminated & remains locked on. The component is currently intact & remains inside the vehicle; it is fully available for physical inspection upon request. SAFETY RISK: The component fired with a gunshot-like sound inside the enclosed cabin, forcefully locking & pinning the [XXX] driver against the seat. This sudden explosion & physical restraint severely startled the young driver, nearly causing a loss of vehicle control. Had this occurred

NHTSA complaint 11760633, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Lincoln Navigator

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2025 12 6 —
2024 16 7 —
2022 21 14 —
2021 33 12 —
2020 32 13 —
2018 52 12 —
2017 31 5 —
2016 25 4 —
2015 21 4 —
2013 14 0 —
2012 12 3 —
2011 9 0 —

Other 2019 Lincoln models

MKC 121 Nautilus 102 Continental 32 MKZ 20 MKT 16

Complaints on file, same model year.

Every Lincoln on this site — 85 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst