CSR

Lincoln · NHTSA safety record

2020 Lincoln Navigator

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

29

Complaints

2

Crashes

2

Fires

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2020 Lincoln Navigator have filed 29 safety complaints with NHTSA between January 2021 and July 2026. The most complained-about system is the power train, named in 16 of them (55%). The typical failure was reported at 45,600 miles, the median across the 5 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 13 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (13)

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

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

ENGINE

25V628000 · September 19, 2025

Park outside until repaired

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. A short circuit within the battery junction box can cause an engine fire while driving or parked.
The risk
A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.
The remedy
Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures and other vehicles, until the remedy is performed. Dealers will inspect and replace the battery junction box, as necessary, and remove a ground wire. On models equipped with standard-duty radiator fan motors, dealers will also install an auxiliary electrical box with a wire jumper. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 3, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's numbers for this recall are 22S36 and 22S48. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on September 23, 2025.

Ford Motor Company · up to 4,632 vehicles across all model years covered

BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE

25V442000 · June 27, 2025

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. 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.
The risk
A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.

Ford Motor Company · up to 200,237 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE

25V346000 · May 23, 2025

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Expedition and Navigator vehicles that were repaired incorrectly under recall 20V262. The Pre-Collision Assist features, such as forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking, are not functional due to a software error.
The risk
Inoperative pre-collision assist features that fail to perform as expected can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
The remedy
Dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 25, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S56.

Ford Motor Company · up to 556 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

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES

22V250000 · April 14, 2022

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 F-150, Expedition, 2020-2022 Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, and 2020-2021 Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The windshield wiper arms may break, causing the windshield wipers to fail.
The risk
Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will replace both front windshield wiper arms, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed on May 24, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available 3rd Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 21, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S26.

Ford Motor Company · up to 652,996 vehicles across all model years covered

SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY

20V366000 · June 23, 2020

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The attachment bracket for the driver's side second-row seat headrest may not have been sufficiently welded to the seat frame. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 202, "Head Restraints."
The risk
An improperly welded headrest bracket may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace it as needed, free of charge. This recall began July 8, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C12.

Ford Motor Company · up to 2,620 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

20V262000 · May 8, 2020

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with camera-only Pre-Collision Assist feature. Vehicles built with the optional radar-plus-camera Pre-Collision Assist system are not affected. Due to incorrect coding of interfacing modules, the Pre-Collision Assist feature is not enabled, and the driver cannot access the menu functions necessary to enable the Pre-Collision Assist feature.
The risk
If the driver is unaware that the Pre-Collision Assist feature is not enabled, they may rely on a system that is not functional, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram software for the Body Control Module, Antilock Braking System, Instrument Panel Cluster and Headlamp Control Modules, and reset the Tire Pressure Monitor System, free of charge. The recall began May 26, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S20.

Ford Motor Company · up to 25,081 vehicles across all model years covered

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 29.

POWER TRAIN 16 55%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 4 14%
ENGINE 3 10%
SEAT BELTS 2 7%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 1 3%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 1 3%
LANE DEPARTURE 1 3%
SEATS 1 3%
TIRES 1 3%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 1 3%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 1 3%
VISIBILITY/WIPER 1 3%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2026 at 8.

2021 2026
2021 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

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

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

fire · crash · towed

On June 28, 2023 I was driving my 2020 Lincoln Navigator Black Label and pull over due to smoke coming out from under my car. I turned the car off and went to open up the hook and seen black smoking pouring out of my car. I immediately called 911 and reported my car on fire. My car burned to the ground and Lincoln says there was not recalls. I have loss a significant amount of money on this car that I purchased only 1 year & 3 months ago and my insurance company is only paying me what the most current sales are. I hope something can be done since other Navigators has been recalled due to fires. I would greatly appreciate hearing your thoughts. Thank You, [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION

NHTSA complaint 11534799, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN

fire

Had transmission problems before this final issue. With that said the dealership ended up replacing the transmission as it was under warranty. Not even 2000 miles later we are coming back from vacation and I lost total power of the vehicle but since I was going around 70 mph we made it to the shoulder of the highway. Once there the vehicle was already smoking so we all got out of the vehicle and that’s when I saw the fire, and not even 3 minutes later it was totally in gulfed in flames.

NHTSA complaint 11676812. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

crash

All windows will fog up when the outside air temperature is below 29 degrees Fahrenheit. The dealer says that it is a known condition, but they are not sure how to resolve it.

NHTSA complaint 11462942. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SEAT BELTS

55,884 miles

The contact owns 2020 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, occupied with his wife in the vehicle, he heard a loud explosion noise coming from inside the vehicle, and as his wife leaning forward the seat belt deployed on his front passenger side of the vehicle causing his wife to sustain whiplash and brushing to her chest. A dealer or An Independent mechanic was not contacted. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer for dignanoses. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure mileage was 124,000. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number:25V197000(SEATBELTS) However, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The

NHTSA complaint 11751851, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
CDF Drum Failure is a known issue to Ford. They have issued a technical service bulletin (TSB 22-2428) to replace poorly designed components that have since been redesigned. The failure mode can cause violent gear shifts (from gear 10 to gear 1) at high speeds, which is a significant safety concern. While driving on the highway, the transmission would not shift between gears and the car lurched. Check engine light came on and I exited the highway immediately. I took my vehicle to be looked at, and they diagnosed the problem as CDF Drum failure. Ford needs to take responsibility for their problematic design in these vehicles.

NHTSA complaint 11739013. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Both front headlight and rear headlight seals are faulty resulting in a water leak, causing headlight and taillights to become inoperable at 60k miles.

NHTSA complaint 11737024. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
2020 Lincoln Navigator, 10R80 transmission. Following two full transmission replacements, torque converter replacement, valve body replacement, and transmission pump repair, vehicle continues to exhibit hesitation under acceleration, harsh and delayed shifting, loss of power, shaking beginning at approximately 28-30 mph felt through the floorboard, and abnormal fuel consumption. Independent tire shop ruled out tires as cause. Safety Recall O1 for PCM reprogramming remains incomplete on this VIN despite multiple service visits. Vehicle has been at dealership since early-March with no confirmed repair date or Ford engineer visit scheduled

NHTSA complaint 11735680. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
On [XXX] at or about [XXX]., I was traveling on the highway while going up hill to pass a slow moving vehicle, in the passing lane, suddenly lost total acceleration in which a wrench light appeared as if the transmission disengaged. I was able to coast to the into the driving lane, to get to the shoulder of the road in which the transmission engaged back at about 10mph. I was able to continue slowly, to my destination but at lower speeds the vehicle was shaking and shifting hard. I had just purchased this vehicle, used, only having same for about a month. I had to have the vehicle towed back to the place where I purchase same, due to transmission failure on 04/25/26. To A Better Way

NHTSA complaint 11733809, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
Transmission issue: Not shifting properly while on the highway and almost causing a crash by loosing power and shifted into neutral after attemting to accelerate. The next time it occured the transsmission would not down shift and I was not able to accelerate.

NHTSA complaint 11723959. 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 11 6
2024 15 7
2022 20 14
2021 31 12
2019 72 10
2018 50 12
2017 30 5
2016 25 4
2015 21 4
2013 14 0
2012 12 3
2011 9 0

Other 2020 Lincoln models

Every Lincoln on this site — 84 vehicles, 269 recall campaigns and 2 open investigation s.

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. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

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