LINCOLN NAVIGATOR · model year

1998 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR

240 NHTSA complaints, 21 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1998LINCOLNNAVIGATOR carries 240 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 21 crashes, 24 fires, 36 injuries, and 15 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1998 NAVIGATOR is tires with 23 filings, followed by tires:tread/belt (22) and steering:linkages:tie rod assembly (12). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 1998 NAVIGATOR. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

240
Complaints
21
Crashes
24
Fires
36
Injuries
15
Deaths

Total Complaints

240 filings

Crashes Reported

21 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume, review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
TIRES23
TIRES:TREAD/BELT22
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY12
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM12
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS10
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL8
SUSPENSION:FRONT8
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE8
TIRES:SIDEWALL8
SUSPENSION7
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL7
STEERING:LINKAGES6
SUSPENSION:REAR5
WHEELS5
POWER TRAIN5

Recent Complaints

20180412POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN PARK, THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ROLL FORWARD OR BACKWARDS, DEPENDING ON IF THE VEHICLE WAS ON AN INCLINE OR A DECLINE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE ROLLAWAY POSSIBILITIES WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,126.

Mileage: 72,126

20160718SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SWAYED FROM SIDE TO SIDE WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SCRAPE ACROSS THE GROUND. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE STOPPED INDEPENDENTLY. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE LUG NUTS ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE WHEEL TO DISENGAGE FROM THE VEHICLE. THE ENTIRE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME, THE DRIVE SHAFT, THE TRANS AXLE, THE TRANSFER CASE, THE REAR AXLE, THE BEARING, AND THE REAR LUG NUTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.

Mileage: 69,000

20160718SUSPENSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SWAYED FROM SIDE TO SIDE WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SCRAPE ACROSS THE GROUND. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE STOPPED INDEPENDENTLY. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE LUG NUTS ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE WHEEL TO DISENGAGE FROM THE VEHICLE. THE ENTIRE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME, THE DRIVE SHAFT, THE TRANS AXLE, THE TRANSFER CASE, THE REAR AXLE, THE BEARING, AND THE REAR LUG NUTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.

Mileage: 69,000

20160718WHEELS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SWAYED FROM SIDE TO SIDE WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SCRAPE ACROSS THE GROUND. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE STOPPED INDEPENDENTLY. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE LUG NUTS ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE WHEEL TO DISENGAGE FROM THE VEHICLE. THE ENTIRE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME, THE DRIVE SHAFT, THE TRANS AXLE, THE TRANSFER CASE, THE REAR AXLE, THE BEARING, AND THE REAR LUG NUTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.

Mileage: 69,000

20160622CrashAIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE FRONT OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN THE CONTACT IN PLACE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUFFERED A MILD CONCUSSION AND A WHIPLASH, BUT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

Mileage: 140,000

20160622CrashSEAT BELTS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE FRONT OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN THE CONTACT IN PLACE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUFFERED A MILD CONCUSSION AND A WHIPLASH, BUT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

Mileage: 140,000

20160420CrashAIR BAGS

I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH ON A RODE A DROVE EVERYDAY SOMETHING BROKE ON MY 98 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR . THE GUYS WHO FLIPPED IT BACK OVER SAID THE SUSPENSION BROKE I SCRAPED A GUARDRAIL THEN STRAIGHT ACROSS THE ROAD HEAD ON WITH A TREE I FLIPPED UP ON MY HEADLIGHTS SPUN LIKE THAT THEN ROLLED 50 MORE FEET DOWN THE ROAD IT KNOCKED ME OUT ON IMPACT BUT A FRIEND WAS IN FRONT OF ME AND SEEN THE WHOLE THING I HAD A SEVERE CONCUSSION AND BROKE MY BACK N FOUR PLACES NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE FOR ANYONE THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SUSPENSION AND AIR SHOCKS NOT WORKING MY SONS ALMOST LOST THEIR MOM BC THE SUSPENSION BROKE IT WAS A VERY WELL MAINTAINED VEHICLE ONE OWNER BE FORE ME WHO TOOK VERY GOOD CARE OF IT I ONLY DROVE IT FOR 5 MONTHS ABOUT 20 MILES ADAY TO WORK IN BACK IT WAS NOT LACK OF MAINTENANCE OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT

Mileage: 200,000

20160420CrashSUSPENSION

I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH ON A RODE A DROVE EVERYDAY SOMETHING BROKE ON MY 98 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR . THE GUYS WHO FLIPPED IT BACK OVER SAID THE SUSPENSION BROKE I SCRAPED A GUARDRAIL THEN STRAIGHT ACROSS THE ROAD HEAD ON WITH A TREE I FLIPPED UP ON MY HEADLIGHTS SPUN LIKE THAT THEN ROLLED 50 MORE FEET DOWN THE ROAD IT KNOCKED ME OUT ON IMPACT BUT A FRIEND WAS IN FRONT OF ME AND SEEN THE WHOLE THING I HAD A SEVERE CONCUSSION AND BROKE MY BACK N FOUR PLACES NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE FOR ANYONE THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SUSPENSION AND AIR SHOCKS NOT WORKING MY SONS ALMOST LOST THEIR MOM BC THE SUSPENSION BROKE IT WAS A VERY WELL MAINTAINED VEHICLE ONE OWNER BE FORE ME WHO TOOK VERY GOOD CARE OF IT I ONLY DROVE IT FOR 5 MONTHS ABOUT 20 MILES ADAY TO WORK IN BACK IT WAS NOT LACK OF MAINTENANCE OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT

Mileage: 200,000

20160420CrashWHEELS

I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH ON A RODE A DROVE EVERYDAY SOMETHING BROKE ON MY 98 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR . THE GUYS WHO FLIPPED IT BACK OVER SAID THE SUSPENSION BROKE I SCRAPED A GUARDRAIL THEN STRAIGHT ACROSS THE ROAD HEAD ON WITH A TREE I FLIPPED UP ON MY HEADLIGHTS SPUN LIKE THAT THEN ROLLED 50 MORE FEET DOWN THE ROAD IT KNOCKED ME OUT ON IMPACT BUT A FRIEND WAS IN FRONT OF ME AND SEEN THE WHOLE THING I HAD A SEVERE CONCUSSION AND BROKE MY BACK N FOUR PLACES NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE FOR ANYONE THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SUSPENSION AND AIR SHOCKS NOT WORKING MY SONS ALMOST LOST THEIR MOM BC THE SUSPENSION BROKE IT WAS A VERY WELL MAINTAINED VEHICLE ONE OWNER BE FORE ME WHO TOOK VERY GOOD CARE OF IT I ONLY DROVE IT FOR 5 MONTHS ABOUT 20 MILES ADAY TO WORK IN BACK IT WAS NOT LACK OF MAINTENANCE OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT

Mileage: 200,000

20160408CrashPOWER TRAIN

WHEELS ARE NOT SAFE AND VERY DANGEROUS AND RANDOMLY BREAKING OFF ALL SCREWS WHILE DRIVING AND RUINED THE FRAME AND DRIVE SHAFT TRANSMISSION SUSPENSION ETC... HIGHWAY 10 WEST AND VEHICLE BECAME UNSTOPPABLE AS BRAKES ALSO NEW BUT FAILED WITHOUT 4TH WHEEL THIS OCCURRED 1ST ON MORNING AFTER ST PATRICKS DAY 2016 AND THE TIRES WERE GOOD AND WHEELS WERE BOLTED WITH LUGNUT IMPACT DRILL AND MECHANIC SAID THERS A RECALL AND THE ORIGINAL OWNER WAS UNAWARE BUT LINCOLN CLAIMS THEY TRIED TO FIX BEFORE IN 1999 BUT ANAHEIM WAS FRAUDULENTLY CLAIMING REPAIRS THAT WERE NEVER COMPLETED BECAUSE THE OWNER ALWAYS ONLY WENT TO THE DEALER WHERE PURCHASED NEW AND THE WARRANTY WAS IN EFFECT 69,863 MILES .

Mileage: 69,291

20160408CrashSUSPENSION

WHEELS ARE NOT SAFE AND VERY DANGEROUS AND RANDOMLY BREAKING OFF ALL SCREWS WHILE DRIVING AND RUINED THE FRAME AND DRIVE SHAFT TRANSMISSION SUSPENSION ETC... HIGHWAY 10 WEST AND VEHICLE BECAME UNSTOPPABLE AS BRAKES ALSO NEW BUT FAILED WITHOUT 4TH WHEEL THIS OCCURRED 1ST ON MORNING AFTER ST PATRICKS DAY 2016 AND THE TIRES WERE GOOD AND WHEELS WERE BOLTED WITH LUGNUT IMPACT DRILL AND MECHANIC SAID THERS A RECALL AND THE ORIGINAL OWNER WAS UNAWARE BUT LINCOLN CLAIMS THEY TRIED TO FIX BEFORE IN 1999 BUT ANAHEIM WAS FRAUDULENTLY CLAIMING REPAIRS THAT WERE NEVER COMPLETED BECAUSE THE OWNER ALWAYS ONLY WENT TO THE DEALER WHERE PURCHASED NEW AND THE WARRANTY WAS IN EFFECT 69,863 MILES .

Mileage: 69,291

20160408CrashWHEELS

WHEELS ARE NOT SAFE AND VERY DANGEROUS AND RANDOMLY BREAKING OFF ALL SCREWS WHILE DRIVING AND RUINED THE FRAME AND DRIVE SHAFT TRANSMISSION SUSPENSION ETC... HIGHWAY 10 WEST AND VEHICLE BECAME UNSTOPPABLE AS BRAKES ALSO NEW BUT FAILED WITHOUT 4TH WHEEL THIS OCCURRED 1ST ON MORNING AFTER ST PATRICKS DAY 2016 AND THE TIRES WERE GOOD AND WHEELS WERE BOLTED WITH LUGNUT IMPACT DRILL AND MECHANIC SAID THERS A RECALL AND THE ORIGINAL OWNER WAS UNAWARE BUT LINCOLN CLAIMS THEY TRIED TO FIX BEFORE IN 1999 BUT ANAHEIM WAS FRAUDULENTLY CLAIMING REPAIRS THAT WERE NEVER COMPLETED BECAUSE THE OWNER ALWAYS ONLY WENT TO THE DEALER WHERE PURCHASED NEW AND THE WARRANTY WAS IN EFFECT 69,863 MILES .

Mileage: 69,291

20160304POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR INDICATOR ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED TO DISPLAY THE DESIRED GEAR SELECTION. IN ADDITION, THE GEAR LEVER WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO THE PARK POSITION PROPERLY. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 97V171000 (POWER TRAIN). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

20150312ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT FAILED TO GO INTO THE PARK POSITION. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION KEY FAILED TO DISENGAGE FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 187,000.

Mileage: 187,000

20150312POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT FAILED TO GO INTO THE PARK POSITION. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION KEY FAILED TO DISENGAGE FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 187,000.

Mileage: 187,000

20150305CrashEXTERIOR LIGHTING

STARTED WITH THE LIGHT IN VEHICLE STAYING ON FOR HOURS AT A TIME CAUSING A LOUD NOISE UNDER HOOD. WHILE DRIVING AND PICKING UP MY GIRLFRIEND, WE WERE SCARED BY THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION OF MY VEHICLE. WE HIT ANOTHER CAR CAUSING OUR HEADS TO HIT THE DASH BOARD. THE CAR WOULDN'T STOP SO AFTER WE HIT A CAR WHILE ON BREAKS, I THROUGH CAR IN PARK AND THAT JUST MADE CAR ENGINE ROAR EVEN LOUDER CAUSING ENGINE TO GO INTO DANGER MOOD. TURNED CAR OFF AND STARTED BACK UP IT WAS STILL ROARING BUT THEN CALM DOWN TO NORMAL. *TR

20140121FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CAR WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. HAD NOT BEEN RUNNING OR STARTED IN OVER A WEEK. SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED UP. VEHICLE IS TOTALED AND OUR GARAGE AND FRONT FASCIA RECEIVED FIRE AND WATER DAMAGE. *TR

Mileage: 162,000

20140121FireENGINE

CAR WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. HAD NOT BEEN RUNNING OR STARTED IN OVER A WEEK. SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED UP. VEHICLE IS TOTALED AND OUR GARAGE AND FRONT FASCIA RECEIVED FIRE AND WATER DAMAGE. *TR

Mileage: 162,000

20130618FireENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER ADDING FUEL TO THE VEHICLE SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FOLLOWED BY A THERMAL EVENT. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR WAS IT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. ..UPDATED 07-17-13 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER PUMPING GAS A STRANGE CLICKING NOISE WAS HEARD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE DRIVERE TURNED THE VEHICLE ON AND OFF WITH THE SAME RESULT. SMOKE THEN EMERGED FROM THE HOOD. A FIRE STARTED ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. A THUMP WAS HEARD AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LEAK FLUIDS.. THE FIRE WENT OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. UPDATED 07/24/2013 *JS

Mileage: 328,251

20130225ENGINE

SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT AT 45 MPH W/O WARNING. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND GOT BACK NEXT DAY. 2 DAYS LATER, ENGINE LIGHT ON, WAS TOLD BY SAME DEALERSHIP THAT I HAD FAULTY VACUUM HOSES. MORE MONEY SPENT. NOW ABS LIGHT IS ON AFTER CHANGING ALL FRONT END BRAKE COMPONENTS. ALSO DASH LIGHTS STAY ON EVEN WITH ALL OTHER LIGHTS ARE OFF. *TR

Mileage: 165,000

Compare 1998LINCOLNNAVIGATOR to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1998 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR have?
The 1998 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR has 240 NHTSA complaints, 21 crashes, 24 fires, 36 injuries, and 15 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1998 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR?
The most-complained component for the 1998 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR is TIRES with 23 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include TIRES:TREAD/BELT and STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY.
Is the 1998 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.