Model year record

1998 Lincoln Navigator recalls & problems

The 1998 Lincoln Navigator has 6 safety recalls and 192 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is tires (54 complaints).

Recalls6safety recalls

Complaints192filed by owners

Crashes · fires14 · 22reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths26 · 15reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009

Exterior lighting

Recall 09E01200016,270 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Vehicle speed controlSep 7, 2005

Vehicle speed control

Recall 05V3880004,500,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Risk: A FIRE AT THE SWITCH COULD OCCUR.
Fix: BY LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 12, 2005, OWNERS WERE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED. OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THEIR SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATED ARE BEING NOTIFIED THAT PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE AND ADVISED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO RECONNECT THE SPEED CONTROL BEGINNING IN FEBRUARY 2006. OWNERS WHO DID NOT HAVE THEIR SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATED ARE BEING NOTIFIED TO HAVE THEIR SYSTEM REMEDIED BEGINNING IN FEBRUARY 2006. OWNERS ARE URGED TO AVAIL THEMSELVES OF THE FREE DISCONNECT SERVICE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THE SIGNIFICANT RISK OF FIRE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. (NOTE: ALSO SEE RECALLS 05V017 AND 06V286)

Trailer hitchesMar 7, 2000

Trailer hitches

Recall 00V073000565,800 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES. THE TRAILER HITCH ASSEMBLY TO THE FRAME ATTACHING BOLTS COULD LOSE THE CLAMP LOAD.
Risk: THE TRAILER HITCH COULD THEN SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRAILER HITCH MOUNTING BOLTS AND NUT PLATES.

WheelsMay 13, 1998

Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs

Recall 98V0950001,520,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES AND LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. THE LUG NUTS ON THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT CREATE SUFFICIENT CLAMP LOAD ALLOWING WHEEL MOVEMENT IN RELATION TO THE HUB/ROTOR MOUNTING SURFACE.
Risk: THIS CAN RESULT IN THE LOOSENING OF LUG NUTS, STUD FATIGUE FAILURE, AND THE POTENTIAL FOR A WHEEL SEPARATION FROM THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES WILL BE RECEIVING TWO NOTIFICATIONS. THE FIRST NOTIFICATION, WHICH BEGAN IN MAY 1998, WILL PROVIDE AN INTERIM REPAIR PROCEDURE UNTIL PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE. THIS INTERIM PROCEDURE CAN BE COMPLETED BY OWNERS OR THEIR DEALERS. IT SPECIFIES THAT THE LUG NUT TORQUE MUST BE VERIFIED TO BE 100 LBS. THEN THE LUG NUTS NEED TO BE TIGHTENED AN ADDITIONAL 1/8 TO 1/4 TURN MORE. THERE WILL BE A SECOND OWNER NOTIFICATION, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN JULY 20, 1998, UNDER WHICH DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WHEEL STUDS AND REPLACE THE WHEEL LUG NUTS.

Exterior lightingFeb 10, 1998

Headlights

Recall 98V028000571,800 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TEXT AND/OR GRAPHICS FOR THE VEHICLE HEADLAMP AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES ARE NOT SUFFICIENTLY CLEAR. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Risk: IF THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES ARE REPLACED, CUSTOMERS MAY BE CONFUSED BY THE AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES CAUSING THE HEADLAMPS TO BE IMPROPERLY AIMED.
Fix: OWNER GUIDES CONTAINING REVISED AIMING INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE MAILED TO OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES.

Power trainOct 7, 1997

Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (prndl)

Recall 97V171000866,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE ASSEMBLY WAS NOT FULLY ATTACHED TO THE STEERING COLUMN BRACKET, THE SHIFT CABLE ASSEMBLY CAN COME OUT OF THE BRACKET. THE VEHICLE OPERATOR WOULD THEN NOT BE ABLE TO SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION FROM ONE OF THE DRIVE GEAR POSITIONS INTO THE PARK POSITION EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR WOULD INDICATE "PARK."
Risk: THE CONDITION WOULD NOT ALLOW A DISENGAGEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION FROM THE PARK POSITION OR AFFECT PROPER NEUTRAL START SWITCH OPERATION. UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT COULD OCCUR IF THE PARKING BRAKE WAS NOT SET.
Fix: DEALERS WILL MAKE THE PROPER ATTACHMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CONTROL CABLE TO THE STEERING COLUMN BRACKET AND ADD A TIE STRAP TO THAT CONNECTION.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1998 Lincoln Navigator 4 DR. 4X4

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Navigator 2WD

13mpg combined

City / highway	12 / 16 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5.4 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $5,150/year to fuel

Navigator 4WD

12mpg combined

City / highway	11 / 15 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5.4 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $5,600/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
TiresTread/belt; Sidewall	54	2	0	4	54,000 mi
SuspensionFront; Rear	26	4	0	8	69,145 mi
SteeringLinkages › Tie rod assembly; Linkages	22	1	0	1	83,849 mi
Electrical systemWiring › Front underhood; Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers	21	0	7	0	102,000 mi
Vehicle speed controlCruise control; Accelerator pedal	19	1	8	3	97,751 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission › Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm); Automatic transmission	16	3	0	3	113,000 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Gasoline	16	0	6	1	124,500 mi
WheelsLugs/nuts/bolts/studs	15	2	0	3	97,145 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components	10	0	0	0	—
VisibilityPower window devices and controls; Windshield	9	0	0	0	—
StructureBody; Body › Door	8	0	0	5	98,120 mi
Air bagsFrontal	6	6	0	7	140,000 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Power 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.
Mar 29, 2018 · 72,126 miles
Service 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…
Mar 18, 2016 · 69,000 miles
Air bagsCrash1 injury
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.
Jun 22, 2016 · 140,000 miles
Air bagsCrash1 injury
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…
Dec 17, 2015 · 200,000 miles
Power trainCrash2 injuries
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 .
Mar 17, 2016 · 69,291 miles
Power 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.
Feb 12, 2015 · 100,000 miles
Electrical 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.
Feb 12, 2015 · 187,000 miles
Exterior lightingCrash
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
Feb 10, 2015

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEADClosed
ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR THE DEALER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, REPORTED THAT A SPARK PLUG DETACHED FROM THE CYLINDER AND/OR EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE.AS OF DECEMBER 8, 2005, ODI IS NOT AWARE OF ANY ALLEGATIONS WHERE THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, A CRASH, AN INJURY, OR A FATALITY IN ANY OF THE 10,319,810 SUBJECT VEHICLES.IN ADDITION, ODI IS AWARE OF ONLY TWO INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT RESTART.INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ODI CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND OBTAINED FROM 72 TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS WITH COMPLAINANTS SHOWED THE FOLLOWING:(1) 99% OF THE COMPLAINTS WERE ON MY…
DP05005 · opened Sep 22, 2005 · closed Jan 4, 2006
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESClosedLed to recall 05V388000
EA05-005 IS CLOSED WITH FORD?S ACTIONS IN RECALLS 05V-017, 05V-388, AND 06V-286, RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 6.7 MILLION VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCHES (SCDS).THE BRAKE SYSTEMS IN THESE RECALLED VEHICLES GENERATE A VACUUM THAT CAN POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE SCDS TO FAIL AND, IN CERTAIN SWITCH INSTALLATION ORIENTATIONS, CATCH FIRE.FORD IS ALSO INCLUDING THE ENTIRE POPULATION OF 1998 EXPLORERS.FORD HAS INFORMED ODI THAT TESTING TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURES IN THE 1998 EXPLORERS WILL CONTINUE AFTER THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.ODI BELIEVES THAT THE VEHICLES EXHIBITING THE FACTORS CAUSING SCDS FAILURE DESCRIBED IN THIS REPORT CORRELATE WELL WITH THE OBSERVED FAILURE RATES ON THESE VEHICLES BY MODEL AND MODEL YEAR.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST IN THE NON-RECALLED…
EA05005 · opened Mar 22, 2005 · closed Aug 2, 2006
FACTORY INSTALLED TOWING HITCH SEPARATIOClosedLed to recall 00V073000
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED ON SEPTEMBER 27, 1999 BASED ON FIVE CONSUMER REPORTS ALLEGING THAT SOME OF THE EIGHT HITCH MOUNTING BOLTS EITHER BECAME LOOSE OR CAME COMPLETELY OUT OF ITS RETAINING PLATE.ONE OF THE COMPLAINTS INDICATED THAT WHILE TOWIG A TRAILER THE HITCH ACTUALLY SEPARATED FROM THE FRAME ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE FOUR MOUNTING BOLTS ON THAT SIDE CAME COMPLETELY OUT. THIS ALLOWED THE HITCH AND TRAILER TO CONTACT THE ROAD SURFACE.IN ITS RESPONSE TO THE AGENCY, FORD PROVIDED INFORMATION REGARDING NINE ADDITIONAL REPORTS OF LOOSE OR MISSING BOLTS, TWO OF THOSE ALLEGING SEPARATION OF THE HITCH ON ONE SIDE.THERE WERE NO REPORTS OF VEHICLE CRSHES, INJURIES, OR A COMPLETE SEPARATION OF A HITCH ASSEMBLY.SCOPE:1997 THROURGH 2000 MODEL YEAR EXPEDITIONS AND 1998 THROUGH 2000 MODEL YEAR NAVIGATORS BUILT AT MICHIGAN TRUCH ASSEMBLLY PLANT FROM JULY 22,1 996…
PE99060 · opened Sep 27, 1999 · closed Mar 8, 2000
TIE ROD END FAILURESClosed
There is no summary currently available
PE98024 · opened Apr 21, 1998 · closed Jul 21, 1998