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1998 Lincoln NavigatorProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 192 owner complaints about the 1998 Lincoln Navigator, most often about the tires. It is covered by 5 safety recalls.

18
CarFlaw IndexYear to avoid4.4× the Navigator median · #1 of 25 years by complaints
Safety recalls5Free fix at dealersOwner complaints19252 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage54kTires, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 12, 2018. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1998 Lincoln Navigator has problems

192 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Tires483
Suspension255
Steering221
Electrical system217
Vehicle speed control189
Engine and engine cooling166
Power train163
Wheels152
Service brakes, hydraulic80
11 other systems3613

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

5 recalls

1998 Lincoln Navigator recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs

Recall 98V-095 · May 13, 1998 · 1,520,000 vehicles

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Exterior lighting: headlights

Recall 98V-028 · Feb 10, 1998 · 571,800 vehicles

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 1 more recall
–no report yet

Automatic transmission: gear position indication (prndl)

Recall 97V-171 · Oct 7, 1997 · 866,000 vehicles

Risk. THE CONDITION WOULD NOT ALLOW A DISENGAGEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION FROM THE PARK POSITION OR AFFECT PROPER NEUTRAL START SWITCH OPERATION.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Lincoln.

Best & worst years

1998 vs. every other Navigator year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Navigator median. How we score

'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26'27
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1998 Lincoln Navigator safety ratings

1998 Lincoln Navigator 4 DR. 4X4 in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
4 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1998 Lincoln Navigator, and the recalls they led to.

  1. SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEADDP05005 · closed Jan 4, 2006
    No recall
  2. ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESEA05005 · closed Aug 2, 2006
    Led to recall 05V-388
  3. TIE ROD END FAILURESPE98024 · closed Jul 21, 1998
    No recall
  4. FACTORY INSTALLED TOWING HITCH SEPARATIOPE99060 · closed Mar 8, 2000
    Led to recall 00V-073
In owners' words

What Navigator owners report

Recent tires complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

DT: WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 60 MPH THE LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. THE TIRE COMPLETELY SHREDDED, NO EVIDENCE OF A PREVIOUS PUNCTURE. PULLED TO THE RIGHT SIDE SHOULDER OF ROAD ON A BRIDGE AND CALLED FOR TOW TRUCK. TOW TRUCK CAME, REMOVED TIRE AND PLACED THE SPARE ON. THE TIRE IS NOW AT…
Complaint 10132234 · Aug 10, 2005 · 100,175 miles
CONTINENTAL CONTI TRACK, P225/75R17, DOT # AD9C448078 FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, RESULTING IN BLOWOUTS. *AK THE CONSUMER PURCHASED THE SAME BRAND AND EXPERIENCED ANOTHER SEPARATION. *SC *JB
Complaint 10081410 · Aug 20, 2004 · 15,000 miles
AN AFTERMARKET TIRE IN THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. CONSUMER SENT THE DAMAGED TIRE BACK TO THE MANUFACTURER, WHO CLAIMED THAT BASED ON THE RESULTS OF THE EXAMINATION THIS WAS A SERVICE RELATED CONDITION BEYOND THE CONTROL OF THE MANUFACTURER. *AK TIRES…
Complaint 10058057 · Mar 11, 2004 · 77,000 miles

Own a 1998 Navigator?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.