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2002 Lincoln NavigatorProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 32 owner complaints about the 2002 Lincoln Navigator, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

2002 Lincoln Navigator
54
CarFlaw IndexSolid year16% below the Navigator median · #16 of 25 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints3212 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage90kAir bags, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 8, 2016. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2002 Lincoln Navigator has problems

32 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
Air bags75
Engine and engine cooling72
Vehicle speed control72
Electrical system61
Steering30
Fuel/propulsion system20
Fuel system, gasoline20
Engine20
Power train20
7 other systems81

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

1 recall

2002 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.

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

2002 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

2002 Lincoln Navigator safety ratings

2002 Lincoln Navigator 4 DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Rollover: 2 stars (0.0% risk)
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2002 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
In owners' words

What Navigator owners report

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR PASSENGER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN…
Complaint 10639044 · Sep 25, 2014 · 160,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH WHEN THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED AN INJURY TO THE EAR DRUM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHY THE AIR…
Complaint 10425095 · Sep 12, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT EITHER SOMETHING WAS PLACED UNDER THE SEAT OR THE SEAT COVER WAS WORN EXCESSIVELY. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED FROM…
Complaint 10412104 · Jul 13, 2011 · 180,000 miles

Own a 2002 Navigator?

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