NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 201 owner complaints for the 1998 Lincoln Navigator. Most complaints involve tires (47) and suspension (25). The EPA rates it 12–13 mpg combined.
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.
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES. THE TRAILER HITCH ASSEMBLY TO THE FRAME ATTACHING BOLTS COULD LOSE THE CLAMP LOAD.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Navigator model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1998 | 201 |
| 1999 | 138 |
| 2000 | 133 |
| 2001 | 92 |
| 2002 | 32 |
| 2003 | 127 |
| 2004 | 86 |
| 2005 | 48 |
| 2006 | 60 |
| 2007 | 45 |
| 2008 | 30 |
| 2009 | 10 |
| 2010 | 16 |
| 2011 | 9 |
| 2012 | 12 |
| 2013 | 14 |
| 2014 | 17 |
| 2015 | 21 |
| 2016 | 25 |
| 2017 | 32 |
| 2018 | 52 |
| 2019 | 85 |
| 2020 | 32 |
| 2021 | 34 |
| 2022 | 21 |
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2024 | 16 |
| 2025 | 14 |
| 2026 | 0 |
| 2027 | 0 |
“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 AUTO REPAIR SHOP FROM WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED. HAD NOT CONTACTED GENERAL TIRES, BUT WISHED FOR SOMEONE TO INVESTIGATE THE TIRES. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH A GOODYEAR TIRE. GENERAL TIRE, AMERITRACK, P255/70R16. *AK”
“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.”
“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.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Navigator 2WD Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 12 | 16 | 13 | $4,800 | 684 |
| Navigator 4WD Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 11 | 15 | 12 | $5,200 | 741 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
6 safety recalls as of Nov 8, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 201 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are tires (47), suspension (25), electrical system (24). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 1998 Lincoln Navigator at 12–13 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).