Problems · NHTSA complaints

2008 Lincoln Navigator problems

Owners filed 30 complaints about the 2008 Lincoln Navigator with NHTSA between Nov 2007 and Dec 2025. The most-cited component is electrical system (7).

Complaints
30
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Electrical system7
  2. Service brakes5
  3. Structure4
  4. Steering2
  5. Service brakes, hydraulic2
  6. Visibility2
  7. Power train2
  8. Exterior lighting1
  9. Wheels1
  10. Seats1
  11. Vehicle speed control1
  12. Electronic stability control (esc)1
  13. Traction control system1
  14. Engine1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20071
20084
20091
20100
20113
20122
20131
20143
20151
20166
20171
20180
20193
20201
20210
20221
20230
20240
20252

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Electrical system

7 reports
“Turning signals don't work. I bought this used 2008 Lincoln Navigator with the written text on my phone that said the used car lot took the vehicle to their mechanic and he said he had fixed the problem. I called him (the mechanic) upset and said the used car lot said he fixed the problem. He said he didn't say that; the signals could not be fixed without certain parts (computer parts) that are not available from anywhere. The parts are not being made and the re-conditioned parts are not available from re-conditioned businesses. I did sign an "as is" bill of sale with the understanding they would fix the signals. I have saved those text on my cells phone. They initially took responsibility of the defected signals by asking the mechanic to replace the signal arm. That didn't fix the problem. If they did this to me, they would do it to others. Now I have an unsafe vehicle that I should not drive. I also took this vehicle to a Lincoln dealership who confirmed what their mechanic stated.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 12, 2022Electrical systemODI 11456440

Service brakes

5 reports
“The brake booster vacuum hose attached to the intake manifold fitting swelled over time and was close to detaching from the intake manifold fitting. This condition could allow the hose to detach from the fitting during an engine backfire, resulting in loss of power brake assist and increased brake pedal effort. As a result, stopping distance may increase and potentially result in a crash.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 23, 2025Service brakesODI 11706694

Structure

4 reports
“AFTER TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL THE STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT RETURN TO CENTER, IT MUST BE BROUGHT BACK MANUALLY. SECOND, THE ROCKER PANELS FRONT AND BACK ARE RUSTED OUT COMPLETELY AND I WORRY ABOUT INTEGRITY AND SAFETY OF THE FRAME.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 11, 2019Steering, StructureODI 11166569

Steering

2 reports
“STEERING WHEEL - FELT LOOSE UNATTACHED PARTS RATTLING AGAINST EACH OTHER IN STEERING ASSEMBLY WHEN CROSSING RAILROAD TRACKS OR UNEVEN PAVEMENT. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 9, 2014SteeringODI 10663173

Service brakes, hydraulic

2 reports
“MY BRAKES WILL FAIL WITHOUT ANY WARNING. I WILL BE DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY BRAKES WON'T WORK. THE ANTI-SKID LIGHT WILL GO ON ALONG WITH GRINDING NOISES. IT FEELS LIKE I AM PRESSING A STAKE DOWN THROUGH ROCKS AS I PRESS DOWN ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. DURING THIS TIME, I HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE BRAKES AND I PANIC THAT THE CAR WILL NOT STOP. AFTER A FEW SECONDS, THE BRAKES WORK ONCE AGAIN. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES FOR THIS ISSUE AND THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO FIX IT. THE SITUATION KEEPS HAPPENING. THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE WAS IN JANUARY, 2012. I AM VERY SCARED TO DRIVE THIS CAR. I HAVE BEEN VERY FORTUNATE THAT ANOTHER CAR HASN'T BEEN CLOSE BY WHEN MY BRAKES HAVE FAILED. *KB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 2, 2012Service brakes, hydraulicODI 10446213

Visibility

2 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT 2008 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR MALFUNCTIONED MAKING BOTH WINDOWS INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER REPLACED BOTH REGULATORS. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE WINDOW REGULATORS AND THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED HIM THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE WINDOW REGULATOR IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,208.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 26, 2011VisibilityODI 10421649
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.