NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 10 owner complaints for the 2009 Lincoln Navigator. Most complaints involve electrical system (3) and engine and engine cooling (2). The EPA rates it 16 mpg combined.
FORD IS RECALLING 1,357 MY 2009 EXPEDITION AND NAVIGATOR VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE BRAKE STOP LAMP SWITCH MAY BE IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED. THIS MAY RESULT IN A DELAY IN BRAKE STOPLAMP ILLUMINATION WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. IN SITUATIONS OF VERY MILD BRAKE APPLICATION, THE BRAKE STOPLAMPS MAY NOT ILLUMINATE.
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 |
“WHEN AIR CONDITION IS SET BELOW 72, PASSENGER FRONT SIDE IS MAKING LOUD CLICKING NOISE FOR ABOUT 1 MINUTE THEN GOES AWAY.”
“WHILE UNLOADING THE BACK OF MY TRUCK, I WAS BURNED BY THE TAIL PIPE THAT PROTRUDES FROM THE BACK RIGHT SIDE OF THE TRUCK. THE BURN IS A 1/2 ROUND SHAPE ON MY RIGHT LEG. TOOK THE TRUCK IN FOR SERVICE AND LINCOLN DEALERSHIP SAID THAT IS HOW IT WAS DESIGNED FOR MY MODEL YEAR AND NO FIX WAS AVAILABLE. I HAVE REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO LINCOLN BUT HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM THEM AS OF THIS WRITING. *TR”
“WHEN BRAKING WHILE MOVING (AT ANY SPEED), THE BRAKE PEDAL BEGINS BRAKING AT ITS NORMAL PRESSURE POINT AND THEN SINKS TO THE FLOOR WITH REDUCED BRAKING EFFECT. SUNNYVALE LINCOLN HAS CHECKED THE WHOLE SYSTEM FOR LEAKS AND BLED SOME VERY TINY AIR BUBBLES OUT OF THE ABS CONTROL MODULE. THE PROBLEM RETURNED AFTER ABOUT FOUR DAYS. THEY REPLACED THE HCU LINES BECAUSE SOME VERY MINOR "WETNESS" WAS FOUND AT THE CONNECTORS AND BLED THE ABS CONTROL MODULE AGAIN. THE PROBLEM RETURNED AGAIN AFTER ABOUT FOUR DAYS. WE HAVE DONE THREE CYCLES OF THE BLEEDING NOW AND THIS FIXES THE PROBLEM, BUT ONLY FOR FOUR DAYS. SUNNYVALE LINCOLN IS CURRENTLY TRYING TO FURTHER DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE NAVIGATOR ONLY HAS 32,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS ONLY BEEN SERVICED BY THE DEALER. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT UNTIL THE PROBLEM IS PERMANENTLY RESOLVED. THESE SYMPTOMS SOUND VERY SIMILAR TO THE F-150 BRAKE INVESTIGATION. THE NAVIGATOR USES THE F-150 BRAKE SYSTEM.”
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 FFV Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 20 | 16 | $3,900 | 555 |
| 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 |
1 safety recall 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 10 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (3), engine and engine cooling (2), service brakes (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2009 Lincoln Navigator at 16 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).