Research · Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2013 Lincoln NavigatorRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 14 owner complaints for the 2013 Lincoln Navigator. Most complaints involve power train (6) and electrical system (3). The EPA rates it 15–16 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Combined MPG
15–16mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
14
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$3,900est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2013 Lincoln Navigator as of Nov 8, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

14 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2014 – Aug 2026
  1. Power train6
  2. Electrical system3
  3. Engine2
  4. Vehicle speed control2
  5. Structure2
  6. Service brakes1
  7. Seat belts1
  8. Air bags1
  9. Visibility/wiper1

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

By model year

Complaints for each Navigator model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1998201
1999138
2000133
200192
200232
2003127
200486
200548
200660
200745
200830
200910
201016
20119
201212
201314
201417
201521
201625
201732
201852
201985
202032
202134
202221
20237
202416
202514
20260
20270
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
2
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

6 reports1 crash
“VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED WHILE DRIVING. SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING. STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF GEAR UPON ACCELERATION. CLUSTER SHOWED WRENCH AND ENGINE LIGHT. TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF THEN RESTARTED AND THE CLUSTER CLEARED AND OPERATION RETURNED TO NORMAL. A WEEK LATER, THE SAME INCIDENT. SEEMS TO BE THE PROBLEM THAT EXPIRED IN THE 2023 CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF THAT WINDOW.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 29, 2026Power trainODI 11747126

Electrical system

3 reports
“My truck on a few occasions suddenly down shift hard and on its own without warning, it could very much have cause an accident and could have been deadly at highway speeds, at the same time the speedometer would go to 0 and quit working, as well as multiple warning messages would pop up on message display. IE out of fuel, air system failure, orange wrench, Etc. Then after some time everything would go back to normal operation until it randomly did it again. This is a major safety issue for drivers and passengers as well as other vehicles around. At the dealer they gave me a print out from 2019 that states it was a safty recall 19S07 but the dealership said it was only a technical bullet not a safty recall and dealers not responsible for the cost but will reprogram the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) with updated calibration -Requires using IDS software release 113.06A or newer (internet connection needed) -No replacement parts needed—this is a software fix But in truth, this dose not fix the problem. Online research show that in most cases the dealership has to remove main control and replace LEAD FRAME. (Located internally in the transmission) like they did on…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 25, 2025Power train, Electrical system, Vehicle speed controlODI 11669073

Engine

2 reports
“While operating my 2013 Lincoln Navigator under normal driving conditions, a spark plug ejected from the cylinder head, causing immediate and catastrophic engine failure. The engine lost power and began producing severe mechanical noise, creating a potential safety hazard due to sudden loss of propulsion. Inspection by both an independent mechanic and an authorized Ford dealership confirmed that the spark plug ejection allowed debris to enter the combustion chamber, destroying internal engine components. The vehicle was properly maintained and this failure occurred without warning. This issue appears consistent with known problems involving the Ford 5.4L Triton engine design. Ford Motor Company has refused to escalate or investigate the failure despite documentation. Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center P.O. Box 6248 Dearborn, MI 48126 Re: Goodwill Assistance Request & Notice of Latent Defect Vehicle: 2013 Lincoln Navigator – 5.4L Triton V8 VIN: [XXX] Case Number: To Whom It May Concern, I am the original purchaser and continuous owner of a 2013 Lincoln Navigator equipped with the 5.4L Triton engine. For more than three decades I have exclusively…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 11, 2026EngineODI 11737011
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
5.4L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 6-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Navigator 2WD FFV
Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
142016$3,900554
Navigator 4WD FFV
Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
131815$4,150606
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

4 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Lincoln Navigator SUV 4x4
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
2 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
19.8%
Overall
4 / 5
Lincoln Navigator SUV 4x2
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
2 of 5
Rollover
3 of 5
Rollover risk
21.2%
Overall
4 / 5
Lincoln Navigator EXTENDED SUV 4x4
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
2 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
19.8%
Overall
4 / 5
Lincoln Navigator EXTENDED SUV 4x2
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
2 of 5
Rollover
3 of 5
Rollover risk
21.2%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 8, 2026Vehicle 7351Vehicle 7350Vehicle 7349
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2013 Navigator questions

How many recalls does the 2013 Lincoln Navigator have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 8, 2026.

What are the most common 2013 Lincoln Navigator problems?

Owners filed 14 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (6), electrical system (3), engine (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2013 Lincoln Navigator get?

The EPA rates the 2013 Lincoln Navigator at 15–16 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2013 Lincoln Navigator?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2013 Lincoln Navigator 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 8, 2026