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.
Safety recalls
Owner complaints by component
- Power train6
- Electrical system3
- Engine2
- Vehicle speed control2
- Structure2
- Service brakes1
- Seat belts1
- Air bags1
- Visibility/wiper1
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.
View as table
| 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 |
- Crashes reported
- 2
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 2
- Deaths reported
- 0
What owners report most
Power train
“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.”
Electrical system
“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…”
Engine
“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…”
Engines, transmissions & drive
- 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.
EPA fuel economy by version
| 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 | 554 |
| Navigator 4WD FFV Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 13 | 18 | 15 | $4,150 | 606 |
- 16mpg comb.
- 15mpg comb.
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
- Frontal crash
- 4 of 5
- Side crash
- 5 of 5
- Side pole
- 2 of 5
- Rollover
- 4 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 19.8%
- Frontal crash
- 4 of 5
- Side crash
- 5 of 5
- Side pole
- 2 of 5
- Rollover
- 3 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 21.2%
- Frontal crash
- 4 of 5
- Side crash
- 5 of 5
- Side pole
- 2 of 5
- Rollover
- 4 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 19.8%
- Frontal crash
- 4 of 5
- Side crash
- 5 of 5
- Side pole
- 2 of 5
- Rollover
- 3 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 21.2%
Maintenance basics
| 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 |
- 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
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.