Problems · NHTSA complaints

2015 Lincoln Navigator problems

Owners filed 21 complaints about the 2015 Lincoln Navigator with NHTSA between Nov 2016 and Mar 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (7).

Complaints
21
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Electrical system7
  2. Power train5
  3. Engine4
  4. Visibility3
  5. Seats1
  6. Steering1
  7. Back over prevention1
  8. Visibility/wiper1
  9. Service brakes1
  10. Air bags1
  11. Fuel system, gasoline1
  12. Seat belts1
  13. Fuel/propulsion system1
  14. Other / unknown3

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
20161
20170
20182
20191
20201
20212
20223
20234
20241
20254
20262

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
“Unknown. When vehicle is running there is a strong smell of burnt wires coming from the front passenger side of the vehicle. It gets worse after running for awhile. Smell is stronger when the air is on. Reading other recalls it sounds similar to recalls on similar vehicles blower motors.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 17, 2026Electrical systemODI 11725007

Power train

5 reports
“MY 2015 Lincoln Navigator suddenly down shifts when driving. I was on the highway driving 65 MPH when I had to pull off onto the edge of the highway at night in CHICAGO. This is very scary and a significant safety issue. Ford knows of the defects with the transmission in this model. They have issued recalls for the same transmission in other models, just not the Navigator yet. This needs a recall immediately for the models that have transmissions with the same defects just as other Ford models such as the F150.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 20, 2024Power trainODI 11603530

Engine

4 reports1 crash1 fire
“The contact owned a 2015 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that when started, the air conditioning system became inoperable. The contact observed smoke coming through the air vents. The vehicle was turned off. Additionally, the contact observed fire coming from under the glove box. The Fire Department arrived and extinguished the fire. The origin of the fire was unknown. The contact stated that the vehicle was a total loss. The contact was unsure where the vehicle was taken to. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 59,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 6, 2023EngineFire reportedODI 11542957

Visibility

3 reports2 related recalls
“The contact owns a 2015 Lincoln Navigator. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V648000 (VISIBILITY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); and the vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the recall repair was performed; however, shortly after the repair the climate control blower motor remained activated. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was advised that the speed controller was responsible for the failure because the blower motor was melted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 6, 2025Electrical system, VisibilityODI 11646838

Seats

1 report
“Second row passenger side captains chair seat latch that secures it to the floor is defective. Metal teeth somehow are worn off prevent the seat from latching to the floor. Huge safety issue for this as it’s mostly kids sitting in the back that may not even notice or say anything. Makes me nervous how many people in navigator and expeditions are riding around with defective seats. Called the dealership to get a replacement part and was told it would need a new seat frame. $3400 for a seat frame is beyond outrageous. I can find used seats, still not cheap, but my concern is this will be the same issue.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 21, 2026SeatsODI 11712337

Steering

1 report
“Telescoping button on steering column does not work. The steering wheel is in a low position making it difficult to enter and exit vehicle.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 25, 2025SteeringODI 11656786
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.