Research · Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2016 Lincoln NavigatorRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 25 owner complaints for the 2016 Lincoln Navigator. Most complaints involve visibility (7) and back over prevention (5). The EPA rates it 16–18 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
16–18mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Sep 2025
Owner complaints
25
Top: visibility
Fuel cost / yr
$3,450est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Back over prevention: camera

Free remedy

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Lincoln MKC, Mustang, F-350 SD, F-250 SD, F-450 SD, 2015-2017 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, 2015-2018 Edge, Transit Connect, 2016-2019 F-550 SD, Transit, 2017-2019 Econoline, and 2019 Ranger vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.

Back over preventionReported Sep 4, 2025NHTSA 25V572000

Visibility: rearview mirrors

Free remedy

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The LED logo lights on the exterior mirrors may short circuit.

VisibilityReported Feb 14, 2025NHTSA 25V091000

Visibility: defroster

Free remedy

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The front blower motor located behind the glove box may fail.

VisibilityReported Aug 26, 2022NHTSA 22V648000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

25 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2016 – Apr 2026
  1. Visibility7
  2. Back over prevention5
  3. Service brakes4
  4. Electrical system3
  5. Power train2
  6. Service brakes, hydraulic2
  7. Forward collision avoidance1
  8. Tires1
  9. Engine1

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
0
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
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

Visibility

7 reports1 fire
“The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and turned off, there was white smoke coming from the passenger’s side exterior door mirror, accompanied by a burning plastic odor. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer for inspection, where it was diagnosed with a corrosion failure. The dealer indicated that the issue was not associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V091000 (Visibility). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 1, 2026VisibilityODI 11728593

Back over prevention

5 reports
“The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln Navigator. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V091000 (VISIBILITY) and 25V572000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION). The contact stated that the rearview camera displayed a black screen image while the vehicle was in reverse(R). The contact stated that the failure obstructed the driver's visibility, which prevented the driver from safely operating the vehicle. The message "Rearview Camera Unavailable" was displayed. The contact stated that when the temperature outside was over eighty degrees Fahrenheit, the failure occurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer refused to complete the repairs and informed the contact that, since there was no code displayed, the recall repairs were not needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 20, 2026Visibility, Back over preventionODI 11712247

Service brakes

4 reports
“There was a recall on the brake system before and that they fixed it and the same thing that it was a recall before is doing the same thing again with my brake system”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 4, 2025Service brakesODI 11684959
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (S6)
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
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
162218$3,450491
Navigator 4WD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
152017$3,650536
Navigator L 2WD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
152017$3,650532
Navigator L 4WD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
151916$3,900543
  • Navigator 2WD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo
    16 city · 22 hwy · $3,450/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Navigator 4WD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo
    15 city · 20 hwy · $3,650/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • Navigator L 2WD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo
    15 city · 20 hwy · $3,650/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • Navigator L 4WD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo
    15 city · 19 hwy · $3,900/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
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
5/ 5
5 of 5
Lincoln Navigator Extended SUV 4x4
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
19.8%
Overall
5 / 5
Lincoln Navigator SUV 4x2
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
3 of 5
Rollover risk
21.2%
Overall
5 / 5
Lincoln Navigator SUV 4x4
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
19.8%
Overall
5 / 5
Lincoln Navigator Extended SUV 4x2
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
3 of 5
Rollover risk
21.2%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 8, 2026Vehicle 10256Vehicle 10255Vehicle 10254
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

2016 Navigator questions

How many recalls does the 2016 Lincoln Navigator have?

4 safety recalls 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.

What are the most common 2016 Lincoln Navigator problems?

Owners filed 25 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are visibility (7), back over prevention (5), service brakes (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2016 Lincoln Navigator get?

The EPA rates the 2016 Lincoln Navigator at 16–18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

How safe is the 2016 Lincoln Navigator?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2016 Lincoln Navigator 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 8, 2026