Research · Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2017 Lincoln NavigatorRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 32 owner complaints for the 2017 Lincoln Navigator. Most complaints involve service brakes (5) and back over prevention (5). The EPA rates it 16–17 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
16–17mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest Sep 2025
Owner complaints
32
Top: service brakes
Fuel cost / yr
$3,650est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

5 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

Service brakes

Free remedy

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2018 F-150, Expedition, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The brake master cylinder may allow brake fluid to leak from the front wheel circuit into the brake booster.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Apr 11, 2025NHTSA 25V236000

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
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

32 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2017 – Oct 2026
  1. Service brakes5
  2. Back over prevention5
  3. Service brakes, hydraulic5
  4. Electrical system4
  5. Visibility4
  6. Air bags3
  7. Fuel/propulsion system3
  8. Exterior lighting2
  9. Structure2

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
3
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
3
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

Service brakes

5 reports1 crash
“The vehicle has a severe brake fluid leak. There is a recall for the issue. I called the local Lincoln dealership Ford Mill Lincoln SC and they said there was nothing they could do. I explained to them that there was a safety recall. They refused to fix the vehicle under the recall. The car is very unsafe to drive and the manufacturer is not offering any assistance to fix the defect.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 13, 2026Service brakesODI 11724124

Back over prevention

5 reports
“The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln Navigator. The contact previously received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V572000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available, and the rearview camera intermittently displayed a blank or distorted image. The contact stated that when the part for the recall repair became available, the vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, after the dealer inspected the rearview camera, no failure was found. The rearview camera was not replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the rearview camera would be replaced as necessary. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 11, 2026Back over preventionODI 11723581

Service brakes, hydraulic

5 reports
“The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that while inspecting the vehicle, it was discovered that there was an unknown fluid leaking from the rear of the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V236000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 58,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 6, 2025Service brakes, hydraulicODI 11678745
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
152117$3,650523
Navigator 4WD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
152017$3,650537
Navigator L 2WD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
152017$3,650536
Navigator L 4WD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
151916$3,900546
  • Navigator 2WD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo
    15 city · 21 hwy · $3,650/yr
    17
    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 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%
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 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 11240Vehicle 11239Vehicle 11238
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

2017 Navigator questions

How many recalls does the 2017 Lincoln Navigator have?

5 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 2017 Lincoln Navigator problems?

Owners filed 32 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes (5), back over prevention (5), service brakes, hydraulic (5). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2017 Lincoln Navigator get?

The EPA rates the 2017 Lincoln Navigator at 16–17 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

How safe is the 2017 Lincoln Navigator?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2017 Lincoln Navigator 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 8, 2026