Research · Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD · 2 NHTSA variants

2019 Lincoln NavigatorRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 10 safety recalls and 85 owner complaints for the 2019 Lincoln Navigator. Most complaints involve seat belts (25) and power train (24). The EPA rates it 18–19 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
18–19mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
10campaigns
Latest Jun 2026
Owner complaints
85
Top: seat belts
Fuel cost / yr
$3,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Power train: automatic transmission

Remedy pending

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Navigator, Expedition, 2020-2021 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2021 F-150 vehicles. The transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage.

Power trainReported Jun 24, 2026NHTSA 26V402000

Electrical system: instrument cluster

Free remedy

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Ford Mustang, Lincoln Nautilus, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 19V076. At vehicle start-up, the Instrument Panel Cluster Assembly (IPC) may not function, showing a blank display. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Controls and Displays."

Electrical systemReported Jun 9, 2026NHTSA 26V372000

Seat belts: pretensioner

Remedy pending

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The seat belt pretensioner in the driver and/or front passenger seat may inadvertently lock the seat belt, which will not allow the belt to retract or extend.

Seat beltsReported May 28, 2026NHTSA 26V344000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

85 complaints filed with NHTSA · Aug 2019 – Nov 2026
  1. Seat belts25
  2. Power train24
  3. Electrical system11
  4. Engine11
  5. Air bags4
  6. Seats3
  7. Steering3
  8. Vehicle speed control3
  9. Back over prevention3

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
12
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

Seat belts

25 reports2 crashes
“The contact owns a 2019 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that while driving 45-50 MPH, there was an abnormally loud popping sound, and the contact felt an impact to the chest, and became aware of an abnormal odor. The seat belt warning light had illuminated after the failure. The contact stated that the front driver’s side seat belt retracted and locked. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, where bystanders assisted in freeing the contact from the locked seat belt by sliding the front driver's seat rearward while unlatching the seat belt buckle. The contact sustained bruises to the chest. The contact resumed driving after 20 minutes. The dealer was contacted by phone and informed the contact that the failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V344000 (Seat Belts); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone and confirmed that the part was not yet available for the recall repair. The failure mileage was 163,689.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 2, 2026Seat beltsODI 11775254

Power train

24 reports
“How do you have a problem with a Parking issue transmission or automatically going into parking on neutral when I was driving it started like three years ago with a little knocking sound every time I used to shift The dealer always told me that the hard shifting was something normal every time I wanna ask him to check and they did nothing. They just say it was normal now my transmission is failing and I don’t wanna be responsible because that same knock intensify and now it knocks and it breaks at the same time doing 25 to 30 miles an hour they asking for $10,000 for a new transmission which is their problem. The mechanic told me he was a mechanical failure inside the transmission. Everything else is good.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 8, 2026Power train, Unknown or other, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11769875

Electrical system

11 reports1 fire
“My 2019 Lincoln Navigator was parked sitting for 2 hours before a fire under the belly of the vehicle became a blaze. Neighbors had to use a fire extinguisher to get the fire out. I was at work (Ford Motor Company) while my wife and kids just made it home and was out of the vehicle. Jack Demmer Lincoln service the vehicle due to it shutting down completely with no warnings. (The vehicle would shut completely down WHILE DRIVING for 5 to 8 seconds every time it goes over ANY BUMB OR UNEVEN SURFACE OR PATCHE in the road. It would come back on in neutral mode. I have to put it back in drive mode ALL WHILE THE CAR IS MOVING AT ANY SPEED IT WILL DO THIS.) They return the vehicle back to me as if everything was fixed. 4 weeks later it's a blaze of fire under the body.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 27, 2026Electrical systemFire reportedODI 11759948
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 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 (S10)
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 (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
162319$3,300475
Navigator 4WD
Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
162118$3,450502
Navigator L 2WD
Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
162218$3,450496
  • Navigator 2WD
    Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo
    16 city · 23 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Navigator 4WD
    Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo
    16 city · 21 hwy · $3,450/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Navigator L 2WD
    Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo
    16 city · 22 hwy · $3,450/yr
    18
    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 SUV 4x4
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
19.3%
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
20.8%
Overall
5 / 5
Lincoln Navigator EL Extended SUV 4x4
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
19.3%
Overall
5 / 5
Lincoln Navigator EL Extended SUV 4x2
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
3 of 5
Rollover risk
20.8%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 8, 2026Vehicle 13311Vehicle 13310Vehicle 13313
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

2019 Navigator questions

How many recalls does the 2019 Lincoln Navigator have?

10 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 2019 Lincoln Navigator problems?

Owners filed 85 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are seat belts (25), power train (24), electrical system (11). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2019 Lincoln Navigator get?

The EPA rates the 2019 Lincoln Navigator at 18–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

How safe is the 2019 Lincoln Navigator?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2019 Lincoln Navigator 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 8, 2026