Problems · NHTSA complaints

2019 Lincoln Navigator problems

Owners filed 85 complaints about the 2019 Lincoln Navigator with NHTSA between Aug 2019 and Nov 2026. The most-cited component is seat belts (25).

Complaints
85
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
12
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  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
  10. Forward collision avoidance2
  11. Suspension2
  12. Visibility/wiper2
  13. Structure2
  14. Visibility2

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
20192
20201
20213
20225
20239
202413
202522
202630

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

Seat belts

25 reports2 crashes3 related recalls
“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 reports1 related recall
“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 fire2 related recalls
“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

Engine

11 reports
“Purchased a 2019 Lincoln navigator in 2024 used at a dealership in Orange Park Florida. The vehicle was taken to the same dealership for an oil change, which is a Volkswagen dealership. I started to hear a loud shaking noise after starting it up. I took it to O’Reilly‘s auto parts and had to put on a machine and I also took it to Paul, Clark Ford and Yulee Florida. I was told by both that it was the cam phaser. The vehicle was also leaking coolant, and now the engine has completely blown in the vehicle. It has been sitting at a Lincoln dealership for three weeks with a blown engine due to the cam phaser Echt that was never addressed or corrected by Ford. The vehicle is just sitting. It’s now a boat anchor.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 23, 2025EngineODI 11668674

Air bags

4 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2019 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that while shifting the transmission from Reverse (R) to Drive (D), the driver's seat belt suddenly jolted her back into the seat, causing neck and shoulder pain. The Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) message was displayed. A loud, gunshot-like sound was heard, and an odor similar to a deployed air bag was noticed following the incident. The contact was informed by an unknown dealer that the parts were backordered for NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V344000 (Seat Belts). The contact then notified the manufacturer by telephone regarding the incident. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 15, 2026Air bags, Seat beltsODI 11771411

Seats

3 reports
“On XXX, around 7:00–8:00 PM, I was driving a 2019 Lincoln Navigator normally when the driver's seat-belt pretensioner suddenly deployed without any crash, collision, or impact. The seat belt tightened forcefully against my chest, causing an injury, and I noticed a strong chemical/fume smell immediately afterward. A [XXX] infant was in the rear seat at the time. I was evaluated by a doctor the following day and diagnosed with a contusion of the unspecified front wall of the thorax. X-rays were performed, and I am currently awaiting the results to determine whether there is any additional injury. I was prescribed pain medication. The vehicle has not yet been inspected or repaired, and the seat-belt assembly is available for inspection. There were no warning lights or messages before the deployment.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 21, 2026Seat belts, Seats, Unknown or otherODI 11765894
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.