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

2020 Lincoln NavigatorRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 13 safety recalls and 32 owner complaints for the 2020 Lincoln Navigator. Most complaints involve power train (18) and electrical system (4). 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
13campaigns
Latest Jun 2026
Owner complaints
32
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$3,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Engine

Park outsideFree remedy

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. A short circuit within the battery junction box can cause an engine fire while driving or parked.

EngineReported Sep 19, 2025NHTSA 25V628000

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

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

32 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2021 – Sep 2026
  1. Power train18
  2. Electrical system4
  3. Seat belts3
  4. Engine3
  5. Exterior lighting1
  6. Lane departure1
  7. Forward collision avoidance1
  8. Vehicle speed control1
  9. Tires1

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
2
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
1
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

Power train

18 reports1 fire
“The contact owns a 2020 Lincoln Navigator. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V402000 (Power Train); 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 contact stated that while driving toward a red light at 10 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly shifted into park(P), causing the contact's chest to strike the steering wheel. The engine then shut off. The vehicle was restarted, and the Hill Assist, Pre-Collision, and another unknown warning light were briefly illuminated before turning off. Additionally, the transmission was slipping while driving. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 21, 2026Power trainODI 11765889

Electrical system

4 reports
“The collision warning doesn't warn sometimes. Nothing goes off when Im approaching and or have slammed on my breaks to avoid a collision. Sometimes it goes off at a great distance when it doesn't make sense to go off. I just bought the car used and have noticed this a lot. Also sometimes lane departure corrects and sometimes it doesn't. Something is off.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 2, 2025Electrical system, Lane departure, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11684616

Seat belts

3 reports
“On August 20, 2026, I was driving my 2020 Lincoln Navigator and came to a complete stop at a traffic light. While I was sitting stationary at the light, with no collision, impact, sudden braking, or other event, I suddenly heard a very loud noise that sounded like a gunshot. At the same time, the driver-side seat belt violently tightened and pulled me back into the seat. The seat belt tightened with enough force to leave marks across my chest and stomach. I was able to get myself out of the seat belt, but afterward the seat belt remained extremely tight and locked in place and could no longer be used normally. My vehicle had previously been identified as being affected by a Lincoln/Ford recall involving the seat belt pretensioner. Several months ago, I received notification instructing me to bring the vehicle to a Lincoln dealership to have the recall addressed. I scheduled the repair and brought the vehicle to the dealership approximately two weeks later. At that time, I was informed that the recall had been paused and that the dealership could not perform the repair because Lincoln did not have an available remedy/replacement part. I continued driving the…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 21, 2026Seat beltsODI 11758614
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
162219$3,300478
Navigator 4WD
Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
162118$3,450506
Navigator L 2WD
Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
162118$3,450501
  • Navigator 2WD
    Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo
    16 city · 22 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 · 21 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 4WD
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 2WD
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 SUV 4WD
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 SUV 2WD
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 14937Vehicle 14901Vehicle 14938
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

2020 Navigator questions

How many recalls does the 2020 Lincoln Navigator have?

13 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 2020 Lincoln Navigator problems?

Owners filed 32 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (18), electrical system (4), seat belts (3). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2020 Lincoln Navigator get?

The EPA rates the 2020 Lincoln Navigator at 18–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

How safe is the 2020 Lincoln Navigator?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2020 Lincoln Navigator 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 8, 2026