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

2023 Lincoln NavigatorRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls and 7 owner complaints for the 2023 Lincoln Navigator. Most complaints involve electrical system (4) and back over prevention (2). The EPA rates it 17–19 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
17–19mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
8campaigns
Latest Mar 2026
Owner complaints
7
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Visibility: windshield wiper

Free remedy

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, and 2022-2023 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, and F-600 SD vehicles. The windshield wiper arms may break, causing the wipers to fail.

VisibilityReported Mar 31, 2026NHTSA 26V204000

Back over prevention: software

Free remedy

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2025 Lincoln Navigator, 2024-2025 Lincoln Nautilus, 2025 Lincoln Aviator and Explorer vehicles. The Image Processing Module A (IPMA) may experience multiple unexpected resets, resulting in loss of the rearview camera image and advanced driver assistance (ADAS) features, including pre-collision assist, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring.

Back over preventionReported Mar 19, 2026NHTSA 26V165000

Electrical system: integrated trailer brake control

Free remedy

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 F-150, 2022-2026 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, Maverick, 2024-2026 Ranger, 2023-2026 F-600 SD, 2022-2027 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, and 2026 E-Transit vehicles. When towing a trailer, the integrated trailer module (ITRM) may lose communication with the vehicle, possibly causing a loss of brake and turn signal lights, or a loss of brake function. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Electrical systemReported Feb 21, 2026NHTSA 26V104000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

7 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2023 – Sep 2026
  1. Electrical system4
  2. Back over prevention2
  3. Structure1
  4. Exterior lighting1
  5. Engine1
  6. Other / unknown1

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
0
Injuries reported
1
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

4 reports
“The contact owns a 2023 Lincoln Navigator. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V165000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the remedy was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 5, 2026Electrical system, Back over preventionODI 11735789

Back over prevention

2 reports
“The contact rented a 2023 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the electronic systems became inoperable. The backup camera was inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called for Roadside Assistance. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 43,200. The VIN was not available.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 1, 2024Electrical system, Back over preventionODI 11580426

Structure

1 report
“My son was getting into the front passenger door after school today and went he stepped up on the auto running boards it closed on his foot crushing his foot in between the vehicle and running board. The running board would not release. Multiple people in the carpool line saw my son screaming and crying in pain and had to run over to help me stand on and put pressure on the running board to create enough space for him to be able to barely pull his foot free. He suffered redness, swelling and bruising in most of his toes and toe joints. Plus trauma from the incident itself. His foot was trapped for over 1.5 min with 3 adults and 2 teenagers trying to help him free it. Unacceptable. This is incredibly dangerous and would have severely injured a smaller child using the running boards to enter the vehicle.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 22, 2026StructureODI 11766178
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 (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, SIDI; Stop-Start · Rear-Wheel Drive
172319$3,300462
Navigator 2WD
Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo, SIDI · Rear-Wheel Drive
162319$3,300468
Navigator 4WD
Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo, SIDI; Stop-Start · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
162218$3,450498
Navigator 4WD
Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo, SIDI · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
152117$3,650510
  • Navigator 2WD
    Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo, SIDI; Stop-Start
    17 city · 23 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Navigator 2WD
    Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo, SIDI
    16 city · 23 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Navigator 4WD
    Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo, SIDI; Stop-Start
    16 city · 22 hwy · $3,450/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Navigator 4WD
    Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo, SIDI
    15 city · 21 hwy · $3,650/yr
    17
    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
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2023 Lincoln Navigator as of Nov 8, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 8, 2026Vehicle 17362Vehicle 17361Vehicle 17364
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

2023 Navigator questions

How many recalls does the 2023 Lincoln Navigator have?

8 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 2023 Lincoln Navigator problems?

Owners filed 7 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (4), back over prevention (2), structure (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2023 Lincoln Navigator get?

The EPA rates the 2023 Lincoln Navigator at 17–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 8, 2026