1998 Lincoln Navigator
This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1997 | 0 |
| 1998 | 192 |
| 1999 | 132 |
| 2000 | 109 |
| 2001 | 81 |
| 2002 | 32 |
| 2003 | 127 |
| 2004 | 86 |
| 2005 | 48 |
| 2006 | 60 |
| 2007 | 45 |
| 2008 | 30 |
| 2009 | 10 |
| 2010 | 16 |
| 2011 | 9 |
| 2012 | 12 |
| 2013 | 13 |
| 2014 | 17 |
| 2015 | 21 |
| 2016 | 25 |
| 2017 | 30 |
| 2018 | 48 |
| 2019 | 69 |
| 2020 | 28 |
| 2021 | 29 |
| 2022 | 20 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 15 |
| 2025 | 11 |
| 2026 | 0 |
| 2027 | 0 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
11% of complaints: tires — 22 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY10% of complaints: tires — 19 distinct reports on file.
CRASH6% of complaints: steering — 12 distinct reports on file.
6% of complaints: electrical system — 12 distinct reports on file.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
CAR WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. HAD NOT BEEN RUNNING OR STARTED IN OVER A WEEK. SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED UP. VEHICLE IS TOTALED AND OUR GARAGE AND FRONT FASCIA RECEIVED FIRE AND WATER DAMAGE. *TR
NHTSA ODI report, 20140121
5% of complaints: wheels — 10 distinct reports on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE ASSEMBLY WAS NOT FULLY ATTACHED TO THE STEERING COLUMN BRACKET, THE SHI
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAKE THE PROPER ATTACHMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CONTROL CABLE TO THE STEERING COLUMN BRACKET AND ADD A TIE STRAP TO THAT CONNECTION.
Campaign 97V171000 — check if this car was fixed
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TEXT AND/OR GRAPHICS FOR THE VEHICLE HEADLAMP AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES ARE NOT SUFFICIENTLY CLEAR. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIR
Remedy: OWNER GUIDES CONTAINING REVISED AIMING INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE MAILED TO OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES.
Campaign 98V028000 — check if this car was fixed
TIE ROD END FAILURES
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES AND LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. THE LUG NUTS ON THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT CREATE SUFFICIENT CLAMP LOAD ALLOWING WHEEL MOVEMENT IN RELATION TO THE HUB/ROTOR MOU
Remedy: OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES WILL BE RECEIVING TWO NOTIFICATIONS. THE FIRST NOTIFICATION, WHICH BEGAN IN MAY 1998, WILL PROVIDE AN INTERIM REPAIR PROCEDURE UNTIL PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE. THIS INTERIM PRO
Campaign 98V095000 — check if this car was fixed
FACTORY INSTALLED TOWING HITCH SEPARATIO
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES. THE TRAILER HITCH ASSEMBLY TO THE FRAME ATTACHING BOLTS COULD LOSE THE CLAMP LOAD.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRAILER HITCH MOUNTING BOLTS AND NUT PLATES.
Campaign 00V073000 — check if this car was fixed
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Remedy: BY LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 12, 2005, OWNERS WERE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED. OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THEIR SPEED CONTRO
Campaign 05V388000 — check if this car was fixed
SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1998 Lincoln Navigator — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for tires issues (22 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for tires issues (19 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for steering issues (12 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 97V171000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 98V028000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 98V095000 (wheels) has been completed.
- Verify recall 00V073000 (trailer hitches) has been completed.
- Verify recall 05V388000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1998 Lincoln Navigator reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Lincoln Navigator is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Lincoln Navigator?
The most-reported component is tires, accounting for 11% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1998 Lincoln Navigator have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.