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
- 192
- Recalls
- 6
- Investigations
- 4
- Top problem
- Tires
Campaigns on file for 1998
Opened by NHTSA
26% of complaints
Complaints per year
1998: 192 complaints
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 | 14 |
| 2014 | 17 |
| 2015 | 21 |
| 2016 | 25 |
| 2017 | 32 |
| 2018 | 51 |
| 2019 | 82 |
| 2020 | 30 |
| 2021 | 32 |
| 2022 | 21 |
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2024 | 16 |
| 2025 | 13 |
| 2026 | 1 |
| 2027 | 0 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Tires
26% · 49 reportsMost commonly citing tread/belt and sidewall.
Suspension
13% · 25 reportsMost commonly citing front and rear.
Show complaint excerpts
Hi my name is [xxx] I have this viehicle sinse 4-11-01 sinse this day I have take this vehicle like 15 times to the mechanic and is been the same problem the hold time rear suspension problem's when I bouht this viehicle like a month later I tooked...
NHTSA ODI report, 2002-09-04
Tires slipping on rims, highway vibration vehicle since first purchased. Dealer verfied slipping tires and relaced tires and wheels which did not solve the problem.
NHTSA ODI report, 1999-01-04
Steering
11% · 22 reportsMost commonly citing tie rod assembly and linkages.
Electrical system
11% · 21 reportsMost commonly citing fuses and circuit breakers and front underhood.
Show 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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2014-01-21
Also filed under Engine
While parked an electrical short in the front wiring harness, caused vehicle to catch on fire. Vehicle was destroyed by fire.
NHTSA ODI report, 1998-06-08
Vehicle speed control
10% · 19 reportsMost commonly citing cruise control and accelerator pedal.
Safety timeline
6 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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R
1997-10-20Power train97V171000 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…
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.
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1998Complaint volume 192 complaints filed for this model year.
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R
1998-03-23Exterior lighting98V028000 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…
Remedy: Owner guides containing revised aiming instructions will be mailed to owners of these vehicles.
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I
1998-04-21Preliminary evaluationClosed 1998-07-21 Tie rod end failures
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R
1998-07-20Wheels98V095000 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…
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…
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I
1999-09-27Preliminary evaluationClosed 2000-03-08 Factory installed towing hitch separatio
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R
2000-05-15Trailer hitches00V073000 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.
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I
2005-03-22Engineering analysisClosed 2006-08-02 Engine compartment fires
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2005-09-12Vehicle speed control05V388000 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…
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I
2005-09-22Defect petitionClosed 2006-01-04 Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
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2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 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…
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.
Buy-smart checklist
1998 Lincoln Navigator — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Tires: 49 reports on file for this year.
- Suspension: 25 reports on file for this year.
- Steering: 22 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 97V171000 · Power train
- Recall 98V028000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 98V095000 · Wheels
- Recall 00V073000 · Trailer hitches
- Recall 05V388000 · Vehicle speed control
- Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →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 26% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 1998 Lincoln Navigator have?
- 6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.