2001 Lincoln Navigator
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than 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
- 81
- Recalls
- 6
- Investigations
- 4
- Top problem
- Tires
Campaigns on file for 2001
Opened by NHTSA
28% of complaints
Complaints per year
2001: 81 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
28% · 23 reportsMost commonly citing tread/belt and sidewall.
Electrical system
21% · 17 reportsMost commonly citing interior/under dash and front underhood.
Show complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that while parked and unoccupied, the vehicle spontaneously combusted. The fire department was summoned to extinguish the flames. A police report was also filed.
NHTSA ODI report, 2013-08-28
I had been driving for about 15 minutes and then I noticed a burning plastic smell. It was dark so my headlights were on. I felt heat coming from under the dash by the pedals.
NHTSA ODI report, 2025-05-24
Vehicle speed control
16% · 13 reportsMost commonly citing accelerator pedal and cruise control.
Show complaint excerpts
On 10/16/12 truck started smoking took it to the mechanic, he suggested to take it to the dealer to fix a recall for the vehicle speed control switch. On 10/17/12 dealer auto shop requested we take the car the next day to get fixed.
NHTSA ODI report, 2012-10-19
I was on the expressway, the gas pedal continued to accelerate after removing my foot. I thought I may have set off the cruise control on the steering wheel, so I pushed the off button.
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-05-14
Suspension
11% · 9 reportsMost commonly citing front and air suspension system.
Power train
9% · 7 reportsMost commonly citing automatic transmission and driveshaft.
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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2001Complaint volume 81 complaints filed for this model year.
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2001-07-25Seat belts01V227001 Vehicle description: passenger and sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, and minivans. Equipped with seat belts supplied by trw. It is possible that the driver's and/or front passenger's…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the front outboard seat belt buckles and if the buckle fails the inspection process, it will be replaced. Owner notification began July 25, 2001. Owners who take their…
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2001-08-20Visibility01V258000 Vehicle description: passenger cars, sport utility vehicles, and light and medium duty pickup trucks. A switch located in the plastic cover of the wiper motor gear case could malfunction and…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the date code on the wiper motor. Motors built with the suspect time frame will have the wiper motor gear case cover replaced. Owner notification began August 20, 2001.…
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2004-10-22Recall queryClosed 2005-02-17 Front seat belt buckle assembly
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2005-02-17Engineering analysisClosed 2005-07-06 Front seat belt buckle assembly
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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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2005-09-22Defect petitionClosed 2006-01-04 Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
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2006-08-04Fuel system, gasoline06E056000 Certain aftermarket fuel filters sold under the purolator brand name, p/n F65277, shipped from January 16 through June 2, 2006, for use on the above listed passenger vehicles. Due to incorrect…
Remedy: Ufi will notify owners and replace the filters free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2006. Owners may contact ufi filters USA at 800-230-5876.
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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.
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Date not on fileExterior lighting06E064000 Certain tradesonic combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above listed passenger vehicles.
Remedy: Tradesonic will notify owners and replace the lamps free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during July 2006. Owners may contact tradesonic at 626-934-8884.
Buy-smart checklist
2001 Lincoln Navigator — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Tires: 23 reports on file for this year.
- Electrical system: 17 reports on file for this year.
- Vehicle speed control: 13 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 06E064000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 01V227001 · Seat belts
- Recall 01V258000 · Visibility
- Recall 05V388000 · Vehicle speed control
- Recall 06E056000 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2001 Lincoln Navigator reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2001 Lincoln Navigator is rated "worse than typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 2001 Lincoln Navigator?
- The most-reported component is tires, accounting for 28% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2001 Lincoln Navigator have?
- 6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.