2002 Lincoln Navigator

▲ Better than typical

2002 Lincoln Navigator
RENDERED 2026-09-17T03:41:03.079Z

This year had at least 30% fewer 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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

2002: 32 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	31
2018	51
2019	77
2020	30
2021	31
2022	21
2023	6
2024	16
2025	11
2026	0
2027	0

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 25%

25% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 8 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A FIRE ORIGINATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20070806

WHEN INITIALLY STARTING MOTOR IT REVS HIGH, AND UPON TAKE OFF ENGINE CONTINUES TO REV HIGH. AFTER HAVING THE MOTOR MOUNTS REPLACED, THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS!

NHTSA ODI report, 20020604

Also filed under VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 22%

22% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 7 distinct reports on file.

FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

ON 6/26/2007 AROUND 3:00PM, MY YEAR 2002 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR CAUGHT ON FIRE BY ITSELF IN THE PARKING LOT. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY UNDER INSPECTION BY THE DEALER. *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20070702

AIR BAGS 22%

22% of complaints: air bags — 7 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH IN REVERSE, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS OR CRASH. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A BRUISED ARM, BUT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO THE DEALER.

NHTSA ODI report, 20080303

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH WAS INVOLVED IN LEFT SIDE COLLISION.WIT VEHICLE ROLLED OVER, AND AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY, RESULTING IN MINOR INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.*AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20020514

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR PASSENGER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING.

NHTSA ODI report, 20140925

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 19%

19% of complaints: electrical system — 6 distinct reports on file.

FIRE

STEERING 9%

9% of complaints: steering — 3 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing tie rod assembly and steering wheel/handle bar.

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 20050322 — EA (closed 20060802)

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

R 20050912 — vehicle speed control

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

I 20050922 — DP (closed 20060104)

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD

R 20060804 — fuel system, gasoline

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 DESIGN

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.

Campaign 06E056000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090511 — exterior lighting

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

R Date not on file — exterior lighting

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.

Campaign 06E064000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2002 Lincoln Navigator — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (8 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (7 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for air bags issues (7 reports on file for this year).
Verify recall 06E064000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Verify recall 05V388000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
Verify recall 06E056000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2008 ▲ 2020 ▲ 2021

WORST YEARS

■ 1998 ■ 1999 ■ 2003

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2002 Lincoln Navigator reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Lincoln Navigator is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Lincoln Navigator?

The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 25% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2002 Lincoln Navigator have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.