Reliable Auto DB

2023 Lincoln Navigator reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator has 7 complaints with NHTSA after 4 years, or 2 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Navigator years here — over the median of the other years, which is 1. NHTSA has 8 recalls on file, including Linkages, Back-over prevention, software, and Trailer brake controller.

2012 Lincoln Navigator
Photo by Kevauto, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

7

Per year

2

Recalls

8

Years on the road

4

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Electrical system (4 of 7), then Back-over prevention (2) and Engine (1). Those filings include 1 that reports an injury.

Next to 2022 and 2024

The 2022 Navigator has 21 complaints, 4 per year, and the 2024 has 16 complaints, 5 per year. The 2023 has fewer complaints per year than the 2022. The 2023 has fewer complaints per year than the 2024.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2023 Lincoln Navigator. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (8)

Recall visibility, windshield wiper, linkages 2026-03-31 · NHTSA campaign 26V204000
Summary 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.
Remedy Dealers will inspect and replace the wiper arms, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 5, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S24.Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 1, 2026.
Recall back-over prevention, software 2026-03-19 · NHTSA campaign 26V165000
Summary 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.
Remedy The Image Processing Module A software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. This is a Phased campaign. Phase 1 will include 2025 Aviator, 2025 Explorer, 2025 Nautilus notified owners on 4/13/2026. Phase 2 will include 2025 Navigator will notify owners on or about 4/20/2026. Phase 3 will include 2022-2024 Navigator will notify owners on or about 6/8/2026. Phase 4 will include 2024 Nautilus will notify owners on or about 6/22/2026. Owner notification letters were mailed April 13, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S21. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning March 25, 2026.
Recall electrical system, trailer brake controller 2026-02-20 · NHTSA campaign 26V104000
Summary 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."
Remedy The integrated trailer module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 25, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C10. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning March 17, 2026.
Recall back-over prevention, software 2025-05-09 · NHTSA campaign 25V315000
Summary Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Bronco, F-150, 2021-2024 Edge, 2022-2025 Escape, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, F-600, 2022-2024 Expedition, 2022-2025 Transit, 2021-2023 Mach-E, 2024 Ranger, Mustang, 2021-2023 Lincoln Nautilus, 2022-2024 Navigator, and 2023-2024 Corsair vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera image to delay, freeze, or not display when the vehicle is in reverse.
Remedy The accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air update, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on June 26, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is available on each phase. Owner notification letters were sent on October 8, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S49.
Recall hydraulic brakes, foundation components, hoses and fittings 2025-05-09 · NHTSA campaign 25V314000
Summary Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Navigator and Expedition vehicles. The front brake lines may contact the engine air cleaner outlet pipe and become damaged, possibly resulting in a brake fluid leak and reduced brake function.
Remedy Dealers will inspect the front brake line and replace the brake line or air cleaner outlet pipe, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 29, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S47.
Recall Labels 2024-11-08 · NHTSA campaign 24V852000
Summary Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, 2020-2024 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2018-2024 F-150, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirement Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Remedy Ford will mail owners the warning labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 19, 2024. Owners may call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C39.
Recall Owner's manual 2023-06-09 · NHTSA campaign 23V420000
Summary Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with third-row seating; and 2019-2023 F-Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 SuperCab vehicles. The owner's manual does not include instructions for adjusting or removing certain head restraints. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 202, "Head Restraints."
Remedy Ford will mail the Owner's Manual addendums that describe how to adjust and remove the head restraints for the center seating positions, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 21, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C20.
Recall powertrain, axle assembly 2023-02-24 · NHTSA campaign 23V128000
Summary Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 F-150, Expedition, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The front axle pinion may not have been heat-treated, which can cause it to fracture.
Remedy Dealers will replace the front axle pinion gear set. If there is a broken front axle pinion, the entire axle assembly will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 21, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S07.

Complaints by component (7 total)

Electrical system
4
Back-over prevention
2
Engine
1
Exterior lighting
1
Structure
1
Crash-flagged

0

Fire-flagged

0

Injury reports

1

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

12023320241202522026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "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…"
    Structure · filed 2026-09-22
  • "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.…"
    Electrical system, Back-over prevention · filed 2026-05-05
  • "When the car starts the head lights run through a series of motion checks, they go left, right down and then back up. We run into an issue every few weeks where the headlights stay in the down position. This happened…"
    Exterior lighting · filed 2025-02-20
  • "We buy used 2023 Lincoln Navigator with only 2937 miles and the running boards opens and close by it self and the most dangerous that the car doesn’t start whenever it wants I have 3 times already it just doesn’t start…"
    Electrical system, Engine · filed 2024-07-28
  • "Upon starting, my 2023 Lincoln Navigator Reserve L has a significant delay when booting the back up camera and infotainment system and renders the vehicle safety systems unusable. Sometimes the back up camera freezes…"
    Electrical system · filed 2024-05-09

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2023 Lincoln Navigator EL SUV 4WD Not rated Not rated 5 stars 4 stars
2023 Lincoln Navigator EL SUV RWD Not rated Not rated 5 stars 3 stars
2023 Lincoln Navigator SUV 4WD Not rated Not rated 5 stars 4 stars
2023 Lincoln Navigator SUV RWD Not rated Not rated 5 stars 3 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Navigator two-wheel drive 3.5L, 6-cyl Automatic (10-speed) Rear-wheel drive 17 23 19 MPG $3400
Navigator two-wheel drive 3.5L, 6-cyl Automatic (10-speed) Rear-wheel drive 16 23 19 MPG $3400
Navigator four-wheel drive 3.5L, 6-cyl Automatic (10-speed) Part-time four-wheel drive 16 22 18 MPG $3600
Navigator four-wheel drive 3.5L, 6-cyl Automatic (10-speed) Part-time four-wheel drive 15 21 17 MPG $3800

Specs and fitment

U554 generation, 2018–present
Body styles SUV
Oil 0W-20 full synthetic (3.5L EcoBoost V6) , 4.5 qt capacity
Tire size 285/45R22 (common Black Label)

Known issues for this generation

Recall 22V-250 covers certain 2020-2021 Lincoln Navigator vehicles, along with other Ford trucks and SUVs: the windshield wiper arms may break. Dealers inspect and replace the wiper arms if needed.

Compare

Previous year 2022 Lincoln Navigator Next year 2024 Lincoln Navigator See every Lincoln Navigator model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2023 Lincoln Navigator reliable?

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator has 7 complaints with NHTSA after 4 years, or 2 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Navigator years here — over the median of the other years, which is 1. NHTSA has 8 recalls on file, including Linkages, Back-over prevention, software, and Trailer brake controller.

What are common problems with a 2023 Lincoln Navigator?

The complaints owners file most often name Electrical system (4 of 7), then Back-over prevention (2) and Engine (1). Those filings include 1 that reports an injury.

Is the 2023 Lincoln Navigator more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2022 Navigator has 21 complaints, 4 per year, and the 2024 has 16 complaints, 5 per year. The 2023 has fewer complaints per year than the 2022. The 2023 has fewer complaints per year than the 2024.

Has the 2023 Lincoln Navigator been recalled?

The 2023 Lincoln Navigator has 8 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2023 Lincoln Navigator?

Owners have filed 7 complaints about the 2023 Lincoln Navigator with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2023 Lincoln Navigator get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2023 Lincoln Navigator is 18.3 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a Lincoln Navigator take?

U554 Navigators with the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 use 0W-20 full synthetic; capacity is about 4.5 quarts with filter.

What does recall 22V-250 cover on the Navigator?

Certain 2020-2021 Navigators (with other Ford trucks/SUVs): windshield wiper arms may break. Dealers inspect and replace them if needed.

What tire size is common on Black Label Navigators?

285/45R22 is a common Black Label fitment; confirm the door placard for your trim.