Which year to buy
Best bet2023Fewest serious problems: 0.1× usual
Newest we'd buy2024The latest year rated a good buy
Avoid2019Far more serious problems than usual
Be careful2018, 2020–2021, 2025More problems; check the recalls were done
Too new to judge: 2026. Give a new year a year or two of owner reports.
Bar height: serious owner complaints to NHTSA for that year per car on the road, against this model's usual year. first year of a new design.
Verdicts from our video research; the chart and numbers from NHTSA. Cars on the road from New York State registrations. (How we judge.) Data checked 2026-09-30.
Trims and features
Engines: 5.4L 8-cyl, 310 hp · Drive: 4WD, RWD
2011 Navigator trims
| L |
|---|
base price, seating and driver-assistance equipment from NHTSA's vehicle database (vPIC), as Lincoln reports it. Tech and comfort features (CarPlay, heated seats, sunroof) for Lincoln aren't in our data yet. "—": not verified in our sources. "Varies": standard on some versions of the trim.
Year by year
| Year | Engines | Drive | Fuel economy | Crash rating | Recalls | Owner complaints | Most-reported problem | CarPlay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3.5L 6-cyl turbo | 4WD | 17 mpg | 5 of 5 | 2 | 0 | — | — |
| 2025 | 3.5L 6-cyl turbo | 4WD | 17 mpg | 5 of 5 | 6 | 12 | Unknown or other (3) | Yes |
| 2024 | 3.5L 6-cyl turbo | 4WD | 18 mpg | Not rated | 7 | 16 | Suspension (5) | Yes |
| 2023 | 3.5L 6-cyl turbo | 4WD, RWD | 17–19 mpg | Not rated | 8 | 7 | Electrical system (4) | Yes |
| 2022 | 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, 440 hp | 4WD, RWD | 18–19 mpg | Not rated | 14 | 21 | Electrical system (9) | Yes |
| 2021 | 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, 310 hp | 4WD, RWD | 17–18 mpg | 5 of 5 | 12 | 33 | Engine (8) | Yes |
| 2020 | 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, 310 hp | 4WD, RWD | 18–19 mpg | 5 of 5 | 13 | 32 | Power train (18) | Yes |
| 2019 | 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, 310 hp | 4WD, RWD | 18–19 mpg | 5 of 5 | 10 | 80 | Seat belts (22) | Yes |
| 2018 | 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, 310 hp | 4WD, RWD | 18–19 mpg | 5 of 5 | 12 | 52 | Power train (20) | Yes |
| 2017 | 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, 310 hp | 4WD, RWD | 16–17 mpg | 5 of 5 | 5 | 31 | Service brakes (5) | Yes |
| 2016 | 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, 310 hp | 4WD, RWD | 16–18 mpg | 5 of 5 | 4 | 25 | Visibility (7) | No |
| 2015 | 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, 370 hp | 4WD, RWD | 16–18 mpg | 5 of 5 | 4 | 21 | Electrical system (7) | No |
| 2014 | 5.4L 8-cyl, 310 hp | 4WD, RWD | 15–16 mpg | 4 of 5 | 0 | 17 | Power train (7) | No |
| 2013 | 5.4L 8-cyl, 310 hp | 4WD, RWD | 15–16 mpg | 4 of 5 | 0 | 14 | Power train (6) | No |
| 2012 | 5.4L 8-cyl, 310 hp | 4WD, RWD | 15–16 mpg | 4 of 5 | 3 | 12 | Power train (5) | No |
| 2011 | 5.4L 8-cyl, 310 hp | 4WD, RWD | 13–16 mpg | Not rated | 0 | 9 | Service brakes (2) | No |
| 2010 | 5.4L 8-cyl, 310 hp | RWD | 16 mpg | Not rated | 0 | 16 | Service brakes (4) | No |
Owner complaints are unverified reports to NHTSA, counted as filed: older years have had longer to collect them and sales aren't adjusted for, so see Which year to buy for a fair comparison. Most-reported problem: the component named in the most complaints that year. Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Apple.
Which years have…
Generations and measurements
Navigator · 2018–2024
Fourth generation (U554)
Aluminum body; 2022 refresh with a 13.2-inch SYNC 4 screen and ActiveGlide
Navigator L · 2018–2024
Fourth generation (U554)
Aluminum body; 2022 refresh with a 13.2-inch SYNC 4 screen and ActiveGlide
Navigator · 2025–2026
Fifth generation
All-new body and interior with a 48-inch display
Navigator L · 2025–2026
Fifth generation
All-new body and interior with a 48-inch display
Apple lists CarPlay for: Navigator 2017–2025 (Apple).
Every NHTSA-rated version: crash ratings, safety tech, recalls, complaints
| Year | Version | Stars | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | LINCOLN NAVIGATOR SUV N/A 4WD | 5 | No | No | 2 | 0 |
| 2026 | LINCOLN NAVIGATOR L SUV N/A 4WD | 5 | No | No | 2 | 0 |
| 2025 | Lincoln Navigator SUV 4WD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 6 | 12 |
| 2025 | Lincoln Navigator L SUV 4WD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 1 | 1 |
| 2024 | Lincoln Navigator SUV 4WD | Not Rated | Standard & Optional | Standard | 7 | 16 |
| 2024 | Lincoln Navigator SUV RWD | Not Rated | Standard & Optional | Standard | 7 | 16 |
| 2024 | Lincoln Navigator EL SUV 4WD | Not Rated | Standard & Optional | Standard | 0 | 1 |
| 2024 | Lincoln Navigator EL SUV RWD | Not Rated | Standard & Optional | Standard | 0 | 1 |
| 2023 | Lincoln Navigator SUV 4WD | Not Rated | Standard & Optional | Standard | 8 | 7 |
| 2023 | Lincoln Navigator SUV RWD | Not Rated | Standard & Optional | Standard | 8 | 7 |
| 2023 | Lincoln Navigator EL SUV 4WD | Not Rated | Standard & Optional | Standard | 1 | 1 |
| 2023 | Lincoln Navigator EL SUV RWD | Not Rated | Standard & Optional | Standard | 1 | 1 |
| 2022 | Lincoln Navigator SUV 4WD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 14 | 21 |
| 2022 | Lincoln Navigator SUV 2WD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 14 | 21 |
| 2022 | Lincoln Navigator EL SUV 4WD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 14 | 21 |
| 2022 | Lincoln Navigator EL SUV 2WD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 14 | 21 |
| 2021 | Lincoln Navigator SUV 4WD | 5 | Optional | Standard | 12 | 33 |
| 2021 | Lincoln Navigator SUV 2WD | 5 | Optional | Standard | 12 | 33 |
| 2021 | Lincoln Navigator EL SUV 4WD | 5 | Optional | Standard | 2 | 2 |
| 2021 | Lincoln Navigator EL SUV 2WD | 5 | Optional | Standard | 2 | 2 |
| 2020 | Lincoln Navigator SUV 4WD | 5 | Standard | Optional | 13 | 32 |
| 2020 | Lincoln Navigator SUV 2WD | 5 | Standard | Optional | 13 | 32 |
| 2020 | Lincoln Navigator EL SUV 4WD | 5 | Standard | Optional | 13 | 32 |
| 2020 | Lincoln Navigator EL SUV 2WD | 5 | Standard | Optional | 13 | 32 |
| 2019 | Lincoln Navigator SUV 4x4 | 5 | Optional | Optional | 8 | 80 |
| 2019 | Lincoln Navigator SUV 4x2 | 5 | Optional | Optional | 8 | 80 |
| 2019 | Lincoln Navigator EL Extended SUV 4x4 | 5 | Optional | Optional | 2 | 47 |
| 2019 | Lincoln Navigator EL Extended SUV 4x2 | 5 | Optional | Optional | 2 | 47 |
| 2018 | Lincoln Navigator SUV 4x4 | 5 | Optional | Optional | 10 | 52 |
| 2018 | Lincoln Navigator SUV 4x2 | 5 | Optional | Optional | 10 | 52 |
| 2018 | Lincoln Navigator EL Extended SUV 4x4 | 5 | Optional | Optional | 0 | 2 |
| 2018 | Lincoln Navigator EL Extended SUV 4x2 | 5 | Optional | Optional | 0 | 2 |
| 2017 | Lincoln Navigator Extended SUV 4x4 | 5 | No | No | 5 | 31 |
| 2017 | Lincoln Navigator Extended SUV 4x2 | 5 | No | No | 5 | 31 |
| 2017 | Lincoln Navigator SUV 4x4 | 5 | No | No | 5 | 31 |
| 2017 | Lincoln Navigator SUV 4x2 | 5 | No | No | 5 | 31 |
| 2016 | Lincoln Navigator Extended SUV 4x4 | 5 | No | No | 4 | 25 |
| 2016 | Lincoln Navigator SUV 4x2 | 5 | No | No | 4 | 25 |
| 2016 | Lincoln Navigator SUV 4x4 | 5 | No | No | 4 | 25 |
| 2016 | Lincoln Navigator Extended SUV 4x2 | 5 | No | No | 4 | 25 |
| 2015 | Lincoln Navigator Extended SUV 4x4 | 5 | No | No | 4 | 21 |
| 2015 | Lincoln Navigator Extended SUV 4x2 | 5 | No | No | 4 | 21 |
| 2015 | Lincoln Navigator SUV 4x4 | 5 | No | No | 4 | 21 |
| 2015 | Lincoln Navigator SUV 4x2 | 5 | No | No | 4 | 21 |
| 2014 | Lincoln Navigator Extended SUV 4x4 | 4 | No | No | 0 | 17 |
| 2014 | Lincoln Navigator Extended SUV 4x2 | 4 | No | No | 0 | 17 |
| 2014 | Lincoln Navigator SUV 4x4 | 4 | No | No | 0 | 17 |
| 2014 | Lincoln Navigator SUV 4x2 | 4 | No | No | 0 | 17 |
| 2013 | Lincoln Navigator SUV 4x4 | 4 | No | No | 0 | 14 |
| 2013 | Lincoln Navigator SUV 4x2 | 4 | No | No | 0 | 14 |
| 2013 | Lincoln Navigator EXTENDED SUV 4x4 | 4 | No | No | 0 | 14 |
| 2013 | Lincoln Navigator EXTENDED SUV 4x2 | 4 | No | No | 0 | 14 |
| 2012 | Lincoln Navigator EXTENDED SUV 4x4 | 4 | No | No | 3 | 12 |
| 2012 | Lincoln Navigator EXTENDED SUV 4x2 | 4 | No | No | 3 | 12 |
| 2012 | Lincoln Navigator SUV 4x4 | 4 | No | No | 3 | 12 |
| 2012 | Lincoln Navigator SUV 4x2 | 4 | No | No | 3 | 12 |
| 2011 | Lincoln Navigator SUV 4x4 | Not Rated | No | No | 0 | 9 |
| 2011 | Lincoln Navigator SUV 4x2 | Not Rated | No | No | 0 | 9 |
| 2010 | Lincoln Navigator 4 DR. w/SAB | Not Rated | No | No | 0 | 16 |
| 2010 | Lincoln Navigator Extended 4 DR. w/SAB | Not Rated | No | No | 0 | 16 |
Source: NHTSA.
Every EPA-rated version: engines and combined mpg
| Year | EPA model | Engines | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Navigator 4WD | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo | 17 |
| 2025 | Navigator 4WD | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo | 17 |
| 2024 | Navigator 4WD | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo | 18 |
| 2023 | Navigator 2WD | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo, SIDI; Stop-Start Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo, SIDI |
19 |
| 2023 | Navigator 4WD | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo, SIDI; Stop-Start Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo, SIDI |
17–18 |
| 2022 | Navigator 2WD | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo | 19 |
| 2022 | Navigator 4WD | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo | 18 |
| 2021 | Navigator 2WD | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo | 18 |
| 2021 | Navigator 4WD | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo | 17 |
| 2021 | Navigator L 2WD | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo | 18 |
| 2020 | Navigator 2WD | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo | 19 |
| 2020 | Navigator 4WD | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo | 18 |
| 2020 | Navigator L 2WD | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo | 18 |
| 2019 | Navigator 2WD | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo | 19 |
| 2019 | Navigator 4WD | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo | 18 |
| 2019 | Navigator L 2WD | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo | 18 |
| 2018 | Navigator 2WD | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo | 19 |
| 2018 | Navigator 4WD | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo | 18 |
| 2018 | Navigator L 2WD | Auto (S10), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo | 18 |
| 2017 | Navigator 2WD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo | 17 |
| 2017 | Navigator 4WD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo | 17 |
| 2017 | Navigator L 2WD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo | 17 |
| 2017 | Navigator L 4WD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo | 16 |
| 2016 | Navigator 2WD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo | 18 |
| 2016 | Navigator 4WD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo | 17 |
| 2016 | Navigator L 2WD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo | 17 |
| 2016 | Navigator L 4WD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo | 16 |
| 2015 | Navigator 2WD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo | 18 |
| 2015 | Navigator 4WD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo | 17 |
| 2015 | Navigator L 2WD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo | 17 |
| 2015 | Navigator L 4WD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L, Turbo | 16 |
| 2014 | Navigator 2WD FFV | Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L | 16 |
| 2014 | Navigator 4WD FFV | Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L | 15 |
| 2013 | Navigator 2WD FFV | Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L | 16 |
| 2013 | Navigator 4WD FFV | Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L | 15 |
| 2012 | Navigator 2WD FFV | Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L | 16 |
| 2012 | Navigator 4WD FFV | Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L | 15 |
| 2011 | Navigator 2WD FFV | Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L | 16 |
| 2011 | Navigator 4WD FFV | Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L | 15 |
| 2011 | Navigator Limo. 2WD FFV | Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L | 13 |
| 2010 | Navigator 2WD FFV | Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L | 16 |
Source: fueleconomy.gov.