CarBrief

NHTSA has 21 owner complaints on file for the 2015 Navigator[1]. It also has 4 recalls, two about fire risk and two about the rearview camera[2][3][4][5].

21owner complaints[1]
4recalls[6]
16–18MPG combined (EPA)[7]
5★NHTSA overall rating[8]

Most reported problems

Of the 21 complaints, 2 mention a crash, 1 a fire and 3 injuries[1]. None report a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one component group.

Here is how the groups stack up:

Component group Complaints
Electrical system[9] 7
Power train[10] 5
Engine[11] 4
Unknown or other[12] 3
Visibility[13] 3

Fuel/propulsion, seat belts and gasoline fuel system have 1 complaint each[14][15][16].

Electrical system. In the sample of complaints we read, owners describe heating and air conditioning blower trouble. Some mention a burned connection, a blower that stayed on after a recall repair, or a burnt-wire smell[9]. Two complaints say the recall repair parts were not yet available[9].

Power train. Owners describe sudden loss of power while driving, a transmission that shifts down suddenly, and an SUV that rolled while the shifter showed park[10]. Each of these appears in only a few of the five complaints.

Engine. In the sample we read, owners describe a loss of power or an engine surge. One of them ended in a crash into the vehicle in front[11]. Another complaint describes a fire under the glove box and a vehicle that was a total loss[11].

Visibility. In the three complaints we read, owners describe waiting on blower recall parts, an intermittently distorted or blank rearview camera image, and a blower motor that melted after the repair[13].

Recalls

NHTSA lists four recalls for this model year[6]. Newest first:

You can look up a specific car by VIN on NHTSA.gov[2].

Fuel economy

EPA lists four versions. All use a 3.5L 6-cylinder turbo, an Automatic (S6) and regular fuel[7][17][18][19].

Version City / Hwy / Combined MPG EPA annual fuel cost
Navigator 2WD[7] 16 / 22 / 18 $3,700
Navigator L 2WD[17] 15 / 20 / 17 $3,950
Navigator 4WD[18] 15 / 20 / 17 $3,950
Navigator L 4WD[19] 15 / 19 / 16 $4,200

The fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 2015 Navigator 5 stars overall, 5 stars in frontal tests and 5 stars in side tests for every version it rated[8][20][21][22].

Rollover differs by drive. The 4x2 versions get 3 stars with a 21.2% rollover risk[8][20]. The 4x4 versions get 4 stars with a 19.8% risk[21][22].

Engine and size

Our data covers the 3.5L 6-cylinder turbo engine[7]. These dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

4WD version Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
Navigator[23] 207 in 79 in 78 in 119 in 6,069 lb
Navigator L[24] 222 in 79 in 78 in 131 in 6,296 lb

How 2015 compares with other years

1998: 192 complaints, 5 recalls19981999: 132 complaints, 5 recalls2000: 109 complaints, 4 recalls2001: 81 complaints, 3 recalls20012002: 32 complaints, 1 recalls2003: 127 complaints, 0 recalls2004: 86 complaints, 0 recalls20042005: 48 complaints, 0 recalls2006: 60 complaints, 3 recalls2007: 45 complaints, 2 recalls20072008: 30 complaints, 2 recalls2009: 10 complaints, 1 recalls2010: 16 complaints, 0 recalls20102011: 9 complaints, 0 recalls2012: 12 complaints, 3 recalls2013: 14 complaints, 0 recalls20132014: 17 complaints, 0 recalls2015: 21 complaints, 4 recalls2120152016: 25 complaints, 4 recalls20162017: 32 complaints, 5 recalls2018: 52 complaints, 12 recalls2019: 85 complaints, 10 recalls20192020: 32 complaints, 13 recalls2021: 33 complaints, 12 recalls2022: 21 complaints, 14 recalls20222023: 7 complaints, 8 recalls2024: 16 complaints, 7 recalls2025: 13 complaints, 6 recalls2025
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Navigator model year. The 2015 is highlighted[6].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19981925
19991325
20001094
2001813
2002321
20031270
2004860
2005480
2006603
2007452
2008302
2009101
2010160
201190
2012123
2013140
2014170
2015214
2016254
2017325
20185212
20198510
20203213
20213312
20222114
202378
2024167
2025136

The 2015 model year has 21 complaints and 4 recalls[6]. The 2014 year has 17 complaints and 0 recalls[6]. The 2016 year has 25 complaints and 4 recalls, and 2017 has 32 and 5[6]. The 2018 year has 52 complaints and 12 recalls[6].

Some years have fewer complaints than 2015, including 2009 through 2014 and 2023 through 2025[6]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many were sold, so they show what was reported, not how likely a problem is.

Should you buy a used 2015 Navigator?

The complaint file is small, and the reports are unverified[1]. Two recalls involve fire risk and two involve the rearview camera[2][3][4][5]. Before buying, check the VIN for open recalls and ask whether the blower motor and camera repairs are done and available. Expect fuel costs of $3,700 to $4,200 a year at EPA's assumptions[7][19]. Our data does not cover reliability rankings, towing or oil capacity, so look elsewhere for those.

Frequently asked questions

What are the common problems with the 2015 Lincoln Navigator?
NHTSA has 21 complaints[1]. Electrical system is named most often with 7 complaints, then power train with 5[1][9][10]. Owners in the sample we read describe blower trouble and sudden loss of power.
Does the 2015 Lincoln Navigator have recalls?
Yes, 4[6]. They cover the front blower motor, mirror LED lights and two for the rearview camera[2][3][4][5].
How many miles per gallon does the 2015 Lincoln Navigator get?
EPA combined ratings run from 16 to 18 MPG depending on version[7][17][18][19].
How safe is the 2015 Lincoln Navigator?
NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall[8]. Rollover is 3 stars for 4x2 and 4 stars for 4x4[8][21].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 21 owner complaints on file for the 2015 Lincoln Navigator (2 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 3 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Recall 25V572, filed September 3, 2025: Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera. NHTSA recall database
  3. Recall 25V270, filed April 23, 2025: Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera. NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 25V091, filed February 14, 2025: Visibility › Rearview Mirrors / Devices › Exterior. NHTSA recall database
  5. Recall 22V648, filed August 26, 2022: Visibility › Defroster / Defogger / Hvac System › Fan / Motor. NHTSA recall database
  6. Owner complaints and recalls for every Lincoln Navigator model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  7. EPA rating for Navigator 2WD, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 22 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  8. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV 4x2: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 21.2%. NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 7 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 5 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 4 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 3 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 3 complaints name the visibility component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 1 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. 1 complaints name the seat belts component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  16. 1 complaints name the fuel system, gasoline component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  17. EPA rating for Navigator L 2WD, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 20 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for Navigator 4WD, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 20 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for Navigator L 4WD, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 19 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, EXTENDED SUV 4x2: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 21.2%. NHTSA vehicle records
  21. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV 4x4: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 19.8%. NHTSA vehicle records
  22. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, EXTENDED SUV 4x4: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 19.8%. NHTSA vehicle records
  23. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, NAVIGATOR 4DR SUV 4WD: length 207 in, width 79 in, height 78 in, wheelbase 119 in, curb weight 6,069 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  24. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, NAVIGATOR L 4DR SUV 4WD: length 222 in, width 79 in, height 78 in, wheelbase 131 in, curb weight 6,296 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.