What are the most common problems with the 2016 Lincoln Navigator?

Visibility has 7 complaints, brakes 6, and back over prevention 5.

Does the 2016 Lincoln Navigator have recalls?

Yes. The by-year count shows 4 recalls. See the Recalls section for the list.

What is the gas mileage of the 2016 Lincoln Navigator?

See the fuel economy section on this page.

Is the 2016 Lincoln Navigator reliable?

Check the complaint groups above and the by-year comparison section on this page. Brakes and visibility are the biggest groups.

2016 Lincoln Navigator Problems, Recalls and MPG

Q: How many complaints does the 2016 Lincoln Navigator have?

NHTSA has 25 owner complaints on file.

NHTSA has 25 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Lincoln Navigator^[1]. The biggest group is visibility, with 7 complaints^[2].

25owner complaints^[1]

4recalls^[3]

16–18MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

5★NHTSA overall rating^[5]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Here is what owners reported, biggest groups first.

Visibility. 7 complaints^[2]. Owners describe smoke from the vents or a mirror, a sunroof that broke on its own, and a rearview camera that went black. Some say they were waiting on parts for a recall repair.
Brakes. 6 complaints^[6]. In the stories we read, owners describe warning lights about brake fluid and a pedal that sank to the floor, so the car lost its braking power.
Back Over Prevention. 5 complaints^[7]. Owners describe a camera that showed a distorted or missing image, and a rear sensor warning followed by the wheels locking up for a moment.
Unknown Or Other. 3 complaints^[8].
Electrical System. 3 complaints^[9]. Owners describe a speedometer that dropped to zero, smoke from the vents, and power running boards stuck down.
Power Train. 2 complaints^[10].
Air Bags. 1 complaint^[11].
Seat Belts. 1 complaint^[12].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2016 Navigator is necessarily included.

Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera (25V572), September 2025. About 1,456,417 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices › Exterior (25V091), February 2025. About 35,328 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[14]
Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Fan/Motor (22V648), August 2022. About 198,482 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[15]
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder (22V150), March 2022. About 195,864 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced braking. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[16]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
Navigator L 2WD, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[17]	15 / 20 / 17	$3,950
Navigator 2WD, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[4]	16 / 22 / 18	$3,700
Navigator L 4WD, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive^[18]	15 / 19 / 16	$4,200
Navigator 4WD, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive^[19]	15 / 20 / 17	$3,950

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
EXTENDED SUV 4x2^[5]	5	5	5	3	21.2%
SUV 4x2^[20]	5	5	5	3	21.2%
EXTENDED SUV 4x4^[21]	5	5	5	4	19.8%
SUV 4x4^[22]	5	5	5	4	19.8%

Engine and size

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
NAVIGATOR 4DR SUV 4WD^[23]	207 in	79 in	78 in	119 in	6,069 lb
NAVIGATOR L 4DR SUV 4WD^[24]	222 in	79 in	78 in	131 in	6,296 lb

How 2016 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Navigator model year. The 2016 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
1998	192	5
1999	132	5
2000	109	4
2001	81	3
2002	32	1
2003	127	0
2004	86	0
2005	48	0
2006	60	3
2007	45	2
2008	30	2
2009	10	1
2010	16	0
2011	9	0
2012	12	3
2013	14	0
2014	17	0
2015	21	4
2016	25	4
2017	32	5
2018	52	12
2019	85	10
2020	32	13
2021	33	12
2022	21	14
2023	7	8
2024	16	7
2025	13	6

NHTSA's counts for the Navigator show 25 complaints and 4 recalls for 2016^[3]. Among the 30 model years listed, 13 have fewer complaints than 2016 and 16 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2026 (0) and the most are for 1998 (192)^[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2016 Navigator?

The 2016 Navigator has 25 complaints on file^[1]. Visibility leads the list with 7^[2], followed by brakes with 6^[6]. Brake complaints deserve a close look, since owners describe losing pedal feel. The page also shows 4 recalls for this year^[3]. These are unverified owner reports, so treat them as a guide for what to check before buying.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Lincoln Navigator?: Visibility has 7 complaints^[2], brakes 6^[6], and back over prevention 5^[7].
Does the 2016 Lincoln Navigator have recalls?: Yes. The by-year count shows 4 recalls^[3]. See the Recalls section for the list.
How many complaints does the 2016 Lincoln Navigator have?: NHTSA has 25 owner complaints on file^[1].
What is the gas mileage of the 2016 Lincoln Navigator?: See the fuel economy section on this page.
Is the 2016 Lincoln Navigator reliable?: Check the complaint groups above and the by-year comparison section on this page. Brakes and visibility are the biggest groups^[2]^[6].

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Lincoln Navigator

2008 30 complaints, 2 recalls
2015 21 complaints, 4 recalls
2016 this page
2017 32 complaints, 5 recalls
2018 52 complaints, 12 recalls
2019 85 complaints, 10 recalls
2020 32 complaints, 13 recalls
2021 33 complaints, 12 recalls

Compare all model years of the Lincoln Navigator

Other Lincoln models from 2016

2016 Lincoln MKX 156 complaints, 7 recalls
2016 Lincoln MKZ 71 complaints, 6 recalls

All Lincoln models

Similar cars from 2016: suvs

2016 GMC Acadia 236 complaints, 4 recalls
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee 311 complaints, 8 recalls
2016 Porsche Cayenne 40 complaints, 2 recalls
2016 Tesla Model X 450 complaints, 12 recalls
2016 Toyota Land Cruiser 4 complaints, 3 recalls
2016 Volvo XC90 198 complaints, 8 recalls

All suvs we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 25 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Lincoln Navigator (0 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 0 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
7 complaints name the visibility component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 100,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Lincoln Navigator model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
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
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
6 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
5 complaints name the back over prevention component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
3 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
3 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
2 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
1 complaints name the air bags component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
1 complaints name the seat belts component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 25V572, filed September 3, 2025: Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera. NHTSA recall database
Recall 25V091, filed February 14, 2025: Visibility › Rearview Mirrors / Devices › Exterior. NHTSA recall database
Recall 22V648, filed August 26, 2022: Visibility › Defroster / Defogger / Hvac System › Fan / Motor. NHTSA recall database
Recall 22V150, filed March 11, 2022: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder. NHTSA recall database
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.

2016 Lincoln Navigator: problems, recalls and fuel economy