CarBrief

The 2017 Lincoln Navigator has 32 owner complaints on file, and brakes are the biggest group[1][2]. It also has 5 recalls, so check that each one was done on any car you consider[3].

32owner complaints[1]
5recalls[3]
16–17MPG combined (EPA)[4]
5★NHTSA overall rating[5]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 32 owner complaints on file for the 2017 Navigator[1]. Three mention a crash, 1 mentions a fire, 3 mention injuries and none report a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one part.

Brakes are the biggest group, with 10 complaints[2]. One of them mentions a crash[2]. The other groups are smaller:

Component group Complaints
Brakes[2] 10
Back over prevention[6] 5
Electrical system[7] 4
Visibility[8] 4
Air bags[9] 3
Fuel/propulsion system[10] 3
Unknown or other[11] 3
Exterior lighting[12] 2

In the small sample of complaint texts we read, owners describe the following.

This is a small sample, so it shows what owners have written about, not how often it happens.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2017 Navigator[3]. Newest first:

To see whether a specific car has an open recall, look up its VIN on NHTSA.gov.

Fuel economy

All four EPA-rated versions use a 3.5L 6-cylinder turbo engine with an Automatic (S6) and regular gas[4][18][19][20].

Version City / Highway / Combined MPG Annual fuel cost
Navigator 2WD[4] 15 / 21 / 17 $3,950
Navigator L 2WD[18] 15 / 20 / 17 $3,950
Navigator 4WD[19] 15 / 20 / 17 $3,950
Navigator L 4WD[20] 15 / 19 / 16 $4,200

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

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives every listed version 5 stars overall, 5 stars for frontal crashes and 5 stars for side crashes[5][21][22][23]. Rollover ratings differ:

Engine and size

The EPA lists a 3.5L 6-cylinder turbo engine for all four versions[4][18][19][20]. These dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models[24][25].

Navigator 4WD Navigator L 4WD
Length[24][25] 207 in 222 in
Width[24][25] 79 in 79 in
Height[24][25] 78 in 78 in
Wheelbase[24][25] 119 in 131 in
Curb weight[24][25] 6,069 lb 6,296 lb

How 2017 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 recalls2016: 25 complaints, 4 recalls20162017: 32 complaints, 5 recalls3220172018: 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 2017 is highlighted[3].
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 2017 model year has 32 complaints and 5 recalls[3]. Its nearest neighbors:

Model year Complaints Recalls
2015[3] 21 4
2016[3] 25 4
2017[3] 32 5
2018[3] 52 12
2019[3] 85 10

2015 and 2016 have fewer complaints and one fewer recall than 2017. Every year from 2018 to 2025 lists more recalls than 2017, from 6 to 14[3]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so treat these as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 2017 Navigator?

The complaint count is modest at 32, and NHTSA rates every listed version 5 stars overall[1][5][21][22][23]. The 5 recalls are the bigger point to check[3]. Two cover brake master cylinder leaks, and owners in our sample describe trouble getting that work done[14][17][2]. Before buying, run the VIN on NHTSA.gov and ask for proof that each recall was completed. Fuel cost is another factor, since EPA estimates $3,950 to $4,200 a year[4][20]. Our data does not cover price, towing or oil capacity, so check those elsewhere.

Frequently asked questions

What are the common problems with the 2017 Lincoln Navigator?
Brakes have the most complaints at 10 of 32[1][2]. In the sample we read, owners describe brake fluid leaks and a rearview camera that shows a bad image[2][6].
Does the 2017 Lincoln Navigator have recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5[3]. They cover the rearview camera, the brake master cylinder (two recalls), the mirror LED lights and the front blower motor[13][14][15][16][17].
What is the gas mileage of a 2017 Lincoln Navigator?
EPA rates it 17 MPG combined for Navigator 2WD, Navigator L 2WD and Navigator 4WD, and 16 combined for Navigator L 4WD[4][18][19][20].
How safe is the 2017 Lincoln Navigator?
NHTSA gives every listed version 5 stars overall[5][21][22][23]. Rollover is 3 stars for 4x2 and 4 stars for 4x4[5][21][22][23].
Is the 2017 Navigator better than other model years?
It has fewer complaints and recalls than 2018 and 2019, but more than 2015 and 2016[3].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 32 owner complaints on file for the 2017 Lincoln Navigator (3 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 3 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 10 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Owner complaints and recalls for every Lincoln Navigator model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  4. EPA rating for Navigator 2WD, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 21 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. 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. 5 complaints name the back over prevention component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 4 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 4 complaints name the visibility component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 3 complaints name the air bags component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 3 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 3 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 2 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. Recall 25V572, filed September 3, 2025: Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 25V236, filed April 11, 2025: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 25V091, filed February 14, 2025: Visibility › Rearview Mirrors / Devices › Exterior. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 22V648, filed August 26, 2022: Visibility › Defroster / Defogger / Hvac System › Fan / Motor. NHTSA recall database
  17. Recall 22V150, filed March 11, 2022: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder. NHTSA recall database
  18. 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
  19. 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
  20. 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
  21. 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
  22. 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
  23. 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
  24. 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
  25. 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.