CarBrief

The 2019 Lincoln Navigator has 85 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, and seat belts are the largest group[1][2]. It also has ten recalls, and the newest park pawl recall still lists its remedy as anticipated for April 2027[3][4].

85owner complaints[1]
10recalls[4]
18–19MPG combined (EPA)[5]
5★NHTSA overall rating[6]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 85 owner complaints for the 2019 Navigator[1]. Three mention a crash and one a fire. Owners report 12 injuries in total[1]. None report a death[1]. These are unverified reports, and one complaint can name more than one component.

The biggest groups are:

We also read a small sample of complaint texts for the top groups. In that sample, owners describe seat belts that lock, will not pull out or retract, and pretensioners that go off with a loud pop. Some mention bruising from the belt. A few say repair parts were not yet in when they asked the dealer[2].

For the engine, owners in the sample describe a rattle on cold start that dealers tied to cam timing parts. Some say their vehicle was not covered by a manufacturer repair program[8]. For the power train, owners describe hesitation, slipping, harsh shifts and stalling while accelerating[7]. Electrical complaints in the sample include a blank instrument display at start-up and cameras or screens that stop working[9].

Because this is a small sample, treat these as examples of what owners say, not as a measure of how often each problem happens.

Recalls

NHTSA lists ten recalls for this model year[4]. Newest first:

NHTSA.gov lets you search by VIN for some of these recalls[3][14].

Fuel economy

The EPA lists one engine for this model year, a 3.5L 6-cylinder turbo that runs on regular gas[5][23][24].

Version City Highway Combined Annual fuel cost
Navigator 2WD[5] 16 23 19 $3,550
Navigator L 2WD[23] 16 22 18 $3,700
Navigator 4WD[24] 16 21 18 $3,700

All three use an Automatic (S10) transmission. The annual cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Your own cost will depend on how and where you drive.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 2019 Navigator 5 stars overall in both tested versions, with 5 stars for frontal and side crash tests[6][25].

Engine and size

The EPA lists 450 hp for the 3.5L 6-cylinder[26]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models[27][28].

Navigator 4WD Navigator L 4WD
Length 210 in 222 in
Width 80 in 80 in
Height 76 in 76 in
Wheelbase 122 in 131 in
Curb weight 5,855 lb 6,056 lb

How 2019 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 recalls2018: 52 complaints, 12 recalls2019: 85 complaints, 10 recalls8520192020: 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 2019 is highlighted[4].
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 2019 model year has 85 complaints and 10 recalls on file[4]. Five older years list more complaints: 1998 (192), 1999 (132), 2000 (109), 2003 (127) and 2004 (86)[4]. Among 2005 to 2027 models, 2019 has the highest count. The 2018 model year has 52 complaints and 2020 has 32[4].

On recalls, four years list more than 2019: 2018 (12), 2020 (13), 2021 (12) and 2022 (14)[4]. Many recalls cover several model years, so recall counts overlap between years. Counts are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, so use them as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 2019 Navigator?

The 2019 Navigator has a high complaint count for its recent peers, and seat belts lead the list[1][2]. It also has ten recalls, including a park pawl recall whose remedy is anticipated in April 2027[3][4]. If you are buying, search the VIN on NHTSA.gov[3][14] and ask the seller or dealer which recalls are done, especially the seat belt ones[15]. It earns 5 stars overall from NHTSA, though rollover is 3 stars for 4x2 and 4 stars for 4x4[6][25]. The EPA rates fuel economy at 18 to 19 combined MPG[5][23][24].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2019 Lincoln Navigator?
Seat belts have the most complaints at 25, then power train at 24 and engine at 12[2][7][8]. These are unverified owner reports.
How many recalls does the 2019 Lincoln Navigator have?
NHTSA lists ten, the newest being 26V402 for the transmission park pawl, with the remedy anticipated in April 2027[3][4].
What is the gas mileage of the 2019 Lincoln Navigator?
The EPA rates it at 18 to 19 combined MPG, depending on version[5][23][24].
What safety rating does the 2019 Lincoln Navigator have?
NHTSA gives 5 stars overall[6][25]. Rollover is 3 stars for 4x2 and 4 stars for 4x4[6][25].
Is 2019 the worst Navigator year?
It has 85 complaints, more than any year from 2005 on, but five older years list more[4]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 85 owner complaints on file for the 2019 Lincoln Navigator (3 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 12 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 25 complaints name the seat belts component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 11 injuries, median mileage at failure 85,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Recall 26V402, filed June 24, 2026: Power Train › Automatic Transmission. NHTSA recall database
  4. Owner complaints and recalls for every Lincoln Navigator model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  5. EPA rating for Navigator 2WD, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S10), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 23 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  6. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV 4x2: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 20.8%. NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 24 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 12 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 11 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 11 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 4 complaints name the air bags component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 3 complaints name the speed control component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 3 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. Recall 26V372, filed June 9, 2026: Electrical System › Instrument Cluster / Panel. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 26V344, filed May 27, 2026: Seat Belts › Pretensioner. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 25V197, filed May 23, 2025: Seat Belts › Pretensioner. NHTSA recall database
  17. Recall 24V852, filed November 8, 2024: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
  18. Recall 24V099, filed February 9, 2024: Seat Belts › Pretensioner. NHTSA recall database
  19. Recall 23V598, filed August 25, 2023: Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera. NHTSA recall database
  20. Recall 23V420, filed June 9, 2023: Equipment › Other › Owners / Service / Other Manual . NHTSA recall database
  21. Recall 19V773, filed October 28, 2019: Suspension › Rear. NHTSA recall database
  22. Recall 19V076, filed February 11, 2019: Electrical System › Instrument Cluster / Panel. NHTSA recall database
  23. EPA rating for Navigator L 2WD, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S10), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 22 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  24. EPA rating for Navigator 4WD, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S10), Regular, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 21 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  25. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV 4x4: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 19.3%. NHTSA vehicle records
  26. EPA Test Car List, 2019 Lincoln Navigator with 3.5L 6-cylinder: rated 450 hp. www.epa.gov
  27. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, NAVIGATOR 4DR SUV 4WD: length 210 in, width 80 in, height 76 in, wheelbase 122 in, curb weight 5,855 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  28. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, NAVIGATOR L 4DR SUV 4WD: length 222 in, width 80 in, height 76 in, wheelbase 131 in, curb weight 6,056 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.