What are the most common problems with the 2020 Lincoln Navigator?

The largest group in the complaints is the power train, with 18 complaints. Electrical, engine and seat belt groups follow.

Does the 2020 Lincoln Navigator have recalls?

Yes. The by-year facts show recalls for 2020. The Recalls section on this page lists them.

Is the 2020 Lincoln Navigator reliable?

NHTSA has 32 owner complaints on file. These are unverified and not adjusted for sales. The power train group is the biggest.

How many complaints mention crashes or fires?

Two complaints mention a crash and two mention a fire.

What is the gas mileage of the 2020 Lincoln Navigator?

See the fuel economy section on this page.

2020 Lincoln Navigator Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 32 owner complaints on file for the 2020 Lincoln Navigator^[1]. The biggest group names the power train, with 18 complaints^[2].

32owner complaints^[1]

13recalls^[3]

18–19MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

5★NHTSA overall rating^[5]

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

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups, biggest first.

Power Train. 18 complaints^[2]. Owners describe shifts that feel rough or slow, and moments when the engine revs while the SUV loses pull during merging or passing. Some stories end with a loud bang when the gear finally catches, and some describe the vehicle dropping into neutral while driving.
Electrical System. 4 complaints^[6]. In the stories we read, owners describe a battery that drains and leaves the SUV unable to start, an app warning about battery saving, a seat that moves on its own, and driver assist alerts that do not behave consistently.
Engine. 3 complaints^[7]. Owners describe a sudden loss of power while accelerating and engine trouble that showed up with little warning.
Seat Belts. 3 complaints^[8]. Owners describe a belt that fired with a loud noise, even when the SUV was stopped or moving slowly, and a repair part that was not yet available after a recall notice.
Seats. 1 complaint^[9].
Visibility/Wiper. 1 complaint^[10].
Tires. 1 complaint^[11].
Unknown Or Other. 1 complaint^[12].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2020 Navigator is necessarily included.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission (26V402), June 2026. About 741,195 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, the car rolling away. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Seat Belts › Pretensioner (26V344), May 2026. About 419,967 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[14]
Engine (25V628), September 2025. About 4,632 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire, injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[15]
Back Over Prevention › Software (25V442), June 2025. About 200,237 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.^[16]
Electrical System › Body Control Module › Software (25V346), May 2025. About 556 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[17]
Seat Belts › Pretensioner (25V197), May 2025. About 112,951 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[18]
Equipment › Other › Labels (24V852), November 2024. About 27,678 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[19]
Seat Belts › Pretensioner (24V099), February 2024. About 77,574 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[20]
Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera (23V598), August 2023. About 177,402 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced visibility. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[21]
Equipment › Other › Owners/Service/Other Manual (23V420), June 2023. About 691,133 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[22]
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Linkages (22V250), April 2022. About 652,996 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced visibility. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[23]
Seats › Mid/Rear Assembly (20V366), June 2020. About 2,620 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[24]
Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking (20V262), May 2020. About 25,081 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[25]

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 2WD, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S10), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[4]	16 / 22 / 19	$3,550
Navigator L 2WD, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S10), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[26]	16 / 21 / 18	$3,700
Navigator 4WD, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S10), Regular, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive^[27]	16 / 21 / 18	$3,700

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
SUV 2WD^[5]	5	5	5	3	20.8%
SUV 4WD^[28]	5	5	5	4	19.3%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2020 Lincoln Navigator with 3.5L 6-cylinder^[29]	450 hp

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^[30]	210 in	80 in	76 in	122 in	5,855 lb
NAVIGATOR L 4DR SUV 4WD^[31]	222 in	80 in	76 in	131 in	6,056 lb

How 2020 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Navigator model year. The 2020 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 32 complaints and 13 recalls for 2020^[3]. Among the 30 model years listed, 15 have fewer complaints than 2020 and 12 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 2020 Navigator?

The 2020 Navigator has a modest pile of complaints on file, 32 in all^[1]. The power train group stands well apart from the rest at 18^[2]. Electrical, engine and seat belt reports are smaller groups^[6]^[7]^[8]. Recalls also exist for this year, and the by-year section lists them^[3]. These are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales, so read them as a guide to what to ask about and check on a test drive.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2020 Lincoln Navigator?: The largest group in the complaints is the power train, with 18 complaints^[2]. Electrical, engine and seat belt groups follow^[6]^[7]^[8].
Does the 2020 Lincoln Navigator have recalls?: Yes. The by-year facts show recalls for 2020^[3]. The Recalls section on this page lists them.
Is the 2020 Lincoln Navigator reliable?: NHTSA has 32 owner complaints on file^[1]. These are unverified and not adjusted for sales. The power train group is the biggest^[2].
How many complaints mention crashes or fires?: Two complaints mention a crash and two mention a fire^[1].
What is the gas mileage of the 2020 Lincoln Navigator?: See the fuel economy section on this page.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Lincoln Navigator

2015 21 complaints, 4 recalls
2017 32 complaints, 5 recalls
2018 52 complaints, 12 recalls
2019 85 complaints, 10 recalls
2020 this page

Compare all model years of the Lincoln Navigator

Other Lincoln models from 2020

2020 Lincoln Aviator 120 complaints, 30 recalls
2020 Lincoln Corsair 61 complaints, 16 recalls

All Lincoln models

Similar cars from 2020: suvs

2020 Buick Enclave 60 complaints, 6 recalls
2020 Ford Expedition 425 complaints, 18 recalls
2020 GMC Acadia 106 complaints, 6 recalls
2020 Hyundai Palisade 541 complaints, 5 recalls
2020 Mercedes-Benz G-Class 2 complaints, 8 recalls
2020 Nissan Armada 27 complaints, 2 recalls

All suvs we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 32 owner complaints on file for the 2020 Lincoln Navigator (2 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 1 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
18 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries). 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 (S10), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 22 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV 2WD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 20.8%. NHTSA vehicle records
4 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
3 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
3 complaints name the seat belts component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
1 complaints name the seats component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
1 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
1 complaints name the tires component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
1 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 26V402, filed June 24, 2026: Power Train › Automatic Transmission. NHTSA recall database
Recall 26V344, filed May 27, 2026: Seat Belts › Pretensioner. NHTSA recall database
Recall 25V628, filed September 19, 2025: Engine. NHTSA recall database
Recall 25V442, filed June 27, 2025: Back Over Prevention › Software. NHTSA recall database
Recall 25V346, filed May 23, 2025: Electrical System › Body Control Module › Software. NHTSA recall database
Recall 25V197, filed May 23, 2025: Seat Belts › Pretensioner. NHTSA recall database
Recall 24V852, filed November 8, 2024: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
Recall 24V099, filed February 9, 2024: Seat Belts › Pretensioner. NHTSA recall database
Recall 23V598, filed August 25, 2023: Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera. NHTSA recall database
Recall 23V420, filed June 9, 2023: Equipment › Other › Owners / Service / Other Manual . NHTSA recall database
Recall 22V250, filed April 14, 2022: Visibility › Windshield Wiper / Washer › Linkages. NHTSA recall database
Recall 20V366, filed June 23, 2020: Seats › Mid / Rear Assembly. NHTSA recall database
Recall 20V262, filed May 8, 2020: Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Navigator L 2WD, 3.5L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S10), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 21 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
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
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV 4WD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 19.3%. NHTSA vehicle records
EPA Test Car List, 2020 Lincoln Navigator with 3.5L 6-cylinder: rated 450 hp. www.epa.gov
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
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.

2020 Lincoln Navigator: problems, recalls and fuel economy