VehicleVerdict

1997 Lincoln Navigator problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 0 complaints on file for the 1997 Lincoln Navigator — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

0

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

3

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1997 compare to other Navigator years?

Navigator NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 highlighted240 complaints1997: 0 complaints1998: 240 complaints1999: 155 complaints2000: 137 complaints2001: 116 complaints2002: 48 complaints2003: 179 complaints2004: 119 complaints2005: 71 complaints2006: 90 complaints2007: 56 complaints2008: 40 complaints2009: 10 complaints2010: 22 complaints2011: 10 complaints2012: 15 complaints2013: 19 complaints2014: 25 complaints2015: 31 complaints2016: 33 complaints2017: 45 complaints2018: 64 complaints2019: 92 complaints2020: 33 complaints2021: 33 complaints2022: 33 complaints2023: 9 complaints2024: 28 complaints2025: 21 complaints2026: 0 complaints2027: 0 complaints
Navigator NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Navigator years to avoid →

Does the 1997 Lincoln Navigator have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

00V073000Trailer HitchMarch 7, 2000 · 565,800 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES. THE TRAILER HITCH ASSEMBLY TO THE FRAME ATTACHING BOLTS COULD LOSE THE CLAMP LOAD.

Consequence

THE TRAILER HITCH COULD THEN SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRAILER HITCH MOUNTING BOLTS AND NUT PLATES.

98V095000Tires & WheelsMay 13, 1998 · 1,520,000 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES AND LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. THE LUG NUTS ON THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT CREATE SUFFICIENT CLAMP LOAD ALLOWING WHEEL MOVEMENT IN RELATION TO THE HUB/ROTOR MOUNTING SURFACE.

Consequence

THIS CAN RESULT IN THE LOOSENING OF LUG NUTS, STUD FATIGUE FAILURE, AND THE POTENTIAL FOR A WHEEL SEPARATION FROM THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES WILL BE RECEIVING TWO NOTIFICATIONS. THE FIRST NOTIFICATION, WHICH BEGAN IN MAY 1998, WILL PROVIDE AN INTERIM REPAIR PROCEDURE UNTIL PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE. THIS INTERIM PROCEDURE CAN BE COMPLETED BY OWNERS OR THEIR DEALERS. IT SPECIFIES THAT THE LUG NUT TORQUE MUST BE VERIFIED TO BE 100 LBS. THEN THE LUG NUTS NEED TO BE TIGHTENED AN ADDITIONAL 1/8 TO 1/4 TURN MORE. THERE WILL BE A SECOND OWNER NOTIFICATION, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN JULY 20, 1998, UNDER WHICH DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WHEEL STUDS AND REPLACE THE WHEEL LUG NUTS.

1997 Lincoln Navigator — common questions

Is the 1997 Lincoln Navigator reliable?

The record is thin — 0 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1997 Lincoln Navigator have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1997 Lincoln Navigator. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1997 Lincoln Navigator under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Lincoln Navigator years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Navigator years to avoid are 1998, 2003, 1999, 2000, 2004, 2001, 2019, 2006, 2005, 2018, 2007. The cleanest record among Navigator years belongs to 2027.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.