VehicleVerdict

1998 Lincoln Navigator problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 240 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 7.3 times the median Navigator year — the 1998 model ranks #1 of 31 Navigator years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 15 deaths and 36 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Tires & Wheels leads the complaint categories with 69 reports (29% of the total).

240

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

4

Investigations

21

Crash-involved

24

Fires reported

36

Injuries

15

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other Navigator years?

See all Navigator years to avoid →

What are the most common 1998 Lincoln Navigator problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Tires & Wheels6929%
Suspension2611%
Steering229%
Electrical System229%
Engine198%
Speed Control198%
Transmission167%
Brakes115%
Visibility & Wipers94%
Body & Structure83%
Airbags63%
Other63%
Lighting31%
Seats10%
Seat Belts10%
Latches & Locks10%
Fuel System10%

Does the 1998 Lincoln Navigator have recalls?

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

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

05V388000Speed ControlSeptember 7, 2005 · 4,500,000 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Consequence

A FIRE AT THE SWITCH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

BY LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 12, 2005, OWNERS WERE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED. OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THEIR SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATED ARE BEING NOTIFIED THAT PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE AND ADVISED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO RECONNECT THE SPEED CONTROL BEGINNING IN FEBRUARY 2006. OWNERS WHO DID NOT HAVE THEIR SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATED ARE BEING NOTIFIED TO HAVE THEIR SYSTEM REMEDIED BEGINNING IN FEBRUARY 2006. OWNERS ARE URGED TO AVAIL THEMSELVES OF THE FREE DISCONNECT SERVICE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THE SIGNIFICANT RISK OF FIRE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. (NOTE: ALSO SEE RECALLS 05V017 AND 06V286)

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.

98V028000LightingFebruary 10, 1998 · 571,800 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TEXT AND/OR GRAPHICS FOR THE VEHICLE HEADLAMP AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES ARE NOT SUFFICIENTLY CLEAR. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence

IF THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES ARE REPLACED, CUSTOMERS MAY BE CONFUSED BY THE AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES CAUSING THE HEADLAMPS TO BE IMPROPERLY AIMED.

Remedy

OWNER GUIDES CONTAINING REVISED AIMING INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE MAILED TO OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES.

97V171000TransmissionOctober 7, 1997 · 866,000 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE ASSEMBLY WAS NOT FULLY ATTACHED TO THE STEERING COLUMN BRACKET, THE SHIFT CABLE ASSEMBLY CAN COME OUT OF THE BRACKET. THE VEHICLE OPERATOR WOULD THEN NOT BE ABLE TO SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION FROM ONE OF THE DRIVE GEAR POSITIONS INTO THE PARK POSITION EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR WOULD INDICATE "PARK."

Consequence

THE CONDITION WOULD NOT ALLOW A DISENGAGEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION FROM THE PARK POSITION OR AFFECT PROPER NEUTRAL START SWITCH OPERATION. UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT COULD OCCUR IF THE PARKING BRAKE WAS NOT SET.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL MAKE THE PROPER ATTACHMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CONTROL CABLE TO THE STEERING COLUMN BRACKET AND ADD A TIE STRAP TO THAT CONNECTION.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

WHILE TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THERE WAS A NOISE AND VIBRATION . HE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO SHOULDER, SAW THAT RIGHT TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. FIRESTONE, BRIDGESTONE, 24575R16, DUELER AT. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · February 16, 2002 · crash

TIRES SLIPPING ON RIMS, HIGHWAY VIBRATION VEHICLE SINCE FIRST PURCHASED. DEALER VERFIED SLIPPING TIRES AND RELACED TIRES AND WHEELS WHICH DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING ON DAMP PAVEMENT AT 60MPH FRONT END LOST CONTROL CAPABILITY, RESULTING IN CAR HITTING GUARDRAIL ON A STAIGHT WAY . *AK(…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · November 23, 1998 · crash

I STARTED VEHICLE AND DROVE APPROXIMATELY 1 MILE OR SO AND VEHICLE COMPLETELY LOST POWER. I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP NOTICE SMOKE FROM UNDER HOOD. I INVESTIGATED SMOKE AND NOTICED THE FIRE AND IMMEDIATELY HAD FRIENDS EVACUATE FOLLOWING PHONE CALL TO FIRE DEPARTMENT. I HAVE DONE NOTHING TO FIX…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 28, 2005 · fire

DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH CONSUMER HAD LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. VEHICLE THEN ROLLEDOVER ,TUMBLING ALONG SIDE OF THE MEDIAN, FRONT END WAS TOTALLY DAMAGED, AND DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSING INJURIES. *AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · February 1, 1999 · crash

ON 14 JUNE 08, MY MOTHER'S 98 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED IN MY GARAGE, IT BURNED MY GARAGE AND THERE WAS ENOUGH DAMAGE THAT I WAS MOVED OUT OF MY HOUSE. I FILED A CLAIM WITH FORD AND THEY DENIED MY CLAIM BECAUSE THEY STATED THAT NC LAW STATES THAT THEY DON'T HAVE TO COVER A VEHICLE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 14, 2008 · fire

1998 Lincoln Navigator — common questions

Is the 1998 Lincoln Navigator reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 240 complaints put the 1998 model at #1 of 31 Navigator years. It is one of the Navigator years to avoid.

What are the most common 1998 Navigator problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are tires & wheels (69 complaints), suspension (26 complaints), steering (22 complaints).

Does the 1998 Lincoln Navigator have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 Lincoln Navigator. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1998 Lincoln Navigator under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 4 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.