VehicleVerdict

1999 Lincoln Navigator problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 155 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 4.7 times the median Navigator year — the 1999 model ranks #3 of 31 Navigator years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 2 deaths and 12 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Tires & Wheels leads the complaint categories with 40 reports (26% of the total).

155

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

3

Investigations

10

Crash-involved

12

Fires reported

12

Injuries

2

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1999 compare to other Navigator years?

Navigator NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 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, 1999 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Navigator years to avoid →

What are the most common 1999 Lincoln Navigator problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Tires & Wheels4026%
Engine2415%
Suspension128%
Electrical System128%
Visibility & Wipers117%
Transmission85%
Steering75%
Speed Control75%
Brakes64%
Body & Structure43%
Fuel System43%
Lighting43%
Seats32%
Other32%
Latches & Locks32%
Seat Belts21%
Airbags21%
Trailer Hitch21%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)11%

Does the 1999 Lincoln Navigator have recalls?

7 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.

06E056000Fuel SystemJune 13, 2006 · 58,640 units

Defect

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.

Consequence

FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.

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.

99V099000Tires & WheelsApril 29, 1999 · 53,784 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FOUR-WHEEL-DRIVE (4X4), 17" CHROME STEEL WHEELS. THE CLAMP LOAD CAN BE LOST ON THE WHEEL LUGS DUE TO INSUFFICIENT WHEEL CONTACT AREA WITH THE HUB. IN SOME CASES, THE CONTACT AREA CAN DEFORM, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF LUG NUT TORQUE.

Consequence

LOSS OF LUG NUT TORQUE CAN CAUSE VIBRATION OR SEPARATION OF A WHEEL AND TIRE FROM THE VEHICLE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL RE-TORQUE THE WHEEL LUGS TO PROPER SPECIFICATIONS AND ALSO INSTALL A LABEL THAT SPECIFIES THAT THE WHEEL LUGS BE TORQUED TO 110 LB-FT ANY TIME THE WHEEL IS REMOVED.

98V312000Fuel SystemDecember 7, 1998 · 305 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE FUEL LINE ASSEMBLIES MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED BY THE SUPPLIER DURING MANUFACTURING, ALLOWING LEAKAGE.

Consequence

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE FRONT AND REAR FUEL LINE ASSEMBLIES.

98V296000BrakesNovember 17, 1998 · 4,000 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A MISSING OR PARTIALLY INSTALLED RETAINER CLIP THAT HOLDS THE MASTER CYLINDER PUSH ROD TO THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM.

Consequence

INCREASED BRAKE STOPPING DISTANCE CAN OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES TO SEE IF THE RETAINER CLIP WAS INSTALLED, AND REPAIR, IF NECESSARY.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“THE RIGHT REAR TIRE ON THE CONSUMER'S 1999 NAVIGATOR LOST IT'S TREAD CAP AND AS A RESULT THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE RIGHT REAR TIRE WAS FLAT WITH NO OUTWARD SIGNS OF IMPACT OR SIDEWALL DAMAGE. *TS AS A RESULT OF THE TIRE(CONTINENTAL CONTITRAC A/T TIRE 205/75SR 17 RADIAL TIRE). *NM”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · January 23, 2005 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED WITH THE ENGINE OFF. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED IN REGARDS TO THE FAILURE BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 21, 2011 · fire

“VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF RESIDENCE AND FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE, AND VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 6, 2005 · fire

“WHILE DRIVING ....... WITHOUT WARNING THE AIR SUSPENSION LINE EXPLODED AND THE VEHICLE BECAME UNMANAGEABLE ... CAUSING ME TO GO OFF THE ROAD AND STRIKE VARIOUS STATIONARY OBJECTS ...... *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · February 21, 2014 · crash

“WIPERS COME ON INTERMITTENTLY DEALER HAS REPLACED MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH WHICH WORKED FOR ABOUT A MONTH AND NOW IT IS MALFUNCTIONING AGAIN. DEALER WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ELSE SINCE THEY CANNOT GET THE WIPERS TO MALFUNCTION. MY CONCERN IS FIRE SINCE THIS IS IN THE WIRING IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE CAR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers

1999 Lincoln Navigator — common questions

Is the 1999 Lincoln Navigator reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 155 complaints put the 1999 model at #3 of 31 Navigator years. It is one of the Navigator years to avoid.

What are the most common 1999 Navigator problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are tires & wheels (40 complaints), engine (24 complaints), electrical system (12 complaints).

Does the 1999 Lincoln Navigator have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 1999 Lincoln Navigator. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1999 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.