VehicleVerdict

2008 Lincoln Navigator problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2008 Lincoln Navigator sits mid-pack among Navigator years: 40 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 33, with 2 recalls and one closed investigation.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 10 reports (25% of the total).

40

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

1

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2008 compare to other Navigator years?

Navigator NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 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, 2008 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Navigator years to avoid →

What are the most common 2008 Lincoln Navigator problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System1025%
Brakes820%
Body & Structure410%
Visibility & Wipers38%
Tires & Wheels38%
Other38%
Steering25%
Transmission25%
Seats13%
Engine13%
Lighting13%
Airbags13%
Speed Control13%

Does the 2008 Lincoln Navigator have recalls?

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

08V166000Tires & WheelsApril 11, 2008 · 158 units

Defect

FORD IS RECALLING 158 MY 2008 EXPEDITION AND LINCOLN NAVIGATOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) AND THE LIMO BUILDERS PACKAGE FOR FAILING TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 138, Z"TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS." THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS INCREASED FROM 35 PSI TO 40 PSI WITHOUT A COMMENSURATE UPDATE TO THE TPMS CALIBRATIONS.

Consequence

THE TPMS INDICATOR LIGHT WILL NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN A TIRE PRESSURE IS IS 25% BELOW THE 40 PSI VALUE STATED ON THE TIRE PLACARD LABEL OCCURS.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL RECONFIGURE THE TPMS THRESHOLDS TO THE APPROPRIATE PRESSURES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

08V058000Latches & LocksFebruary 5, 2008 · 123,632 units

Defect

FORD IS RECALLING 123,632 MY 2007-2008 EXPEDITION AND LINCOLN NAVIGATOR VEHICLES. THE DOOR HANDLE HOUSING EMBOSSMENT RETAINING THE BOTTOM OF THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE SPRING ON ALL SIDE DOORS MAY FRACTURE DURING NORMAL CUSTOMER USAGE. THIS CAN RESULT IN INSUFFICIENT SPRING FORCE TO RETURN THE HANDLE TO THE FULLY CLOSED POSITION. THE HANDLE MAY BE LOOSE CAUSING A RATTLE OR NOISE AND THE HANDLE MAY NOT RETURN TO THE FULLY CLOSED POSITION. THIS CONDITION MAY ALSO PROVIDE A DELAYED RESISTANCE WHEN ACTUATING THE HANDLE PRIOR TO OPENING THE DOOR.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A SIDE IMPACT CRASH, THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE MAY CAUSE THE DOOR LATCH TO OPEN INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO A VEHICLE OCCUPANT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE INTERIOR HANDLE SPRING ON ALL SIDE DOORS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 5, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE PANEL LIGHTING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE IT WAS STATED THE FUSE BOX IN THE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 7, 2012

“2008 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR SOMETIMES HAS NO BRAKES. HAVE ALREADY HAD ONE ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS. TOOK THE NAVIGATOR IN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY CHECKED IT OUT AND SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. WROTE FORD A LETTER AND THEY REPLIED "THE CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH YOU OUTLINED CONCERNING YOUR NAVIGATOR, HAVE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 18, 2007 · crash

“MOTORS IN SIDE STEP BOARDS STOP WORKING. BUTTON TO CONTROL TRUNK DON'T WORK. BACK REAR GATE KEEPS CLOSING HAS HIT THE KIDS AND MYSELF MANY TIMES TRYING TO GET THINGS OUT OF BACK. CASING AROUND DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE VEHICLE AND THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING! I SEE OTHER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · October 16, 2012

“TL* THE CONTACT 2008 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR MALFUNCTIONED MAKING BOTH WINDOWS INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER REPLACED BOTH REGULATORS. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE WINDOW…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · August 26, 2011

“FACTORY CHROME PAINTED WHEELS PEELING CAUSED TIRE BLOWOUT ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CHROME SEPARATES FROM THE ALUMINUM WHEEL AND THE TIRE STARTS TO LOSE AIR OR IN MY CASE BLOW OUT. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY RISK AND THERE'S NOT ANYTHING I'M ABLE TO DO. THIS IS HAPPENING WITH MANY OTHER LINCOLN VEHICLES THAT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · March 14, 2020

2008 Lincoln Navigator — common questions

Is the 2008 Lincoln Navigator reliable?

It is close to typical for the Navigator: 40 NHTSA complaints, 2 recalls, and 1 investigation on file.

What are the most common 2008 Navigator problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (10 complaints), brakes (8 complaints), body & structure (4 complaints).

Does the 2008 Lincoln Navigator have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2008 Lincoln Navigator. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2008 Lincoln Navigator under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation 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.