AI Damage2004 Lincoln Navigator: common problems
Owners of the 2004 Lincoln Navigator filed 86 complaints with NHTSA, most often about suspension and air bags. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 86
- involving a crash
- 4
What fails most often
- 1 Suspension 28% of all complaints
- 2 Air bags 15% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 13% of all complaints
- 4 Structure 12% of all complaints
- 5 Engine and cooling 9% of all complaints
- 6 Service brakes 8% of all complaints
- 7 Exterior lighting 7% of all complaints
- 8 Seats 7% of all complaints
- Suspension: 24 complaints (28% of all).
- Air bags: 13 complaints (15% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 11 complaints (13% of all).
- Structure: 10 complaints (12% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 8 complaints (9% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 5.4 L · petrol · 8 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
Drive: RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 86 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 24 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 13 | 2 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Equipment | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 1 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The vehicle engaged in involuntary acceleration (in reverse) from stationary position right after shifting gears from parking 'p' to reverse 'r' and disengaging the parking brake. The brakes were being applied during this gear change. The car started moving in reverse as soon as the driver let off the brakes.
Suddenly, there was a loss of steering control and the vehicle traveled over a curb up an embankment. When the brakes were engaged the vehicle came to a stop. The vehicle was driven from the embankment and the identical failure reocurred. The vehicle was taken to a nearby independent mechanic for diagnosis.
While driving at 45-50 mph vehicle hydroplaned and crashed directly into a brick wall. Upon impact, both frontal air bags failed to deploy. Dealer was notified.
Rear window exploded shattering the glass completely. Occurred once the engine was off while parked.
Air suspension air track radiation electrician and air conditioner went out. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 lincoln navigator. While driving 70 mph, extra force was required to turn the steering wheel right and left, and the traction control warning indicator illuminated.
In addition, fuel leaked onto the ground when the fuel tank was being filled. Sanderson ford in glendale, arizona was made aware of the failure and stated that the plastic piece that the filler hose was connected to had fractured. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 112,000.
On 12-3-17 grant county sheriff's department officers responded to a call in swayzee, in reference an unresponsive toddler. A 20 month old who had fallen asleep in the third row of a 2004 lincoln navigator. The parents had gone to sweetser to help a relative move.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 3,912 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 11% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Navigator has 44 complaints (31 years in the data). This year has 86, above average.
What to check before buying
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
Other years of this model
- Navigator 1998192 sources
- Navigator 1999132 sources
- Navigator 2000109 sources
- Navigator 200181 sources
- Navigator 200232 sources
- Navigator 2003127 sources
- Navigator 200548 sources
- Navigator 200660 sources
- Navigator 200745 sources
- Navigator 200830 sources
- Navigator 200910 sources
- Navigator 201016 sources
- Navigator 20119 sources
- Navigator 201212 sources
- Navigator 201314 sources
- Navigator 201417 sources
- Navigator 201521 sources
- Navigator 2016105 sources
- Navigator 201799 sources
- Navigator 2018194 sources
- Navigator 2019224 sources
- Navigator 2020225 sources
- Navigator 2021180 sources
- Navigator 2022207 sources
- Navigator 2023156 sources
- Navigator 2024113 sources
- Navigator 2025183 sources
- Navigator 202669 sources
- Navigator 202711 sources
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Lincoln Navigator?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: suspension, air bags, electrical system. Total complaints: 86. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: vibration (8%), windows, sunroof (6%), warning lights, check engine (5%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2004 Lincoln Navigator?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2004 Lincoln Navigator from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2004 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.