2009 Lincoln Navigator: common problems

Owners of the 2009 Lincoln Navigator filed 10 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and engine and cooling. Details by component below, with sources.

Key figures

Owner complaints: 10

What fails most often

1 Electrical system 30% of all complaints
2 Engine and cooling 20% of all complaints
3 Engine 10% of all complaints
4 Service brakes 10% of all complaints
5 Tires 10% of all complaints

Circle size and colour show each component’s share of NHTSA complaints. Schematic only, not a drawing of the exact model.

Electrical system: 3 complaints (30% of all).
Engine and cooling: 2 complaints (20% of all).
Engine: 1 complaints (10% of all).
Service brakes: 1 complaints (10% of all).
Tires: 1 complaints (10% 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, 6-speed

Drive: RWD

Symptoms owners describe

How many of the 10 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).

A/C or heater1 · 10%
knocking, grinding or other noise1 · 10%
windows, sunroof1 · 10%

Components owners complain about

Component	Owner complaints	involving a crash	Technical service bulletins (TSB)
Electrical system	3	0	0
Engine and cooling	2	0	0
Engine	1	0	0
Service brakes	1	0	0
Tires	1	0	0
Other	2	0	0

What owners report

Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.

When braking while moving (at any speed), the brake pedal begins braking at its normal pressure point and then sinks to the floor with reduced braking effect. Sunnyvale lincoln has checked the whole system for leaks and bled some very tiny air bubbles out of the abs control module.
Service brakes · 2016-03-07 · NHTSA complaint #10840311
Front passenger window will not open or close. If attempted, window will make cracking noise.
Electrical system · 2015-06-25 · NHTSA complaint #10730442
When air condition is set below 72, passenger front side is making loud clicking noise for about 1 minute then goes away.
Electrical system · 2015-06-25 · NHTSA complaint #10730441
When driving from up grade at about 1200 rpm, there is a rattle noise coming from engine
Engine · 2015-06-25 · NHTSA complaint #10730434
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 lincoln navigator. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 mph, the contact horn failed to respond when engaged. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician stated that the wires connected to the horn needed to be replaced.
Electrical system · 2012-12-11 · NHTSA complaint #10487980
While unloading the back of my truck, I was burned by the tail pipe that protrudes from the back right side of the truck. The burn is a 1/2 round shape on my right leg. Took the truck in for service and lincoln dealership said that is how it was designed for my model year and no fix was available.
Engine and cooling · 2011-07-03 · NHTSA complaint #10410348
Tl contact owns a 2009 lincoln navigator. The contact stated that the spare tire was an 18 inch instead of 20 inch like the other tires. The contact had a tire failure and the vehicle was unbalanced because of the size of the spare. The current mileage was approximately 24,000.
Tires · 2010-10-14 · NHTSA complaint #10360453
My son,[xxx], got a second degree (I'm a physician) burn on his right lateral calf by the tail pipe when he was standing at the back end of our 09 lincoln navigator suv.
Engine and cooling · 2010-09-17 · NHTSA complaint #10356064

When owners complained

NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.

20102
20111
20121
20153
20162
20211

Comparison

By complaint count this model year ranks 10,921 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 30% most complained about).

On average one model year of the Navigator has 44 complaints (31 years in the data). This year has 10, below average.

What to check before buying

Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.

Questions and answers

What are the most common problems with the 2009 Lincoln Navigator?

Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, engine and cooling, engine. Total complaints: 10. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: A/C or heater (10%), knocking, grinding or other noise (10%), windows, sunroof (10%).

How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2009 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 2009 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 2009 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.