AI Damage2017 Lincoln Navigator: common problems
Owners of the 2017 Lincoln Navigator filed 32 complaints with NHTSA, most often about service brakes and backover prevention. The maker issued 67 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 32
- involving a crash
- 3
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 67
What fails most often
- 1 Service brakes 31% of all complaints
- 2 Backover prevention 16% of all complaints
- 3 Visibility 16% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 13% of all complaints
- 5 Air bags 9% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel/propulsion system 9% of all complaints
- 7 Structure 6% of all complaints
- 8 Exterior lighting 6% of all complaints
- Service brakes: 10 complaints (31% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 3.
- Backover prevention: 5 complaints (16% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
- Visibility: 5 complaints (16% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
- Electrical system: 4 complaints (13% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 30.
- Air bags: 3 complaints (9% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.5 L · petrol · turbo · 6 cyl
- automatic, 6-speed
Drive: RWD, 4WD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 32 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 10 | 1 | 3 |
| Backover prevention | 5 | 0 | 2 |
| Visibility | 5 | 0 | 2 |
| Electrical system | 4 | 0 | 30 |
| Air bags | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 10 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Lane departure | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 | 1 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The contact was driving and sustained injuries to the head, neck, shoulders, knees, legs, chest, right elbow, right arm, and internal bruising from the seat belt. The other person sustained unknown injuries. Medical attention was required for the injuries sustained. The dealer was not contacted.
This accident caused by my brakes failing nearly killed me and put others at risk. There were no recalls, or warnings about the brakes failing before the accident.
The air bags did not deploy, however, the computer indicated that the air bag deployed. The contact sustained a spinal cord and hand injury that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was damaged but was not towed. The dealer and the manufacturer were not made aware of the failure.
This problem is concerning because the loss of the output speed signal can affect transmission operation, shifting, vehicle speed information, and potentially cause the vehicle to enter a failsafe/limp mode while driving.
The contact stated that upon start of the vehicle, both the "Hill Start" and "Service AdvanceTrac" warning messages appeared on the instrument panel. The steering wheel had become stiff as a result of the failure and the contact used excessive force to steer the vehicle home.
The contact previously received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V572000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available, and the rearview camera intermittently displayed a blank or distorted image.
problem is when you go to check the oil do you think youâre gonna find a low oil situation and what happens is the oil is actually overfilled however itâs not overfilled because you put too much oil in it. Itâs overfilled because gasoline is leaking into the oil pan.
The contact stated that the rearview camera image was distorted while reversing. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure.
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 6,635 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 18% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Navigator has 44 complaints (31 years in the data). This year has 32, below average.
What to check before buying
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Backover prevention. Rear camera and parking sensors after a rear impact.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Customer Satisfaction Program 25N15 - Supplement #1 Certain 2015-2019 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines…
Customer Satisfaction Program 25N15 - Supplement #1 Certain 2015-2019 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Inspection For One-Time Replacement
- Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless…
Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. Unlike the integrated…
- Certain 2015-2019 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Inspection For One-Time Replacemen
- Certain 2015-2019 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Inspection For One-Time Replacement
- This article supersedes TSB 24-2165 to update the TSB Service Procedure
Some vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit various SYNC performance related concerns including but not limited to: Display operation concerns Navigation inoperative Voice recognition concerns …
- Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes…
Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. Pinpoint test HK in…
- While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal…
While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal kit may be on backorder due to supply chain interruptions. While performing a transmission repair on some…
- This article supersedes TSB 22-2219 to update the Parts List and Service Procedure to clarify applicable…
This article supersedes TSB 22-2219 to update the Parts List and Service Procedure to clarify applicable steps by vehicle application. Some 2003-2020 Expedition/Navigator and 2006-2020 F-150 (non-Raptor) vehicles…
- This article supersedes TSB 21-2175 to update the TSB Service Procedure
Some 2016 MKS, 2016-2017 Navigator, 2016-2018 F-150/Focus/C-MAX/Edge/Fiesta/MKX/Transit Connect/Mustang, 2017-2018 Continental/Fusion/MKZ, 2017-2019 Explorer, 2016-2019…
- All accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the master code
If the accessory keypad was factory installed, this card will be placed in the glove box and should be handed to the vehicles owner during initial delivery. Unlike the integrated (wired) factory keypad, the accessory…
- During service and repair requiring removal and replacement of a crankshaft bolt and/or crankshaft damper,…
During service and repair requiring removal and replacement of a crankshaft bolt and/or crankshaft damper, achieving proper torque of the crankshaft pulley bolt is critical. Incorrect torque may allow the bolt to…
- Some 2016-2018 F-150 and 2016-2017 Expedition/Navigator vehicles may require pressure bleeding of the…
Some 2016-2018 F-150 and 2016-2017 Expedition/Navigator vehicles may require pressure bleeding of the brake system. The brake system pressure bleeding procedure in the Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 206-00, has been…
NHTSA lists 67 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
- Navigator 1998192 sources
- Navigator 1999132 sources
- Navigator 2000109 sources
- Navigator 200181 sources
- Navigator 200232 sources
- Navigator 2003127 sources
- Navigator 200486 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 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 2017 Lincoln Navigator?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: service brakes, backover prevention, visibility. Total complaints: 32. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (19%), rear-view camera (16%), brake failure (6%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2017 Lincoln Navigator?
NHTSA lists 67 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 2017 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 2017 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.