AI Damage2020 Lincoln Navigator: common problems
Owners of the 2020 Lincoln Navigator filed 32 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and electrical system. The maker issued 193 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 32
- involving a crash
- 2
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 193
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 56% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 13% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 9% of all complaints
- 4 Seat belts 9% of all complaints
- 5 Seats 3% of all complaints
- 6 Visibility 3% of all complaints
- 7 Exterior lighting 3% of all complaints
- 8 Lane departure 3% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 18 complaints (56% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 41.
- Electrical system: 4 complaints (13% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 73.
- Engine: 3 complaints (9% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 3.
- Seat belts: 3 complaints (9% of all).
- Seats: 1 complaints (3% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 10.
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 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- automatic, 10-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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 18 | 0 | 41 |
| Electrical system | 4 | 0 | 73 |
| Engine | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Seat belts | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 10 |
| Visibility | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Lane departure | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 58 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 27 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 8 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
All windows will fog up when the outside air temperature is below 29 degrees Fahrenheit. The dealer says that it is a known condition, but they are not sure how to resolve it.
The vehicle was restarted, and the Hill Assist, Pre-Collision, and another unknown warning light were briefly illuminated before turning off. Additionally, the transmission was slipping while driving. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available.
While I was sitting stationary at the light, with no collision, impact, sudden braking, or other event, I suddenly heard a very loud noise that sounded like a gunshot. At the same time, the driver-side seat belt violently tightened and pulled me back into the seat.
The vehicle lurched/slammed before Drive engaged and propulsion returned. This created a serious collision risk while merging into highway traffic. This is not an isolated incident.
The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, occupied with his wife in the vehicle, he heard a loud explosion noise coming from inside the vehicle, and as his wife leaning forward the seat belt deployed on his front passenger side of the vehicle causing his wife to sustain whiplash and brushing to her chest.
While driving on the highway, the transmission would not shift between gears and the car lurched. Check engine light came on and I exited the highway immediately. I took my vehicle to be looked at, and they diagnosed the problem as CDF Drum failure.
Both front headlight and rear headlight seals are faulty resulting in a water leak, causing headlight and taillights to become inoperable at 60k miles.
Regularly maintained 2020 Lincoln Navigator at 78,000 miles experienced engine failure with no warning. No check engine light until we experienced power issues and engine shuttering. We took the vehicle directly to the mechanic within an hour of check engine light. They changed the oil and said to go to the dealer.
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 1,058 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 50% least complained about).
On average one model year of the Navigator has 26 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 32, above average.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Seat belts. Belt pretensioners after airbag deployment, SRS codes.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- For 2020-2026 Aviator/Corsair and 2018-2026 Navigator vehicles, if diagnostics in Workshop Manual (WSM)…
For 2020-2026 Aviator/Corsair and 2018-2026 Navigator vehicles, if diagnostics in Workshop Manual (WSM) Section 501-10A > Front Seats > Diagnosis and Testing lead to the replacement of the front seat cushion extension…
- For Various Ford and Lincoln vehicles, if diagnostics lead to the replacement of the front seat cushion…
For Various Ford and Lincoln vehicles, if diagnostics lead to the replacement of the front seat cushion cover J-clips, lower-level service parts are now available. Use service part W709919-S901 if the J-clip is…
- Some 2018-2024 Expedition and 2018-2027 Navigator vehicles equipped with a rear seat entertainment…
Some 2018-2024 Expedition and 2018-2027 Navigator vehicles equipped with a rear seat entertainment system/Lincoln Play may experience various system concerns. Rear seat entertainment systems are not on a controller…
- Some 2019-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC3 may experience various connectivity concerns…
Some 2019-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC3 may experience various connectivity concerns with The Ford App Lincoln App including but not limited to: missing activation prompt pop-upon the vehicle's…
- Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit a broken floor console armrest latch
- Some 2020-2022-Corsair, 2021-2023 Nautilus, 2020-2024 Navigator/Aviator, and 2021-2024 Mustang Mach-E…
Some 2020-2022-Corsair, 2021-2023 Nautilus, 2020-2024 Navigator/Aviator, and 2021-2024 Mustang Mach-E vehicles equipped with phone-as-a-key may exhibit various phone-as-a-key concerns with diagnostic trouble codes…
- Special Field Action 25L02 Certain 2017-2024 Model Year California Emissions-Certified Vehicles…
Special Field Action 25L02 Certain 2017-2024 Model Year California Emissions-Certified Vehicles Transmission Control Assembly Reimbursement
- 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…
- Reason for update
update the Part List Description and Labor Times Description Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit at least one of the following conditions: * Harsh engagement * Delayed engagement *…
- Some 2020-2025 various Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with blind spot information system (BLIS) may…
Some 2020-2025 various Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with blind spot information system (BLIS) may experience an inoperative blind spot monitoring with a "Blind Spot System Fault" message displayed in the…
- This article supersedes TSB 25-2345 to update the causal part
Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit an instrument panel upper section speaker grille that is lifted, warped, or not seated flush with the instrument panel. This may be due to upper…
- Various 2019-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC 3 may experience a partially or fully black…
Various 2019-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC 3 may experience a partially or fully black center display screen at start-up using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. This does not affect rear camera…
NHTSA lists 193 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Lincoln Navigator?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, electrical system, engine. Total complaints: 32. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: jerking, harsh shifts (22%), warning lights, check engine (22%), loss of power / limp mode (16%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2020 Lincoln Navigator?
NHTSA lists 193 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 2020 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 2020 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 2026-11-04.