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. The tail pipe is points backwards and, although it doesn't protrude, it is just flush with the rear bumper, thus when he was leaning in to grab his tennis gear his right calf touched the tail pipe. He now has a "crescent moon"…
2009 Lincoln Navigator engine problems
severe 3 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
3
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 3 engine complaints filed for the 2009 Lincoln Navigator, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 15 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
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. I have reported the problem to Lincoln but have not heard back from them as of this writing.…
When driving from up grade at about 1200 RPM, there is a rattle noise coming from engine
Had engine trouble with your 2009 Lincoln Navigator?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2009 Lincoln Navigator?
It's a meaningful issue. 3 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 3 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 56,750 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Lincoln/Navigator.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.