2010 Lincoln Navigator problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 16 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
The 2010 Lincoln Navigator has 16 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is electrical at 4 complaints, typically surfacing around 104,750 miles (~$850 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 Navigator | 45 | 2 |
| 2008 Navigator | 30 | 2 |
| 2009 Navigator | 10 | 1 |
| 2010 Navigator (this page) | 16 | 0 |
| 2011 Navigator | 9 | 0 |
| 2012 Navigator | 12 | 3 |
| 2013 Navigator | 13 | 0 |
Above-average reliability for the segment. Few systemic issues on file.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.6/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2010 Lincoln Navigator? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- electrical — 4 owner reports · tends to show around 104,750 mi · ~$850 to fix
- brakes — 3 owner reports · tends to show around 52,000 mi · ~$450 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 104,750 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 8.6/10 model. The priciest documented failure is electrical (~$850) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2010 Lincoln Navigator
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 2 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
One headlight goes out for no apparent reason. Cycling the switch immedistely turns it back on
The running boards of the 2010 Lincoln navigator malfunctioned at 78000 miles. The automatic running boards began retracting and lowering up and down while vehicle is in motion (at speeds from to 70 MPH) and while completely stopped with engine off, making loud grinding sounds.…
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Lincoln navigator. While driving 40 MPH, the vehicle shook when the brake pedal was depressed, which made it harder to come to a complete stop. The contact stated that this was an ongoing failure ever since the vehicle was purchased seven years ago.…
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Lincoln navigator. The contact stated that while parked, he noticed coolant leaking from the under body of vehicle. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed the auxiliary supply tube which lays on top of a steel bracket was leaking coolant. The…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2010 Lincoln Navigator reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.6 out of 10 based on 16 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2010 Lincoln Navigator is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2010 Lincoln Navigator?
On the NHTSA data, the 2010 Lincoln Navigator does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.6/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2010 Lincoln Navigator?
Inspect the electrical first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 4 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 104,750 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2010 Lincoln Navigator a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 16 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is electrical. Typical failure occurs around 104,750 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2010 Lincoln Navigator?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 4 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 104,750 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 104,750 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Lincoln Navigator has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2010 Lincoln Navigator?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 16 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.