2016 Lincoln Navigator problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 25 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
The 2016 Lincoln Navigator has 25 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is brakes at 6 complaints, typically surfacing around 78,813 miles (~$450 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 Navigator | 13 | 0 |
| 2014 Navigator | 17 | 0 |
| 2015 Navigator | 21 | 0 |
| 2016 Navigator (this page) | 25 | 0 |
| 2017 Navigator | 30 | 1 |
| 2018 Navigator | 50 | 0 |
| 2019 Navigator | 69 | 0 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.4/10 — 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 2016 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
- brakes — 6 owner reports · tends to show around 78,813 mi · ~$450 to fix
- visibility — 6 owner reports · tends to show around 85,000 mi · ~$350 to fix
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: 8.4/10 model. The priciest documented failure is brakes (~$450) — 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 2016 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
Under hard acceleration, the car sputters and chugs hard and sufficient passing speed may not be met. On 2 occasions, the check engine light flashed and on 1 occasion it remained solid for several minutes. Both times the lights cleared out eventually. Local Ford dealer said…
While driving approximately 65 MPH on highway 18 in yamhill county, oregon on a curved section of the road the sunroof spontaneously exploded. There were no vehicles near me and there was nothing overhead. We found no rocks in the vehicle and from the attached pictures it is…
The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated while driving at 10 MPH, there was smoke coming from the A/C vents and from the defroster. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road and parked the vehicle. The contact stated…
I was driving down the road and the check brakes light came on simultaneously with a low brake fluid warning. I went to push the brakes and the pedal went all the way to the floor. Luckily, I was driving slow enough in a low traffic area that I was able to bring the vehicle…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2016 Lincoln Navigator reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.4 out of 10 based on 25 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 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 2016 Lincoln Navigator?
On the NHTSA data, the 2016 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 8.4/10 — 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 2016 Lincoln Navigator?
Inspect the brakes first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 6 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 78,813 miles. Average repair cost runs about $450 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 2016 Lincoln Navigator a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.4 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 25 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is brakes. Typical failure occurs around 78,813 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 2016 Lincoln Navigator?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is brakes, with 6 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 78,813 miles. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The brakes is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 78,813 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 2016 Lincoln Navigator?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 25 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $450, 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.