The 2016 Lincoln Navigator has 25 NHTSA owner complaints and 4 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of September 2026). The most-reported system is brakes at 6 complaints (~$450 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
4
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2016 Navigator?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average
4 recall campaigns on file
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.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings
5 / 5 overall
Overall★★★★★5/5
Frontal crash★★★★★5/5
Side crash★★★★★5/5
Rollover★★★★★4/5
Driver-assist features on the tested model:
Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2016 Lincoln Navigator Extended SUV 4x4. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
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
· ~$450 to fix
visibility — 6 owner reports
· ~$350 to fix
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 4 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 7.6/10 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.
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.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2016 Navigator· engine
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…
Had a problem with your 2016 Lincoln Navigator?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Lincoln MKC, Mustang, F-350 SD, F-250 SD, F-450 SD, 2015-2017 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, 2015-2018 Edge, Transit Connect, 2016-2019 F-550 SD, Transit, 2017-2019 Econoline, and 2019 Ranger vehicles
A rearview camera that displays an inverted, distorted, or blank image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 13, 2026. Ford owners will receive letters in phases, beginning January 2026 and June 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S89. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 25V270. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning September 8, 2025.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Lincoln Navigator vehicles
An electrical short circuit in the exterior mirror increases the risk of fire.
Fix: Dealers will disconnect the LED light wires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 27, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S08.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles
Front blower motor failure can increase the risk of a vehicle interior fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the front blower motor assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 4, 2023. Remedy parts are expected to become available in the second quarter of 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S56.
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.6 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?
The 2016 Lincoln Navigator is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average; 4 recall campaigns on file. 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. 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 7.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 25 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is brakes. 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. 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. 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.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 12 hours ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Lincoln/Navigator.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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