Head-to-head reliability
Lincoln Navigator vs FORD F 150
How the Lincoln Navigator and FORD F 150 compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Lincoln Navigator vs FORD F 150: The Navigator has 284 complaints and 89 recalls over 10 years, while the F-150 has 11,621 complaints and 151 recalls. Both show power train and electrical failures, but the F-150’s volume is much higher. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Lincoln Navigator or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Lincoln Navigator
The Lincoln Navigator is a large luxury SUV with 284 complaints over 10 years, averaging about 28 per year. Owners report serious power train issues like transmissions that disengage at highway speed, and engine failures around 78,000 to 93,000 miles. Electrical problems with control modules and unexpected explosions also appear in complaints, suggesting that while the complaint count is lower than the F-150, the failures can be sudden and expensive.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with 11,621 complaints over 10 years, averaging about 1,162 per year. Power train complaints dominate, especially transmission limp mode and lead frame failures that can cause near collisions. Electrical issues, rear window explosions, and lighting problems are also common, indicating a high volume of recurring safety-related defects across many model years.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Lincoln Navigator | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 284 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 89 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 17 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 28.4 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 20 Better | 297 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Lincoln Navigator
- 01POWER TRAIN72
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM49
- 03ENGINE39
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER33
- 05SEAT BELTS29
Owners report the transmission unexpectedly disengaging at highway speeds, causing complete loss of propulsion, and violent downshifts. This is dangerous because it can happen without warning while merging or passing, leaving the driver unable to accelerate.
Complaints describe control modules (like the APIM) failing, which disables screens, massage seats, running boards, and other features. This matters because multiple systems can go dead at once, and replacements may be costly and recurring.
Reports include catastrophic engine failure at 78,000–93,000 miles, with oil contamination, piston ring failure, and cam phaser issues. These failures often occur with little warning, leading to complete engine replacement and major expense.
Owners describe loud explosions with no warning and power running boards that close on feet, causing falls. These unpredictable events pose injury risks and are hard to diagnose before they happen.
“Category: Power Train -> Automatic Transmission Subject: 2020 Lincoln Navigator – Repeated Missed Warranty Repairs – Transmission Neutral-Out & Violent Downshift at Highway Speed Description: On [XXX], while traveling at approximately 70 mph on [XXX], my 2020…”
“On August 20, 2026, while traveling about 45 MPH, I accelerated to merge onto a highway while passing a slow-moving semi, with traffic approaching from behind. The transmission unexpectedly disengaged and the vehicle completely lost propulsion. The gear indic…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
The recurring lead frame issue can cause the transmission to malfunction, and owners report limp mode stuck in 5th gear or sudden loss of power. This has led to near collisions and is a long-standing problem without a permanent fix for many.
Lead frame and output speed sensor failures trigger limp mode and error codes like P0722, even after software updates. This means electrical faults can strand drivers or force them into dangerous highway situations.
Rear window defroster shorts can cause the back window to shatter explosively. This is a serious safety concern because it can happen while driving, sending glass into the cabin.
With 1,224 complaints, lighting problems are frequent, though specific failure details are not in the sample. Buyers should check for recalls and inspect all lights, as lighting failures affect visibility and safety.
“This lead frame issue is never ending. Well over a decade without a proper remedy. I’m very familiar with it. but this one nearly ended my life. After the near collision I called my mechanic and bought a new ford lead frame from a dealership. It’s doing fine…”
“My 2017 Ford F-150 V8 with the 6-speed automatic transmission has been experiencing a serious and recurring transmission malfunction. The truck has consistently, almost on a daily basis, gone into limp mode and become stuck in 5th gear. It also frequently fai…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Lincoln Navigator — 89 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 F-150, Expedition, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The front axle pinion may not have been heat-treated, which can cause it to fracture.
The risk: A fractured pinion can result in a loss of 4-wheel drive and may cause the front wheels to lock up, increasng the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the front axle pinion gear set. If there is a broken front axle pinion, the entire axle assembly will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 21, 2023. Owners…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Navigator and Expedition vehicles. The front brake lines may contact the engine air cleaner outlet pipe and become damaged, possibly resulting in a brake fluid leak and reduced brake function.
The risk: A loss of brake function increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the front brake line and replace the brake line or air cleaner outlet pipe, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 29, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Bronco, F-150, 2021-2024 Edge, 2022-2025 Escape, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, F-600, 2022-2024 Expedition, 2022-2025 Transit, 2021-2023 Mach-E, 2024 Ranger, Mustang, 2021-2023 Lincoln Nautilus, 2022-2024 Navigator, and 2023-2024 Corsair vehicl…
The risk: A frozen or missing rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: The accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air update, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model an…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, 2020-2024 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2018-2024 F-150, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirement…
The risk: Without a label that shows the proper restraint usage guidelines, the occupants may have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The fix: Ford will mail owners the warning labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 19, 2024. Owners may call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C39.
FORD F 150 — 151 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causin…
The risk: When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater and previously remedied under recall 18V894. During the previous repair, the block he…
The risk: A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the engine block heater from being used. When replacement cables become available, a second notice will be mailed and dealers will replace the engine block heater cord, free of charge. The…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford F-150 Regular Cab and SuperCrew Cab vehicles. If a front seat belt pretensioner deploys as the result of a crash, the sparks may ignite materials such as carpeting or insulation within the B-pillar area.
The risk: A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the B-pillar insulation material and wiring harness tape, and install heat resistant tape, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford F-150, and 2017 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty trucks. The doors on these vehicles may have a bent or kinked actuation cable or the door latches may freeze after water gets into the latch. Either condition can result in the do…
The risk: A door that opens while driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the door latch actuation cables and repair if necessary, and install water shields over the door latches, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer…
Buyer analysis
Lincoln Navigator or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Lincoln Navigator has far fewer complaints per year (about 28 vs. 1,162 for the F-150), but both suffer from serious power train and electrical defects. In practice, the F-150’s higher volume means more reported incidents, while the Navigator’s lower volume still includes catastrophic engine and transmission failures that can be costly.
Key differences
- The Ford F-150 has 11,621 complaints over 10 years versus 284 for the Lincoln Navigator, but the F-150 also has 151 recalls compared to 89 for the Navigator.
- F-150 owners frequently report transmission limp mode and lead frame failures causing near collisions, while Navigator owners report transmission disengagement and violent downshifts at highway speed.
- Navigator complaints include catastrophic engine failure at 78,000–93,000 miles, while F-150 electrical issues often involve output speed sensor failures and rear window explosions.
- The F-150 has 330 crash-related complaints and 297 injuries, while the Navigator has 17 crash-related complaints and 20 injuries, though both have 0 and 1 deaths respectively.
- During a test drive, accelerate hard to check for transmission hesitation, slipping, or unexpected downshifts, as owners report disengagement at highway speeds.
- Ask for maintenance records and have a mechanic check for engine oil contamination, cam phaser noise, or compression issues, especially around 78,000–93,000 miles.
- Test the transmission for limp mode or stuck gears, and scan for codes like P0722, since lead frame and output speed sensor failures are common.
- Inspect the rear window defroster and look for any signs of shorting or previous shattering, as owners report windows exploding outward.
Before you buy
- Verify that all open safety recalls for the specific vehicle have been performed, especially power train and electrical recalls.
- Obtain a pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic familiar with the model, focusing on transmission, engine, and electrical modules.
- Request a complete vehicle history report and maintenance records to see if transmission or engine repairs have already been done.
- Test drive at highway speeds and in stop-and-go traffic to check for transmission slipping, limp mode, or unexpected gear changes.
- Check the operation of all electrical features, including screens, running boards, seats, and rear window defroster, for intermittent failures.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Lincoln Navigator | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 35 |
| 2025 | 12 | 345 |
| 2024 | 16 | 638 |
| 2023 | 7 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 21 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 33 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 32 | 44 |
| 2019 | 80 | 52 |
| 2018 | 52 | 79 |
| 2017 | 31 | 59 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Lincoln Navigator or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Lincoln Navigator vs FORD F 150
- Lincoln Navigator total complaints
- 284
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Lincoln Navigator total recalls
- 89
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Lincoln Navigator avg complaints/year
- 28.4
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Lincoln Navigator
- Lincoln Navigator top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN