Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2002 Lincoln Navigator, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Air bags7
- Vehicle speed control7
- Engine and engine cooling7
- Electrical system6
- Steering3
- Engine2
- Power train2
- Fuel/propulsion system2
- Fuel system, gasoline2
- Structure2
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 7 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 10 2002 Navigator vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 5 people died inside them, and 3 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2002 Lincoln Navigator failed the safety check 1.42% of the time — 29% less often than the average 2002 passenger car (2.00%). Median odometer at inspection: 156,830 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In New Zealand
1 2002 cars are on the New Zealand register; 100% arrived as used imports, 0% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 1 variant: combined 19.5 L/100 km (about 12 mpg US), CO₂ 449 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Navigator 4X4 # · Sport utility vehicle · Premium gasoline | 22.4 | 16.0 | 19.5 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
2 Transport Canada recalls for the 2002 Lincoln Navigator.
| 2005028 14 Feb 2005 | Electrical On certain vehicles, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat, smoke, or burn, potentially resulting in an underhood fire. The condition may occur ei… |
| 2004164 18 May 2004 | Steering On certain vehicles, Ford has issued a scheduled maintenance guide update which specifies that every 20 000 kms, the steering linkage, which includes tie-rod en… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Lincoln told its dealers about the 2002 Lincoln Navigator: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 637882 | WHITE FLAKES COMING FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER VENTS WHEN THE BLOWER MOTOR IS ENGAGED. *TT |
| 637848 | CONCERNS WITH SPEED BODY BOOM. *TT |
| 637779 | SUBJECT REGARDING DRIVELINE ANGLE-RELATED VIBRATION AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND LOAD CONDITIONS. *TT |
| 637593 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT SIGNIFICANT MOISTURE COLLECTION OR POOLING AT THE BOTTOM OF THE FOG LAMP HOUSING. *TT |
| 637511 | SOME 4X2 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH P275/60/R17 CONTINENTAL-GENERAL TIRES MAY EXHIBIT A HIGHWAY SPEED TIRE VIBRATION. *TT |
| 636384 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4 WHEEL DRIVE MAY EXHIBIT A NOTCHY OR STICKING FEELING IN SLOW SPEED TURNS WITH NO EFFECT ON STEERING EFFORTS OR ASSIST WHILE IN THE AUTOMATIC 4X4 POSITION. *TT |
| 636371 | SOME 4X2 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH P275/60/R17 CONTINENTAL GENERAL TIRES MAY EXHIBIT A HIGHWAY SPEED TIRE VIBRATION. *TT |
| 636344 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT WHEELS THAT SEIZE TO THE HUBS AND ARE DIFFICULT TO REMOVE DURING SERVICE. *TT |
| 636326 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A SQUEAK, SNAP, RATTLE, OR CLUNK IN THE FRONT END WHEN TURNING OR GOING OVER BUMPS. *TT |
| 636289 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A FLASHING TRANSMISSION CONTROL INDICATOR LAMP (TCIL) AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0740, P0741, P0743, AND P1744 (TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH). *TT |
| 636226 | SOME VEHICLES WITH ELECTRONIC SHIFT-ON-THE FLY MAY EXHIBIT AN INADVERTENT 4X4 LOW ENGAGEMENT WHILE DRIVING. *TT |
| 636202 | SOME VEHICLES WITH AIR SUSPENSION MAY EXHIBIT AN INITIAL OR REPEAT COMPRESSOR DRYER FAILURE. *TT |
| 636178 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 4R100 TRANSMISSION AND BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 2001 AND MAY 1, 2002 MAY EXHIBIT FLASHING TRANSMISSION CONTROL INDICATOR LAMP AND ANY OR ALL TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0740, P0741, P0743, P1744. *TT |
| 636065 | INFORMATION REGARDING DISCHARGED BATTERY CHARGING SERVICE TIPS AND GUIDELINES. *TT |
| 636054 | SUBJECT REGARDING IDLER ARM REPLACEMENT SPECIFICATIONS. *TT |
| 636052 | INOPERATIVE OR INACURRATE SPEEDOMETER, 4X4 LAMP ILLUMINATD, AND / OR DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P1635 OR P1639. *TT |
| 636049 | THIS BULLETIN INVOLVES PROPER PROCEDURES FOR PREPARATION OF SERVICE SHEET METAL PARTS COATED WITH ELECTRO DEPOSITION PRIMER (E-COAT). *TT |
| 630736 | SOME 4X4S MAY EXHIBIT A MOMENTARY INTERRUPTION OF THE RADIO AND/OR INTERIOR CAMBIN LIGHTS WHEN THE ONE-TOUCH-DOWN FEATURE OF THE DRIVER'S POWER WINDOW IS ACTIVATED. *TT |
| 630706 | CONCERNS WITH CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM AIR DISCHARGED THROUGH THE DEFROSTER DUCTS ONLY, REGARDLESS OF SETTING. *TT |
| 630704 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIR SUSPENSION MAY EXHIBIT AN AIR LEAK AND/OR OVERNIGHT BLEED DOWN OF THE AIR SUSPENSION. *TT |
| 630702 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A SLOW FUEL FILL CONDITION AND/OR PREMATURE SHUTOFF OF THE GAS PUMP WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BEING REFUELED. *TT |
| 630691 | CONCERNS WITH FOGLAMP MOISTURE ENTRY/CONDENSATION. *TT |
| 630653 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT DRIVEABILITY CONDITIONS AND / OR CHECK ENGINE LAMP ILLUMINATED WITH A DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE P0455 (GROSS LEAK DETECTED). *TT |
| 630612 | CONCERNS WITH POP/CLUNK/CLICK NOISE FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION WHEN MAKING LOW-SPEED TURNS IN FORWARD OR REVERSE GEARS. *TT |
| 630585 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A SLOW FUEL FILL CONDITION AND/OR PREMATURE SHUTOFF OF THE GAS PUMP WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BEING RE-FUELED. *TT |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation