2015 Lincoln Navigator Safety Report
2015 Lincoln Navigator Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2015 Lincoln Navigator
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2015 Lincoln Navigator. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (4) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (21) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 3 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Electrical System | Compare electrical system issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2016 | Compare against the 2016 Lincoln Navigator with 24 complaints and 4 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2019 | Check the 2019 Lincoln Navigator before buying across this generation. |
Lincoln Navigator Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Lincoln Navigator years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Lincoln Navigator | 24 | 4 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2017 Lincoln Navigator | 29 | 5 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2018 Lincoln Navigator | 45 | 10 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2019 Lincoln Navigator | 57 | 7 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2020 Lincoln Navigator | 24 | 11 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2021 Lincoln Navigator | 26 | 9 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2015 Lincoln Navigator Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2015 Lincoln Navigator, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Electrical System
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Lincoln onlyUnknown Or Other
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Lincoln onlyElectrical System,Visibility
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Visibility issues Lincoln onlyEngine
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Lincoln onlyPower Train
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Lincoln onlySeats
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Seats issues Lincoln onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2015 Lincoln Navigator
Reliability Score
The 2015 Lincoln Navigator receives a reliability score of 55 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2015 Lincoln Navigator
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2015 Lincoln Navigator
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2015 Lincoln Navigator:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System Issues A strong burnt wire smell from the front passenger side has been reported, worsening after running the vehicle. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Defective Seat Latches The second row passenger side captains chair seat latch is defective, with worn-off metal teeth preventing secure seating. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Rearview Mirror Malfunction Telescoping button on the steering column does not work, making it difficult to enter and exit the vehicle. |
Low | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Engine Skipping The ecoboost engine is skipping time, causing the vehicle to downshift unexpectedly, especially on the highway. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2015 Lincoln Navigator:
Issues with the electrical system, including burnt wires and malfunctioning rearview mirrors, are common.
Defective seat latches have been reported, affecting passenger safety.
Problems with the steering column, such as the telescoping button not working, have been noted.
Engine skipping and downshifting issues have been reported, impacting vehicle stability.
Recall Details for the 2015 Lincoln Navigator
The following 4 recalls have been issued for the 2015 Lincoln Navigator by NHTSA:
Summary: 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. The rearview camera may display a distorted, inverted, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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 May 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 Identificatio...
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015 F-250, F-350, F-450, Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and MKC vehicles. The rearview camera printed circuit board terminal header connector may be loose or damaged, which can result in a blank or distorted image.
Consequence: A blank or distorted rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 16, 2025. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S42. This recall expands previous recall number 22V-082.
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The LED logo lights on the exterior mirrors may short circuit.
Consequence: An electrical short circuit in the exterior mirror increases the risk of fire.
Remedy: 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.
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The front blower motor located behind the glove box may fail.
Consequence: Front blower motor failure can increase the risk of a vehicle interior fire.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2015 Lincoln Navigator
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2015 Lincoln Navigator with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 2 complaints involved crashes. 1 involved fires. 1 reported injuries or fatalities.
Unknown. When vehicle is running there is a strong smell of burnt wires coming from the front passenger side of the vehicle. It gets worse after running for awhile. Smell is stronger when the air is on. Reading other recalls it sounds similar to recalls on similar vehicles blower motors.
Second row passenger side captains chair seat latch that secures it to the floor is defective. Metal teeth somehow are worn off prevent the seat from latching to the floor. Huge safety issue for this as it’s mostly kids sitting in the back that may not even notice or say anything. Makes me nervous how many people in navigator and expeditions are riding around with defective seats. Called the deale...
Telescoping button on steering column does not work. The steering wheel is in a low position making it difficult to enter and exit vehicle.
The contact owns a 2015 Lincoln Navigator. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V091000 (Visibility). The contact became aware that the remedy the manufacturer has for the recall repair was to cut the LED wire and disable it permanently. The contact does not agree with the remedy and wants the recall part repaired.
The contact owns a 2015 Lincoln Navigator. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V648000 (VISIBILITY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); and the vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the recall repair was performed; however, shortly after the repair the climate control blower motor remained activated. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer whe...
The ecoboost engine is skipping time.
MY 2015 Lincoln Navigator suddenly down shifts when driving. I was on the highway driving 65 MPH when I had to pull off onto the edge of the highway at night in CHICAGO. This is very scary and a significant safety issue. Ford knows of the defects with the transmission in this model. They have issued recalls for the same transmission in other models, just not the Navigator yet. This needs a recal...
Our 2015 Lincoln Navigator suddenly down shifts when driving which is a significant safety issue. Ford knows of the defects with the transmission in this model. They have issued recalls for the same transmission in other models, just not yet in the Navigator. They do not want to damage reputation to there Lincoln/Navigator line. Long Lewis Ford Dealership in Muscle Shoals, AL, has inspected it and...
The contact owned a 2015 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that when started, the air conditioning system became inoperable. The contact observed smoke coming through the air vents. The vehicle was turned off. Additionally, the contact observed fire coming from under the glove box. The Fire Department arrived and extinguished the fire. The origin of the fire was unknown. The contact stated tha...
The contact owns a 2015 Lincoln Navigator. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V648000 (Visibility, Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The con...
One Wiper stopped working in a rain storm
The contact owns a 2015 Lincoln Navigator. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V648000 (Visibility, Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that whenever the AC was...
There are some major transmission issues with my vehicle. The gears do not change properly causing the SUV to stall on the highway while I was driving 65 MPH. I took it to the Mark Ficken Ford Lincoln dealership for repair. They stated that the torque converter needed repair along with the 3rd gear and 5th gear clutch had issues. The thumping/grinding sound I've been hearing since I purchased the...
When in park, vehicle fails to stay parked in some instances. For example, SUV has rolled forward (while in park): when parking on an incline or while unloading items from trunk, resting against bumper caused it to roll ahead and hit closed garage door in the garage, or when leaning on the SUV body outside vehicle it can disengage from park and start moving while shifter stays in P position. Eme...
In a 55mph frontal crash the airbags failed to inflate to protect the driver. Severe damage to the front of the vehicle.
While driving the Lincoln navigator with only 96,000 miles, it chugged and rapidly reduced power, forcing me off the road. It happened 3 times in 2 days while I was on vacation at the Wisconsin dells. The Dealer said it was "throttle actuator failure" after the test was run. I replaced throttle body and gasket at the dealer for $425.10 on 07/27/2021. This should be part of a recall!! We coul...
OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS THE AIR CONDITIONER BLOWER ON MY 2015 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR WOULD JUST STOP WORKING. WE TOOK IT TO THE FIRESTONE COMPLETE AUTO CARE AND THEY SAID IT NEEDED FREON. $300 LATER, I WAS BACK ON THE ROAD. BUT A FEW HOURS LATER, THE BLOWER STOPPED WORKING AGAIN. I TOOK IT BACK AND AFTER INVESTIGATION FOUND A "SPECIAL SERVICE MESSAGE SSM47797" A POOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTION AT THE BL...
A FEW MONTHS AGO, AROUND 65,000 MILES, I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN I NOTICED A LOSS OF POWER AS I WAS TRYING TO ACCELERATE. AT THAT SAME TIME, THE CHECK ENGINE ICON STARTED FLASHING. I WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE UNTIL THE CHECK ENGINE ICON STOPPED FLASHING. EVERYTHING WENT BACK TO NORMAL AND I DIDN'T EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM AGAIN FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS. THIS WOULD OCCASIONALLY HAPPEN WHENEVER ...
WHILE DRIVING ON A BUSY ROAD THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER. THERE WERE 3 CHILDREN IN CAR SEATS AT THE TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND REPAIR. A FEW DAYS LATER THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AGAIN, WHILE DRIVING ON A VERY BUSY ROAD. THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. IT WAS RETURNED TO DEALER, THIS TIME THEY REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY. THIS HAPPENED ON MAY 10TH, AND MAY 2...
THE FRONT PASSENGER SEATBELT WARNING LIGHT AND CHIME NOT RESENT ON MY 2015 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THERE APPEARS TO BE NO WARNING SYSTEM FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER. WHILE TRAVELING MY FRONT PASSENGER FORGOT TO FASTEN THEIR SEATBELT AND NO WARNING WAS EVER GIVEN.
Showing 20 of 21 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2015 Lincoln Navigator
Has the 2015 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR been recalled?
Yes, the 2015 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR has 4 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2015 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR have?
The 2015 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR has 21 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 2 involved crashes. 3 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2015 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR?
The 2015 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 5/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2015 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2015 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR involve electrical system (2 complaints), unknown or other (2 complaints), electrical system,visibility (2 complaints). Other affected components include engine, power train, seats.
How many crash reports does the 2015 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR have?
There are 2 crash reports associated with the 2015 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR out of 21 total complaints (9.5% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2015 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR have?
There are 1 fire reports for the 2015 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR out of 21 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2015 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2015 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR.
How many injuries are reported for the 2015 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR?
3 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2015 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2015 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2015 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR is acceptable with caveats. It has 21 complaints, 4 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2015 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR?
The components with the most failures on the 2015 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR are: 1. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (2 complaints), 2. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (2 complaints), 3. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY (2 complaints), 4. ENGINE (2 complaints), 5. POWER TRAIN (2 complaints). ELECTRICAL SYSTEM is the single most-reported problem area with 2 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2015 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR?
Be cautious of electrical system and seat latch issues, as they can affect safety. Regular maintenance is crucial. The 2015 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR has 21 NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2015 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR?
The 2015 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR receives a reliability score of 55/100, indicating average reliability. This is based on 21 owner complaints, 4 recalls, and 3 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Electrical System Issues and Defective Seat Latches.
What are the known issues with the 2015 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR?
Known issues with the 2015 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR include: Electrical System Issues, Defective Seat Latches, Rearview Mirror Malfunction, Engine Skipping. These are based on patterns found across 21 NHTSA complaints. 4 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the most common electrical system issues in the 2015 Lincoln Navigator?
Common issues include burnt wires and malfunctioning rearview mirrors.
Are there any known defects with the seats in the 2015 Lincoln Navigator?
Yes, defective seat latches have been reported, which can prevent secure seating.
What should I do if I experience engine skipping or downshifting in my 2015 Lincoln Navigator?
Have the vehicle checked by a professional mechanic to address potential engine issues.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of electrical system and seat latch issues, as they can affect safety. Regular maintenance is crucial.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2015 Lincoln Navigator
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2015 Lincoln Navigator. The data includes 21 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 4 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 2 reported crashes, 1 fire incidents, 3 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2015 Lincoln Navigator an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16