2016 Lincoln Navigator Safety Report
2016 Lincoln Navigator Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2016 Lincoln Navigator
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2016 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 (24) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 1 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Service Brakes | Compare service brakes issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2015 | Compare against the 2015 Lincoln Navigator with 21 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Lincoln Navigator | 29 | 5 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2015 Lincoln Navigator | 21 | 4 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 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 | Use as a comparable safety baseline. |
| 2021 Lincoln Navigator | 26 | 9 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2016 Lincoln Navigator Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2016 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.
Service Brakes
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes issues Lincoln onlyBack Over Prevention
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Back Over Prevention issues Lincoln onlyVisibility
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Visibility issues Lincoln onlyUnknown Or Other
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Lincoln onlyService Brakes, Hydraulic
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes, Hydraulic issues Lincoln onlyElectrical System,Unknown Or Other
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Unknown Or Other issues Lincoln onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2016 Lincoln Navigator
Reliability Score
The 2016 Lincoln Navigator receives a reliability score of 5 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates below-average reliability. Significant issues have been reported by owners and should be carefully evaluated before purchase.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2016 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 2016 Lincoln Navigator
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2016 Lincoln Navigator:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic Hydraulic service brakes have shown issues, potentially leading to reduced braking performance at certain mileages. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Back Over Prevention, Camera The back over prevention system's camera has failed to function as intended, posing a risk in reversing scenarios. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Visibility, Rearview Mirror Rearview mirrors have shown issues, including distorted images, which can affect the driver's visibility. |
Low | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Visibility, Defroster Defroster systems have malfunctioned, leading to poor visibility in cold weather conditions. |
Low | 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 2016 Lincoln Navigator:
23% of reported issues are related to hydraulic service brakes.
17% of reported issues are related to back over prevention systems.
25% of reported issues are related to visibility problems.
35% of reported issues are categorized as other, including electrical system issues.
Recall Details for the 2016 Lincoln Navigator
The following 4 recalls have been issued for the 2016 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 2015-2017 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.
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and 2016-2018 F-150 vehicles equipped with 3.5L Ecoboost engines. The brake master cylinder may allow brake fluid to leak from the front wheel circuit into the brake booster.
Consequence: A loss of brake fluid may result in a change in brake pedal travel, increased pedal effort and reduced front brake function, requiring greater effort and distance to stop the vehicle. These conditions can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder. If the master cylinder is leaking, the brake booster will also be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. An interim owner notification letter notifying customers of the safety defect were mailed on April 29, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed April 29, 2022. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 20V-332. Owne...
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2016 Lincoln Navigator
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2016 Lincoln Navigator with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 1 involved fires.
The power running boards do not go up and down, and are locked in the down position. During the winter snow and ice collects on the running board while driving and makes it incredibly slippery to step on for the driver and passengers. There is a setting to change the position of the running board but it does not move the running board. It has been inoperable for the past 6-8 months now.
The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln Navigator. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V091000 (VISIBILITY) and 25V572000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION). The contact stated that the rearview camera displayed a black screen image while the vehicle was in reverse(R). The contact stated that the failure obstructed the driver's visibility, which prevented the driver from safely operating t...
The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln Navigator. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V572000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair....
There was a recall on the brake system before and that they fixed it and the same thing that it was a recall before is doing the same thing again with my brake system
The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated while reversing, the back over prevention camera failed to function as intended. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was persistent. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with APIM failure. The contact was informed that further tests were needed to diagnose the vehicle. The vehicl...
The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that the rearview camera image was distorted. The contact stated that message “Camera Unavailable” was displayed. The contact stated that the failure had become more frequent. The local dealer was contacted and referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contac...
The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln Navigator. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V091000 (VISIBILITY); however, the parts to do the recall repair were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had...
The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln Navigator. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V091000 (VISIBILITY); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had n...
The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at an independent mechanic for a ball joint replacement, there was smoke coming from the driver’s side exterior mirror. The mechanic disconnected the mirror and determined that the mirror had short-circuited. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that the VIN was included in ...
I was driving driving down the road at 45 MPH, and then the rear object sensor came on the dash. Then the Check engine light and about not reading a sensor. Then the vehicle locked up all 4 wheels squealed tires and came to complete stop, and then started moving forward again. Then I got scared and stopped the vehicle, put it in park and then put it back in drive, driving slower until the sensors ...
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 that the smoke persisted; however, there was no flame. The vehicle was later towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed,...
While going approximately 55 mph, the speedometer dropped out to zero. After a moment, the transmission dropped into first gear (it felt like) and the rear tires made loud screeching noises as if they locked up for about one second. The speedometer remained at zero and the whole thing happened again in a few seconds. I was barely able to maintain directional control and if this condition would ...
P285/45R22 tires have defect on bubbles. No damage to tires but bubbles appear. Tires are only 6,000 miles driven.
My brake system failed while driving. I had just left a parking lot when the braking system warning light came on. Coinciding with this the brake pedal pressure got much lighter with each press. Since I was within a mile of home I drove there and by the time I got home the pedal was going to the floor. I checked under the hood and there was no fluid in the brake reservoir. I did not see any leaks....
The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that while driving at highway speeds, the transmission inadvertently down shifted and nearly caused the contact to lose control of the vehicle. Additionally, the speedometer gauges went to zero and the service wrench warning light was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission molded lead fr...
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 THEY CLAIM IT IS CONDENSATION IN THE 3.5L ECOBOOST TURBO HOUSING. OFF THE RECORD SOME RECOMMEND DRILLING A WEEPING HOLE T...
I was travelling down an interstate highway in my vehicle when I noticed several momentary losses of engine power over the course of approximately five minutes. These moments became more frequent over the next two to three minutes, then the engine abruptly shut down with no power when pressing the accelerator and no warning lights. Only after I restarted my vehicle did I receive a powertrain fault...
The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated while driving 65-70 MPH, the vehicle decelerated independently. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal and the vehicle responded as needed. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle would emit abnormally loud sounds intermittently while depressing the brake pedal. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring whi...
The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated while his wife was driving 45 MPH, the vehicle lost braking functionality. The brake fluid warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V150000 (Service Brak...
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 SAFELY TO A STOP. THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF A BRAKE FLUID LEAK AND THE VEHICLE RECEIVED REGULAR SERVICE (OIL, FLUIDS, TIRE RO...
Showing 20 of 24 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2016 Lincoln Navigator
Has the 2016 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR been recalled?
Yes, the 2016 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 2016 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR have?
The 2016 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR has 24 complaints filed with NHTSA. None of the complaints involved crashes. No injuries or deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2016 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR?
The 2016 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 2016 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2016 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR involve service brakes (4 complaints), back over prevention (3 complaints), visibility (3 complaints). Other affected components include unknown or other, service brakes, hydraulic, electrical system,unknown or other.
How many crash reports does the 2016 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR have?
There are no crash reports associated with the 2016 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR in the NHTSA database.
How many fire reports does the 2016 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR have?
There are 1 fire reports for the 2016 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR out of 24 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2016 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR.
How many injuries are reported for the 2016 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR?
No injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR.
Should I buy a 2016 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2016 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR is acceptable with caveats. It has 24 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 2016 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR?
The components with the most failures on the 2016 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR are: 1. SERVICE BRAKES (4 complaints), 2. BACK OVER PREVENTION (3 complaints), 3. VISIBILITY (3 complaints), 4. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (2 complaints), 5. SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC (2 complaints). SERVICE BRAKES is the single most-reported problem area with 4 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2016 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR?
Be cautious of hydraulic service brake issues and back over prevention system malfunctions. Ensure regular maintenance to address visibility problems. The 2016 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR has 24 NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2016 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR?
The 2016 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR receives a reliability score of 5/100, indicating below-average reliability. This is based on 24 owner complaints, 4 recalls, and 1 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Service Brakes, Hydraulic and Back Over Prevention, Camera.
What are the known issues with the 2016 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR?
Known issues with the 2016 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR include: Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Back Over Prevention, Camera, Visibility, Rearview Mirror, Visibility, Defroster. These are based on patterns found across 24 NHTSA complaints. 4 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any recalls for the 2016 Lincoln Navigator?
Yes, there are recalls related to service brakes and back over prevention systems.
What are the most common issues reported?
The most common issues are service brake hydraulic problems, back over prevention system failures, and visibility problems.
Can you explain the visibility issues reported?
Visibility issues include distorted rearview camera images and malfunctioning defrosters, affecting the driver's view.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of hydraulic service brake issues and back over prevention system malfunctions. Ensure regular maintenance to address visibility problems.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2016 Lincoln Navigator
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2016 Lincoln Navigator. The data includes 24 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 4 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 1 fire incidents, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2016 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