2004 Lincoln Navigator
The Verdict
The 2004 Lincoln Navigator has 86 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (40 complaints) and electrical (25 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 77/100, it earns a "Solid Pick" rating. If you're shopping for a Lincoln Navigator, consider the 2023 model year which has 93% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2023 has 93% fewer complaints
View the 2023 Lincoln Navigator dashboard →
Klunk Score: Solid Pick
Fewer complaints than most vehicles. Generally dependable, but check the top problems below.
How is this calculated?
The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.
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Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
| Year | Body | Brakes | Electrical | Engine | Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 75 | 10 | 24 | 11 | 13 |
| 2001 | 48 | 2 | 21 | 14 | 7 |
| 2002 | 8 | 1 | 11 | 11 | 1 |
| 2003 | 65 | 5 | 31 | 14 | 12 |
| 2004 | 40 | 6 | 25 | 11 | 4 |
| 2005 | 19 | 3 | 6 | 16 | 4 |
| 2006 | 22 | 0 | 7 | 26 | 5 |
| 2007 | 15 | 9 | 6 | 13 | 2 |
| 2008 | 11 | 8 | 8 | 1 | 2 |
| 2009 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| 2010 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 2 |
| 2011 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| 2012 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| 2013 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 |
| 2014 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 7 |
| 2015 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 5 | 4 |
| 2016 | 13 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| 2017 | 10 | 10 | 6 | 3 | 1 |
| 2018 | 17 | 0 | 6 | 12 | 13 |
| 2019 | 28 | 1 | 10 | 12 | 17 |
| 2020 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 16 |
| 2021 | 11 | 0 | 3 | 13 | 2 |
| 2022 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| 2024 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| 2025 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
By Category
By Severity
Worst Problems
Complaints
REAR WINDOW EXPLODED SHATTERING THE GLASS COMPLETELY. OCCURRED ONCE THE ENGINE WAS OFF WHILE PARKED.
[XXX]. AIR SUSPENSION AIR TRACK RADIATION ELECTRICIAN AND AIR CONDITIONER WENT OUT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
AIRBAGS FOR NOW COMPLETELY SO DOES THE AIR COMPRESSOR CARS WITHOUT AIRBAGS WENT OUT BRAKES WENT OUT RADIATOR WENT OUT COMPLETELY THE CAR IS FALLING APART
THE VEHICLE ENGAGED IN INVOLUNTARY ACCELERATION (IN REVERSE) FROM STATIONARY POSITION RIGHT AFTER SHIFTING GEARS FROM PARKING 'P' TO REVERSE 'R' AND DISENGAGING THE PARKING BRAKE. THE BRAKES WERE BEING APPLIED DURING THIS GEAR CHANGE. THE CAR STARTED MOVING IN REVERSE AS SOON AS THE DRIVER LET OFF THE BRAKES. THE DRIVER THEN REAPPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INSTEAD OF BREAKING. MORE PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKES BUT THAT INCREASED THE SPEED INSTEAD OF REDUCING IT. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FROM 0 MPH TO APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH AND TRAVELED ABOUT 100 FEET IN REVERSE. THE DRIVER WAS MANEUVERING THE VEHICLE WITH THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BREAKS. THE DRIVER MANAGED TO STEER THE VEHICLE UP A SMALL GRASSY HILL OF ABOUT 15 DEGREES IN SLOPE UNTIL THE VEHICLE HIT A RESIDENTIAL CONCRETE WALL WITH THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. AT THE MOMENT OF IMPACT, THE VEHICLE BOUNCED BACK AND THE ACCELERATION DISAPPEARED WITH THE ENGINE STILL ON. THE VEHICLE THEN SLOWLY ROLLED DOWN THE HILL UNTIL IT HIT A PARKED CAR. AT THAT MOMENT, THE CAR STOPPED AND REMAINED STATIONARY. THE ENGINE WAS THEN TURNED OFF. THE IMPACT CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE AND TO THE RESIDENTIAL CONCRETE WALL. THE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS ALSO DAMAGED. IT BECAME LOOSE WITH THE IMPACT AND WAS EJECTED BACKWARDS TOWARDS THE BACK SEAT WITH THE DRIVER STILL ON IT. THERE WERE NO PHYSICAL INJURIES TO THE OCCUPANTS OTHER THAN WHIPLASH. A FIRMWARE DEFECT OF THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE SYSTEM IS SUSPECTED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR AIR SUSPENSION HAD FAILED CAUSING THE REAR END TO BOUNCE UP AND DOWN AND WHILE DRIVING A CLANKING NOISE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION ARM WAS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE REAR SUSPENSION AIR BAGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
SIT RIPET
THE BACK AIR BAGS ARE NOT EVEN 3 MONTHS I PIT IN THE FRONT.
TIRES KEP GOING CUZ OF THE ALLL BECAUSE THIS IS BENCHING IS OUT IN THE BACK AND TIRES KEEP GOING
I LET MY DRIVER GLASS UP IN DOWN MY GLASS HAVE CRACKED BADLY SOMETHING GONE ON
AIR SUSPENSION WILL NOT PUMP UP, RIPPED OFF OIL FILTER CAR BOTTOMS OUT AND VEHICLES LOSE CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, EXTRA FORCE WAS REQUIRED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL RIGHT AND LEFT, AND THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BRILL'S AUTO SALES (388 SOUTHAMPTON RD, WESTFIELD, MA 01085, (413) 568-9487) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT AND DRIVE AXLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE REPAIRED THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE ACTUATOR HIMSELF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COMPLETELY REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 163,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, STRONG FUMES ENTERED INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, FUEL LEAKED ONTO THE GROUND WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS BEING FILLED. SANDERSON FORD IN GLENDALE, ARIZONA WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE PLASTIC PIECE THAT THE FILLER HOSE WAS CONNECTED TO HAD FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.
ON 12-3-17 GRANT COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT OFFICERS RESPONDED TO A CALL IN SWAYZEE, IN REFERENCE AN UNRESPONSIVE TODDLER. A 20 MONTH OLD WHO HAD FALLEN ASLEEP IN THE THIRD ROW OF A 2004 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE PARENTS HAD GONE TO SWEETSER TO HELP A RELATIVE MOVE. UPON ARRIVING AT SWEETSER, THE MOTHER TOLD THE FATHER SHE WAS TAKING "THE BABY" OUT TO CHANGE HER DIAPER. THE FATHER TOOK THAT TO MEAN THEIR 20 MONTH OLD; HOWEVER THE MOTHER MEANT THE 8 MONTH OLD THAT SHE WAS BABYSITTING. THE FATHER DID NOT KNOW HIS 20 MONTH OLD HAD FALLEN ASLEEP IN THE THIRD ROW SEAT. HE LOADED ITEMS IN A TRAILER AND HAD THREE OTHER ITEMS TO FIT. HE PUSHED THE BUTTONS LOCATED IN THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE TO FOLD DOWN THE AUTOMATIC THIRD ROW SEATS. THE SEATS FOLDED COMPLETELY DOWN AND HE LOADED THE ITEMS IN THE VEHICLE. THEY DROVE TO SWAYZEE WHERE THEY REALIZED THEIR 20 MONTH OLD WAS NOT AROUND. THE MOTHER REMEMBERED HER BEING IN THE THIRD ROW SEAT. THE FATHER REMOVED THE ITEMS AND RAISED THE SEATS WHERE HE LOCATED THE 20 MONTH OLD UNRESPONSIVE. AUTOPSY SHOWED SHE DIED OF SUFFOCATION DUE TO COMPRESSION ON THE CHEST. REENACTMENTS WERE VIDEOTAPED AND PHOTOGRAPHED USING A CPR DOLL 2 INCHES SHORTER THAN THE 20 MONTH OLD, THE SEATS FOLDED DOWN FLAT ALL THREE TIMES THESE WERE CONDUCTED. OUR CONCERN WITH THE VEHICLE IS THE FACT THERE WAS NO SENSORS THAT KEPT THE SEATS FROM COMPLETELY FOLDING WITH THE CHILD ON THE SEAT.
AIR SUSPENSION WILL NOT INFLATE ON TIME WHEN DRIVING AWAY. FRONT AIR. BAG SUSPENSION DEFLATES COMPLETELY EVERY TIME VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF. I NOW HAVE TO BUY MY FRONT WHEEL WELL COVERS DUE TO THIS PROBLEM....CAR WAS IN MOTION WHEN THIS HAPPENED ON A CITY STREET.
DUCK THIS THIS IS SUPPOSE TO BE A LUXURY SUV FOR MY AND MY 4 CHILDREN. I SHOULDN'T HAVE THESE MANY PROBLEMS CONSIDERING THE PRICE I PAID HELLO..... MY DAD IS A MECHANIC FOR TOYOTA AND NOW I UNDERSTAND WHY HE ONLY BUYS TOYOTAS TO.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND JIGGLE SEVERELY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WAS LOWER THAN NECESSARY. THE VEHICLE TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUSPENSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
CAR ONLY HAS 120,000 AND STARTED TO BOUNCE, AND LOWER DURING DRIVING. GOT DIAGNOSED, WITH DETACHED AIR LINKAGE WHICH WERE THE FRONT, PAID $430, 2 MONTHS AFTER THE MOTER STOPPED COMPLETELY, REPLACED MOTOR, NEARLY$600, INSTALLED AND DIDN'T WORK, RELAY WAS THE OTHER PROBLEM, CHANGED RELAY, WORKED FOR A WEEK, AND STOPPED COMLETELY! BOUGHT ANOTHER ONE, TRIED TO INSTALL IT BUT IS NOT WORKING, ANOTHER $100 DOWN THE DRAIN! MY ONLY OPTION IS COIL SPRING CONVERSTION, TO STOP WITH ALL THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS! LINCOLN SHOULD TAKE MORE CONSIDERATION IN SUSPENSION, TO MAKE THE CAR SAFE AND DRIVEABLE!
VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT, DRIVER WAS TEXTING. STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. NO BUMPS, NO ACCIDENTS. UPON CHANGING AIRBAG, FOUND STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG WIRING HAD CHAFED AGAINST THE HORN MOUNT RING, AND GROUNDED OUT, CAUSING THE DEPLOYMENT.
I WAS DRIVING DOWN A COUNTY ROAD WHEN THE SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITH NO COLLISION OR FAST BRAKING. I WAS APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AND WAS COASTING AND HAD NOT APPLIED THE BRAKES WHEN IT OCCURRED.
MY 2004 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR DROPPED DOWN ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT. I TOOK IT TO A MECANIC AND HE SAID IT WAS THE HEIGHT SENSOR IN THE MEANWHILE WHILE THEY ORDERED THE PART AND A WEEK LATER IT GOT TO THE SHOP I DROVE IT AND OF COURSE WITH ALL THE BUMPING AROUND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DROPPED NOW THE LINCOLN REALLY BOUNCES I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP TO GET THE SENSOR INSTALLED WENT BACK TO PICK IT THEY TELL ME THAT WASNT THE PROBLEM NOW MY PUMP DONT WORK AND MY FRONT END IS REALLY LOW. NOW IM STUCK WITH NO SUSPENSION AND SOMETHING MORE THAN LIKELY IS GOING TO HAPPEN EITHER A BLOWN TIRE BECAUSE OF THE RUBBING ON THE TIRE WALL OR A CAR ACCIDENT. THIS IS MY DAILY DRIVER BACK AND FORTH TO WORK I ALSO AM AFRAID TO TAKE MY THREE CHILDREN ANYWHERE BECAUSE OF THIS. IM AND EMPLOYEE OF GM SOMEONE NEEDS TO DO A RECALL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE TO THE DRIVER AND OTHER DRIVERS AS WELL.
86 total