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KLUNK
KLUNK

2008 Lincoln Navigator

The Verdict

93 Smooth Ride

The 2008 Lincoln Navigator has 30 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (11 complaints) and brakes (8 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 93/100, it earns a "Smooth Ride" rating. If you're shopping for a Lincoln Navigator, consider the 2023 model year which has 80% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2023 has 80% fewer complaints

View the 2023 Lincoln Navigator dashboard →

93

Klunk Score: Smooth Ride

This vehicle year has significantly fewer complaints than average. A reliable choice.

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.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
20007510241113
200148221147
20028111111
2003655311412
200440625114
20051936164
20062207265
20071596132
2008118812
200931330
201025522
201131212
201261005
201330226
201432327
201560654
2016136312
20171010631
201817061213
2019281101217
2020405316
20211103132
202263461
202310410
202471313
202563200

By Category

Body
11
Brakes
8
Electrical
8
Transmission
2
Engine
1

By Severity

1
13
2
14
4
3

Worst Problems

Complaints

Brakes 2

The brake booster vacuum hose attached to the intake manifold fitting swelled over time and was close to detaching from the intake manifold fitting. This condition could allow the hose to detach from the fitting during an engine backfire, resulting in loss of power brake assist and increased brake pedal effort. As a result, stopping distance may increase and potentially result in a crash.

6mo ago
Electrical 2

Unknown, got towed, stolen

13mo ago
Electrical 2

Turning signals don't work. I bought this used 2008 Lincoln Navigator with the written text on my phone that said the used car lot took the vehicle to their mechanic and he said he had fixed the problem. I called him (the mechanic) upset and said the used car lot said he fixed the problem. He said he didn't say that; the signals could not be fixed without certain parts (computer parts) that are not available from anywhere. The parts are not being made and the re-conditioned parts are not available from re-conditioned businesses. I did sign an "as is" bill of sale with the understanding they would fix the signals. I have saved those text on my cells phone. They initially took responsibility of the defected signals by asking the mechanic to replace the signal arm. That didn't fix the problem. If they did this to me, they would do it to others. Now I have an unsafe vehicle that I should not drive. I also took this vehicle to a Lincoln dealership who confirmed what their mechanic stated.

52mo ago
Body 1

FACTORY CHROME PAINTED WHEELS PEELING CAUSED TIRE BLOWOUT ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CHROME SEPARATES FROM THE ALUMINUM WHEEL AND THE TIRE STARTS TO LOSE AIR OR IN MY CASE BLOW OUT. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY RISK AND THERE'S NOT ANYTHING I'M ABLE TO DO. THIS IS HAPPENING WITH MANY OTHER LINCOLN VEHICLES THAT HAVE CHROME PAINTED WHEELS FROM 2007 TO 2014. LINCOLN HAS NO ANSWERS FOR ME AND SUGGEST I ORDER FACTORY WHEELS. NEW FACTORY WHEELS WILL JUST START PEELING AGAIN.

77mo ago
Electrical 2

MY FRONT DRIVER SEAT WON'T GO BACK OR FORWARD. AND MY RUNNING BOARD IS NOT WORKING ANY MORE. ON THE DRIVER SIDE WON'T COME OUT ANY MORE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE STUCK OUT AND WON'T GO BACK IN. I TOOK IT TO MY MANICA AND HE SAID IT'S A RECALL ON THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

85mo ago
Body 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD BECOME STUCK. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL MORE THAN ONCE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000.

87mo ago
Body 1

AFTER TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL THE STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT RETURN TO CENTER, IT MUST BE BROUGHT BACK MANUALLY. SECOND, THE ROCKER PANELS FRONT AND BACK ARE RUSTED OUT COMPLETELY AND I WORRY ABOUT INTEGRITY AND SAFETY OF THE FRAME.

91mo ago
Body 1

A WRENCH APPEARS ON MY DASH BOARD, AND THE CAR STARTS TO SLOW DOWN IN TRAFFIC.

113mo ago
Brakes 2

THE BRAKES DO NOT ALWAYS FUNCTION. PEDAL GOES DOWN TO FLOOR. BROUGHT TO LINCOLNS ATTENTION LAST APRIL, JUNE AND JULY. WE HAVE NOTES AND LETTERS WITH HEATHER CARLYLE FROM LINCOLN MOTOR COMPANY

118mo ago
Electrical 2

THE SUV GOT A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND WRENCH SYMBOL(POWER TRAIN) AND BEGAN TO JERK AFTER STOPS AT RED LIGHTS OR STOP SIGNS WHILE HEADING TO THE EXPRESSWAY. IT LOST POWER COMPLETELY,WHILE IN MOTION AND NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT ON THE BELT PKWY. I HAD THE GAS PEDAL FULLY PRESSED DOWN AND COULDN'T ACCELERATE SUDDENLY. I HAD TO DRIVE WITH ON FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE OTHER ON THE GAS TO KEEP CONTROL OF THE SUV AND WAS AFRAID IF BE REAR ENDED OR WORST AT HIGH SPEED. I GOT OFF AT THE NEAREST EXIT ON THE WAY HOME AND SHUT IT OFF. I LET IT REST A FEW MINUTES AND CUT BACK ON AND IT DROVE LIKE NORMAL WITH LOW RPM'S AND A CONSTANT SHUTTERING OR PINGING FEELING AND SOUND. I BROUGHT THE SUV TO JAMAICA NY LINCOLN/FORD SERVICE CENTER WHO TOOK THE SUV FOR CLOSE TO 1 MONTH AND GAVE IT BACK STATING "IT NEEDS A THROTTLE BODY". NOTHING ELSE IS WRONG WITH IT. IT'S NOT A TRANSMISSION ISSUE, OR ELECTRONICAL ISSUE ITS THE ENGINE. THEY ALSO SAID ALOT OF FORD VEHICLES HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUES AND IT WAS A FAULTY THROTTLE BODY. I'VE CHANGED THIS SUV'S ENGINE, TRANNY, CONVERTERS, SPARK PLUGS, COILS, ETC ETC ETC. THE SERVICE RECORDS FROM PURCHASE DATE, YEAR TO DATE ARE SO LONG IT'S STUNNING! EVERY 90 DAYS IT HAS HAD TO BE SERVICED FOR SOME REASON OR ANOTHER. I FOUND MY SELF OUT OF IT FOR 1 MONTH EVERY QUARTER OF A YEAR. THAT'S RIDICULOUS!!! LINCOLN/FORD HASN'T DONE MUCH TO HELP ME AND I'VE PURCHASED SEVERAL VEHICLES FROM THE SAME DEALERSHIP. SMH. I'VE WENT TO PRIVATE MECHANICS WHO BELIEVE IT'S THE TRANNY AGAIN, AND SOME LEAN YEARS THE THROTTLE BODY UNIT. NOBODY CAN EVEN GIVE ME AN EXACT ANSWER AS TO WHAT IT IS AND A SOLUTION TO MY SUV NIGHTMARE! I'VE ALREADY WASTED $500.00. ANYWAY YOU CAN ASSIST ME OR HELP ME WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANKS FOR LISTENING.

118mo ago
Brakes 1

VEHICLE HAD COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE 5 TIMES DURING NORMAL OPERATIONS. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BY FORD DEALERSHIP AND RECOMMENDED BRAKE REPAIRS AND/OR UNABLE TO REPRODUCE. UPON LAST TIME, TECHNICIAN FOUND A FORD SERVICE BULLETIN THAT COVERED OTHER SIMILAR MODELS AND YEARS HAVING EXACT SAME PROBLEM. THEY REPLACED THE TRACTION CONTROL MODULE, BUT STATED THAT IT WAS A VOLUNTARY REPLACEMENT. LOSING BRAKES ON A 6,000 POUND CAR GOING 30MPH IS A RECIPE FOR SERIOUS DEATH OR INJURY. THIS COMPONENT SHOULD BE RECALLED. THE CAR HAS FULL PAPERWORK FROM PREVIOUS BRAKE REPAIRS, PREVIOUS REQUEST FOR BRAKE REPAIRS AND THE CURRENT REPLACEMENT OF THE TRACTION CONTROL MODULE BLACK BOX. THERE ARE OTHER CAR OWNERS ONLINE THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE INCLUDING SEVERAL THAT WON LEMON LAW LAWSUITS. LINCOLN REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE FAULTY COMPONENT AND STATES THAT THE REPLACEMENT WAS CUSTOMER REQUESTED AND VOLUNTARY WITH NO CONCERN THAT THEIR VEHICLE LOSES BRAKES. DISCUSSIONS WITH THE LINCOLN "CONCIERGE" CUSTOMER SERVICE ARE RECORDED. FAILURES HAPPENED WHEN CAR WAS TRAVELING 30MPH AND BRAKING ON A DOWNHILL SLOPE. TECHNICIAN SUGGESTED THAT DURING SUCH A BRAKE FAILURE TO TURN OFF THE TRACTION CONTROL WHICH IS AN UNREASONABLE REQUEST. THE COMPANY DOES NOT SEEM TO BE TAKING THE LOSS OF BRAKES THAT COULD RESULT IN DEATH OR INJURY SERIOUSLY.

119mo ago
Brakes 2

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED TO SLOW THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, A LOUD GRINDING NOISE AND PEDAL SHUDDER WAS FELT. BRAKE POWER DIMINISHED, AND THE ANTI-SKID LIGHT ILLUMINATED. ONCE OFF THE PEDAL, THE CAR COASTED FOR A FEW SECONDS. THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED, AND THE SYSTEM WENT BACK TO NORMAL. FORD IS UNABLE TO FIND AN ISSUE WITH THE SYSTEM OR DUPLICATE THE EVENT. ABS WAS NOT ENGAGED IN THIS SITUATION. GRADUAL BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO SLOW THE VEHICLE, NOT COME TO ABRUPT STOP. HOWEVER, THE CAR WAS UNABLE TO SLOW DUE TO THE MALFUNCTION.

122mo ago
Brakes 2

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED AT LOW SPEEDS THE VEHICLE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD AND FAILED TO RESPOND. IN ADDITION, THE TRACTION CONTROL AND THE MAINTENANCE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER A FEW MINUTES, THE BRAKE PEDAL FUNCTIONED NORMALLY AND AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, IT OPERATED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.

126mo ago
Engine 1

BROKEN SPARK PLUGS

127mo ago
Electrical 4

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. WHILE DRIVING AT 37 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER IN THE OTHER VEHICLE SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

136mo ago
Body 2

STEERING WHEEL - FELT LOOSE UNATTACHED PARTS RATTLING AGAINST EACH OTHER IN STEERING ASSEMBLY WHEN CROSSING RAILROAD TRACKS OR UNEVEN PAVEMENT. *TR

141mo ago
Body 2

RUNNING BOARD MOTOR FAILURE BILATERALLY, JUST LIKE 2004 MODEL. REAR WINDOW LEAKS FROM TOP MOULDING., JUST LIKE 2004 MODEL. REAR LIFT DOOR RUST RIGHT UNDER THE WINDOW, JUST LIKE 2004 MODEL. *TR

143mo ago
Electrical 2

MOTORS IN SIDE STEP BOARDS STOP WORKING. BUTTON TO CONTROL TRUNK DON'T WORK. BACK REAR GATE KEEPS CLOSING HAS HIT THE KIDS AND MYSELF MANY TIMES TRYING TO GET THINGS OUT OF BACK. CASING AROUND DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE VEHICLE AND THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING! I SEE OTHER NAVIGATORS WITH THE RUNNING BOARDS OUT! THESE ITEMS SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR

150mo ago
Electrical 2

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE PANEL LIGHTING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE IT WAS STATED THE FUSE BOX IN THE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *TR

159mo ago
Electrical 1

SIDE STEP BOARDS DON'T WORK. WINDOWS STOP WORKING DUE TO THE DESIGN OF VEHICLE AND WATER GETTING IN. POWER HEATING AND COOLING SEATS DON'T WORK. BACK REAR GATE KEEPS CLOSING HAS HIT THE KIDS AND MYSELF MANY TIMES TRYING TO GET ITEMS OUT OF BACK. CASING AROUND DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE VEHICLE THESE COMPLAINT ARE MADE BY NUMEROUS PEOPLE OWNING THIS VEHICLE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR

165mo ago

30 total

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