1998 Lincoln Navigator Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 3%of 192 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 140,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the air bags of the 1998 Lincoln Navigator, 3% of the 192 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 140,000 miles. 6 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving about 40 MPH on a rode a drove everyday something broke on my 98 Lincoln Navigator . The guys who flipped it back over said the suspension broke I scraped a guardrail then straight across the road head on with a tree I flipped up on my headlights spun like that then rolled 50 more feet down the road it knocked me out on impact but a friend was in front of me and seen the whole thing I had a severe concussion and broke my back n four places none of the airbags deployed I would not recommend this type of vehicle for anyone there are so many complaints about the suspension and air…”
NHTSA complaint #10860549, filed 2016-04, 200,000 miles“The contact owned a 1998 Lincoln Navigator. While driving 40 MPH, the contact crashed into the front of another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy and the seat belt failed to restrain the contact in place. A police report was filed. The contact suffered a mild concussion and a whiplash, but did not require medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10875996, filed 2016-06, 140,000 miles“The contact owns a 1998 Lincoln Navigator. The vehicle speed control was deactivated for the ford recall. The contact stated that the dealer deactivated the speedometer when the cruise control was deactivated. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the contact's vehicle was rear ended by another vehicle and destroyed. Two occupants were injured and a police report was filed. The recall number was unknown. The approximate failure and current mileages were 10,000. Updated 5/5/09 the consumer stated the air bag did not deploy. Updated 05/06/09.”
NHTSA complaint #10228541, filed 2008-05, 10,000 miles“Driving at approximately 60 MPH consumer had lost control of vehicle. Vehicle then rolledover ,tumbling along side of the median, front end was totally damaged, and dual airbags did not deploy, causing injuries.”
NHTSA complaint #834971, filed 1999-02Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 8% |
| 2019 | 4 | 5% |
| 2017 | 3 | 9% |
| 2016 | 1 | 4% |
| 2015 | 1 | 5% |
| 2013 | 1 | 7% |
| 2008 | 1 | 3% |
| 2007 | 1 | 2% |
| 2006 | 6 | 10% |
| 2005 | 6 | 13% |
| 2004 | 13 | 15% |
| 2003 | 14 | 11% |
| 2002 | 7 | 22% |
| 2001 | 4 | 5% |
| 2000 | 9 | 8% |
| 1999 | 2 | 2% |
| 1998 | 6 | 3% |
Other parts of the 1998 Lincoln Navigator
48 complaintsSuspension
25 complaintsSteering
22 complaintsElectrical system
21 complaintsVehicle speed control
18 complaintsEngine cooling
16 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
16 complaintsWheels
15 complaintsBrakes
9 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaintsEngine
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Lincoln Navigator
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology