1998 Lincoln Navigator Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 22about this part
- Share
- 11%of 192 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 83,850miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 22 complaints about the steering of the 1998 Lincoln Navigator, 11% of the 192 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 83,850 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I visited my father who lives 22 miles away. I made it there and back fine. I just got back into my hometown when I crossed a set of tracks that are on a turn. I was traveling approximately 35 MPH. After crossing them I straightened my wheels and my Navigator began to shake with extreme violence. I immediately braked and turned down a side alley to get off the street. That's when I seen the broken passenger side tie rod.”
NHTSA complaint #10116129, filed 2005-03, 92,000 miles“I was driving on a straight stretch of road through riverside, pa doing 35 MPH when I experienced violent shaking in the front end of the vehicle. I had extreme difficulty maintaining control of the vehicle and almost hit 3 people walking alongside the road. When I was able to stop the vehicle I discovered that the inner tie rod had broken and that the right front passenger wheel was completely turned inward. The inner tie rod and associated mechanical parts were replaced. (old parts not available).”
NHTSA complaint #10173179, filed 2006-11, 52,800 miles“Without any warning while backing the truck up, the front right wheel laid sideways. The truck was towed to the dealership for examination. The technician replaced the tie rod end and the pitman arm. Both tie rods failed.”
NHTSA complaint #10073824, filed 2004-06, 91,537 miles“Vehicle's tie rod broke on 1998 Lincoln Navigator. While driving over a speed bump the front of the vehicle jumped sideways in a violent manner. The consumer drove over another speedbump and the same thing happened. The consumer's husband checked the vehicle when she got home and noticed that the tie rod broke off at the end (the ball separated from the socket). The consumer contacted the manufacturer and was told that this failure was not a common problem therefore no they would not provide any assistance.”
NHTSA complaint #10089115, filed 2004-08, 112,329 miles“While driving, the left tie rod separated, which almost caused an accident. While driving, the right tie rod separated. (all parts were replaced by the dealer) the consumer was able to stop the vehicle without causing an accident because both failures occurred at a low speed. When the tie rod broke, along with the inner binding, the reaction was extremely violent and difficult to control. The left inner and outer tie rod end were replaced. The sway bar link had broken. (the right tie rod end and sway bar link was replaced)”
NHTSA complaint #10020173, filed 2003-06, 38,216 milesSteering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 15% |
| 2022 | 1 | 5% |
| 2021 | 3 | 9% |
| 2019 | 3 | 4% |
| 2018 | 5 | 10% |
| 2017 | 1 | 3% |
| 2015 | 1 | 5% |
| 2008 | 2 | 7% |
| 2007 | 1 | 2% |
| 2006 | 3 | 5% |
| 2004 | 5 | 6% |
| 2003 | 3 | 2% |
| 2002 | 3 | 9% |
| 2001 | 1 | 1% |
| 2000 | 7 | 6% |
| 1999 | 6 | 5% |
| 1998 | 22 | 11% |
Other parts of the 1998 Lincoln Navigator
48 complaintsSuspension
25 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 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsEngine
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Lincoln Navigator
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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