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Lincoln NavigatorModel year report

1999 Lincoln Navigator Problems

Complaints
132filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
85,060miles, 52 complaints with mileage
Recalls
5campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
13 mpgcombined, 5.4L 8-cyl RWD · 11 city / 16 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1999 Lincoln Navigator (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe tires that separate or blow out at highway speed and 5.4L V8 spark plugs that eject from the cylinder head. Complaints also cluster around cooling and coolant leaks, intermittent electrical faults, and air-suspension or steering and front-end wear. Many of these reports come in at higher mileage, though the plug and tire reports appear at low mileage too.

  1. Tires

    Tire tread separation and blowouts

    • 24 complaints (18%)
    • median 67,300 mi at 8.3 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 1999–2015

    Complaints describe tread separating from the carcass or tires blowing out, usually at highway speed, preceded by vibration or noise and followed by a hard-to-control vehicle. Several owners name Continental ContiTrac and General Ameritrac tires and say tire makers or dealers were slow to help. Some note repeated failures across a set. Reported from low mileage up past 130,000 miles, most often at 55-70 mph on the highway.

    Recall 99V099000

    What to check: Inspect tire date codes and sidewalls for cracking or bulging, and ask about the brand and age of the tires fitted. Check lug nut torque and wheel condition, since a separate campaign covers wheel lug clamp load.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “In the last five years my 255/ 75 17 contitrac tires 5 of them have blown out or come apart in some manner! The last time a few days ago was pretty close to a high speed accident 65mph there is an absolute major problem with these tires !! This is the second set that has been on this truck~! Continental no longer makes this size and they are non responsive to my complaints please help.”

    NHTSA complaint #10730479, filed 2015-06, 111,000 miles

    “I have a 1999 Lincoln Navigator 2wd with general ameritrac tr tires. Tire size p245/75/16 and the tires have maybe 50% wear on them. I have had both rear tires blow out on the freeway at two different times. I know that I didn't hit anything. Also in both tire failures I first noticed tire vibration, then noise, then the tire blew out. When I first noticed the vibration I was traveling on the freeway at approximately 65 to 70 MPH and when the tire finally blew out I was traveling about 55 MPH. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10180632, filed 2007-01, 67,300 miles
  2. Engine cooling

    Coolant leaks, overheating and underhood fires

    • 9 complaints (7%)
    • median 110,000 mi at 11.1 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
    • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2004–2015

    Complaints describe coolant leaking from hoses and the radiator area, overheating, and in some cases smoke or flames from the engine compartment, including fires while parked with the engine off. Owners report dealers sometimes declined assistance or could not identify a cause. Spread from roughly 60,000 to 190,000 miles, with several fire reports above 99,000 miles.

    Recall 05V388000

    What to check: Look for coolant residue, swollen hoses or a sweet smell after a drive, and ask whether the speed-control deactivation switch campaign was performed, since that recall concerns an underhood switch that may overheat.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Consumer noticed smoke coming from under the hood. Consumer pulled over, popped hood, and noticed oil leaking onto the manifold. Dealer was contacted. Consumer found technical service bulletin 03-6-2002 from 03/31/2003 that explained the exact problem.”

    NHTSA complaint #10064622, filed 2004-03, 120,000 miles

    “Spark plugs failed. As a result, vehicle jerked forward without warning. Coolant leaked twice in the past. The radiator assembly was reinstalled. The left front window squeaked. The trim on the front door panel was removed and reinstalled. The engine light had come on and the engine had run rough. The service dealer replaced the faulty coil pack on the #4 cylinder. The heater hose was replaced due to leakage. The heater did not blow air and displayed a burning smell.”

    NHTSA complaint #10055560, filed 2004-03, 100,000 miles
  3. Electrical system

    Erratic electrical and lighting faults

    • 20 complaints (15%)
    • median 106,500 mi at 10.6 yrs old (10 state mileage)
    • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 1999–2016

    Owners describe wipers that run on their own or quit, dash and odometer lights that cut in and out, door-ajar warnings with all doors shut, and headlight switches that fail or overheat wiring. Water intrusion from the roof onto the dash is also described as triggering electrical problems. Mostly reported between about 60,000 and 150,000 miles, and often worse in rain.

    2 related service bulletins

    What to check: Test every wiper speed, the rear defroster, all exterior lights and the door-ajar warnings, and check the headliner and dash for water stains. A service bulletin covers rear defroster grid terminal repair.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “It seems that this issue that I'm having with my vehicle already was raised and dismissed. However, I very much would like this investigation re-opened because I believe that the problem is under reported. I own a 1999 Lincoln Navigator and every time it rains, my windshield wipers, windows and locks stop working. This happened as I was driving so needless to say I slowed down to almost a crawl and subsequently was pulled over by the police. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10245612, filed 2008-10, 133,000 miles

    “Rear wiper does not always come on, odometer lights go out, door ajar light comes on when all doors are closed, radio sometimes will not turn up, interior cabin lights come on, seat warmers do not come on. All of this happen intermittently, with no warming, rhtme or reason. Unable to have diagnosed, but constantly read entries of same problems from other owners....can be a safety risk when I cannot clear rear window of rain/mud.”

    NHTSA complaint #10028885, filed 2003-07, 60,000 miles
  4. Suspension

    Air suspension and front-end steering wear

    • 12 complaints (9%)
    • median 84,581 mi at 6.9 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
    • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2002–2014

    Complaints describe the rear air suspension failing or not inflating, sometimes with a melted compressor relay or air line and a very bouncy, hard-to-control ride. Others report clicking over corners or loss of steering from worn ball joints, sway bar links, tie rods or a separated tie rod end. Reported from about 34,000 miles upward, with most cases between 80,000 and 220,000 miles.

    1 related service bulletin

    What to check: Let the vehicle sit overnight and confirm it holds ride height, listen for compressor cycling, and have the front ball joints, tie rod ends and sway bar links inspected on a lift.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Heard clicking noise when turning corners. Took 1999 Lincoln Navigator in for inspections and found that the following parts needed replacing: ball joints (front-left), remove and replace control arm, lower, one side, sway bar link-remove and replace stabilizer bar control, alignment cams/wedges (front-left including alignment adjustment. Very costly and time consuming repairs. Since I travel a lot I feel more than blessed that there was not a break down in route of a trip. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10135994, filed 2005-09, 89,163 miles

    “I was driving my 1999 Lincoln Navigator and suddenly my rear suspension failed resulting in a tremendous amount of bouncing up and down cause a very serious control problem. Luckily there were no other vehicles around to cause a serious accident. I was able to get the vehicle home by driving slowly and scheduled an appointment with my local mechanic. He discovered that the compressor relay and connector plug was melted/burned and found the main air line also melted causing the sudden loss of air pressure. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10135854, filed 2005-09, 34,000 miles
  5. Engine cooling

    Spark plug ejected from cylinder head

    • 7 complaints (5%)
    • median 100,000 mi at 11.5 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2003–2020

    Owners describe a spark plug blowing out of the aluminum head while driving, sometimes with the coil damaged and threads stripped; repairs range from thread repair to head replacement. Complaints also mention misfires and rough running tied to coil-on-plug ignition. Several point to the number of service bulletins on the subject. Reported from about 50,000 to 220,000 miles, often during ordinary driving on the highway.

    4 related service bulletins

    What to check: Ask whether the plug threads have been repaired or inserts installed, and have a shop check for looseness and misfire codes. A service bulletin describes a spark plug thread repair procedure for this engine family.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I own a 1999 Lincoln Navigator (ford engine 5.4l dohc) only 52000 miles. The spark plug #4 blow out of the engine while driving on the highway. I've seen many of the ford expedigion and Lincoln Navigator owners experience this same issue. There is obviously a default with there engine for these models and thus should be recalled.”

    NHTSA complaint #10030653, filed 2003-08, 51,870 miles

    “#1 spark plug on 1999 Navigator blew out on rt 80 in pa 400 miles from my home. I had to rent a u-haul truck and trailer to tow my Navigator home at the cost of $600. I had to leave my race car and trailer in pa. I don't know how I am going to go get it. I have no tow vehicle.”

    NHTSA complaint #10336568, filed 2010-06, 101,000 miles

Buying note. Check tire age and condition, plug thread repairs and suspension health before purchase, and confirm which open campaigns have been completed. Complaint volume here is modest and skews toward high-mileage vehicles, so a thorough pre-purchase inspection matters more than any single item.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 132 consumer complaints for the 1999 Lincoln Navigator. 52 of the complaints include a mileage, and 10% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 85,060 miles. Of all complaints, 7 involved a crash, 12 a fire, 10 an injury, 2 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns and 13 technical service bulletins for this model year.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Exterior lighting (4), Fuel system (4), Other or unknown (4), Body and structure (4), Latches, locks and linkages (3), Seats (3), Air bags (2), Engine (2), Seat belts (2), Equipment (1).

Example complaints

Tires: “I have a complaint about the tires on my Navigator, they are continental contitrac at's the size is p255-75r17 and the DOT number off the tire for production time is 129. On sunday april 13 I was traveling down I-4 from tampa to winter haven florida at approximately 70 MPH when the truck started shaking violently. I pulled to the side of the road and the right rear tire had separated and a large piece of the tire had come off. I put on the spare and drove home, continental told me to go to tire kingdom which would not help me. …”

NHTSA complaint #10014426, filed 2003-04, 46,000 miles

Engine cooling: “Water, vapor, condensation keeps getting on to the coil on plug assembly on the passenger side of my engine causing water build up, electrical failure, misfires and spark plug explosions in to my engine, causing fragments of metal and plastic to fire in to my engine. This has happened to me several times now, been repaired, and continues to happen. …”

NHTSA complaint #10374643, filed 2011-01, 81,025 miles

Electrical system: “Rear taillights would not work and headlights would not go off at times door ajar would come on and all doors were closed at times heated seats would work and sometimes not took to shop and had wiring diagnostics done and found out needed new headlight switch put in it shorted out burning wires under dash garage had to order new headlight switch put it in and it did not work ordered 3rd one and same situation still did not work am being told by ford and garage that there is a backorder on part because of known problems with the headlight switch control that is being made and will be at least…”

NHTSA complaint #10313475, filed 2010-02, 146,116 miles

Suspension: “Several months to a year ago, I received a recall notice from ford/Lincoln telling me to have my tire rods inspected. I did so the last time the care was in for service and was told all was ok and they didn't need to be replaced. Last night, while driving near rfk stadium in washington, dc, the tire rod on my 99 Lincoln Navigator severed from the vehicle causing me to lose control of the vehicle and steering. Shortly before incident I had been on the beltway going 55 MPH. At the time of the incident, I was only traveling 25-30 MPH. By luck, the car veered into a exxon gas station. …”

NHTSA complaint #10135878, filed 2005-09, 80,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

10% of the 52 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 63,420 and 133,000 miles.

2%0–102%10–256%25–5027%50–7523%75–10025%100–15015%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (52 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 85,060 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

’9921’02’05’08’11’15’20
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1999 Lincoln Navigator. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Navigator · sedan not rated4 / 4———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1999 Lincoln Navigator version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Navigator 2WD5.4L 8-cyl4-speed automatic111613$5,150
Navigator 2WD5.4L 8-cyl4-speed automatic121613$6,300
Navigator 4WD5.4L 8-cyl4-speed automatic111513$6,300
Navigator 4WD5.4L 8-cyl4-speed automatic111512$5,600

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 1999 Lincoln Navigator → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 13 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 13 bulletins →

Other model years of the Lincoln Navigator

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2025132,5006517—Too new
20241612,3507—18—Too new
2023743,2008—19—Too new
20222157,00014—19—Rising
20213319,7001251882 · MoreRising
20203250,7421351950 · TypicalRising
20198570,0001051973 · MoreRising
20185257,5001251956 · TypicalRising
20173287,000551712 · FewerRising
20162579,50045181 · FewerRising
20152166,5004518—Rising
20141786,0000416—Falling
20131420,0000416—Not enough data
20121230,0003416—Not enough data
2011986,3000—16—Not enough data
20101677,0000—16—Stable
20091066,0571—16—Not enough data
20083060,0002—1417 · FewerStable
20074570,0002—14Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20066073,7503—13Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20054860,0000—13Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20048666,5000—13Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200312772,5000—13Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20023290,0001—13Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20018178,0003—12Not compared (before 2008)Rising
200010975,0004—13Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199913285,0605—13Not compared (before 2008)Falling
199819298,0605—13Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Lincoln Navigator model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1999 Lincoln Navigator?

Owners of this model year most often describe tires that separate or blow out at highway speed and 5.4L V8 spark plugs that eject from the cylinder head. The issues reported most often: Tire tread separation and blowouts; Coolant leaks, overheating and underhood fires; Erratic electrical and lighting faults.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1999 Lincoln Navigator have?

NHTSA recorded 132 consumer complaints for the 1999 Lincoln Navigator as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1999 Lincoln Navigator is reported most often?

Tires is named most often, in 29 complaints (22% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 22.

Has the 1999 Lincoln Navigator been recalled?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1999 Lincoln Navigator get?

The EPA rates the 1999 Lincoln Navigator (Navigator 2WD, 5.4L 8-cyl) at 13 mpg combined, 11 city and 16 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,150 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1999 Lincoln Navigator reported?

Among the 52 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 85,060 miles and the middle half falls between 63,420 and 133,000 miles; 10% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.