2002 Lincoln Navigator Problems
- Complaints
- 32filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 90,000miles, 22 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of 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 / 15 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2002 Lincoln Navigator (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 32 consumer complaints for the 2002 Lincoln Navigator. The part named most often is air bags, with 7 complaints (22% of the total), followed by engine cooling (7) and vehicle speed control (7). 22 of the complaints include a mileage, and 14% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 90,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 5 a fire, 7 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 16 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
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.
- Air bags7 22%
- Engine cooling7 22%
- Electrical system6 19%
- Fuel system5 16%
- Steering3 9.4%
- Engine2 6.3%
- Body and structure2 6.3%
- Brakes1 3.1%
Also reported: Exterior lighting (1), Other or unknown (1), Seat belts (1), Suspension (1), Tires (1).
Example complaints
Air bags: “I won a 2002 Lincoln Navigator on an ebay auction and paid $19,000 for the vehicle via direct wire transfer through my bank. The Lincoln Navigator advertisement represented the vehicle as like new in every way , our mechanics have inspected this truck and found everything to be in excellent working condition & options: driver & passenger airbags . The vehicle is in poor condition. The airbags were deployed and not replaced. …”
NHTSA complaint #10091302, filed 2004-09, 34,219 milesEngine cooling: “My 2002 Lincoln Navigator caught fire, the entire engine and front half of the car is charred and the interior has significant burn damage, it almost set fire to our home.”
NHTSA complaint #10334517, filed 2010-06, 102,000 milesVehicle speed control: “I have a water leakage and it is affecting the electronics of the car..when it rains, electrical problem occurs..sometimes the car will shift to 4 wheel drive and the heater will go on and off, the radio stop working, electronic door lock will not open..acceleration and overdrive goes on..battery will go dead...”
NHTSA complaint #10314457, filed 2010-02, 90,000 milesElectrical system: “On 12/03/11 when my husband started our 2002 Lincoln Navigator a loud bang happened, my seat belt tightened across my chest so tight it hurt and I couldn't breathe, the car started smoking so bad that my oldest daughter jumped out of the truck because it scared her so bad. The seat belt was so tight it wouldn't come off at first which scared me because the smoke was by the side of my head! Now the seat belt won't work and I don't want to use my car without it. In the past year, 2011, my truck keeps blowing fuses on the automatic lights and air bag for the passenger side. …”
NHTSA complaint #10438466, filed 2011-12, 150,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
14% of the 22 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 80,000 and 128,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2002 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.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Navigator · sedan | not rated | 5 / 5 | — | — | 2 |
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 2002 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).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Navigator 2WD | 5.4L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 11 | 15 | 13 | $6,300 |
| Navigator 4WD | 5.4L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 10 | 15 | 12 | $6,850 |
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
- 05V388000Sep 7, 2005Vehicle speed controlCovers: Lincoln Navigator 1998–2002, Ford F-150 1994–2002, F-250 1994–1999 +3 more
On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles equipped with speed control, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat, smoke, or burn.
Recall details for the 2002 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. 16 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10177863Jul 13, 2020Body and structure. This article supersedes TSB 19-2026 to update the vehicle model years affected. Some 2000 and newer Ford/Lincoln/Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns…
- 10156863Feb 7, 2019Equipment, Body and structure. Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white…
- 10155551Feb 7, 2019Body and structure. Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white…
- 10019912Jan 1, 2006Engine cooling. Engine misfire with diagnostic trouble code (dtc) pewee, p0302, p0303, p0304, p0305, p0306, p0307, p0308, and p0316.
- 10018745Nov 14, 2005Engine cooling. Wds cop kit diagnostic tip - coil on plug (cop) ignition systems - engine misfire or rough running.
- 10014138Jun 7, 2005Seat belts. Safety belt retraction speed.
- 10017892Apr 1, 2005Transmission and drivetrain. Rear axle noise repair.
- 10016789Jan 1, 2005Suspension. Rear axle noise repair.
- 10014165Dec 27, 2004Body and structure. Aluminum corrosion - service tip.
- 10014086Dec 13, 2004Transmission and drivetrain. General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures.
Other model years of the Lincoln Navigator
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 13 | 2,500 | 6 | 5 | 17 | — | Too new |
| 2024 | 16 | 12,350 | 7 | — | 18 | — | Too new |
| 2023 | 7 | 43,200 | 8 | — | 19 | — | Too new |
| 2022 | 21 | 57,000 | 14 | — | 19 | — | Rising |
| 2021 | 33 | 19,700 | 12 | 5 | 18 | 82 · More | Rising |
| 2020 | 32 | 50,742 | 13 | 5 | 19 | 50 · Typical | Rising |
| 2019 | 85 | 70,000 | 10 | 5 | 19 | 73 · More | Rising |
| 2018 | 52 | 57,500 | 12 | 5 | 19 | 56 · Typical | Rising |
| 2017 | 32 | 87,000 | 5 | 5 | 17 | 12 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2016 | 25 | 79,500 | 4 | 5 | 18 | 1 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2015 | 21 | 66,500 | 4 | 5 | 18 | — | Rising |
| 2014 | 17 | 86,000 | 0 | 4 | 16 | — | Falling |
| 2013 | 14 | 20,000 | 0 | 4 | 16 | — | Not enough data |
| 2012 | 12 | 30,000 | 3 | 4 | 16 | — | Not enough data |
| 2011 | 9 | 86,300 | 0 | — | 16 | — | Not enough data |
| 2010 | 16 | 77,000 | 0 | — | 16 | — | Stable |
| 2009 | 10 | 66,057 | 1 | — | 16 | — | Not enough data |
| 2008 | 30 | 60,000 | 2 | — | 14 | 17 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2007 | 45 | 70,000 | 2 | — | 14 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2006 | 60 | 73,750 | 3 | — | 13 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 48 | 60,000 | 0 | — | 13 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2004 | 86 | 66,500 | 0 | — | 13 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 127 | 72,500 | 0 | — | 13 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2002 | 32 | 90,000 | 1 | — | 13 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 81 | 78,000 | 3 | — | 12 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2000 | 109 | 75,000 | 4 | — | 13 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 132 | 85,060 | 5 | — | 13 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 192 | 98,060 | 5 | — | 13 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Lincoln Navigator model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002 Lincoln Navigator have?
NHTSA recorded 32 consumer complaints for the 2002 Lincoln Navigator as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2002 Lincoln Navigator is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 7 complaints (22% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 7.
Has the 2002 Lincoln Navigator been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Lincoln Navigator get?
The EPA rates the 2002 Lincoln Navigator (Navigator 2WD, 5.4L 8-cyl) at 13 mpg combined, 11 city and 15 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $6,300 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2002 Lincoln Navigator reported?
Among the 22 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 90,000 miles and the middle half falls between 80,000 and 128,000 miles; 14% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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.