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Lincoln NavigatorModel year report

2016 Lincoln Navigator Problems

Compared with other Lincoln Navigator years

Fewer complaints than typical for this model

1/100 0.3× a typical year · 50 = typical

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
25filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
79,500miles, 14 complaints with mileage
Recalls
4campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
5 / 5stars overall, 4 rated versions
EPA fuel economy
18 mpgcombined, 3.5L 6-cyl RWD · 16 city / 22 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2016 Lincoln Navigator (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 25 consumer complaints for the 2016 Lincoln Navigator. The part named most often is visibility, with 7 complaints (28% of the total), followed by brakes (6) and back-over prevention (5). 14 of the complaints include a mileage, and 14% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 79,500 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 119 technical service bulletins for this model year. Visibility complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the exterior and 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the master cylinder and 4 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 6 Lincoln Navigator model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 1 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (fewer complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

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: Tires (1).

Example complaints

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “While driving approximately 65 MPH on highway 18 in yamhill county, oregon on a curved section of the road the sunroof spontaneously exploded. There were no vehicles near me and there was nothing overhead. We found no rocks in the vehicle and from the attached pictures it is clear that the glass broke in an outward/upward direction. The interior temperature of the cabin was about 74 and the heater fan was running at near maximum. Outside temperature was approximately 36 degrees fahrenheit.”

NHTSA complaint #10934922, filed 2016-12, 13,000 miles

Brakes: “While driving the low brake fluid light illuminated and check brake fluid warning alerted me, as I was looking for a place to pull over the brake pedal went to the floor board and no brakes were present. I had to apply the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. After stopping I opened the hood to check the brake fluid level and it was completely empty. No visible signs of a leak under vehicle or inside engine bay. It appears to be a total failure of the master cylinder and brake booster as noted in hundreds of other complaints on this ford Lincoln brake system.”

NHTSA complaint #11255533, filed 2019-09, 58,252 miles

Back-over prevention (rear camera): “I was driving driving down the road at 45 MPH, and then the rear object sensor came on the dash. Then the Check engine light and about not reading a sensor. Then the vehicle locked up all 4 wheels squealed tires and came to complete stop, and then started moving forward again. Then I got scared and stopped the vehicle, put it in park and then put it back in drive, driving slower until the sensors flashed back on, I pulled over cut the vehicle to re start it and it would not cut back on, but never shut completely off. …”

NHTSA complaint #11600586, filed 2024-07

Electrical system: “The power running boards do not go up and down, and are locked in the down position. During the winter snow and ice collects on the running board while driving and makes it incredibly slippery to step on for the driver and passengers. There is a setting to change the position of the running board but it does not move the running board. It has been inoperable for the past 6-8 months now.”

NHTSA complaint #11712327, filed 2026-01

Mileage when problems were reported

14% of the 14 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 60,500 and 110,000 miles.

7%0–107%10–250%25–5029%50–7521%75–10029%100–1507%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (14 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 79,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

20162019202220232024202572026
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 2016 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 · extended suv 4x2★★★★★5 / 5553 · 21.2% risk
Navigator · SUV 4x2★★★★★5 / 5553 · 21.2% risk
Navigator · extended suv 4x4★★★★★5 / 5554 · 19.8% risk
Navigator · SUV 4x4★★★★★5 / 5554 · 19.8% risk

Neighbouring years: 2015: same overall rating; 2017: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.

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

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2016 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 2WD3.5L 6-cyl6-speed automatic162218$3,700
Navigator 4WD3.5L 6-cyl6-speed automatic152017$3,950
Navigator L 2WD3.5L 6-cyl6-speed automatic152017$3,950
Navigator L 4WD3.5L 6-cyl6-speed automatic151916$4,200

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 2016 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. 119 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 119 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

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2016 Lincoln Navigator have?

NHTSA recorded 25 consumer complaints for the 2016 Lincoln Navigator as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2016 Lincoln Navigator is reported most often?

Visibility is named most often, in 7 complaints (28% of the total), followed by brakes with 6.

Has the 2016 Lincoln Navigator been recalled?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

How did the 2016 Lincoln Navigator do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2016 Lincoln Navigator 5 out of 5 stars overall, across 4 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.

What gas mileage does the 2016 Lincoln Navigator get?

The EPA rates the 2016 Lincoln Navigator (Navigator 2WD, 3.5L 6-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 16 city and 22 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2016 Lincoln Navigator reported?

Among the 14 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 79,500 miles and the middle half falls between 60,500 and 110,000 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 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.